@alexandrabriggs I have seen blogs on university sites where they allow students to blog about their classes, experiences, etc. in college and others where they interview students / potential students about college life, why they chose their course of study, and so on.  Maybe, as far as incentives, extra credit for a course they write about, discount at the university book store, or waving a fee during registration?

You have to find something appealing to teens/adults at that age.  At that age it’s all about being cool and getting noticed.  I remember back in my college days I wrote and participated on several sites geared towards college folks.  One of them offered “points” which eventually translated to branded gifts (T-shirts, caps, mugs, etc) but more importantly it gave people “clout”, a bit like the leaderboard here and games.  Another site they actually tracked traffic and gave like cents on each unique view.  It was compensation but not anything I would necessarily cough at and it forced the writers to draw traffic to your site.

Take a look at other success stories like foursquare.  Essentially the site does nothing but give clout to those that visit it and are willing to participate.  Yet, tons of people participate and the gifts are from other businesses that participate.  Foursquare is just the interface they go through.

Have you considered pulling together a group of friends/people to be your “test market”.  See if whatever you offer appeals to them?