If you haven’t had the chance to check out Friendsy, you will be convinced to download it after hearing Campus Representative, Lauren Nakamura, talk about how awesome it is. Friendsy is an iPhone/Android app geared towards enriching relationships and establishing new ones. Lauren describes it as “a fusion of other social networking tools” (Facebook, Tinder, Yik Yak, etc.), as the app not only allows you to view profiles of potential friends, hook ups, or dates, but also allows you to leave compliments. Users can set their search criteria based on school, class year, gender, major, organization (so on and so forth) to make it as specific or general as you would like.
“Looking for another student at Tufts who you can discuss your Econ problem set with?” Lauren explains. “Trying to connect with another sorority sister or yoga buddy in a new city? Searching for the perfect soul mate in the year below you who studies Biology at Harvard? Friendsy can help you out!” The best part? They won’t be notified until the match is mutual. If you’re a match, then you can privately message each other to continue the chat, or you can terminate it if it’s not going anywhere. Lauren highlighted another extremely cool feature of the app: “It has a Chat Room feature in which users can chat anonymously about current events (the VMAs, presidential race, roommate horror stories, etc.) and meet new friends who share similar interests!” The significance of Friendsy is that it focuses on expanding your social circle; it does not have to be used specifically for dating or hooking up, but instead it allows you to use a personal profile to meet new friends, connect with old ones, or keep in touch with current ones!
If you are using Friendsy primarily for your love life, however, the app provides a lot more transparency than other match-making apps such as Tinder and Bumble. An “.edu” email address is required for registration, so everyone using Friendsy has a confirmed college identity. Additionally, users can disclose as much or as little information as they’d like and only reveal further hints upon request. These hints narrow down the pool of potential matches, allowing people to eventually connect. If you’re hesitant about investing in this new dating app, Lauren ensures there are “no lying creepers,” and that the “uniqueness of Friendsy is communicated from user to friend.”
Lauren Nakamura can frequently be found posting on Facebook and Instagram and postering around the Campus Center on behalf of Friendsy. Find her wearing (and handing out!) some of the sweet merchandise (bottle openers, shot glasses, sun glasses, ping pong balls, t-shirts) around campus, and make sure to listen to what she has to say about Friendsy for yourself! Her best piece of advice to new users: “A big part of life is about making connections… Don’t limit yourself; let Friendsy help you find them!”
Co-Founders Mike Pinsky and John Fairchild will be looking for campus reps next semester. Look out for more information from the Friendsy team in the near future!