In today’s world, your social media presence can say a lot about you, and PA schools know it. While it’s not the first thing an admissions committee checks, your social media can help or hurt your chances of getting into PA school.

So, should you be worried about what’s on your Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn? Can social media actually help your PA school application? Let’s break it down.

Do PA Schools Check Your Social Media?

The short answer is that it depends.

Most PA programs don’t have dedicated staff checking every applicant’s social media accounts. However, some programs do take a look, especially if your application raises concerns. If something questionable comes up, such as unprofessional behavior, it can be a red flag to admissions committees. On the other hand, if your social media is public and professional, it could actually help showcase your leadership, volunteer work, or dedication to healthcare.

Even if a PA school isn’t actively checking your profiles, it only takes one person to report a post or tag your name in something problematic for it to become an issue.

What PA Schools Might See as a Red Flag on Social Media

If you have any of the following on your public profiles, you might want to clean things up before applying.

• Unprofessional behavior – Any posts or videos showing inappropriate behavior, excessive partying, illegal activities, or controversial opinions could raise concerns.
• Complaints about work or patients – Never post anything negative about your current or past employers, coworkers, or patient experiences. This violates HIPAA and shows poor professionalism, which is a major red flag for PA programs.
• Offensive or controversial posts – Racist, sexist, or politically extreme content can raise concerns about your ability to provide unbiased, compassionate patient care.
• Misinformation about healthcare – As a future PA, you will be expected to uphold evidence-based medicine. If you share misleading or false medical information, it can hurt your credibility.
• Unprofessional profile names or handles – If your old Twitter or TikTok handle is something like @PartyDoc2023 or @BeerKing or @hotgirl69, it might be time for an update.

A quick fix is to Google yourself and see what comes up. If your name is associated with anything questionable, it’s time to clean it up.

Can Social Media Help Your PA School Application?

Your social media can actually work in your favor if used strategically. Here’s how.

• Showcase your passion for healthcare – Share articles, research, or your own insights on healthcare topics. Post about volunteer work, shadowing experiences, or clinical insights, without breaking HIPAA.
• Highlight your leadership and community involvement – If you have led a pre-PA club, organized events, or participated in mission trips, share it. Posting about these experiences reinforces your application.
• Network with PAs and future classmates – Following and engaging with PA schools, professors, and current PA students can help you stay informed and make connections. A strong LinkedIn presence can be an asset if you are networking with faculty or preceptors.
• Create a professional online presence – A well-maintained LinkedIn profile with your experiences, achievements, and goals can impress PA schools. Even an Instagram or TikTok page dedicated to your pre-PA journey can demonstrate dedication to the profession.

What Should You Do If You’re Worried About Your Social Media?

1. Audit your accounts – Check your Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even old accounts you forgot about. Delete or make private any content that doesn’t align with your professional image.
2. Adjust privacy settings – If you want to keep personal content separate, set your profiles to private. Just be aware that even private posts can be screenshotted and shared.
3. Clean up tagged photos and comments – Review what others have posted about you or tagged you in. Un-tag or delete anything questionable.
4. Update your LinkedIn profile – Even if PA schools don’t check, future networking opportunities and job searches will. Keep it clean, complete, and professional.

Final Thoughts

While PA schools may not actively search for your social media, it is always best to assume that they could see it. Your online presence should reflect the professional, responsible, and dedicated applicant that you are.

If you use social media wisely, it can actually help strengthen your application and make you stand out in a positive way.

Your next step is to do a quick social media cleanup and consider using your platforms to highlight your journey to PA school.