We are going to tour next month, but haven’t seen the campus in person yet (only via the online tour). Is OSU pretty walkable? How is the bus system? Would you/should you bring your car?
Thanks!
Are you asking whether as a student you should bring your car once enrolled or whether you should bring your car fo the tour?
@GAcollegemom6 You don’t need a car to walk around campus. It’s very walkable. But unless you are staying at the on campus hotel–the Blackwell, you will need a car to get from your hotel to the campus and park on one of the many parking garages around campus. Or if your hotel has a shuttle to and from campus that would work. I like having a car (rather than depend on the uber or hotel shuttle or bus system) to drive to restaurants at short north or nearby upper Arlington or to the movie theatre and restaurants at the end of Olentangy river road (south of campus).
I’m sorry, I can see how I didn’t make my question clear. I was wondering if students should bring their car to campus to use while on campus, or if it was a more pedestrian friendly school? Also, if anyone knows: what percentage of kids bring a car/do most kids bring a car or leave their car at home while attending OSU?
As a general rule, first years aren’t allowed to have cars on campus (extenuating circumstances will allow you to). It is very walkable, and the bus system is great. Even after the first year, on-campus students have to park so far away that it takes up to 30 minutes to get to your car (you have to take a bus because the overnight lots are on FAR west campus), so it may be easier to just leave the car at home (and cheaper on insurance!).
It’s pretty difficult to have a car on campus when you have to live in the dorm (I think you need at least 30 credit hours to qualify to purchase a parking pass), and off-campus street parking can be a hassle since you can get towed when they do street-sweeping. I’ve rarely heard of anyone in the dorms having their car on campus, as everything you need is on campus since you have a meal plan. If you have a class really far away from your dorm, the bus system is excellent and less frustrating than trying to park in a parking garage anyways. OSU has their own bus system called CABS that runs through campus and into some off-campus residential areas. Your tuition also covers a COTA bus pass, which is the public transportation system in Columbus.
Most people who have their cars with them live off-campus and have a parking pass or a street pass, or live in an area where they can park on the street. As someone who lives off-campus, I only use my car to get groceries and go to work.
Perfect! I really don’t want her to go to a school where taking her car is necessary. I prefer pedestrian friendly and good bus systems. Thanks everyone!