Background Checks: Do Universities Snoop On Applicants?

Universities are increasingly performing background checks on prospective students as part of their admissions process. While the majority of universities conduct some form of background check, only a small percentage of students receive a full background check. These checks are often conducted to ensure the safety of students, especially those living in dorms, and to comply with affiliation agreements. Additionally, certain courses, such as those in care professions, require a background check for admission. Background checks can also impact a student's access to financial aid and internship opportunities.

Criminal background checks

Universities typically use various platforms to conduct these checks, including county records, transcripts, and public records databases. Some common platforms include WhitePages, InstantCheckmate, and Spokeo. Background checks are often conducted to ensure the safety of students, especially those living in dorms, as well as to comply with affiliation agreements and internship or work-study program requirements.

While a criminal record may not automatically disqualify an applicant, certain crimes, such as those involving harm or violence, are given particular attention. Additionally, students must not be listed as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) on OFAC or appear on any watch lists, such as the FBI Most Wanted or National Sex Offender Registry. Failure to check for SDNs can result in significant civil and criminal penalties for the institution.

The use of criminal background checks in the admissions process has been criticised by civil rights advocates, who argue that it creates barriers to education and employment opportunities, particularly for low-income and minority groups. In some states, such as New York, colleges have agreed to remove overly broad criminal record questions from their applications, only considering convictions that pose a threat to public safety or are related to academics.

Safety of students

Universities have a duty of care to their students, staff, and the wider community to ensure that their campus is a safe environment for all. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of violence on school campuses, and universities are taking steps to address this issue. One such measure is the implementation of background checks on incoming students.

Background Checks for Student Safety

Background checks are one tool that universities use to identify potential risks and create a safer campus environment. While the majority of universities conduct some form of background check, only a small percentage of students receive a full and thorough investigation. These checks are often basic and rely on self-disclosure from applicants, with universities trusting students to be honest about their past. However, this honour system can lead to potential issues, as students may not disclose sensitive information accurately.

Types of Checks

Universities typically look for criminal records, including violent convictions, drug or alcohol arrests, and sexual offences. They may also review online behaviour and social media presence, although this is less common. In some cases, universities may require a more comprehensive background check, especially for students applying to certain courses or internships. For example, students pursuing care professions, such as nursing or medicine, may undergo more extensive screening.

Impact on Admissions

It's important to note that a criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant. Universities consider the nature and severity of any crimes and may handle them through their admission policies and risk mitigation strategies. However, certain criminal records, such as those indicating harm or violence, will generally require a more thorough review and may result in disqualification.

Benefits of Background Checks

Background checks can provide universities with valuable information to make informed decisions and create a safer campus. They can also benefit students by making them more marketable for internships and externships, as many organisations require these checks for their own risk management.

While background checks are an important tool for universities, they should be used as part of a comprehensive approach to campus safety, alongside other measures to create a secure and supportive environment for all students.

Student accommodation

Universities are increasingly performing background checks on students, particularly those who will be living in dormitories with other students. This is to ensure the safety of students, staff, and faculty, and to protect the university's reputation. Background checks are also carried out to make it easier for students to access internships, work-study programs, and volunteer opportunities, as many external organizations require them. Additionally, certain courses, such as nursing, medicine, and psychology, require students to pass a background check as a prerequisite.

Universities conduct background checks through various platforms, including county records, transcripts, and online databases such as WhitePages, InstantCheckmate, and Spokeo. These checks typically involve criminal history searches, sex offender registry searches, and checks for drug or alcohol-related arrests and violent convictions. Other checks may include employment history, reference checks, and education verification.

It is important to note that having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from university admission. A study found that 66.4% of colleges perform random criminal background checks, but 38% stated that a criminal history does not automatically lead to rejection. However, certain criminal behaviors, such as crimes involving harm or violence, may exclude students from gaining admission, especially for degrees working with vulnerable members of society.

To facilitate the background check process, some universities use electronic background screening, where student applicants submit their own background information and electronically sign disclosure forms. Universities may also include social media profiles in their background checks, but these are usually only a concern if the student is posting inappropriate or illegal content. Overall, universities strive to balance ensuring the safety of their community with providing educational opportunities for students.

Course requirements

Additionally, universities will often perform background checks for scholarships, especially sports scholarships, to ensure that students meet the standards of the scholarship and do not pose a risk to the university's reputation. Background checks for scholarships may include a review of criminal records, behaviour online, and "watch-lists".

It is important to note that while universities may perform background checks, they often do not investigate thoroughly unless they have a reason to do so. Universities typically rely on students to honestly disclose any relevant information, such as criminal history, on their application forms.

Social media presence

With the increasing popularity of social media, it is no surprise that universities are now including social media checks as part of their background screening process. This is especially true for applicants with public social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Universities may choose to review an applicant's social media profiles to gain a better understanding of their character and values. While universities are unlikely to deny admission solely based on an applicant's social media presence, it is important for applicants to be mindful of the content they post online.

Universities may use social media checks to identify any red flags or potential areas of concern. For example, posts or comments that indicate involvement in illegal activities, such as drug use or alcohol abuse, may raise concerns about an applicant's suitability for the university environment. Additionally, universities may look for signs of cyberbullying, harassment, or discriminatory behaviour, as such actions could violate the university's code of conduct and values.

On the other hand, a strong and positive social media presence can also work in an applicant's favour. Universities may view an applicant more favourably if they demonstrate maturity, responsibility, and a commitment to their community or personal interests. For example, an applicant who actively volunteers or participates in extracurricular activities may showcase these experiences on their social media profiles, providing universities with a more well-rounded view of their character.

It is worth noting that universities typically do not have the time or resources to conduct extensive social media investigations. Therefore, they may only review an applicant's social media presence if there are specific concerns or if the applicant has provided their social media handles during the application process. Nonetheless, applicants should be mindful of their online presence and ensure that their public profiles reflect the image they want to portray to universities and potential employers.

Overall, while social media checks are not the primary focus of university background screenings, applicants should be aware that their online presence can provide universities with additional insights into their character and values. Maintaining a positive and responsible social media presence can only strengthen an applicant's profile, while negative or inappropriate content may raise concerns about their suitability for the university community.

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