This document discusses how students can use blogging and ePortfolios to differentiate themselves during the university admissions process. It explains that blogs allow students to showcase their skills, interests and personality. By curating blog content and social media profiles carefully, students can craft and communicate their personal brand to admissions officers. The document provides guidance on creating blogs, using them as ePortfolios, developing a unique personal brand, practicing good online etiquette, and leveraging social media responsibly.

1. Academic ePortfolios
Blogging Your Way To
University Admission

2. Topics
• What Is Blogging
• Creating A Blog
• Turning Your Blog Into An Online ePortfolio
• Crafting Your Personal Brand
• Differentiating Yourself And Communicating Your
Personal Brand
• Blogging And Online Etiquette
• Social Media: Responsible And Effective Use

3. What Is Blogging?
• A blog is a type of website that is usually arranged in
chronological order from the most recent „post‟ (or entry)
at the top of the main page to the older entries towards
the bottom.
• There are really no restrictions on the form of content
being posted. A blog is accessible from any browser and
consists of an empty form box into which the blogger can
post anything: text, images, media objects, and other
data.
• Blogs are typically updated daily using software that
allows people with little or no technical background to
update and maintain the blog.

4. Creating A Blog
• At it‟s simplest, the process of creating a blog takes only
3 steps:
1. Acquiring a URL or domain name
2. Buying hosting on a server
3. Installing blogging software
• If your URL is your address, hosting is like renting an
apartment, and your content is what goes inside.
• WordPress is currently the world‟s top blogging
software and content management system.
• Once created, a blog can be customized with different
themes, color schemes, plug-ins and widgets.

5. Turning Your Blog Into An ePortfolio
• While blogs were originally considered an electronic form
of a journal, technology has made the number of
possible uses for a blog almost endless.
• Currently, one of the most popular uses is as an
ePortfolio, a platform that reflects the individual skills,
interests, and general qualities of the owner/blogger.
• Blogs and ePortfolios have become so customizable that
they are now one of the most effective ways to
communicate both personal and professional brands.
• So who uses blogs and ePortfolios?

6. Turning Your Blog Into An ePortfolio
Businesses

7. Turning Your Blog Into An ePortfolio
Restaurants

8. Turning Your Blog Into An ePortfolio
Stores

9. Turning Your Blog Into An ePortfolio
Gaming Sites

10. Turning Your Blog Into An ePortfolio
Newspapers & Magazines

11. Turning Your Blog Into An ePortfolio
Job Seekers

12. Turning Your Blog Into An ePortfolio
Artists

13. Turning Your Blog Into An ePortfolio
Students

14. Your Personal Brand
• Your personal brand is the way in you‟re perceived by
other people.
• Creating a unique personal brand which attracts positive
attention is what will set you apart in the eyes of
admissions officers.
• “Remember you have one competitive advantage that
can not be replicated – You. No one can ever duplicate
your personality, the way you do business and your
attitude towards other people. Projecting your personality
is a powerful competitive advantage, branding message
and business tool that you should be using every day.” –
Yaro Starak

15. Crafting And Communicating
Your Personal Brand
• While a well-rounded application is important,
admissions officers want to see the skill or passion that
makes you unique.
• An ePortfolio is a place where you can present your
expertise and/or passion about certain topics, ideas, and
events.
• Using an ePortfolio is a much more humble yet creative
avenue to display awards, achievements, and general
knowledge.
• Your expertise and passion can be further proven by a
growing and dedicated following.

16. Blogging And Online Etiquette
• Blogging is a very free style of writing, often just the
authors thought flow in written form.
• This allows for the blogger‟s personality to come
through to the reader, which is important when trying
to present a unique picture of yourself to admissions
officers.
• Just like with a college application, however, poor
writing and low-quality content reflect negatively on
your image and could disrupt your branding
message.

17. Social Media: Responsible &
Effective Use
• With hundreds of millions of users, Social Media is one of the
most effective ways of promoting both your personal brand
and your ePortfolio.
• Many university admissions officers now view social media or
networking profiles to learn more about a student.
• When used correctly, Social Media is a valuable tool that can
help reinforce a consistent message to admission officers.
• Tailoring social media profiles and promoting professional and
engaging content across your networks is essential in defining
yourself online, supporting your ePortfolio, and representing
your personal brand.