Close to NYC = Suitcase School??

nyc · 05-08-2009, 10:23 PM

I have read a lot about Drew's proximity to NYC, but I worry that precisely because it is so close to the city and it draws heavily from NYC/NJ, the school might empty out on weekends. Even if she stays close to home, D wants a traditional residential college experience - - which would require enough students on-campus to sustain weekend programming.

So what's the campus like on weekends?

Debruns · 05-09-2009, 07:24 AM

My son didn't notice it, at least in his dorm. He told me he knew some students that went home (very close) for things on Saturday or their parents came by to take them shopping or lunch (mainly freshman year) but many of the students in his dorm lived far away and it wasn't convenient or desired. Someone else might think differently, but he didn't see it overall his 3 years there. I also think it wanes as the student acclimates more.
The breakdown for 2012 was
Geography
# of states represented: 23
# of countries represented: 7

% from NJ: 53%
% from NY/CT/PA: 22%
% from other states/international: 25%
I noticed the last few years the diversity has changed too (for the better)
Diversity
Students of color: 22.3%
American Indian or Alaskan Native: 0.5%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 7.2%
Black (Non-Hispanic): 7.7%
Hispanic: 6.9%
White (Non-Hispanic): 59.3%
Unknown: 16.6%

nyc · 05-09-2009, 04:33 PM

Thanks for relaying your S's experience. Still, with 77% of the students hailing from PA and the tri-state area, traveling home would not be particularly inconvenient (whether traveling home was desirable is another thing entirely). As you said, students in other dorms (perhaps with more of the NY/NY/PA/CT students) may have had a different experience.

Thanks again.

Debruns · 05-09-2009, 06:32 PM

It's something to ask if you visit, we are from CT and he only came home the first year for his birthday in the Fall, Thanksgiving and the December break of course and other vacations. We did an extra visit that first Fall to bring him more things and because I just missed him so much. : )
It seemed the 2 hour plus students were more reluctant to go home, it took more time than it was worth. A NYC student he was friends with went home for doctor visits and long weekends but that waned after January. He actually wished his roommate would go home more, because having a "single" was kind of nice.
Good luck in your searches.