By Alexi CohanStaff Writer
Hofstra continually advertises its proximity to New York City and abundance of excellent opportunities for professional growth and leisure time. Some of the best jobs and internships are in the city, and Hofstra students waste no time in snatching up these life-changing experiences.
Located 28 miles from Penn Station – about a 35-minute train ride – Hofstra is somewhat close to NYC and it is understandable why the university would so heavily advertise this fact, going as far as mentioning its proximity twice on the “About Hofstra” page.
For many students, this is a deciding factor for enrollment. However, should Hofstra really be advertised as an NYC school? The answer is no. Anyone with a map can see that the campus is not in NYC and the commute time from campus to Penn Station is at least one hour.
By focusing on the proximity to NYC so much, Hofstra public relations and marketing teams are neglecting to acknowledge that many students come here because they don’t actually want to be in the city. This marketing strategy downplays the benefits of living on Long Island.
For example, Hofstra is close to the beach and Long Island provides students a suburban, residential feel that the city does not have. Also in contrast to the city, relying on public transportation is not necessary as students with cars may drive wherever they need to go.
In terms of the campus, Hofstra has a lot to offer that NYC schools simply do not. One important aspect is the ability to park a car on campus for free, whereas many other schools charge astronomical amounts for a parking pass. Parking accessibility is something that NYC schools simply cannot offer.
Additionally, Hofstra’s beautiful campus brings the school community together and provides a feeling of “home,” whereas NYC schools miss the campus feeling. Housing is also guaranteed for all students, something that some NYC schools lack due to limited space.
There are also several factors that deter students from going into the city on a regular basis despite its so-called proximity. One of these factors is the immense cost of commuting and the time it takes to organize a trip. The shuttle service on campus does not always align well with train times and students who cannot drive to campus wait around at Mineola or Hempstead station, often alone. If students opt out of taking the shuttle, parking is about $5 and an Uber or cab to the train station will range in cost from about $9 to $15. This is before paying LIRR fees and any other costs that will be incurred while in the city. Students who attend schools in the city only incur subway or cab fees.
Ultimately, it’s justifiable that Hofstra wants to promote closeness to NYC. However, prospective students won’t fully understand the implications of commuting until they arrive on campus, which can create a sense of false advertising.
To future Hofstra students: we are about an hour from the city and it will cost you some time and money, so please, be aware of this.
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