Surfing the Web for true love
A new site offers alternative options for single students through online dating
Emily Hartwig
Issue date: 2/13/06 Section: Showcase
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"Some people can't express themselves in person," freshman Jenna Duren said.
Dating conventionally has always appealed to her, but Duren said she recognizes online dating as a possible alternative for people who have trouble meeting others.
Spark Networks owns and operates 26 separate personals communities, including collegeluv.com, said spokeswoman Gail Laguna.
Laguna said the company set up collegeluv.com for college students in 2003. The site is free of charge, which is an exception to most of Spark Networks' other dating services, she said.
"It's a way to increase your social circle," Laguna said.
Over 200,000 college-aged people worldwide hold memberships to collegeluv.com, she said, with 60 percent of all participants being male.
"It has a life of its own," she said, adding that the corporation doesn't make any money off collegeluv.com since it doesn't sell advertising on the site or ask for fees.
While freshman William Pedretti said that personality is important when looking for potential dates online, he recognizes the impact that pictures have on an online profile.
"I think that would be the first thing that would grab my attention," he said.
Pictures make people stand out, she said, and those who post visuals are revealing more about their personalities.
"Profiles with photos get 10 times more responses," Laguna said.
Junior Josh Czys thinks that online dating is "a good thing if it's needed."
Traditional dating would be preferable, but he said that some people just have a hard time meeting someone to actually date.
Collegeluv.com includes profile searching options so that users can seek people they would be interested in meeting others, according to its homepage.
Members can also "screen" potential dates so they don't end up meeting people that don't interest them.
Another service the site offers is reading material, such as articles about online dating, with titles such as "Feeling safe online," "How to write a great first e-mail" and "First date basics." A 24/7 customer support line is also available, according to the Web site, so that members can get technical help and ideas for making collegeluv.com work for them.