Every day, dating sites like eHarmony.com and Chemistry.com rake in singles looking for love. They’ve become so popular that it’s not unusual to know an older cousin, friend or co-worker who uses them on a regular basis.
With social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and the brand new Google Plus, posting information about ourselves online doesn’t faze us anymore. In fact, sometimes it’s easier to tweet at your friend or post on their Facebook wall than give them a call. Dating sites in particular thrive on our love for connecting over the web and how everyday it’s become.
But there’s a new trend in online dating: sites focused on college-age singles. What better way to limit your selection of guys to 26 years old and under? Not to mention find people who want to date, not get married (at least not yet).
Here are a few of the newest sites on the market and what makes them a good place to find your new man, because looking for love in the dining hall can get old quickly.
DateMySchool.com
Created to help students meet people in other departments at their school and at different schools, this site focuses on profile privacy and the ability to narrow a search by major – factors that many other dating sites lack.
Why we like it:
- You can keep your profile as private as you want. If the only people you want to view your page are senior business majors at your school, you can make it that way.
- A school email is required to sign up – it automatically weeds out all those out-of-school 30-year-olds you aren’t interested in.
- Your profile won’t show up in a Google search, so the whole school won’t know you’re using the site.
What to look out for:
- The super-excellent filtering system that lets you find just the guy you want, could also work against you in some ways. If he only allows Juniors in Interior Design to see his profile, you haven’t got a chance. Talk about being weeded out a little early. Although, with a guy like that, maybe it’s a good thing.
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CollegePassions.com
Browse by who is online to chat and “who is popular,” or narrow by everything from “seeking a keg” to “seeking something hot.” It’s called College Passions, but take note that the age limit to join goes up to 99 (unless you’re into that sort of thing).
Why we like it:
- You can get super specific with what you’re looking for – narrow down by their body type or if they like to drink (“like a fish” is an option … seriously).
- If you live in New York but want a cutie from Pennsylvania, you can use the “Search by State” tool on the site.
- Along with profile info, it lists when the user last logged in. If he hasn’t been on in five months, we say pick a new guy.
What to look out for:
- If you liked the look of the old MySpace (think cluttered, lots of ads and a layout straight out of 2006), you’ll love the design of this site.
- Since anyone can sign up, watch out for users with profile pictures of kittens or cartoon characters. Even if they’re “Online Now,” we say don’t chat with them.
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UniversityLoveConnection.com
This site claims it’s “the best college dating website.” The age limit on University Love Connection is 36, but it still requires a school email to sign up. Bring on the grad students – TAs, anyone?
Why we like it:
- He doesn’t have to be in an Ivy League – the site lets you search community colleges as well.
- Check out the site’s blog for updates on campuses in the news. Found a hottie from Pennsylvania but then see him in the news for stealing tacos from the dining hall? No more “winks” for him.
- Profiles easily show class standing. Freshman? Junior? Take your pick.
What to look out for:
- Aside from profile searches, instant messaging and chat rooms, a fee is required to use other features on the site.
- The site itself looks super old school. A beach scene as the background? Really?
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Zoosk.com
It’s hard to miss the ads for this site these days. Pegged as the “world’s largest social dating community,” Zoosk is everywhere. It’s becoming one of the more popular sites when it comes to hearing where collegiettes™ met their boyfriends online.
Why we like it:
- Available in more than 20 languages and used by over 50 million subscribers in more than 60 countries, you’re bound to find someone to chat with – even if you’re studying abroad.
- It’s one of the better-looking sites. An organized, clean layout is so much easier on the eyes, especially when all you want to do is focus on that adorable blond you just found.
- Read the “Online Dating Safety Tips” for tips on how to avoid “scammers” and how to prepare for when you finally meet him in person.
What to look out for:
- You can only send a limited number of messages before you’ll need to upgrade your account. Find a guy quickly or risk having to pay to keep using the site.
- People that use the site are called “Zooskers.” Think hard if that’s a risk you’re willing to take.
Called “the best dating site on Earth,” OkCupid uses “match percentages” based on how you answer the questions to find a good guy for you. Supposedly, it works – and well.
Why we like it:
- It’s all free!
- With its matching system, it feels more serious and legit than some of the other sites.
- Check out the personality rating on his profile page. It’s all the first-date information you could ever want.
What to look out for:
- The “enemy” tag seems a little over the top. We get that he’s not our best match, but don’t make us feel bad for talking to the boy by calling him our enemy. Opposites attract, right…?
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Of course, another place to connect with people is Facebook. Dylan McCann, HC campus correspondent at the College of William & Mary, met her current boyfriend of three years on the “Class of 2012” group for her school, and the two “chatted it up” on Facebook from time to time.
Before meeting during the second week of freshman year, McCann had the usual online-to-meeting-in-real-life hesitancy. “1. I hope he is as tall in real life as he looks in his photos,” Dylan lists as one of the concerns she had before meeting. “And 2. I hope he likes me as much as he seemed to online.”
One homemade three-course dinner later, and Jesse, her “southern gentleman,” turned out to be better than expected. “I had never seen such chivalry before, like frequently leaving me love notes and carrying me over rain puddles,” Dylan said.
Using an online dating site can be a great way to branch out of your usual crowd or find someone from another school whom you normally would’ve never had the chance to meet. Since you’re chatting online instead of meeting in person, however, it may not be a bad idea to double check that he is who he says he is before you go on a date. Look him up on Facebook and Google him or ask if he wants to Skype one afternoon to see if his pictures match up.
Have you ever used an online dating site? Let us know below!
Sources:
Dylan McCann, Campus Correspondent at the College of William & Mary
Datemeloveme.com
http://www.orfav.com/web/matchmaking/page1.html
http://www.datesphere.com/blog/2011/02/09/interesting-blog-post-at-okcup…