NJ Colleges and Universities -- Class of 2014

[PrincessKsMom]

As my daughter begins her junior year, thought I'd reach out to those who have been down this road before.

DD is a good student. Freshman year took all honors courses. Sophomore year was honors with a college prep level (lower) science. Junior year will be AP English/History, college prep level math and science. Her lowest grades are about and 83-84. Her weighted average is approx. 93. Good student, not great. And I'm learning to be okay with that. Had her take the SATs this pasted June as I thought it would be her best opportunity since she just finished Alegebra II/Geometry. Well her total for 3 sections was a 1560 (I think I'm remembering correctly). Minus the writing portion it's a 1030.

We've already discussed the fact that she is not willing to kill herself to get substantially better grades. I'm hoping she'll be able to bring each section up about 100 points by the next test.

She also wants to go away to college. And doesn't know what she wants to study, although she tends to enjoy artistic things. So what are our NJ options? I can't see her getting any scholarship money so I've told her I believe the reality is she needs to stay closer to home and take advantage of in-state tuition. I also told her that community college for two years might also have to be an option. She's not happy about that and I don't think our community college is all that good, but if it means saving money and not coming out with astronomical loans, so be it.

So please, if you have any first-hand knowledge of the NJ colleges and universities, I'd love to hear from you!

 

[Marionnette]

As my daughter begins her junior year, thought I'd reach out to those who have been down this road before.

DD is a good student. Freshman year took all honors courses. Sophomore year was honors with a college prep level (lower) science. Junior year will be AP English/History, college prep level math and science. Her lowest grades are about and 83-84. Her weighted average is approx. 93. Good student, not great. And I'm learning to be okay with that. Had her take the SATs this pasted June as I thought it would be her best opportunity since she just finished Alegebra II/Geometry. Well her total for 3 sections was a 1560 (I think I'm remembering correctly). Minus the writing portion it's a 1030.

We've already discussed the fact that she is not willing to kill herself to get substantially better grades. I'm hoping she'll be able to bring each section up about 100 points by the next test.

She also wants to go away to college. And doesn't know what she wants to study, although she tends to enjoy artistic things. So what are our NJ options? I can't see her getting any scholarship money so I've told her I believe the reality is she needs to stay closer to home and take advantage of in-state tuition. I also told her that community college for two years might also have to be an option. She's not happy about that and I don't think our community college is all that good, but if it means saving money and not coming out with astronomical loans, so be it.

So please, if you have any first-hand knowledge of the NJ colleges and universities, I'd love to hear from you!

From what I understand, out-of-state tuition in PA is cheaper than in-state in NJ at a lot of the universities. She may want to consider applying to one of them.

Doing 2 years of CC may or may not be of benefit to your daughter. I have 4 nieces and nephews in NJ. All 4 qualified for the Stars program when it existed (free CC tuition scholarship for up to 5 semesters, followed by free tuition for 4 semesters at a state university if your grades qualified). Two of them chose to skip the Stars program and went right to state schools. The other two did the CC route, followed by state schools. Of the 4, one has dropped out with only a year to go, two graduated within the 4-year period and one took 6 years to get her BA degree. Guess who finished within 4 years? The kids that went straight to the state universities. Basically, going to CC did nothing to save them any money.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Marionnette, thanks for sharing your experience with your nieces and nephews. Definitely something to consider as I didn't know about the Pennsylvania schools and tuition. I was also looking at community college for the free tuition so I'll research it further.

Thanks again!

 

[TinkerBelled]

From what I understand, out-of-state tuition in PA is cheaper than in-state in NJ at a lot of the universities. She may want to consider applying to one of them.

Doing 2 years of CC may or may not be of benefit to your daughter. I have 4 nieces and nephews in NJ. All 4 qualified for the Stars program when it existed (free CC tuition scholarship for up to 5 semesters, followed by free tuition for 4 semesters at a state university if your grades qualified). Two of them chose to skip the Stars program and went right to state schools. The other two did the CC route, followed by state schools. Of the 4, one has dropped out with only a year to go, two graduated within the 4-year period and one took 6 years to get her BA degree. Guess who finished within 4 years? The kids that went straight to the state universities. Basically, going to CC did nothing to save them any money.

I would concentrate on getting up the SATs. Her weighted GPA is about a 3.7, which puts her well within the average for Rutgers. Her SATs, though, are about 300 points below their average. If she can do some test prep, it might make the world of difference--even just a book and regular practice tests.

Rutgers is a great school--well regarded, really good professors, and very reasonable prices. Your in-state tuition is just over $10k, which is lower than it's going to be almost anywhere else.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I would concentrate on getting up the SATs. Her weighted GPA is about a 3.7, which puts her well within the average for Rutgers. Her SATs, though, are about 300 points below their average. If she can do some test prep, it might make the world of difference--even just a book and regular practice tests.

Rutgers is a great school--well regarded, really good professors, and very reasonable prices. Your in-state tuition is just over $10k, which is lower than it's going to be almost anywhere else.

Thanks. Others have told me that the drive to prep for SATs may well kick in this year but so far, nope. I bought her the SAT prep book last year which she has yet to look at. Her school offers SAT prep in the morning before school starts, but she's taking an extra class which prevents her from attending that free prep. She also just joined Color Guard this year, which makes me very happy and I'm glad she has new friends and new experiences, but it's such a time-consuming extra-curricular that it doesn't leave a lot of time for SAT classes. And from what I've heard, her AP English/History classes will keep her up most nights until 1 or 2 a.m. I'm thinking maybe I can find an SAT class for the 2nd or 3rd marking period when she'll be used to her classes and maybe has more free time. I'd rather pay for a Kaplan class and save money on tuition, if she does better. I think the biggest problem is she's a good student but has never been good at standardized testing. Well that and the fact that I'm the only one stressing any of this.

I'm somewhat familiar with Rutgers and was also looking at The College of NJ, but honestly don't know much about the other schools. And there's only so much you can learn from a website or brochure. Seems like a few road trips will be in order this year.

 

[Ginny Favers]

She can get into Rutgers with her stats. Maybe not Rutgers College, but Livingston or possibly Douglass or Cook. Historically, they've been much easier to get into, which makes little sense because you'll share classes with people from the College.

I went to Rutgers (Douglass College) and would not recommend it to anyone. I know I'll make a lot of enemies saying this, but the school was just TOO big. I stayed on campus because I wanted to make friends I'd have forever, but everyone just shuffled different places after a semester or year or so, and I never saw them again. Additionally, getting the classes I needed was difficult and there was no personal attention or guidance-- we were treated like cattle. My father, by contrast, went to a small private school and 40 years later, they're still like his family. I'd gotten a scholarship there because of it, but decided to go to Rutgers because my parents pushed me toward it.

My sister and in-laws went to Trenton State (The College of New Jersey) and had a much better experience there.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

She can get into Rutgers with her stats. Maybe not Rutgers College, but Livingston or possibly Douglass or Cook. Historically, they've been much easier to get into, which makes little sense because you'll share classes with people from the College.

I went to Rutgers (Douglass College) and would not recommend it to anyone. I know I'll make a lot of enemies saying this, but the school was just TOO big. I stayed on campus because I wanted to make friends I'd have forever, but everyone just shuffled different places after a semester or year or so, and I never saw them again. Additionally, getting the classes I needed was difficult and there was no personal attention or guidance-- we were treated like cattle. My father, by contrast, went to a small private school and 40 years later, they're still like his family. I'd gotten a scholarship there because of it, but decided to go to Rutgers because my parents pushed me toward it.

My sister and in-laws went to Trenton State (The College of New Jersey) and had a much better experience there.

Thank you! We did attend Rutgers Day last spring and were amazed at how large the New Brunswick campus was. I honestly have to say, I wasn't too impressed with the science buildings either. The labs were filthy. Looked like an episode from Hoarders. Although DD would not be spending her time in the labs so I just made a mental note and moved on. My concerns for Rutgers are what you've expressed. Too big, too spread out, too impersonal. I've also heard the same thing you mentioned about it being too hard to get classes and not having any mentors or faculty/staff to address concerns. And honestly, I know the school has a great name, but I wonder if that comes from their football moreso than their academics?

 

[TinkerBelled]

I don't know what your financial situation is like, but you should look at a few liberal arts schools, too. They tend to have big sticker prices--Drew, for example, is $55k with room and board. But they also tend to give out a lot of money in financial aid, maybe more than you might think. Several NJ colleges, including Drew and Seton Hall, have a cost estimator that gives you a sense of what your actual costs might be. Unless your financial situation is quite tight and you qualify for a lot of aid, this is still going to be more than a state university; however, it might be doable.

A road trip is a great idea this year. See if you can go while classes are in session, so that she can see what the campus is like during a regular day. Many schools give you the chance to sit in on classes or even spend the night on campus, and you should take advantage of that as well.

I know that for many kids, high school is so absorbing that college seems like this abstract thing, until they get to crunch time and then panic. College visits can be a great motivational tool to light the fire under high school students. As for the SATs, if she really doesn't want to go to community college and price is a real factor, she's going to have to at least do some book-based prep. I hated standardized tests as well, but I did like being able to do the work at my own pace with the books. (It should be said that classes can work wonders--one of the reasons, really, that so many people want to ban the tests in the first place.)

 

[Ginny Favers]

And honestly, I know the school has a great name, but I wonder if that comes from their football moreso than their academics?

Yeah, and I hate football, so that would make it not the school for me

As for College of New Jersey, I know several professors there and the campus is very nice and small and manageable. It was very difficult to get in when I applied because it had just been named one of the best college values in the state (this was many, many years ago), so I'm not sure how it is now. I just know that those who have gone there seem to have liked it.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I don't know what your financial situation is like, but you should look at a few liberal arts schools, too. They tend to have big sticker prices--Drew, for example, is $55k with room and board. But they also tend to give out a lot of money in financial aid, maybe more than you might think. Several NJ colleges, including Drew and Seton Hall, have a cost estimator that gives you a sense of what your actual costs might be. Unless your financial situation is quite tight and you qualify for a lot of aid, this is still going to be more than a state university; however, it might be doable.

A road trip is a great idea this year. See if you can go while classes are in session, so that she can see what the campus is like during a regular day. Many schools give you the chance to sit in on classes or even spend the night on campus, and you should take advantage of that as well.

I know that for many kids, high school is so absorbing that college seems like this abstract thing, until they get to crunch time and then panic. College visits can be a great motivational tool to light the fire under high school students. As for the SATs, if she really doesn't want to go to community college and price is a real factor, she's going to have to at least do some book-based prep. I hated standardized tests as well, but I did like being able to do the work at my own pace with the books. (It should be said that classes can work wonders--one of the reasons, really, that so many people want to ban the tests in the first place.)

All good, solid advice. I actually have a friend to went to Drew and loved it. I'm just worried about the pricetag. I don't want to spend the rest of my life paying off her college loans when I feel like she's not putting in the effort to study for SATs, which is why I mentioned community college to her, and I also don't want her in over her head when she graduates with loans. I think I'd feel better about it if she had some idea what she wants to study, but that's sort of unfair to ask of a high school junior. I'm in my 40's and still not sure what I want to be when I grow up.

 

[sue1013]

Both my kids graduated from College of NJ, the last one in 2009. My dd went to community college for 2 years then transferred in she finished in 4 yrs. DS went to tcnj for 4 years. They both were happy with the school. The only thing that may be a problem for you but was fine for both my kids was housing after 2nd year. There was very little on campus housing for junior and seniors. I had no problem with them renting off campus but some parents don't like that. I know they were building more housing when my ds graduated so that may not be the case any longer.

 

[Poohforyou]

What about TCNJ (The College of NJ)? I know they give generous scholarships but it can be tough to get into from w/i state.

I know they've been doing a lot of campus construction over the last few years and I believe are building a new science center.

I don't know where you are in NJ but the campus is easily reachable from a lot of major roadways.

Rider Univ is another school worth looking at. It's really near TCNJ so you could do both in one day.

 

[JoiseyMom]

OP, I am in the same boat as you. DD16 is a junior, but her grades are no where near as good as your DD. My DD doesn't give a darn...but she wants to go to a 4 year college in Boston. She has a lot of work to do for that...DH is convinced she will be going to BCC instead. I hope that the lightbulb goes off on top of her head this semester and she does waht she is so capable of doing. If not oh well...

My DS wanted to go to Drew..but never applied (long story). He went to BCC then transferred to Rutgers and HATED it, and he dropped out and eventaully got his associates from BCC. DDIL went to TCNJ and loved it.

Our other DS went to a private college in NYS.

This is going to be a busy year for DH and DD.

 

[kacaju]

As my daughter begins her junior year, thought I'd reach out to those who have been down this road before.

DD is a good student. Freshman year took all honors courses. Sophomore year was honors with a college prep level (lower) science. Junior year will be AP English/History, college prep level math and science. Her lowest grades are about and 83-84. Her weighted average is approx. 93. Good student, not great. And I'm learning to be okay with that. Had her take the SATs this pasted June as I thought it would be her best opportunity since she just finished Alegebra II/Geometry. Well her total for 3 sections was a 1560 (I think I'm remembering correctly). Minus the writing portion it's a 1030.

We've already discussed the fact that she is not willing to kill herself to get substantially better grades. I'm hoping she'll be able to bring each section up about 100 points by the next test.

She also wants to go away to college. And doesn't know what she wants to study, although she tends to enjoy artistic things. So what are our NJ options? I can't see her getting any scholarship money so I've told her I believe the reality is she needs to stay closer to home and take advantage of in-state tuition. I also told her that community college for two years might also have to be an option. She's not happy about that and I don't think our community college is all that good, but if it means saving money and not coming out with astronomical loans, so be it.

So please, if you have any first-hand knowledge of the NJ colleges and universities, I'd love to hear from you!

Well...ask me again in a few weeks...My dd is getting ready to head to Ramapo College of New Jersey. She already made their dance team and has been going up there for dance for a few weeks now. So far she LOVES the school...well, I should say she loves the other dancers!! Both dh and I are very happy with Ramapo so far...again...wait a few weeks and ask me again..

 

[jrmasm]

From what I understand, out-of-state tuition in PA is cheaper than in-state in NJ at a lot of the universities. She may want to consider applying to one of them.

This comment confuses me. Using US News as a source I found the following about tuition rates:

Rutgers in state approx 12k
TCNJ in state approx 13k
Pitt out of state 25k
PSU out of state 28k
West Chester out of state 17k

And Pitt and PSU's in state tuition are more expensive than Rutgers and TCNJ.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

What about TCNJ (The College of NJ)? I know they give generous scholarships but it can be tough to get into from w/i state.

I know they've been doing a lot of campus construction over the last few years and I believe are building a new science center.

I don't know where you are in NJ but the campus is easily reachable from a lot of major roadways.

Rider Univ is another school worth looking at. It's really near TCNJ so you could do both in one day.

TCNJ seems out of our reach at the moment (grade wise/SAT wise) but I'm hoping that changes.

OP, I am in the same boat as you. DD16 is a junior, but her grades are no where near as good as your DD. My DD doesn't give a darn...but she wants to go to a 4 year college in Boston. She has a lot of work to do for that...DH is convinced she will be going to BCC instead. I hope that the lightbulb goes off on top of her head this semester and she does waht she is so capable of doing. If not oh well...

My DS wanted to go to Drew..but never applied (long story). He went to BCC then transferred to Rutgers and HATED it, and he dropped out and eventaully got his associates from BCC. DDIL went to TCNJ and loved it.

Our other DS went to a private college in NYS.

This is going to be a busy year for DH and DD.

I know the feeling of trying to swim upstream and get them involved. A teacher asked my daughter if she could go anywhere, and money wasn't an issue, what school would she choose. She chose NYU. Won't have to worry about that one. I may not have money, but her grades would never be enough.

I'm sure BCC is much nicer/better than Hudson County Community College, which would be our community college option. If she wants better she's going to have to work for it or she knows her alternative. As I've mentioned on other threads, I never went to college or took the SATs so I feel like I'm running blind with this whole process.

Well...ask me again in a few weeks...My dd is getting ready to head to Ramapo College of New Jersey. She already made their dance team and has been going up there for dance for a few weeks now. So far she LOVES the school...well, I should say she loves the other dancers!! Both dh and I are very happy with Ramapo so far...again...wait a few weeks and ask me again..

Would love to hear back on how she likes Ramapo. Good luck to her this year and every year!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I went to Drew and loved it. Just my vote (of course tuition was much cheaper back then ).

Good luck with your decision.

 

[MM27]

I went to TCNJ for my undergrad and grad school. I loved everything about the college and highly recommend it to others. That being said, it is very competitive to get in and is getting harder and harder every year.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I went to Drew and loved it. Just my vote (of course tuition was much cheaper back then ).

Good luck with your decision.

Thank you for your input. And as I'm sure someone is dying to point out, it's not MY decision.

I went to TCNJ for my undergrad and grad school. I loved everything about the college and highly recommend it to others. That being said, it is very competitive to get in and is getting harder and harder every year.

So glad to hear yet another positive recommendation for TCNJ. I think it will definitely be a reach for her, but I've learned to never say never.

 

[SydSim]

Sounds like my DD (except she hasn't taken the SATs yet). She's a theatre kid, so we looked at Montclair (she loved it, and so did we), Ramapo (we loved the campus but were disappointed with the open house. After having been to so many others, theirs lacked the "individual schools breakout sessions", so we didn't get a chance to meet with the theatre department), and Drew (although it was voted the number one school for theatre in the country, we found it to be beautiful, but a little too reserved/quiet for her. She's a rah-rah type of girl). We did tour Seton Hall, Rider and Stockton, but they didn't seem to be the right fit for her.

We are also looking at West Chester and IUP (for their musical theatre concentrations).

As for SAT prep, knowing how to master taking the test can do wonders. Get the College Board's blue SAT prep book, with ten real tests in it, and do each one of them as if it's the real test (early Saturday mornings and timed). IT helps decrease the intimidation and to learn the crazy quirks of the way the questions are asked. Oh, and maybe try the ACT as an alternative.

People are right in saying that private schools can offer lots of money, which bring down the cost almost equal to the publics. Work on good essays (they do make a difference), and some schools like for you to show demonstrated interest (visit, schedule an interview, etc.)

We also are looking at schools down in the Carolinas and Virginia.