Myths & Facts about Commuter Students

Myth:  Commuter students are all old.

Fact:  83% of Purchase commuters are under 25.  41% are under 21.*

Myth:  Commuters are just students who couldn't get into campus housing.

Fact:    54% of students say they did not want to live on campus.  Many were living in the area before attending Purchase.  *

Myth:  Commuter students just transfer anyway.

Fact:  69% of commuter students say they will probably finish their degree at Purchase.*

Myth:  Commuter students all live close by.

Fact:  Most commuter students report that their average one-way commute is a half-hour or less, but it takes some students over two hours to get to campus.  *

Myth:  Commuters are usually disappointed by Purchase.

Fact:  76% of commuter students say Purchase has met or exceeded their expectations.  *

Myth:  Commuter students just come for class, they don't get involved on campus.

Fact:  Indeed, some students choose to commute because they don't want to get involved in campus life.  But many do, either by joining student groups, participating in student shows, or assisting faculty with teaching or research.  In addition, commuter students work in several offices on campus.  Commuters, and resident students, choose to get involved because they realize that a quality college experience won't be delivered to their door and they want to develop themselves as scholars and citizens beyond what they can do in class.

* From a survey of 114 Purchase College commuter students, February, 2002.