I don’t know why, but I feel like I’m exposing myself when I post on here. Is there any way to hide your replies & threads from the public to help preserve your anonymity? It would be pretty easy to find out who somebody is through all the specific info (SAT scores, class rank, GPA, etc…).
It is up to you how much you reveal. I am more cautious now in preserving my son’s privacy because we probably can be identified based on info I have included… but only to someone who knows us or an admissions officer or alumni interviewer who just happens to read one of my posts right after reading my son’s application (highly unlikely!). My fault. If you do not share unique clubs, jobs, parents’ alma maters, name of high school or location of home town, diagnoses,etc… just sharing scores, class rank, GPA and schools of interest leaves you pretty anonymous.
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I think that hiding your replies from the general public kills the whole point in being in a forum, as opposed to a private chat with friends.
Leave out that specific info. There’s still a lot to learn here, but you’re wise to be careful about revealing too much to the world.
There is no way to hide your replies and threads from the public. As already mentioned, no one will be able to figure out who you are just based on SAT scores, class rank and GPA. Where someone could be identified is if they won a national award that only a handful of people get, and they name that award. Or they say they are valedictorian, and then give the name of the high school or small town that only has one high school. Or they state their college major specifically that only a small number of students pursue at their college. Etc. In these cases, it is best to be more general and vague, rather than describe everything in detail. For example, saying “a prestigious national science award” or highly competitive award is enough without naming the actual award, or a large high school in a major city without naming the city and school. Anything you think is potentially identifying you can just describe in more general terms.
I think you are being a little paranoid. There are about 30,000 public high schools in the US and another 10,000 private ones. So that’s 40,000 kids that could describe themselves as the class valedictorian or the captain of the football team. But as others have said, if you are worried, be vague in terms of where you live to protect your identity
No one who doesn’t already know you will be able to find you if you just post basic stats and what state you are in.
However, if you post more details, someone who does know you may figure out its you. I know someone who posts on CC. Once after reading a post that detailed an issue, I thought “I know someone just like that with that exact family situation”. Then he posted about a broken limb. Son came home from school that day and said “Guess what, F just broke his arm”. Busted. I have not identified myself to this person or let them know that I know their identity.
No, it’s actually very difficult. And any “discovery” would be based upon assumption.
While it seems basic, as a moderator here, I’ve seen many people make these very same errors:
• Selecting a screen name that matched the real name, or list their real name.
• Saying their hometown
• Saying the name of their HS.
• Being overly specific in the case of awards that are easy to google.
Avoid the above, and you’ll be fine.
I understand that message boards are ultimately anonymous but I don’t get the big deal. If you aren’t divulging family secrets, illegal action or outright lying about a situation, why the care factor? What’s the chances that admission personnel 1) scour CC for information and rely on that as a means of gathering data or 2) can really figure out who each student is? And, if they can, hmmm, what will they learn that might hurt chances?
Sure, I don’t give my name but its easy enough to figure out the region where one resides most of the time. Some people try to keep their student’s school anonymous, I think the information is better used if you know what school is being talked about.
LOL moment. My D recently decided to join in her quest to gather information about internships and other career moves/goals and came across my screen name. She read one or two posts and knew immediately that it was me and texted me. Sure glad I didn’t embellish or give personal detailed information about our home life. I imagine by now she has read all my posts. She’s still talking to me so I guess I passed the “Mom don’t talk about me to strangers” test.