Just wondering if anyone knows if there are a decent amount of freshmen commuters at TCNJ? Since we are only 40-45 minutes away from campus, my DS could conceivably commute to school and only pay in-state tuition (less merit scholarship). Would represent a huge savings instead of going out of state (Inc room and board) and we also have DD currently attending an out of state private college for 3 more years.
That 45 min commute you put on your kid translates into: 1.5-2 hours total added to the day sitting in a car that could be used to study or relax; increased risk by being the road in bad weather or traffic; risk of being late or missing classes. My 2 cents, unless you live owithin 10-15 miles of campus, better to live on campus
I would also prefer my child to live on campus if it’s more than 35 mins away. Weather and traffic on turnpike can be bad. Plus it wears on kids. I know someone who commutes 40 mins away and she is exhausted every day, mentally and physically. Just my opinion.
Here is another option…have your child live on campus for freshman year so they can make friends and get involved in the campus community…and then live off campus.
There are freshmen commuters. That said, you live a little far to make it comfortable for all the reasons above and also because it can make it hard for clubs and study groups.
Only 4% of the first-year class commutes.
very few first year commuters and since a large number move off campus it is inappropriate to call the older class commuters by virtue of being off campus. Bottom line is the overwhelming majority of students are not commuters.
S just graduated
TCNJ Freshman Review 2019:
“TCNJ is very focused on academics. This means the professors, classes, and class size are great, however the college lacks in a good social scene. No one told me it was a commuter school but the majority of students go home on the weekends and for the people who stay there is nothing to do on campus. I also find that certain programs lack the funding they need.”
Note also that TCNJ itself has a dedicated Office of Engagement and Off-Campus Life offering programs for “commuter students” (the school’s term, not mine).
@BrooklynRye - is that quote one person’s opinion? I guess it’s a matter of personal preference. My daughter’s in her third year and having the time of her life socially. OK, TCNJ is not Happy Valley, that’s true. But to say that there is nothing to do on campus on the weekends is certainly not true for my kid and I’m sure many many others.
Whoever gave that quote should get more involved - there are plenty of options where alleged lack of funding is not a problem. In fact, my daughter had too much going on and had to regrettably cut back on some of her activities in order to maintain work-life balance. She literally could not be happier with college life.
I guess there’s a sour apple in every bunch. It’s been said countless times on CC, but so true: you get out of college what you put into it.
My advice: don’t listen to the sour pusses. Let your child visit campus, walk around, talk to students, eat at the dining hall. Either they feel a fit or not. If not, then no big deal. TCNJ is not for everyone and neither is any other college.
ekdad212 --you are 100% correct! S had a great social life , so much so that he still goes back on weekends to party with friends!
@ekdad212 - I cited the quote of one person, but have heard this from more than a few TCNJ attendees, including my niece. I do agree that students should try to get involved and that, to a certain extent, one gets what one puts in. However, there are cases where a school is just not the right fit. I am truly glad that your daughter has found success at her school of choice on so many levels. We should all be as fortunate in our children’s choice of schools. Continued good luck to you and your daughter!