Although the definition of a soulmate differs from person to person, the general consensus seems to be that students are on the search for either “the one” or one of several existing soulmates.

When asked how to go about locating a perfect match, students decidedly felt fate was the determining factor.

“I think that it is fate,” said Jen Hampel, sophomore in business. “You can’t go out looking because it never works. You know the qualities you look for in someone, and, eventually, he or she will end up with you.”

Erica Gensch, freshman in civil engineering, has a similar view of “the one.”

“You have to stumble across them,” she said.

Recognizing one’s soulmate seems to be a concern for many. Therefore, Devery Fairbanks, temporary instructor of sociology, offered one method of determining “the one.”

“People looking for their ‘soulmate’ should draw up an inventory-type application for prospective suitors to fill out,” Fairbanks said. “For example, if there’s a criteria of 50 questions and 25 are answered favorably, what next? Thumbs up or thumbs down?”

Some students disagreed with devising a systematic plan and made suggestions ranging from being yourself to being open-minded.

“It is simply a matter of timing,” said Rebeccah Krueger, junior in chemical engineering.

Scott Myers, assistant professor of sociology, studies the characteristics of the timing and placement of relationships. Myers said that, in essence, finding “the one” is influenced by where a person resides.

“The characteristics of the place are almost as important as personal qualities,” he said.

Myers compared the market of 21-year-olds in New York to the students in Ames.

“There will be a large difference in opportunity and variety between the two cities,” he said. “Ames is not a very lucrative market. Who a person dates is largely determined by their surroundings.”

Myers studies two levels of the marriage market — the “macro of where people reside and the qualities that they possess.”

Myers said the qualities desired in a mate differ from females to males, and he said he has found certain stereotypes to be true.

“A woman is primarily interested in characteristics such as income, personality and how easy the person is to be around,” he said. “A man rates appearance first, followed by personality and income.”

Myers said men are becoming more concerned with a partner’s income and job stability due to society’s call for double-income families.

Brent Bruton, professor of sociology, emphasized the importance of physical attraction.

“The ‘soulmate’ idea, as I understand it in popular thinking, may not work too well,” Bruton said.

“Supposedly, research would suggest that we are attracted to people like ourselves in some ways,” he said. “Initial attraction may have a lot to do with physical appearance, so attractive people have an advantage meeting other people.”

Myers’ studies pinpoint physical attraction as the No. 1 factor for males, but Gensch said it is important to women, also.

“Sorry to say, but the first thing I think most girls look for is a good-looking guy,” she said. “There has to be something else there to grab you.”

Also ranking high on the list of qualities that many students consider when dating are humor, intelligence and trustworthiness.

Luke Czerwinski, freshman in construction engineering, said he has found his soulmate.

“What I see in her are qualities I don’t have — intellect, beauty and an open heart that understands my mood swings,” he said. “We are both Aries — that’s why I think we are so compatible.”