anyone familiar w/ Clarion, PA? (Pittsburgh, Erie: school, university, shop)

[misterx626]

OK so i'm thinking about what college I should go to and i've narrowed my top choices to either California U of PA, Clarion U of PA, and Lock Haven U. of PA. I've visited all three, but each time I was traveling on a charter bus w/ my summer program, and I'd usually either sleep or do homework on the ride to/from. I've heard about Clarion U that "you need a car if you're going there". Since, like I said, I wasn't really paying attention to the surrounding area's scenery, I don't know if they meant just to get into town or to get to/from Pittsburgh,etc. I know that CalU and Lock Haven at least have bus lines running through town, but I don't think I could stand a place where it's a ten mile drive or walk through the countryside or woods just to get into town. Can anybody please elaborate for me?

[ShannonMilligan]

I went to school there for one semester and I loved it. But, if you want to leave the area then you do need a car. But Autumn Leaf Festival is so much fun and you can just walk to downtown.
Great place for an education as well. (I left b/c I was not ready for college...eneded up at Penn State and then Holy Family years later)

[Deborah53]

You should select the college you attend by selecting the one that has the best program for your major. Clarion is known for it's education and business programs.
I grew up in Clarion and graduated from the University(EL ED). Small rural town, I-80 runs right thru the county. About 90 miles to Pittsburgh or Erie. Many students do not have a car, but the downtown area has little shopping, in fact very little shopping at all. Walmart, Staples, etc. are about 3 miles from the college. To have a car is quite expensive to park, other school's parking is much cheaper.

Good luck to you.

[pinetar10]

Originally Posted by misterx626

OK so i'm thinking about what college I should go to and i've narrowed my top choices to either California U of PA, Clarion U of PA, and Lock Haven U. of PA. I've visited all three, but each time I was traveling on a charter bus w/ my summer program, and I'd usually either sleep or do homework on the ride to/from. I've heard about Clarion U that "you need a car if you're going there". Since, like I said, I wasn't really paying attention to the surrounding area's scenery, I don't know if they meant just to get into town or to get to/from Pittsburgh,etc. I know that CalU and Lock Haven at least have bus lines running through town, but I don't think I could stand a place where it's a ten mile drive or walk through the countryside or woods just to get into town. Can anybody please elaborate for me?

clarion university is right in downtown clarion, so you do not need a car to go downtown. you do need a car if you want to go to the mall or walmart. its a few miles away. there's not much downtown though. not sure if there is a bus to take students to the mall/walmart.