NJ DISer’s can you tell me about FDU(Madison) or Monmouth Universities.

[charlie,nj]

Hi does anyone have information about FDU (Florham/Madison) or Monmouth Universities?

Did you go to either?
Do you know anyone who went?
(besides Survivor contestants..Stephenie LaGrossa, Katie Gallagher)
Do they offer intern jobs in the summer with big companies?
Jobs upon graduating?

Seems they are equal in price. (FDU a little higher)
Campuses are both very nice. (mansions..FDU Vanderbilt, Monmouth Woodrow Wilson)

I heard that Monmouth is very clicky with shore people.
(could be bad news for bennies, I am a former benny from way back in my fun shore house days) ( does anyone have a time machine)

PS – it is for an undecided so we can’t even look at the different programs both offer to decide, although the programs seem similar.

Also looking at Montclair..

Thanks





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[JKLLady]

Monmouth graduate here! I graduated from Monmouth with a BS in Business Administration, dual major of Accounting & HR in 1977. My DD graduated from Monmouth in 2008 with a BS in Biology.

I grew up at the Jersey Shore, and was a "commuter student", but didn't find it difficult to be involved in campus life. My DD was raised in Middlesex County and was a resident student for 2 years and commuted for her last two. She also found it easy to be involved in campus life, whether as a resident or commuter.

The academic programs are solid, and while it was a little "clicky" when I went, it is far less now. There are many more resident students now than in the 70s, which has helped to change that.

I also looked at FDU when in high school, but felt that the campus was too spread out, and in some cases I would have had classes on more than one campus. Monmouth was a better fit for me.

 

[MM27]

I live right down the street from Monmouth University. The campus is very nice. I spent a lot of time there for various activities when I was in high school. My aunt graduated from there a few years ago with a teaching degree. She had no complaints.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I went to Monmouth 8 years ago for 2 semesters. Majoring in Education. I don't know much about job placement, I think it really depends on your major (for example, as an education major that can't just place me somewhere when I graduate, KWIM). I really tried to like it, but I just did not. It was actually my first choice, I applied for early admission. I got in and was put in the "Shafler School" this "school" was for people who did not score well on the SATs. I was not allowed to pick my classes or the days/times I would attend them. I was just handed a schedule with general ed. classes. I had one class @ 9am then another class @ 6pm on the same day. I went to change this, as I was a commuter student and my adviser told me to stay on campus and do homework all day. Really? I worked too, and my job was around the block from my house which was 30 minutes away. I really did not like the fact that my cousin who was not in the "Shafler School" got to sit down with an adviser and chose her classes, I was NOT allowed to take more than 12 credits my first 2 semesters. I was also required to go to a writing lab once a week but in high school I was in honors classes for that. I was in this special school all because of SAT scores. Not sure if this program still exists or not though b/c I know some colleges now no longer require SATs.

After the 2 semesters I was done and transferred over to Brookdale Community College, I cannot say enough good things about Brookdale . I can't even tell you how many credits I ended up taking there, all of my profs were AMAZING and would go above and beyond to help. I got to make my schedule and chose what time I wanted to attend class and which prof. I wanted. I wish Brookdale was a 4 year college. This was just a great fit for me. My sister is now in Brookdale too and is enjoying it.

After I graduated from Brookdale I went to Georgian Court, I just graduated in Dec, (I took time off as I have a little one) Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Special Education and Psychology. GCU placed me for student teaching and jr practicum but I had to list the top 3 districts I wanted to be in and I know they try their best to accommodate you.

Oh, and just wanted to say my whole family is original from Jersey City, my Nan actually worked at St. Peter's College as a secretary in Health Services I am originally from up North too, Carteret.

 

[pilotwife_02]

I'm an FDU graduate from the Madison campus. I graduated 10 years ago

I never had to take classes at more than one campus and didn't know anyone who did. I'm sure a lot has changed since I have been there, but it was a nice sized school, small enough that you didn't get lost in the crowd, but large enough that you didn't feel like you always were around the same people.

I have a degree in Political Science and did an a co-op (a paid internship) at a law firm in Morristown. I do know that they offer internships, so that's not an issue if it's something you want.

 

[donac]

You have mentioned three schools that I have some sort of connection to.

My dsil graduated from Monmouth and is now working for them in Human Resources.

My dsis will graduate after 10 years of night school from Fairleigh.

Dh and I and a neice are all graduates on Montclair.

What will be her major. I have been impressed with the math department at Monmouth. I have had 2 student teachers from Monmouth. The first got a job right out of school. The 2nd just graduated last year and you know how hard it is to get a math teaching job this year.

I live right down the street from Monmouth University. The campus is very nice. I spent a lot of time there for various activities when I was in high school. My aunt graduated from there a few years ago with a teaching degree. She had no complaints.

I am also just down the road from Monmouth. I am over by Broadway. I agree that the campus is very nice. I don't know how clicky the group is.

 

[kacaju]

Monmouth University has a great instant alert system for letting you know if school is canceled for any reason... LOL!!! My dd16 has no connections to that school, yet somehow they have her cell phone number on their emergency list. They are real good at keeping you informed!!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Being a Jersey girl I have some sort of connection to all of the schools that you have mentioned. I went to college at Drew Univ which is right down the street from FDU. FDU has a nice campus but it is a little pricey (coming from a girl that went to Drew that is funny huh?), everyone around here calls FDU 'Fairly Ridiculous'

A few friends went to Monmouth, I can only think of one person that graduated from there though, several transferred for different reasons.

My cousin and her boyfriend and my husbands cousins went to Montclair, they all enjoyed it and I haven't heard any complaints

 

[allison443]

One thing that you should check out (you probably already have) is the housing situation at the various schools, if your child intends to live there. I know about two years ago my dd had a friend at Montclair who was assigned to live in a hotel off campus instead of a dorm due to housing shortage. They may have built new dorms since then.
At Monmouth I believe there is a large percentage of students living off campus. I don't know if they are short of dorms as well, but it's worth considering.

Good luck with the decision! It's an exciting time!

 

[MM27]

Monmouth students were using a hotel for a while too. It was a hotel on Rt. 36 near the Racetrack.

I know a lot of Monmouth students live off campus because our police department and the police in some of the neighboring towns had to have task forces formed for "animal houses".

I'm a TCNJ graduate. I loved it so much that I went back to get my masters there as well.

 

[Iri920]

Well I didn't go to any of those schools but I went to the school next door to FDU, Saint Elizabeth's. Of course if it's for a male that won't be an option. I did have two good friends and my sil's husband who went to FDU and they all had good experiences and have good jobs. My sil went to Monmouth and she liked it there and also has a good job.

 

[pilotwife_02]

Can I also give a plug for the town of Madison itself I was born and raised there (as was my dad and my grandfather) so perhaps I'm a bit biased, but it's a really great town.

There is a train station in town to get you right to NYC within 30 minutes (if you take the express line), near a lot of stuff, quaint downtown, shopping, safe area, etc. Just thought I'd plug the town that FDU is in, along with the school

 

[Patricia]

My daughter is a sophomore at TCNJ and has three close friends who went to Monmouth. They are all very happy there and feel they are receiving personal attention. All three live on campus. Our friend's son is an 08 graduate of Farleigh and he was quite happy there. We know several students at Montclair. Different environment from the other two very suburban schools.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Monmouth students were using a hotel for a while too. It was a hotel on Rt. 36 near the Racetrack.

I know a lot of Monmouth students live off campus because our police department and the police in some of the neighboring towns had to have task forces formed for "animal houses".

I'm a TCNJ graduate. I loved it so much that I went back to get my masters there as well.

Yes, when I went to Monmouth it was the "esplande" hotel that the kids were staying at, one my friends actually had to stay there as he couldn't get on campus housing. Not sure what the hotel is named now. But when I drove past Monmouth the other day it looked like they were doing a lot of construction over by the dorms, so there may be more dorms in the very near future.

 

[tiffsix]

Monmouth Grad here!! Loved every minute of it. I made great friends i still have and have no complaints. Lived on campus for 2 years and then in houses off campus with my friends my last 2 years. I did get a job right out of college as Monmouth did help with placement. They also have a full program for internships which i also did. Also met my husband there so it worked out great!!

The campus is beautiful and they are currently building more dorms. I must say that police have cracked down on partying in recent years. I was in a sorority and glad i did that because social gatherings are hard to come by if you don't get involved. I graduated in '01- hope this helps and good luck

tiff