Aol Orientation With 'freshman'

America Online has announced "Project Freshman," a new original reality show designed to entertain while it informs young people about college life.

The program is part of RED, a version of the AOL service customized for teens. It has an audience of 5 million, according to Malcolm Bird, senior vp and general manager AOL Teens & Kids.

"A high percentage of those teens are thinking about college. They're thinking about what am I going to do, what courses am I going to take, what is the workload like, and all of the old wives' tales come out," Bird said. "This is a reality show with a reason — it will show teenagers what it is really like to go to college. We're not going out to shock people or be sensationalistic."

"Project Freshman" follows six distinctive students from different backgrounds, attending different universities as they take this significant step into adulthood.

"You'll see the similarities, and you're also going to have situations where some people's reactions are 'Woo hoo!' and others have a panic attack and have to call the EMT," Bird said. "And that literally happens."

In addition to the weekly Thursday program, each participant has been given a digital video camera and will be posting confessionals, photos and a daily blog. They also will be responding to messages posted by viewers and engaging in conversations.

"You could do this on TV and it would be a very compelling show," Bird said. "However, what you can't do on TV — and this is why our medium is being recognized so strongly — is have those people who are taking part in the show interact with the audience in real time."

Other related content also will be offered through links from the program's online home, further taking advantage of AOL's capabilities.

"Project Freshman" is produced by 2C Media, a full-service production company whose major clients include AOL and Fox Twentieth Television.