“Ghosted” has specific social media connotations that “ignored” does not.
Ignored = “refuse to take notice of or acknowledge; disregard intentionally.”
Ghosted = “end a relationship with (someone) by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication.”
The article writer is trying (and failing) to be clever, even though you can’t really be ghosted by colleges and employers that you’re applying to (since you have no preexisting relationship with them).
Business Insider’s take on a similar word at least used a more accurate word: “rejected”.
Ignored = “refuse to take notice of or acknowledge; disregard intentionally.”
Ghosted = “end a relationship with (someone) by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication.”
There is no distinction nor difference here IMHO.