While thousands of people use online dating sites such as eHarmony.com, Match.com and others, college students don't seem to be buying into this online business.
OkCupid.com is one of these online dating sites. According to the website's FAQ, "We aim to be the best matching service on every front: superior technology, better math, better psychology. And of course, it's free, unlike all the others."
OkCupid inputs mathematical equations into a computer program to determine the probability that two people would be a good match.
But students don't think even the best equation can determine who is right for them.
"No computer can match up people," Christine O'Keefe, a freshman engineering major, said. "You should meet people face to face."
An initial search for "University of Maryland" on OkCupid brought up 107 singles within the 18 to 22 age range and more than 130 profiles with another (or no) age listed.
All of these people live within 100 miles of College Park.
Assuming these people are all students, which probably isn't the case, less than 1 percent of students at the university use this site.
"It's kind of putting yourself out there," sophomore general biology major Rachel Tran said. "You're losing all privacy."
Privacy seems to be a major consideration when signing up for an online dating site.
Students also said they were worried about safety.
Junior Emily Berk said she has an "Internet is sleazy" attitude, and others agree.
Using an online dating site "invites creepers," freshman community health major Kathleen Hallock said.
Other students just don't feel like they need to use an online dating service to find a significant other.
"I still consider myself to be young enough to go out and find a person to date," Jennifer Rivers, an English graduate student, said.
"When I feel like I have exhausted that option, then I might consider online dating," she added.
ga@umdbk.com
is a member of the 
1 comments Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now