Rutgers University - New Brunswick is a prestigious State University with a valuable reputation, in regards to the athletics, research opportunities, and overall curriculum for all the majors. As a nursing major, I find my curriculum to be amazing and solid for creating the best nurses. Rutgers is a large university that offers lots of opportunities for all the student, our only job is to take the initiative and take advantage of all the opportunities provided.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
I highly recommend prospective students to work hard in getting a high GPA and SAT, so that Rutgers actually offers you some money. Also take advantage of the AP courses and exams, because they can save you from taking electives, and you can sometimes skip courses LIKE EXPOSITORY WRITING. PASS AP ENGLISH LANG OR LIT. AP courses are nothing compared to college classes. Just do it. Attend many events, get to know the people around you and in your major, and have fun. But not too much fun, because I personally study like 20+ hours a week for my classes. You will learn in college that it is not as easy as you think it is. It's only easy if you are a studious student.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Rutgers is an institution with a rigorous curriculum. Do not take things lightly here. There are some easy elective classes, but there are some difficult mandatory courses. It all usually depends on the professor. The academic rigor really depends on your major. As a nursing major, freshman year is when they weed out those who are unsure about nursing with the hardest course like at Rutgers: Anatomy & Physiology. But after that, you can only go up.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I commute, but I have visited friends in the two following dorms: Honors College on College Avenue and New Gibbons on Cook/Douglass. The Honors College is gorgeous. Amazing interior and the RAs are great. The amenities within the dormitory are one of the best on campus, but nothing will ever beat the Livingston Apartments. New Gibbons is a residence hall that is average. My friend seems to like it, but there is no air conditioning in the building, and its a small dormitory. Overall, it depends on where you live. Here is the layout:
College Avenue - Never quiet; party scene; can be scary at night.
Busch - Usually calm unless someone throws a party and gets drunk; Asian central; all the engineering majors live here.
Livingston - Fancy area; apartments are just where everyone wants to live
Cook/Douglass - Silent farmland; Usually agriculture, bio, nutrition majors; Not updated; originally a women's college.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
For commuters without a meal plan: Student centers have good enough food (Wendys, Subway, Moes, Burger King, Sbarro, Dunkin, Currito, etc), but spending can really add up, so I recommend bringing food from home.
For commuters with a meal plan: Good idea!
For everyone with a meal plan:
College Ave-Brower - known as the worst, but it is not bad at all. Just compared to others, its the bottom choice. I actually like their food. I would not call it worst, just mediocre.
Busch Dining Hall - Have been there multiple times and their food is nice. Theirs a cooked-to-order pasta line. It's average.
Cook/Douglass-Neilson - Have been there multiple times and they have pretty good dinners. I like their pasta, although it is not cooked-to-order. It's average. (Neilson and Busch are switched from being 2nd and 3rd place).
Livingston Dining Hall - BEST. DINING. HALL. The dining hall itself is gorgeous and cozy. Food options are similar to the rest, but everything looks nice, new, and clean. I would eat anything on livi.
*Do not expect high-quality. Just expect something delightful.
*Always greet the dining staff. They love the students who are sweet.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
JOIN CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS! If you don't join, you will regret it. Find friends with the same interests as you! If you don't have time, at least attend RUPA's events! I attended an event with Brandon Stanton, the creator of HONY, and i loved it. But spots for RUPA events can fill up fast. So be quick and smart. Make friends in your major and/or dorm! I love my nursing class! They are amazing people I hope I can stay with for life. If you enjoy the party scene, go for it. It's not as nice as you would think it is. Some people I know regret going to a party.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
In-state tuition is beautiful! Then there is Federal Pell Grant and HESAA which decrease tuition even more (for me at least since I don't dorm). I'm glad to attend a great university that allows me to not worry too much about student debt after I graduate. If you dorm and got no money, I recommend looking into the living options after freshman year, or applying to scholarships! Out-of-State students, I feel for you.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
On Cook/Douglass, there is the passion pond and the notorious kissing bridge. It's cute, but the bridge is a bit sketchy. At the end of Busch, where the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy is located, there is Woody's. A delicious food place! It should be closer honestly. As a nursing student, there is a cafe in the nearby hospital that accepts meal swipes. So my friends can get me food lol. Lucy Hall on Livingston is the dumbest building created. It is a labyrinth.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students interested in research! Rutgers is, I think, the largest research college. This college is not for the lazy types. You need to be SMART, and know when to put down the phone. I have friends who enjoy the Mason Gross Arts program here. I love the nursing program. Athletics here are also great!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
At the beginning of each semester there is an involvement fair to showcase all the clubs and organizations offered by Rutgers! GO TO IT! You won't regret the 2-3 hours spent there! You can get free stuff too! There will be at least one club that you will love and dedicate your time to!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Not really sure! I know a couple girls who want to be in a sorority and it looks fun. Frats are cool, but some have rude guys. Be careful of going to parties at Frats! They may call you ugly behind your back or right to your face. They are disgusting people. They are just as ugly as they think you are, so its honestly not worth your time to go. But if you are into greek life, go for it!
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Campus police are always on patrol. We get constant alerts through email or text right when an incident occurs. They want to keep us safe. Especially on college avenue, they are there for us since its so close to downtown New Brunswick. The campus police are very efficient and work to make us safe and ultimately feel safe being on campus during the day and night.
Rutgers University - New Brunswick is a prestigious State University with a valuable reputation, in regards to the athletics, research opportunities, and overall curriculum for all the majors. As a nursing major, I find my curriculum to be amazing and solid for creating the best nurses. Rutgers is a large university that offers lots of opportunities for all the student, our only job is to take the initiative and take advantage of all the opportunities provided.
I highly recommend prospective students to work hard in getting a high GPA and SAT, so that Rutgers actually offers you some money. Also take advantage of the AP courses and exams, because they can save you from taking electives, and you can sometimes skip courses LIKE EXPOSITORY WRITING. PASS AP ENGLISH LANG OR LIT. AP courses are nothing compared to college classes. Just do it. Attend many events, get to know the people around you and in your major, and have fun. But not too much fun, because I personally study like 20+ hours a week for my classes. You will learn in college that it is not as easy as you think it is. It's only easy if you are a studious student.
Rutgers is an institution with a rigorous curriculum. Do not take things lightly here. There are some easy elective classes, but there are some difficult mandatory courses. It all usually depends on the professor. The academic rigor really depends on your major. As a nursing major, freshman year is when they weed out those who are unsure about nursing with the hardest course like at Rutgers: Anatomy & Physiology. But after that, you can only go up.
I commute, but I have visited friends in the two following dorms: Honors College on College Avenue and New Gibbons on Cook/Douglass. The Honors College is gorgeous. Amazing interior and the RAs are great. The amenities within the dormitory are one of the best on campus, but nothing will ever beat the Livingston Apartments. New Gibbons is a residence hall that is average. My friend seems to like it, but there is no air conditioning in the building, and its a small dormitory. Overall, it depends on where you live. Here is the layout: College Avenue - Never quiet; party scene; can be scary at night. Busch - Usually calm unless someone throws a party and gets drunk; Asian central; all the engineering majors live here. Livingston - Fancy area; apartments are just where everyone wants to live Cook/Douglass - Silent farmland; Usually agriculture, bio, nutrition majors; Not updated; originally a women's college.
For commuters without a meal plan: Student centers have good enough food (Wendys, Subway, Moes, Burger King, Sbarro, Dunkin, Currito, etc), but spending can really add up, so I recommend bringing food from home. For commuters with a meal plan: Good idea! For everyone with a meal plan: College Ave-Brower - known as the worst, but it is not bad at all. Just compared to others, its the bottom choice. I actually like their food. I would not call it worst, just mediocre. Busch Dining Hall - Have been there multiple times and their food is nice. Theirs a cooked-to-order pasta line. It's average. Cook/Douglass-Neilson - Have been there multiple times and they have pretty good dinners. I like their pasta, although it is not cooked-to-order. It's average. (Neilson and Busch are switched from being 2nd and 3rd place). Livingston Dining Hall - BEST. DINING. HALL. The dining hall itself is gorgeous and cozy. Food options are similar to the rest, but everything looks nice, new, and clean. I would eat anything on livi. *Do not expect high-quality. Just expect something delightful. *Always greet the dining staff. They love the students who are sweet.
JOIN CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS! If you don't join, you will regret it. Find friends with the same interests as you! If you don't have time, at least attend RUPA's events! I attended an event with Brandon Stanton, the creator of HONY, and i loved it. But spots for RUPA events can fill up fast. So be quick and smart. Make friends in your major and/or dorm! I love my nursing class! They are amazing people I hope I can stay with for life. If you enjoy the party scene, go for it. It's not as nice as you would think it is. Some people I know regret going to a party.
In-state tuition is beautiful! Then there is Federal Pell Grant and HESAA which decrease tuition even more (for me at least since I don't dorm). I'm glad to attend a great university that allows me to not worry too much about student debt after I graduate. If you dorm and got no money, I recommend looking into the living options after freshman year, or applying to scholarships! Out-of-State students, I feel for you.
On Cook/Douglass, there is the passion pond and the notorious kissing bridge. It's cute, but the bridge is a bit sketchy. At the end of Busch, where the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy is located, there is Woody's. A delicious food place! It should be closer honestly. As a nursing student, there is a cafe in the nearby hospital that accepts meal swipes. So my friends can get me food lol. Lucy Hall on Livingston is the dumbest building created. It is a labyrinth.
Students interested in research! Rutgers is, I think, the largest research college. This college is not for the lazy types. You need to be SMART, and know when to put down the phone. I have friends who enjoy the Mason Gross Arts program here. I love the nursing program. Athletics here are also great!
At the beginning of each semester there is an involvement fair to showcase all the clubs and organizations offered by Rutgers! GO TO IT! You won't regret the 2-3 hours spent there! You can get free stuff too! There will be at least one club that you will love and dedicate your time to!
Not really sure! I know a couple girls who want to be in a sorority and it looks fun. Frats are cool, but some have rude guys. Be careful of going to parties at Frats! They may call you ugly behind your back or right to your face. They are disgusting people. They are just as ugly as they think you are, so its honestly not worth your time to go. But if you are into greek life, go for it!
Campus police are always on patrol. We get constant alerts through email or text right when an incident occurs. They want to keep us safe. Especially on college avenue, they are there for us since its so close to downtown New Brunswick. The campus police are very efficient and work to make us safe and ultimately feel safe being on campus during the day and night.