We understand that for many students, the specifics regarding their commute to school can vary tremendously based on the day. Below, please find a larger definition and some examples to help with clarification.
When we ask about your commute to school, we know that sometimes students may use multiple modes of transportation, such as a bus, a car, a bike, or by foot. Similarly, you may be coming from different places depending on the day or time of year. We are asking this question to get a better understanding of in general, how much time you spend commuting to school each day. Here are some answers to common questions you might have about how to determine your commute:
- What if I use different modes of transportation on different days?
Pick the mode that you use most regularly. If you split your time evenly between two vastly different modes, you can also take the average of the two. So, if one week you take the bus and it takes 60 minutes, and another week you get a ride and it takes 20 minutes, then you can select the option that includes 40 minutes. It is also acceptable to estimate! - What if I live in different places throughout the year?
If you live in one place for more of the school year, please base your answer on that information. If you split your time evenly between two places, you can take the estimated average of the two commute times. - What if I am usually at home, but I sometimes attend classes somewhere else?
Unless you are traveling to academic classes more than 2 days every week, you should select whichever option is more accurate, either “I attend school in person less than 50% of the school year,” or “I do not commute to school (e.g., boarding school, homeschool).” - What if I moved at some point during high school and that changed my commute significantly?
If this is the case, answer the question based on the school you are currently attending - even if you have not been enrolled for very long!