Yeah, unfortunately I found that university doesn’t help when it selects for traits like “frat-jock scholar athlete business/engineering types from affluent Northeastern communities” but there are way more dudes than women.
Although college was where I met my wife (after years of doing the “long term, long distance, low commitment, casual girlfriend” thing.
Yeah, you can’t, or shouldn’t use them that way.
I met my current partner through an app. I was using different methods, but apps provide the most volume. The point is to get reasonable matches and get to a meet up and go from there. Also to be active, to have something going that weekend or night where you have available dating time. To be getting practice at least, instead of sitting at home. That’s how to use the apps, not look for someone who matches on many metrics, or falling in love through texting.