Rutgers University-New Brunswick Top Questions

Go to a large school with a lot of diversity and don't live at home.

Be sure to allow yourself to be unsure and take your time. Don't rush yourself. Also, be sure to try and get in touch with what wants and needs you have for the following couple of years and to factor those into the decision making process. Things such as where you you like to live and the kind of experience you would like to have.

Truthwise, time yields knowledge. In hindsight, as daunting of a task as the college application/selection process sounds - it honestly is. You can never become omnipotent when it comes to all there is to be known about the college application process or one's respected school choices. There is simply a surfeit to be learned and one must chip away at this block to the best of their ability. Do not be discouraged and research vehemently both through the web and by conducting discourses with current college students, alumni, school guidance counselors, or others considered found to be sapient on the subject. Additionally, it is always smart to apply to one or two more schools than you originally have ambition to. Verily, one is not the same person in December than they are in May; thus, your opinion on what you want in a school, where you see yourself the following year, or even what is financially feasible may all have change completely. It is thus pivotal to ensure that you keep your options open, because in many cases it will be too late to apply in May for the following academic year. I wish you all the best. Cheers!

The best advice I could give to a student and parent would be a little different. I would tell parents not to worry and if you child works hard it won't matter where they go because they will succeed with hard work and dedication to their schoolwork. I would tell students to make sure they focus on their work and take advantage of the programs their potential school has to offer. These programs can be extremely valuable and can open new doors that they would never have known existed before. As far as finding the right college the advice is the same. It has to have the right feel for the person that will be going to the school. It doesn't matter where your parents went and what they did if that's not you. When you find the right school it will just feel right and you will know that it is the school for you. Taking advantage of as many of the opportunities and programs at whicever school you do choose because this is how you will make the most of your college years and the ones soon after.

Let the students visit the colleges and make their choice. If the parents make the decision for the student, the student may not feel comfortable at the college picked.

If you are unsure about what you want to do, choose a large college that allows you to try different classes. By taking intiative to get involved in a variety of activities, you can get a better sense of what you want to do. Act like a sponge and take advantage of the endless opportunitites that may never present themselves again. College only happens once and it can prepare you for a fullifilling life if you choose to make the best of it.

My advice to both students and parents would be to do your research! Check out the campus, talk to current students, and ask any questions that you have to both students and faculty. A lot of the students at Rutger's transferred from other schools because they were not pleased with their original choices, but found themselves much more satisfied at Rutger's. If you are unsure about what you really plan to do, there is nothing wrong with attending a community college before going to a university. That was the decision I made and I couldn't be happier. I may have wasted my time and money at a university on a major that I ultimately chose not to pursue. Once you're in college, take full advantage of all that the school has to offer. Study hard, and get involved in activities. Campus activities is one of the best ways to meet new people and make everlasting friendships. Always remember to be yourself! College is one of the best ways to discover yourself and become a fanatastic individual.

Always make sure to do all your homework on a school that you are interested in. Once you decide to attend, become involved in sports, clubs, anything that will keep you active. Don't waste your 4 years with your head in a book. Though you should study a good amount; get out and experience new things. Enjoy yourself.

You should visit the school and talk to students who attend the school.

Let their child make the decision on which college they wouold like to attend. I have run into a lot of c oeds that are there because it is where their parents wanted them to go. They are not happy and are not hving the experience they should be having as a result. Let your children grow.

It is best that you really read into the college that you want to attend because you will be there for four years, spending the most amazing time of your life. It is essential that you choose the right learning environment for yourself and that you are comfortable with the distant away from home. Visiting the campus is very important so that the student can get a feel of what it is like before attending the university.

Find out what you want out of your college experience, outside of any external expectations: Do you want a respected degree, or do you want true learning? Do you just want to have fun? Do you want to make lasting friends or do you just want business connections? If you know what you want to do for work after college and how a school can help you get there, choosing your school will be much easier. Look for a school with a strong record in your field of choice. But for the others among you, do not be afraid to choose a school where myriad different opportunities abound, and where you can feel out your path as you first tread it, and experiment. For the undecided, this may be the most important thing: That you not convince yourself prematurely that your path is fixed and unchangeable. There is still room for self-discovery. And last but not least, ask yourself where you want to be and what you want the vibe of the campus to be. Visit your schools early (without your parents too!) and interact with students. Feel out the campus and what it will be like. Good luck.

I would tell them to check out all the schools that they are interested in and for students to listen to parents about the financials. Consider all the choices that you are given when you recieve your acceptance letters, and to also remember in-state schools when applying. Make sure you make the most of your school visits and really think about where you want to go. If you know what you want to do, ask questions about the program at the school and choose the school with the best program for you. If you were like me and undecided, pick a school that you love and gives you the most options and the best education for your money. I was between Penn State and Rutgers, I chose Rutgers because they were the same education, but for me Rutgers was less money. Bottom line, chose the place where you believe you will be the happiest and will be the best fit for you. The rest will all fall into place.

You should definitely take into account post-graduate plans. If you plan on going to a graduate school, that is an extra cost you will have to think about. For example, Rutgers was a great choice for me because I knew I wanted to go to law school. I received a scholarship that covered most of my tuition so that is really going to help in the long run. Also, you should think about the area in which the school is located. For example, I was considering George Washington University, because I got a huge scholarship to go there, but the lifestyle is just so expensive (i.e. sales tax) and they have no meal plan so I knew I would end up spending exorbitant amounts of money.

its a recession, dont not go to a college about your means would just be a headache in the end

Know what you want, visit the college and see it for yourself, talk to current students there about their lives.

I would definately never rule out the colleges that are close to home. In high school, whenever I thought of college, I thought of going far away, maybe even to California. In order to really love college, you have to keep your roots. Your family will always be there for you, and if you have problems at school, they should be the ones to help you. Being independent should be a process, and 18 year olds should never just jump into it. Having a good mix of independence and dependence is extremely important, for all new students need a support system. Trusting total strangers is often very difficult, and that is what many people are thrown into when they first enter college.

In order to find the right college, visit the campus and go with your gut feeling of whether you think you would belong on the campus. Do not think about the costs because almost all colleges are fairly expensive. Furthermore, try to talk to some of the students that already attend the school and try to get a feel of what campus life is like. If at all possible I would recommend trying to schedule some sort of overnight or weekend visit to the school. Once you select a school make sure you remember that the college experience is a combination of an academic and social lifestyle. To get the most out of this try to find an acitivity, club, or fraternity/sorority that interests you and become active while learning to balance your study skills.

In order to make the most out of college every student should become involved in as many student organizations as possible. Test a few out each semester and see which one sticks, this is where you'll make friends and people you can really turn to and trust. Another thing is to make sure never to cram, do your work as early and often as possible for the best possible grade. Also, always get to know your professor, go to office hours and stay behind after class to ask a question; it'll make the class more rewarding and enjoyable.

Take your time to consider your options and do research before selecting a list of schools you want to apply to. Don't only go by how prestigious a school's name is; it is important to consider what you want to study and locate the school that is most suitable for your needs. If you don't know what you want to study in college yet, then apply to schools that offer a wide variety of options (that have, in other words, many departments). If possible, visit the school before making a choice. When you start college, be sure to not be afraid to meet new people and join on-campus organizations. Make sure to study hard - after all, that is the main reason why you are in college - but don't forget to have fun too!

I would tell students not to get caught up with what their friends are doing and to be true to themselves. You will meet many students who are different and you may want to change who you are, but do not! Know your morals, principles and be true to yourself. Also, get involved your freshman year and rember this is still school so schoolwork should be a top priority, if you have to choose between partying or studying for a midterm...studying should come first because there will always be another party! And parents just need to be supportive, maybe send some mail to make their child more comfortable. College isn't the easiest so through thick and thin, tough love and all parents are a big part.

Always attend the open house so that you know what you are getting into. College life is very precious experience that students go through and this experinec decided the student's future.

Don't focus on one specific thing aboout a school to determine your choice. When I applied to college, all I was worried about was going to New York City. I ended up going to a school merely because I didn't get into the other NYC colleges I applied to, and ended up hated it. I left after a semester because I was extremely unhappy and transfered to Rutgers University where I quickly learned that I should have enrolled there in the first place. Because of my poor decision making, I am well over 10 grand in debt and behind a few credits. If there is one thing I learned about the college application process it's to listen to those around you, give everything a chance, and don't become fixated on one idea about where you should attend school. I certainly don't regret spending a semester in NYC at Marymount Manhattan College; it gave me a taste of living in the Big Apple, which is something I'd like to do again after graduating, and it taught me a valuable lesson about making important life decisions.

When searching for the perfect college for you or your child, always bear in mind that a visit and oftentimes an extended stay in the vicinity of the college in question will generally always give you an accurate feel of the life around the campus, as well as the conditions of living and such. Usually most students can make up their mind about a college once they visit, but I believe that it takes a bit longer to really get a feel for the college. Once you have found the perfect college, make sure you attend your classes. It is one of the easiest and most basic of tasks to accomplish, but since it is executed so irregularly that most professors actually reward the students who make it to class each time. If your parents are paying for your college, the least you can do is attend all of your classes and give it the best you've got.

One thing that i've learned after entering college is that there are many facets to college life. Parents or Students cannot choose classes just by one or two categories. Social life is a very large part of college and its almost certain that poor social life may not directly affect grades but it will hinder personal growth. Creating a strong social network is very important in college. Friends that are made in college will become very useful tools in ones carreer. The camaradarie built at Rutgers is unlike other universities. This can be seen by the constant alumni involvment in our everyday lives and helping find jobs for undergraduate students as well as graduate students. Rutgers conveniently can service any personality, the studious, the party types, the religious etc... There is a place and an organization for every personality which makes Rutgers the best university to go to. Professors are friendly, nice, smart and above all, inspirational. Professors that inspire are in shortage however THAT is the most important thing to look for to find the right college and making the most of the college experience.

Have an idea of what you would like to do in the future, and also have a back up plan. It's good to find a college that offers both of your choices, so if one of them doesn't work out, there's always another. Also, find a college that is suitable for you in terms of academics, social life, and culture. I especially like Rutgers because it offers all these things, and I feel like it was a good choice. Consider how much tuition and housing cost and figure out if that college is worth it, or if you can find a better one. Keep your options open, and visit as many campuses as you can.

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Take your time finding a college that fits you. If the classes don't seem right don't take them. Take classes that your interested in so that way you will succeed in what you love. Find a major that you will enjoy learning not something that will be impossible for you to do. Enjoy yourself at college, have a good time, but always manage your time wisely and finish your work before you play. Most importantly keep a open realtionship with your parents while your away, just because they aren't there with you doesn't mean they don't constantly think about you. They need to hear from you no matter what because if you don't talk with them you may feel completely alone. They understand you the best and will help you make the best decision not matter the situation, so always keep them in the loop.

Find a college that both the family finance and the student's happiness match.

Listen to your heart, mind, and feelings when visiting a college campus.

Apply to different types of schools, visit them all, and make money the last issue in deciding where to go.

Talk to people that are currently attending the schools and have been there for at least 2 years. Try to visit the schools. There was a lot that I had no clue about Freshman year and really wish someone would have told me everything.

visit all schools you apply too

Take your time and explore each possibility.

Focus on academics. Study a lot.

The search for the perfect undergraduate college or university is a difficult journey. The advice I would give while on the college search would be to visit several schools, get in depth knowledge about the courses offered, the dorm life, the transportation system, and (most importantly) the safety of the campus. Several colleges and university do not allow vehicles on campus for the student?s freshmen year, resulting in complete dependency on public transportation. This might be an important factor for students wanting to come home on the weekends to visit, or travelling around town in general. In addition, the distance from the student?s home town should be taken into consideration when picking out the school. There is a certain amount of comfort knowing the student can hop on a train or bus and come home for the weekend (specifically his or her freshmen year when homesickness is prevalent). Lastly, if at all possible, encourage participation in activities the college or university offers. Balancing school work and extracurricular activities can help the student with extremely valuable time-management skills that are crucial when attending college. Good luck!

The best advice I can offere to any high school senior looking for the best college is to pick the school that fits best with their needs, NOT the school's reputation. If I had listened to everything my friends said about my school (a "flagship state school," everyones "backup"), I would have deeply regreted it. Besides, I go to GREAT school, with a great reputation in the rest of the country. Remember, although you may not see yourself fitting in perfectly with a school at first, remember that people grow when they get to college. I never thought I'd survive at a huge party school, but the benefit of being at such a large school is that you are bound to find others that are like you.

Parents and students looking for the right school need to go on college tours! If you have found that the school offers your major and looks great through its website and pamphlet, the final step is to visit the school and envision yourself as a student there. If it feels like you could be who you are and grow and prosper then that's the place for you. Parents don't put so much pressure on your teenager to go to the cheapest or most prestigious school because they are the ones who will have to live and learn at that college and they mine as well do it being content as oppose to in misery. Students...college is what you make it. You will have a great time in college if you make it a great time. Be open to all the new people, places, lessons and opportunities that you will experience and you will enjoy your college life.

College is a place where a student gets to learn, socialize and mature. These are qualities that you will always have to keep in mind, they are the reasons one chooses a college and the same ones that allow the child to benefit. In order to find the right college you have to remember that it should be one that your child will be content at. If their happiness is compromised they will not be able to excell as they should. It is important to visit schools that interest you because writing will not fully illustrate the feeling one gets when they are surrounded by the environment. Once you have found your ideal college you cannot hold back. This is your chance to show the world what you are capable of accomplishing. Make it an objective to change the school in a positive way, in a way that did not exist before your acceptance. In other words make your mark. It is vital that you are remembered for all of the hard work that you put forth. Just remember that it is a once in a lifetime chance and remember not to get caught up with the wrong people.

It would be beneficial for students and parents to discuss different options for schools, and plan trips to visit them. While most students end up changing their original major, it is also helpful to know which schools offer the best programs for the intended plan of study.

Recently I have found myself reflecting upon my university experiences in order to address my mother and fathers questions. My brother is a graduating senior at Middletown High School and has been experiencing the college decision and application process first hand. He has been turning to me for advice, seeing as I am a graduating senior at Rutgers University. I have recently recalled how uneducated and uncertain I was when I was in his position, completely unaware of what the "right" university referred to. Meal plans, class sizes, dorm rooms, student centers, lecture halls, course schedules, and education requirements...these words comprised a foreign language I had not been taught in high school. I explained to my brother that he should be looking for the school school that fits his own personal style. of academic interests, activities, volunteer services, course studies, and class sizes. He eventually narrowed his choices down to six schools and began visiting them immediately. Over the summer he found the perfect fit, a school with aeronotical studies with small classes, and a beautiful campus. Interestingly enough, as I finished my last final examination today, my brother received his letter of acceptance from his university of choice.

Pick a state school! you might be eager to get away but it is really worth itin what you will save over a private out of state school.

Be honest with your children about your opinions, but let the decision be theirs about college and future. Many parents mean well but end up hindering their children through pressure they place on them. Allow your child to really try to critically evaluate what's right for them based on the academics, the on-campus environment, size, etc., regardless of location. Encourage your child to reach as high as they can, knowing that tried at least once instead of regretting their decision to not pursue the dreams they've been working towards and for which they will continue to work for 4 years. Otherwise. it seems students become unhappy and feel trapped in a life they never wanted to live, and they realize too late than no matter where you are you should make the most of your opportunities. Instead they may end up wasting time dissapointed and feeling as though they can never truly succeed. I doubt that would make any parent happy. Provide them with a lasting foundation of support and honest advice and direction. Encouage them to learn not only through classwork, but through the opportunities available to them as well. They'll respect you for forever.

The advice that I would give to parents and students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience would be to look at all of your options and not to have your mind set on one college. Parents and students often base their perception of a school on what others have told them. Consider what you may not have heard. When I was applying to schools I only submitted an application if the criteria I had set for the perfect college. I never bothered looking at the hundreds of other schools that didn't meet my criteria. At the end of the application process I had already my mind made up on one college. When I didn't get accepted to the school I had my mind on I was disappointed in the school I eventually chose. A year later I transferred and the college that I now attend I had never previously considered. This school is the perfect school for me and very different from the college I had wanted to attend a year earlier. College dorm rooms are only filled with students, because they love the school they're attending. Consider your options.

I would go see a college counselor outside of my highschool before I applied. I really had no idea what I was doing and I think I could have made a more mature decision. While at college I wish I had done more volunteer work and internships.

My main advice would be to not get heart-broken if you cannot attend your first-choice school, whether it's because of academic or financial reasons. I could not afford to go to school out of state, so I was forced to appease my parents and attend Rutgers. Although I was originally upset, I slowly began to learn and appreciate that it did not matter where I was. All that matters is whether or not you get involved and make your experience the best it could possibly be. By volunteering with various philathropic organizations, joing a sorority, and becoming a leader through the Rising Leadership institute and New Student Orientation, I have made friendships that will last a lifetime, created irreplaceable memories, and have grown so much as an individual since I started here as freshman. I have learned so much already and I love that I have the rest of my college years amd life to continue this journey of self-discovery and realize my full potential. I cannot imagine attending another university now--Rutgers is where I want to be, because I made it that way for myself. So, remember, the power is in your hands.

Consider what you enjoy doing, and what skills you enjoy cultivating. Then pick the school based on how their relevant departments would cater to your interests.

Stay focused and study!

My best advice would be to do a lot of thorough and involved research. There is a lot of information available about different colleges and it is essential that parents and students do everything possible to select the one that fits them best. Become informed about all of the details that matter most to you, but most importantly, that involve the path you are considering for your career, because that is what college is for: to prepare you for your career. Research should include but not be limited to: searching college websites, reading reviews, statistics, articles, etc. as well as visiting in person and asking current students as well as alumni for their opinions. Make sure the college offers exactly what you want and need! As for the college experience, I suggest becoming very familiar with your college's policies and resources. Be open-minded and social! The best thing you can do once on campus, is to become involved, meet new people. This will help you to learn more about your college, the campus(es), and other things you will need to know that will help you feel more stabilized and comfortable, thus enhancing your overall experience.

When deciding on which school to attend, education usually seems like the only thing to look at but a lot of different things make up a college experience. You have to find an environment that suits you including the campus layout, housing, dinning, classrooms, cultural diversity, recreational activities, school spirit, tutoring opportunities, professors, job opportunities, and climate. You also want to make sure that going home for break isn't too much of a hassle. If you don't have a major in mind, you should look at schools that offer many different areas of study so that you can get the exposure necessary to choose. Of course cost is a major consideration especially with prices skyrocketing. Remember, just because a school is expensive doesn't necessarily mean its better. Once you have your degree, where you got it isn't always important. The important thing is that you learned what you need to know and didn't suffer too much through it. Planning college life takes a lot of balancing between work and play. Any imbalance in either direction can be disasterous and its up to you to decide what kind of balance fits.