Commuter School - How do you know?

[Anonymous]

How does one determine if a particular school is a commuter school? Is there certain data to look out for?

[Anonymous]

One hint is if it’s named George Mason.

[Anonymous]

Or UMBC

[Anonymous]

You can start with the Common Data Set in Section F, which has line for "Percent who live in college owned, operated or affiliated housing". It will have a % for both freshman and undergraduates.
UMBC (freshman) - 70%
George Mason (freshman) - 67%
UMD-CP (freshman) - 93%
Towson (freshman) - 84%

This will help identify commuter schools but not suitcase schools where a large majority of students leave on the weekends.

[Anonymous]

Another number to look into, in the same table, is the percent of domestic students who are out-of-state.

If that percent is over 40 and the percent living on campus is high, it's probably not a commuter or suitcase school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another number to look into, in the same table, is the percent of domestic students who are out-of-state.

If that percent is over 40 and the percent living on campus is high, it's probably not a commuter or suitcase school.

Not sure I agree with this metric to measure a suitcase school.
For example, UVA is 29% out of state 100% live on campus.

[Anonymous]

The size of the parking lots.

[Anonymous]

While there are exceptions, colleges that have cardinal directions in their names tend to be commuter schools.

[Anonymous]

Commuter school check out how many live on campus.

Suitcase school find out how many are from in state or how many events go on during the weekends.

Having a football team and Greek life helps avoid the suitcase school life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can start with the Common Data Set in Section F, which has line for "Percent who live in college owned, operated or affiliated housing". It will have a % for both freshman and undergraduates.
UMBC (freshman) - 70%
George Mason (freshman) - 67%
UMD-CP (freshman) - 93%
Towson (freshman) - 84%

This will help identify commuter schools but not suitcase schools where a large majority of students leave on the weekends.

The status for UMCP are misleading, as there are students who don't live in university housing (ex. those who live in private apartments/houses just off campus) who are technically classified as commuters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can start with the Common Data Set in Section F, which has line for "Percent who live in college owned, operated or affiliated housing". It will have a % for both freshman and undergraduates.
UMBC (freshman) - 70%
George Mason (freshman) - 67%
UMD-CP (freshman) - 93%
Towson (freshman) - 84%

This will help identify commuter schools but not suitcase schools where a large majority of students leave on the weekends.

The status for UMCP are misleading, as there are students who don't live in university housing (ex. those who live in private apartments/houses just off campus) who are technically classified as commuters.

Even as freshman? The above numbers are freshman only.

[Anonymous]

uh, George Mason requires all freshman to live on campus now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can start with the Common Data Set in Section F, which has line for "Percent who live in college owned, operated or affiliated housing". It will have a % for both freshman and undergraduates.
UMBC (freshman) - 70%
George Mason (freshman) - 67%
UMD-CP (freshman) - 93%
Towson (freshman) - 84%

This will help identify commuter schools but not suitcase schools where a large majority of students leave on the weekends.

The status for UMCP are misleading, as there are students who don't live in university housing (ex. those who live in private apartments/houses just off campus) who are technically classified as commuters.

Even as freshman? The above numbers are freshman only.

Yes, tons of freshman live off campus in nearby luxury apartments.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I am naive but why does it matter in terms of learning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I am naive but why does it matter in terms of learning?

It’s much easier to form study groups, meet to work on group projects, etc. when everyone is on campus. I commuted for just a single semester (long story) and it was such a hassle in terms of that stuff. I remember when I moved on campus it was soooo nice to be able to just meet up whenever with my classmates if I wanted a study buddy, had last minute questions before an exam, wanted to run my essay by one more pair of eyes before turning in...