<p>I am of the opinion that the majority of colleges(even private-with exceptions for the very top schools) are populated by students from the state in which they are located. I acknowledge that sparsely populated states- Del. VMT. RI have many oos students but in most cases the oos students are not that far from home so my ?. What makes a school a commuter/ suitcase school. Would it be based on the % of students that live on campus, the % that leave each weekend or the pure # that leave/stay.
Examples- small LAC 2000 students 90% live on campus and of those 1800 students 80% stay on the weekends leaving 1440 on campus.
Midsized university 10000 students 50% on campus and 50% leave each weekend leaving 2500 students on campus on the weekend.</p>
<p>If you are a student who stays on campus is the college experience different in regard to the "suitcase aspect of the schools? </p>
<p>Would appreciate all opinions- or first hand experience if any. Thanks</p>
<p>A commuter school is not the same as a suitcase school. Having attended a commuter school (I remember the school stating that like, 70% of students lived off campus or something ridiculous) as a commuter, I would strongly reccomend against this type of atmosphere for most students (I'm transferring). This is a great option for nontraditional students - people going back to school to get a degree, or individuals who really don't care about the social aspect of college life that are more career oriented, but for the rest of us, it kind of sucked in terms of meeting people on campus/making friends, especially because it took me so long to get to school (1.5 hrs driving time) that I never wanted to go through the trouble of hanging out with people I did meet.</p>
<p>Most of the people I have talked to that feel they attend a "suitcase school" base that off of the percentage of students not present on the weekend. What people fail to mention in my opinion, however, is how many schools could fit this description without really having a significant negative impact on social life. Schools in major cities, for example, might fit this description, but more often than not it's because everyone is off campus going to parties at other schools/enjoying the city atmosphere. I think whether or not it's a drawback really depends on why students aren't around.</p>
<p>Back in the dark ages when I went to college...I was in the second class to move into the dorms. There were a total of 600 dorm residents that year (only 300 the year before when my husband started). The vast majority of us lived within an hour or two of campus. I never felt that staying the weekend was a negative thing. Most of us stayed although we lived relatively close to home. We had great fun on the weekends, and it never seemed lonely or that there wasn't a community feel to things. I made many friends (and met my husband). I think a weekend visit can tell you much more about the atmosphere that the statistics about who stays and who goes. Actually, I remember that it was more fun before they added another 1000 beds in my junior and senior years.</p>
<p>My daughter's school is NOT a top rated rated school but 92% are from out of state and I think of those, 16% are internationals. The reason is it is the only college of our religon in the world. With out looking it up, I would guess that schools like Notre Dame would also have a large out of state population. I do think that makes a difference, it's just too hard logistically to leave campus often if you live a couple of hours away. Also, the rule about allowing freshman cars on campus, or not, should have a pretty big effect. If it's hard to leave campus on weekends, students will be forced to find things to do. Not a bad thing. Both my kids will have cars on campus this year but since we are six and 15 hours away, they will not be home except for official breaks.</p>
<p>The admissions officer told me that my son's college, Roanoke, has about 50% oos students and that most of them come from the mid-atlantic states. I found that all the colleges we visited made a big point about what they do on campus on weekends to keep the kids there. At Roanoke they have movies and events going on every weekend.</p>
<p>kathiep- do you think your daughters school is the norm re:% of oos students?
I am beginning to think that it may be the kid not the school- even at suitcase colleges if the student wants to stay on campus weekends they and their friends may be able to turn any school into a residential college.</p>
<p>Tom, No, my daughter's school is very unusual with respect to the number of oos students. I probably shouldn't have mentioned it because it's so unique but you started off by saying, "I am of the opinion that the majority of colleges(even private-with exceptions for the very top schools) are populated by students from the state in which they are located" and her school proves that it's not true.</p>
<p>I think the schools that are successful do things that encourage kids to stay on campus and to attract students that will not be leaving on weekends. Things like 1) requiring freshman to not have cars 2) requiring freshman and sophomores to live in dorms 3) providing affordable and attractive housing for upper classmen on or very close to campus 4) encouraging (financially) student led activites (sports, outdoor adventure, service projects, theatre, etc.) 5) offering free things like movie nights, karaoke, bands. 6) Having many student jobs on-campus Does that make sense?</p>
<p>Back in the day! We would have distinguished between suitcase schools and commuter schools. The University in my town is a "commuter" school. A large percentage of the students are adult part-time students or college-age kids living at home to save money. A goodly number are in nursing school, including a couple from my D's class who could have easily gone away to college, but who saw no reason to leave a solid nursing program at home.</p>
<p>The university that I attended was something of a "suitcase" school. My distance of 100 miles was a long distance (in 1977) compared to most of my classmates, but, on the other hand, only about 25% of the freshman students could live in the family home and commute. Most freshman lived in the dorms, and went home on weekends, particularly in the spring. Most upperclassmen lived in the many off-campus apartments, and there was a lively apartment culture; the number of weekends home dropped dramatically for most students after freshman year. Lots of people dropped out, or changed schools.</p>
<p>kathiep- thanks for your post- I agree with your assessment on how a school could take positive steps to make their school more residential. I think my D should use your post in her research.</p>