Colleges reach out via instant messaging

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College admission counselors are crashing a party once dominated by high-schoolers: the virtual world of instant messaging.

Boston University's admission counselors are online all day, quickly fielding questions from prospective students about admissions procedures, college life or the status of their application. The university has been using the software for nearly three years, and more schools are logging on.

"It's the way they communicate with each other and the best way to communicate with us," said Micha Sabovik, director of student services. Free instant-messaging software is available from America Online Inc., Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp., providing real-time conversations between computer users.

The university office began using the technology to foster communication with an age group that uses instant messaging recreationally, Mrs. Sabovik said.

About three-quarters of American teenagers regularly use instant messaging, according to a 2001 Pew Internet & American Life Project report, the latest data available.

At Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., counselors have been instant messaging with applicants for about four years.

"It's been very helpful for students to have another option for contacting us," said Melody Chambers, co-director of admission. "It's a little more relaxed and casual."

Although counselors like that students feel comfortable, the process has kinks, as some students forgo grammar, capitalization and formality rules, Ms. Chambers said.

"Many do not realize they're talking to the person going over their application," said Mrs. Sabovik. "It's a little more informal than an admissions office query should be ... it's like they're talking to their buddies and not higher-education professionals."

But the ease of the software outweighs the informality, and both schools plan to continue using it.