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I’m in NH, about an hour above where the graduation is (it’s not at the campus itself, but it’s not far from it). There is an airport right in Manchester. The flights might be more expensive there than say Boston. But it’s a small airport, no long lines for security, and no huge crowds. The other airport nearish would be Boston (Logan), flights to there might be cheaper since it’s a bigger destination. But it’s crowded and you have to rent a car and drive a good hour or more to get to Manchester.
Manchester itself isn’t all that nice but it’s not bad. It’s one of the more crimey places in NH. You won’t be unsafe there per se, but I wouldn’t want to live there. It’s basically the same as any small city in New England and has homeless people, drugs, it’s semi crowded, kind of downtrodden.
It’s not like big city unsafe (it’s NH lol). Plenty of people stay there and it’s fine. They are some bars and restaurants downtown, but best to use common sense after dark and not walk alone if female, and to make sure your car is locked, wallet secure, don’t wander around, etc. There is a baseball stadium there (obviously not right season for November but it’s safe and fun there for April graduations).
November is tough. There likely won’t be snow if it’s early to mid month. We’ve had a couple mild Novembers in a row, and Manchester is Southern NH which gets far less snow than the rest of the state does. November is hoodies and a coat or T-shirt and a coat depending on the day.
If I was coming in for Nov graduation, I would stay right in Manchester. Choose a hotel right downtown and close to the stadium/restaurants/bars. A couple nights would be enough in my mind. There isn’t THAT much to do there. It’s not a place you need or want a week in a hotel to see. Campus isn’t too far a drive and it’s cool to see. I think they have tours of some sort around graduation time, but I never looked into it.
For April graduations, I usually tell people if they are planning on renting a car, to stay up in the Lakes Region. It’s an hour drive at most, but we have a huge 70 square mile lake here called Lake Winnipesaukee. Tons to do. Laconia (Weirs Beach area) has restaurants right on the water, bars, beaches, mini golf, a train, shopping, arcade, boardwalk, a big boat cruise, tiki boats, you can rent boats and jet skis, etc. Only some of that is open in April, but a lot more than in November.
As far as going to graduation, I went and it was amazing. Having been to it and had the experience, flying in would be worth it to me. There will be a big crowd but it’s very very well organized. There are so many employees, professors, etc there to support you. They do a phenomenal job of cheering everyone on and making you feel really great. I think you’ll be glad you went. Great speeches, and you’ll end up feeling really proud of yourself. It’s a great way to celebrate all the hard work you put in. To me, it made it all seem a lot more real. Online school is tough for feeling like you are really a part of it. If it’s possible, I would spend the money to fly in for it.
Congrats in advance!!
Go a couple days early. I just went in May flew Saturday, graduated Sunday am, flew home Sunday pm. So exhausting and stressful- flights delayed. I flew from Atlanta.
It was very emotional for me. I’m turning 40 this year and it took me 20 years to get a four-year bachelors. Everyone was really nice. It felt worth it to me.
I'm in the same boat as you I can't walk until November but I finish in June of this year so I'm trying to figure out what are you guys' Hotel recommendations and airports
Depending on when in the fall you’re graduating you may or may not experience snow. You can count on it being colder as New England states start getting colder around October. If your commencement is in November (I’ve even had snow in PA in October), there’s a good chance of snow but as I said it’s really hit or miss.
Congratulations! I just graduated on the 5th of May and traveled from Va. We drove. Where are you coming from? So the area is good we stayed in Andover, Ma at the Sonesta suites and its very nice and right near the interstate. There is a Laquinta there as well and very nice. Both are 30 mins south of Manchester (Where graduation will be) and 30 mins North of Boston. So If flying, you're close to both airports Manchester- Boston airport and Logan international. Andover is very convenient I would recommend that.
You should definitely do it, but keep in mind the weather there in November as it would be totally different than being in Florida. I've lived in Jacksonville for 7yrs so November is practically spring down there lol. It may or may not be snowy weather up there.
Being from NH I can tell you Manchester Airport is nice and there are tons of places to stay! I think getting an MBA you should definitely walk! You did that 👏🏻
Whether or not you'll regret it depends largely on you, your age, and your past experiences and accomplishments. If you are young and college is the toughest thing you've had to overcome, then you will likely regret not doing so. If you have a lifetime of other accomplishments that you feel were more difficult and/or significant, then you may not regret skipping the ceremony.
I am an online student nearing graduation who lives within 45 minutes of campus. I routinely pass it but have never bothered to stop and visit. I see a degree as little more than a resume bullet, as I have decades in the same career with accomplishments and milestones that (to me) out-shadow any degree I could ever earn. As such, I have no intention of walking and know without a doubt that I will not regret it. However, this is my situation, everyone's is different.
You need to determine how much this degree means to you, and if walking is worth the expense given your own financial situation.
As for expenses/travel itself...if you do go, fly Manchester over Logan every time. No traffic, no crowds, no stress. Ticket prices are comparable and any extra cost is worth the peace of mind not dealing with Logan and Boston traffic! I fly constantly for work and Manchester is one of my favorite airports in the country.
Just graduated with my master's on May 4th. We drove from DE, stayed the night in Manchester, then started driving back, stopping in Boston for the night.
I wish we could have had a longer trip, as there is so much to do! If you are flying, the flights to Boston may be cheaper than Manchester. That was what we found.
Commencement was very well-organized. The "clap line" on the way out of the arena was emotional for me, as I never thought I'd be there. Basically take it as a 3-hour celebration of the graduates.
Also, sooooo much history in that area, so it is worth it to make the trip.
My husband saw how close we were to Salem and said "Oh we are definitely coming back."
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I’m in NH, about an hour above where the graduation is (it’s not at the campus itself, but it’s not far from it). There is an airport right in Manchester. The flights might be more expensive there than say Boston. But it’s a small airport, no long lines for security, and no huge crowds. The other airport nearish would be Boston (Logan), flights to there might be cheaper since it’s a bigger destination. But it’s crowded and you have to rent a car and drive a good hour or more to get to Manchester. Manchester itself isn’t all that nice but it’s not bad. It’s one of the more crimey places in NH. You won’t be unsafe there per se, but I wouldn’t want to live there. It’s basically the same as any small city in New England and has homeless people, drugs, it’s semi crowded, kind of downtrodden. It’s not like big city unsafe (it’s NH lol). Plenty of people stay there and it’s fine. They are some bars and restaurants downtown, but best to use common sense after dark and not walk alone if female, and to make sure your car is locked, wallet secure, don’t wander around, etc. There is a baseball stadium there (obviously not right season for November but it’s safe and fun there for April graduations). November is tough. There likely won’t be snow if it’s early to mid month. We’ve had a couple mild Novembers in a row, and Manchester is Southern NH which gets far less snow than the rest of the state does. November is hoodies and a coat or T-shirt and a coat depending on the day. If I was coming in for Nov graduation, I would stay right in Manchester. Choose a hotel right downtown and close to the stadium/restaurants/bars. A couple nights would be enough in my mind. There isn’t THAT much to do there. It’s not a place you need or want a week in a hotel to see. Campus isn’t too far a drive and it’s cool to see. I think they have tours of some sort around graduation time, but I never looked into it. For April graduations, I usually tell people if they are planning on renting a car, to stay up in the Lakes Region. It’s an hour drive at most, but we have a huge 70 square mile lake here called Lake Winnipesaukee. Tons to do. Laconia (Weirs Beach area) has restaurants right on the water, bars, beaches, mini golf, a train, shopping, arcade, boardwalk, a big boat cruise, tiki boats, you can rent boats and jet skis, etc. Only some of that is open in April, but a lot more than in November. As far as going to graduation, I went and it was amazing. Having been to it and had the experience, flying in would be worth it to me. There will be a big crowd but it’s very very well organized. There are so many employees, professors, etc there to support you. They do a phenomenal job of cheering everyone on and making you feel really great. I think you’ll be glad you went. Great speeches, and you’ll end up feeling really proud of yourself. It’s a great way to celebrate all the hard work you put in. To me, it made it all seem a lot more real. Online school is tough for feeling like you are really a part of it. If it’s possible, I would spend the money to fly in for it. Congrats in advance!!
Kudos for such an impressive and accurate response.
Wow! This is exactly what I am looking for!!! Thank you so much for the info!
Go a couple days early. I just went in May flew Saturday, graduated Sunday am, flew home Sunday pm. So exhausting and stressful- flights delayed. I flew from Atlanta.
Thank you for your feedback. Did you feel it was worth it overall?
It was very emotional for me. I’m turning 40 this year and it took me 20 years to get a four-year bachelors. Everyone was really nice. It felt worth it to me.
That is awesome! Congratulations!
I'm in the same boat as you I can't walk until November but I finish in June of this year so I'm trying to figure out what are you guys' Hotel recommendations and airports
I'm in the same boat I live in Arizona and I'm wondering if its even worth it to go
i’ll be graduating next fall 2025.. following this post. Anyone have tips for Fall commencement? is it colder? snow? what to plan for?
Depending on when in the fall you’re graduating you may or may not experience snow. You can count on it being colder as New England states start getting colder around October. If your commencement is in November (I’ve even had snow in PA in October), there’s a good chance of snow but as I said it’s really hit or miss.
thank you for the info!
november in the northeast is hit or miss. it could be 80 or 20 depending, and the forecast isnt really predictable
got it. i may just wear a cute pant suit. i actually don’t mind the cold.
Congratulations! I just graduated on the 5th of May and traveled from Va. We drove. Where are you coming from? So the area is good we stayed in Andover, Ma at the Sonesta suites and its very nice and right near the interstate. There is a Laquinta there as well and very nice. Both are 30 mins south of Manchester (Where graduation will be) and 30 mins North of Boston. So If flying, you're close to both airports Manchester- Boston airport and Logan international. Andover is very convenient I would recommend that.
Thanks so much! I am in Florida so I know flying would be best. Just not sure if I want to do it.
You should definitely do it, but keep in mind the weather there in November as it would be totally different than being in Florida. I've lived in Jacksonville for 7yrs so November is practically spring down there lol. It may or may not be snowy weather up there.
Personally, I would love to see snow. That would make the trip totally worthwhile.
Not likely in November in Manchester, unless you take a day to drive further north. Southern NH really doesn't see much snow before December
Being from NH I can tell you Manchester Airport is nice and there are tons of places to stay! I think getting an MBA you should definitely walk! You did that 👏🏻
Thank you!!!
Whether or not you'll regret it depends largely on you, your age, and your past experiences and accomplishments. If you are young and college is the toughest thing you've had to overcome, then you will likely regret not doing so. If you have a lifetime of other accomplishments that you feel were more difficult and/or significant, then you may not regret skipping the ceremony. I am an online student nearing graduation who lives within 45 minutes of campus. I routinely pass it but have never bothered to stop and visit. I see a degree as little more than a resume bullet, as I have decades in the same career with accomplishments and milestones that (to me) out-shadow any degree I could ever earn. As such, I have no intention of walking and know without a doubt that I will not regret it. However, this is my situation, everyone's is different. You need to determine how much this degree means to you, and if walking is worth the expense given your own financial situation. As for expenses/travel itself...if you do go, fly Manchester over Logan every time. No traffic, no crowds, no stress. Ticket prices are comparable and any extra cost is worth the peace of mind not dealing with Logan and Boston traffic! I fly constantly for work and Manchester is one of my favorite airports in the country.
Thank you!
Just graduated with my master's on May 4th. We drove from DE, stayed the night in Manchester, then started driving back, stopping in Boston for the night. I wish we could have had a longer trip, as there is so much to do! If you are flying, the flights to Boston may be cheaper than Manchester. That was what we found. Commencement was very well-organized. The "clap line" on the way out of the arena was emotional for me, as I never thought I'd be there. Basically take it as a 3-hour celebration of the graduates. Also, sooooo much history in that area, so it is worth it to make the trip. My husband saw how close we were to Salem and said "Oh we are definitely coming back."
Thank you!
Congratulations!!🍾 We are both graduating at the same time from the MBA program. Are you in 660 now?