UF’s size can make it hard to find friends.
With about 50,000 students scattered across a 2,000-acre campus, some people struggle to find groups with which they identify.
But a new social platform aims to cut down on awkward dining hall introductions.
AtThePool.com will launch at UF Aug. 27. Students can make free online profiles and join themed “pools” that connect them with like-minded strangers.
The creator, Alex Capecelatro, knows how tough it can be to meet new people. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles for four years before meeting another student who shared his passion for BMX.
After college, he began searching for new friends online but didn’t have much luck with conventional social networks.
“Facebook is good for connecting with people we know,” he said. “but it’s really bad to meet new people.”
So Capecelatro set out to create a service that would encourage users to break out of their normal social circles.
In July, he and a team of designers and developers released At The Pool.
“The Pool is a way to say, ‘Here’s the type of people I want to meet,’” Capecelatro said.
Users can personalize their accounts by choosing their interests, uploading photos and narrowing who they want to meet based on gender and relationship status.
At The Pool automatically introduces members each day.
Students can also browse recommended connections and see activities to do with other members.
Users from more than 45 countries have registered since the website’s debut. Now, Capecelatro will focus on concentrating membership geographically.
This fall will be the first time students can officially join an At The Pool network designated for their university. UF is one of the first schools the site will feature.
UF students can request an invite by visiting AtThePool.com and entering “UF” as their code.
Contact Michael Scott Davidson at mdavidson@alligator.org.
