What are the pros and cons?
Living on campus ia a cultural “ideal” in the US, but the simple truth is that nationwide, more students commute than live on campus. That is because many students can only afford the commuting option, and many need to study part-time while they hold down full-time jobs.
What is your student’s situation? Are there any budget restrictions? Does the student need extra academic or social support to get through their degree program? Those are things that can determine the type of institution, and the institutiton itself, that is a better “fit”.
Living in a dorm on a campus is a good way to ease into adult responsibilities. You are not living with your parents and control your own schedule but still have some guardrails with RAs and roommates to look out for you. You take care of your own living space and laundry. Living on campus you can be on a meal plan and not need to deal with landlords and utility bills.
The main advantage of living at home and commuting is lower costs. The disadvantage may be less independence if you are living with parents.
Students at residential schools often form very close friendships. It is also easy to attend study groups or pop in at the library. It is also easier to attend evening events. There is not much time wasted if you want to a party or event and decide it isn’t for you.
^ as above, dorm living is a great way to ease into independence in a still fairly protected environment. Socializing is easier, attending events on campus is easier, less time is wasted in the day getting to and from class. Overall better feeling part of the “full college experience”.
Only real advantage of living at home I can see is cost saving. (I know some parents still want to keep a close eye on their kids, and some kids don’t feel ready to let go of the apron strings just yet, but I personally don’t think those are good reasons for commuting, they are just delaying the inevitable which will be harder when there is no intermediate step like dorms.)
I was a commuter student in undergrad out of financial necessity btw.
Also if you live on campus you are less involved in your home life…
If there is much drama or expectations for you to take care of others or do housework it may be good to avoid that.
@bopper Yup. In enmeshed families they don’t give individual members much autonomy or personal space. The roles among family members can be very rigid and leaving for dorm challenges that set up. For kids of such families, it’s probably even more important to establish some healthy distance.
My girls would say an advantage to commuting would be to still see their cats every day.
Some colleges have pet dorms. Some students have that as a high priority.
Personally we wanted the residential experience for all our boys because we loved our own experience. It’s very much a quasi adult with some deep friendship and multiple experiences available few years.
Most kids who experience it love it, even introverts, but not all. If it’s financially affordable, fit the type to the student.
If it’s not financially affordable, commuting is often the only option.