Word on the street: To swipe, or not to swipe? Dating at UNC

Every year recent high school graduates head to post-secondary institutions in pursuit of higher education, but surely academics are not the only thing on college student's minds. According to data from "The Knot," a wedding planning website, around 15 percent of people meet their future spouse in college, making campuses a place to graduate with something potentially more life-changing than a degree: true love. 

With UNC’s marriage pact results freshly released and Valentine's Day just around the corner, many students are on the lookout for romance. 

Lifestyle staff writer Manuela Williams spoke with first-year students about the Chapel Hill dating scene — and how dating apps fit into the mix.

Riya Baddigam, first-year global studies and peace, war and defense double-major

"I have seen multiple people that I thought were single, and then they pop out on like, national girlfriend's day. I'm like, 'Oh, wow, you've been in a relationship for months on end, and no one knew about this.' Versus high school, I feel like everyone knew who everyone was with, and it was also so much longer. Everyone was in two-year long relationships, and that was the norm. But things last like two months here unfortunately — or fortunately."

Jack Netherland, first-year philosophy and math double-major 

“I think most pickup lines are corny, but I think just walking up to somebody and complimenting them, saying something genuine, not just 'I like your shirt.'" 

“I just, I don't want to tell my kids that I met their mother on the dating app, to be honest.”

Annika Bruce, first-year biology major

“I think at the beginning of the semester, a lot of people are excited to be back at school or starting school for the first time, and no one wants to lock down with anyone, but they'll say they do, especially frat boys. So everyone will tell you lies and act like they want you or, act like you're dating, but then say, ‘Oh, I don't want commitment’ as they're basically committed to you.”

“Right now, I'm looking for the guy that I'm talking to, to marry me.”

Adam Safarikas, first-year biology major

“I feel like dating apps are too superficial, you just have to meet people face-to-face. You know, you have to feel their vibe. It's hard to feel someone's vibe on a dating app." 

Bree Harris, first-year biology major on pre-dental track

“My sister found her husband through a dating app. I actually don't remember which one, but he was in the Marines, and they dated for a while. I love him, and now they're married, and they had their first baby in April. So, I mean, it worked for her, so maybe."

Jordan Klugh,first-year psychology major

“Absolute hell. Where I'm from, everybody is a gentleman and Southern. I'm from Greenville, North Carolina, and everybody here is very cocky and made of daddy's money.”

"I think other people need to work on themselves. I'm chilling. I’m doing everything right.”

Grace Carson, first-year psychology major

“People can put out whatever image they want online and put themselves in any light, and you have no idea. Usually from friends you can vet people's morality and who they are, if you meet them that way, but if you meet them online, you have no idea what you're getting into.”

Radhika Heda, first-year nutrition and neuroscience double-major

"We're 18, if I'm getting to the point of dating apps, that's just sad on a college campus.”

"I feel like freshman first semester, things just happen. It's kind of, ‘Can I calm down a little second semester?’”

Brandon Chen, first-year biology major

“I've used Hinge, Tinder and another one. I'm not sure what it's called — oh, and Wizz. Don’t use Wizz.”

“Hinge, you can filter out your preferences pretty evenly. So you can get a desired distribution of selection.”

Krishan Patel, first-year business administration and psychology double-major 

“I’ve been really busy with trying to get a summer internship.”

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