I did not say it needed to be more to be valid. It’s a fine EC and 3.5 hours may be fine in context to other ECs, although probably not if it’s her main EC. My comment was based in OPs terminology of showing heightened commitment. As with many things, it’s all in context (which she did not share). 2 hours travel for once a week might be a lot, while 2 hours spread across 3 times a week is probably less than it takes to walk to and from school.