Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Anyone have info on this? Specifically, happiness quotient? S can go free ride, but is put off by all the well known negatives of RU (Bus system, TAs who don't speak English, large classes). I know they get their own dorm, and have some honors sections of coursework, but is it worth the general unhappiness that seems to go hand in hand with Rutgers?

By Tsdad (Tsdad) on Sunday, October 05, 2003 - 08:09 pm: Edit

If Rutgers was to win a few more football games everyone would consider it a much better school.

By Jjsmom (Jjsmom) on Monday, October 06, 2003 - 05:21 pm: Edit

LOL!

OK, seriously now... anyone know anyone who is enrolled?

By Lbtg43 (Lbtg43) on Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 09:48 pm: Edit

well actually i live in NJ, around 15 minutes from rutgers and it seems nearly everyone in my school is planning and going there(and will most likely get accepted =/)

im not sure where you heard of unhappiness... its a great campus(in princeton i believe?) and has quite a bit of heritage.

i have heard GREAT opinions of there honors program as well...


the downside is, in general its an academically crappy college(the 'normal' classes that is, not honors) and it doesnt have much of a... name for itself, at least i couldnt think it could have much of a name for itself after seeing what kind of people from my school get accepted(everyone)

good luck

By Jjsmom (Jjsmom) on Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 11:32 pm: Edit

hi lbtq, yes, we live in nj also, bergen county. the main campus is in east brunswick, a far cry from princeton. ;>

good to hear you've heard good things about the honors program. any specifics?

this is a tuffie, as son qualifies for more "prestigious" schools but $$$ is an issue. rutgers would be 100% free (tuition, room/board, the whole shabang).

i know the college of nj is more rigorous overall, but is a suitcase school. blech.

By Obh100 (Obh100) on Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 11:43 pm: Edit

Wow, two people from NJ who don't know a thing about Rutgers. First there are three campuses, the main one being in NEW Brunswick. Along with branches in Newark and Camden, but God help you if you go there. As for the education its your standard college education. Qualms with the university stem from having classes on different campuses and having 15 minutes to shuttle between campuses, traffic is a problem, and the housing isn't great. Lots of red tape, but a decent education...

By Jjsmom (Jjsmom) on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 08:49 am: Edit

Hi Obh, oops, yes, I typed "east brunswick" but of course it's "new brunswick." whatever, the city isn't much to look at.

I *do* know a little bit about Rutgers, but not enough. I'm aware of the different campuses (see original post re: bus system woes).

I'm aware that the standard classes are mediocre. I was asking specifically about the honors program.

Once again, my son qualifies for "Top 25" rated schools (borderline Ivy level, let's just say he's "in the pool" but could drown at the whim of the adcoms). The issue is, Rutgers Honors would be 100% free. The other schools to which he's applying cost $40,000/year. We won't qualify for need-based aid, because shame upon shame, we own a house and have been trying to put aside some $ for college (though not enough). We'd be $160,000 less in debt if son goes to Rutgers. Is it worth it?

Re: housing, the Rutgers honors program kids have housing set aside specifically for them, and I've heard it's acceptable.

If the honors program is fair at best, then yeah, we'll bite the bullet and send him to Tufts or U Michigan or even GWU or BU.

Was wondering if anyone here is actually enrolled in the program or knows anyone who is who can tell us more detail.

Thanks.

By Jjsmom (Jjsmom) on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 06:53 pm: Edit

bumpity bump

By Lbtg42 (Lbtg42) on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 08:01 pm: Edit

hm, my pw isnt working, new account

yea but who really cares what town rutgers is in anyway
princeton, new brunswick same thing :P


yea i cant say i know too much about living there at the campus but...

i have a freind who is the same postion Jjsmom is in... hes a smart guy applied to brown and a few other schools just below ivy league status but had now way of paying

ended up getting a free ride to rutgers and he says he loves the honors program... im sure he couldve got a free ride to TCNJ too but i believe he favored the rutgers honors courses for some reason

sorry cant really tell you any *real* info on it there aside from my friend liking it, just thought id post and keep this topic alive ::shrugs::

By Lvdad (Lvdad) on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 11:37 pm: Edit

I am relatively new to this forum, but both my wife and I did attend Rutgers U. She went to the Newark campus, which is an unattractive, urban campus with mostly commuter student population. I went to New Brunswick, which is actually comprised of several campuses: College Avenue, Busch, Livingston, Cook, and Douglass. College Avenue is home of Rutgers College and the oldest campus, and is actually a nice campus with a traditional sense of campus. Surrounding area of New Brunswick is not a real college town (it is definately not Princeton), though the nearby downtown area has improved somewhat and offers some decent activity. Busch campus is across the Raritan River from College Avenue and is home to a lot of the sciences/engineering and is an unattractive campus with more the look of a corporate park or institution. Douglass is the women's college and has a nice campus. The scattered campuses can be a drawback, and the bus system is a gigantic pain, from first hand experience. Scheduling classes on different campus locations requires lots of time for travel.

Having said all of the above, Rutgers is a very fine public university that is very well-respected, though not having much national recognition (perhaps a few more vistories by the pathetic football team would help!). I would have been very happy if my daughter considered going there, but she is set on going out-of-state. Hope the above helps.

By Akpens (Akpens) on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 10:50 pm: Edit

We are currently deciding between Rutgers,New Brunswick and George Washington university for our son. In Rutgers he has been invited to the honors program and in GWU he gets a partial scholarship.
The important consideration for us is the academic environment and the quality of in-campus residence life.
Any inputs from any of you will be of help.