Words by Kayra Hidirlar PZ ’28, Graphic by Penny Messinger SC ’29

It happens during the most random moments. Students might be walking to class, waiting for their coffee, eating lunch with their friends, or sitting in the back of class while they scroll on Instagram. Suddenly, the scrolling stops on a post, eyes wide: is this about me? 

That feeling is becoming familiar to students across The Claremont Colleges thanks to 5C Missed Connections, an Instagram account where students anonymously submit their crushes, romantic interests, or any brief interaction to be posted publicly. Inspired by USC’s Missed Connections page, the anonymous student admins “thought it’d be fun to have one at the 5Cs” as an alternative to Fizz, “since those posts get drowned out.” However, the account does more than just collect crushes: it shapes how students across the 5Cs experience and express attraction.

Writing about a crush can feel strange, especially online. It’s vulnerable, holds unknown possibilities, and creates a mix of excitement and dread. Some might ask why somebody wouldn’t just tell them in person, but in a small liberal arts college where social circles overlap, expressing emotional interest can feel daunting, especially when running into some of the same people every day. As opposed to situations where rejection might occur, 5C Missed Connections provides a gentler gateway to possible romantic connection.

In this sense, 5C Missed Connections contributes to a shared feeling of curiosity, mystery, and romantic possibility across students’ daily lives, revealing how they navigate emotional vulnerability.

Much of the account’s appeal comes from the suspense and amusing conversations it creates. Posts get screenshotted and sent to group chats as students wonder whether a post might be about them or someone they know. Sometimes, students will also bond (or debate) over a mutual attraction, sparking discourse within friend groups. I’ve noticed this with my own friends too, as some of us share similar types, while others couldn’t be more different. It sparks laughter and playful debate all over the colleges.

While romantic mystery is part of the fun of 5C Missed Connections, a main goal of the account is to foster real connections. When students submit, they have the option to leave their handles and contact information. Those who are posted about on the account can DM the admin and ask if the submission included contact information, furthering the gateway for connection.

Many students still choose to forgo their contact information, frustrating the admins who have expressed that they find the lack of effort “counterintuitive.” Despite the excitement of romantic possibility, this highlights a broader campus dynamic in small liberal arts environments where it may feel daunting for students to take the next step. Still, for the admins, the account generally serves to provide “a space where everyone can talk about their romantic interests.” Emotional vulnerability becomes more normalized when the community can share their inner thoughts without feeling isolated.

In some cases, anonymous submissions successfully lead to the development of real-life connections. One student shared that after forgetting the name of someone she met at a party, she submitted a post to 5C Missed Connections hoping to have a second chance. Because of her submission, they were able to exchange Instagram handles and plan a date.

The admins also noted that they receive “a lot of queer submissions,” a reflection of the significant and visible LGBTQ+ community across the 5Cs. That’s not to say that homophobia in the 5Cs does not exist, but the account provides a space where queerness is normalized, appearing alongside every other confession. Being queer myself, I have observed firsthand how queer attraction is presented, without performativity, as people simply liking each other.

Ultimately, the 5C Missed Connections account does more than simply host anonymous crush confessions. It shapes the culture across the 5Cs through romantic possibility, moments of laughter, and a desire for connection. On a campus where it may feel difficult to be romantically vulnerable, 5C Missed Connections provides a way to reach toward one another.