NEW YORK, Jan 25, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- WhataboutU.com today announced the launch of its Web site targeting undergraduate and graduate students worldwide. The company's complete end-to-end service offerings address the multifaceted needs of university and post college students. Services and content can be customized to build school branded Web site communities addressing specific concerns and interests of students at various colleges.
WhataboutU.com is a central location providing comprehensive information including academic and financial requirements, event schedules, housing, lifestyle and entertainment information, and career counseling and placement through strategic alliances with 300 colleges in the United States and 42 colleges in Canada. Content for branded Web site communities is largely generated by students and allows them the opportunity to raise and respond to the issues important and relevant to their school community.
WhataboutU.com integrates itself with the offline activities and college lives of students through its various service offerings and by incorporating activities including the production and promotion of concert tours. The diversity and usability of the site's content is targeted to service a 17 to 30 year old college and graduate student demographic. WhataboutU.com provides potential strategic partners with an excellent online medium to reach college students who, according to Jupiter Communications' estimates, will spend $3 billion online by 2002.
"Ninety percent of all college students in the United States are on the Web and over half stay online for up to four hours a day," said Mathew Thomas, CEO and co-founder of WhataboutU.com. "We will offer students information on a wide variety of topics including colleges, careers and academics. We will also be providing entertainment and shopping guides. WhataboutU.com will be the one destination that can lead students to the services, products and information they need."
In addition to its U.S. site, the company is developing Web sites in India, Canada and Great Britain designed to better service the needs of international students. The increase of Web-based student services sector has grown significantly; however, no major competitor has targeted the international student market or the nearly half-million students attending college in the United States. WhataboutU.com provides foreign students with assistance with the college application process, housing and academics. It also offers students access to international news and a community of their peers.
"Web-based student services have overwhelmingly focused on domestic students. WhataboutU.com was designed to provide complete college-related academic and social services to students worldwide," added Thomas. "We are committed to providing practical and useful information and services to students which will help them succeed and get the most out of their college experience and beyond."
Founded in August 1999 and based in New York City, WhataboutU.com is a premier global destination for domestic and international college and graduate students. WhataboutU.com also builds branded Web communities for universities and colleges. Students who visit the site have access to comprehensive information about colleges from around the world. Services include complete calendar and events listings, career advice and placement, academic requirement information and details on tuition and housing fees. The company plans to enter various global markets by building Web sites in different countries and by offering localized content and services.