Kaplan Test Prep recently released a survey that reported 41 percent of law admissions officers run Google searches on their applicants and 37 percent of law admissions officers check applicants’ Facebook pages or social media sites.
The Paul M. Hebert Law Center is not included in those results, according to Jake Henry, director of admissions.
Henry, who came to the Law Center in January, said the admissions officers do not search for extra information on applicants, but if a red flag were to arise, they would consider using Google. He said in his time at the Law Center, they have not searched for applicants.
Henry said he’s unsure if the Law Center would switch to a policy where admissions officers would use the Internet for resources on applicants, but that policy change would have to be set by the Faculty Admissions Committee and approved by the chancellor.
The Law Center’s application asks prospective students about their backgrounds and requests they explain past behaviors as part of their application. That information, though, may not always be intact or complete, Henry said, which is where an admissions officer would turn toward searching an applicant.
“The applicants to law school are trying to enter a profession where honesty and integrity are the pillars of the profession,” Henry said. “We would expect that all of our applicants understand the magnitude of the profession that they’re entering. And therefore, we’re expecting them to be honest and upfront about everything they disclose in their forever.”
Thomas said Google-searching applicants and checking Facebook profiles are an “emerging wildcard in the admissions process,” and he anticipates this trend to become the norm, much like checking a credit score.
 
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Contact Andrea Gallo at [email protected]