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Originally Posted by Future9529
I have blocked my facebook so none of the current members can pre-judge me
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OK. now this is just MY opinion - I'm sure there are others who will disagree. From my perspective (a chapter advisor), this looks like you have something to hide. And you are correct - current members WILL be looking up facebook profiles, just as I have been doing for the past month. But when I see a blocked one, my first reaction is - hmmmm.... I wonder what she doesn't want us to know. And some that I have seen should be edited! I mean PNMs with albums called "drunken nights" with photos of herself and another girlfriend half naked and pawing each other.
I know that this wasn't the point of your post, but it really jumped out to me. Facebook and MySpace can be detrimental to a PNM, but if they are used effectively, they can also help her out. In essence, they are like a recommendation letter or additional application materials that you didn't have the room to submit. Listing your activities, interests, and intentions for the future are just more ways that current members can get to know you and identify common ground. I know that I've made notes about some PNMs with regard to who in the chapter should meet them based on similar interests and activities. When the recruitment parties start up, we'll make sure that the active member who spent 2 weeks in Italy will be matched up to the PNM who spent 2 weeks in Italy (or whatever).
Not everyone who looks at your Facebook wants to find your flaws. I'd rather someone be completely offline than to run into a blocked profile. But in the situation where PNMs are not properly educated to fill out their applications to the fullest, Facebook will be a huge help to us when deciding who should be released on that very first night. I've seen some brilliantly filled out FB /MS profiles that greatly complement so-so recruitment applications. In some cases it will mean the difference between being released after the 20 minute open house or being invited back to the second round.
We didn't have anything like Facebook or MySpace when I was in college, so I can't speak to the 18-22 year-old mind on this one. But I always thought these sites were for networking and meeting new people. What's the point in showing your profile to just your friends? Don't they already know that you are a cheerleader, love the color pink, and like to listen to Fall Out Boy?
As to your original question -
- I think you've gotten some good advice. I, too, went through with a good friend. We didn't compare notes all week and were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves in the same chapter! We made lots of new friends and still remained close.
Very best of luck to you! Again, you may get some thoughts contradicting my above ramblings on Facebook. I can only refer to my experiences on it, though. Others may have other perspectives that will help!