OT: Campus Tour

[RUTBAY]

Taking my twin girls (rising juniors) tomorrow to Rutgers NB for a campus guided tour. Wish me luck.

Anyone do this recently? My last one of these was about 10 years ago so I have no idea what to expect. It starts at the welcome center on the Piscataway campus.

 

[retired711]

Reports on this site indicate that the tours have improved a lot. Please let us know.

 

[jerseyjustin]

Busch Campus student center had some of the better public restrooms in my day. Ideal spot to "give birth" if you're on the go and end up needing to pinch one..

 

[RUTBAY]

They come from a pretty competitive small public HS in SJ and have been to TCNJ, Rowan, Gettysburg and Bryn Mawr. Temple is this fall. So far they've liked TCNJ the best but want to go to different colleges. I'm curious how they will like the academics at Rutgers and the size. Coming from a small HS it could go either way.

They've been twice to Rutgers day but never on a tour. I'll report back on their impressions.

 

[S_Janowski]

Just an FYI they may be turned off by the sprawl of the campuses and the busing system, especially if they liked TCNJ. This seems to be one of the biggest drawbacks to visitors.

Hopefully they do a good job on the tour of adressing or downplaying this factor because it can be a turnoff to some.

 

[RUTBAY]

The interesting thing is that from what I've been able to determine based on their grades and PSAT scores and at least three college expense calculators linked to the schools that Temple would be less per year than Rutgers.

 

[retired711]

The interesting thing is that from what I've been able to determine based on their grades and PSAT scores and at least three college expense calculators linked to the schools that Temple would be less per year than Rutgers.

Even considering the need to pay out-of-state tuition to Temple? (Or do you not live in New Jersey?)

 

[RUTBAY]

Even considering the need to pay out-of-state tuition to Temple? (Or do you not live in New Jersey?)

Yes, with roughly 98 out of 100 weighted average and projected SAT scores in the area of 1400+, Temple gives far more merit aid. We live in SJ.

In addition, some pretty decent privates like Bryn Mawr, Gettyburg, and Franklin and Marshall were right in the ballpark with Rutgers. So far the most expensive appears to be TCNJ. I was warned about this by friends with recent graduates but am frankly somewhat disappointed that some of my own research confirms it so far.

 

[Terry_2426]

They come from a pretty competitive small public HS in SJ and have been to TCNJ, Rowan, Gettysburg and Bryn Mawr. Temple is this fall. So far they've liked TCNJ the best but want to go to different colleges. I'm curious how they will like the academics at Rutgers and the size. Coming from a small HS it could go either way.

They've been twice to Rutgers day but never on a tour. I'll report back on their impressions.

I came from a smaller HS (130 graduating class). I wasn't a fan of the tour at all, and probably wouldn't have gone to RU if that was my deciding factor--one thing that's tough to tell from the tour but you realize once you're actually at RU as a student is seeing that you can make the school as big or as small as you want. If you're living on one of the campuses and taking 80% of your classes on that same campus, it's almost like you're at a smaller college instead of a giant school with campuses all over the place.

 

[RUTBAY]

Their older sister graduated from RU in 2012 so she can provide a frame of reference. But a lot has changed since even 2012.

 

[Zak57]

Gettysburg? Isn't that like 30K a year for an education where no one is really impressed?

 

[S_Janowski]

Gettysburg? Isn't that like 30K a year for an education where no one is really impressed?

Try 60K per year.

 

[retired711]

Yes, with roughly 98 out of 100 weighted average and projected SAT scores in the area of 1400+, Temple gives far more merit aid. We live in SJ.

In addition, some pretty decent privates like Bryn Mawr, Gettyburg, and Franklin and Marshall were right in the ballpark with Rutgers. So far the most expensive appears to be TCNJ. I was warned about this by friends with recent graduates but am frankly somewhat disappointed that some of my own research confirms it so far.

I don't want to spend your money, and I understand the financial appeal of Temple (they undercut the law schools too on tuition for good NJ students), but with grades and projected SAT scores like that they can do a lot better than Temple. But I can't understand how places like Bryn Mawr could be "right in the ballpark" with Rutgers, unless you are counting on merit aid from them.

 

[RUTBAY]

Gettysburg? Isn't that like 30K a year for an education where no one is really impressed?

Like I said Gettysburg was projected to be not much different in cost. They also have a strong job placement program.

 

[Zak57]

Try 60K per year.

No way! Who in the world is going to Gettysburg for that price?

 

[RUTBAY]

I don't want to spend your money, and I understand the financial appeal of Temple (they undercut the law schools too on tuition for good NJ students), but with grades and projected SAT scores like that they can do a lot better than Temple. But I can't understand how places like Bryn Mawr could be "right in the ballpark" with Rutgers, unless you are counting on merit aid from them.

Merit aide included. BTW Temple has a top 10 fine arts and design arts program. Also a top 15 theatre arts program. The nursing program is good too. It really depends what major you are looking for. One is looking at Design and Marketing and the other is looking at Nursing with maybe a performing Arts minor. For those areas Temple is more highly rated than Rutgers.

 

[RUTBAY]

I have a friend who's son was looking at Rutgers vs Drexel for Engineering. Other than a 5 vs 4 year program their yearly cost was comparable. He ended up at Rutgers though. For competitive students Rutgers is not a huge bargain. Many schools offer very good bottom lines for competitive students. Rutgers surprisingly not, relative to full cost. My oldest went through the same thing. Muhlenberg and Lafayette were comparable to Rutgers. She ended up at RU.

 

[retired711]

Merit aide included. BTW Temple has a top 10 fine arts and design arts program. Also a top 15 theatre arts program. The nursing program is good too. It really depends what major you are looking for. One is looking at Design and Marketing and the other is looking at Nursing with maybe a performing Arts minor. For those areas Temple is more highly rated than Rutgers.

I think it's a mistake to pick schools based on expected undergraduate major. No matter how mature, your twins may well change their minds early in college.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Cost aside, RU and and Temple are in different orbits academically, especially if grad school is in the cards after graduation.

 

[m1ipabrams]

Taking my twin girls (rising juniors) tomorrow to Rutgers NB for a campus guided tour. Wish me luck.

Anyone do this recently? My last one of these was about 10 years ago so I have no idea what to expect. It starts at the welcome center on the Piscataway campus.

Funny, my wife and daughter are doing the 10 am info session and tour tomorrow as well. My daughter has been going to RU games for most of her life. She is looking at the bio environmental engineering program at RU. It will be interesting to see what she thinks of the school after the official tour. Interestingly enough we live in PA, but RU out of state is not that much more than Penn State in state tuition and she hates that happy valley is in the middle of no where.

 

[ruready07]

I actually didn't take the bus at Rutgers all that often, but even when I had to, it really wasn't a big deal at all . Those bus rides are more beneficial than not - you learn how to manage your time and you can even get in some good reading on the way to class.

 

[Scarlet Jerry]

You can make a big school "small," but you can't make a small school "big." Keep that in mind when looking at colleges.

-Scarlet Jerry

 

[RUTBAY]

Funny, my wife and daughter are doing the 10 am info session and tour tomorrow as well. My daughter has been going to RU games for most of her life. She is looking at the bio environmental engineering program at RU. It will be interesting to see what she thinks of the school after the official tour. Interestingly enough we live in PA, but RU out of state is not that much more than Penn State in state tuition and she hates that happy valley is in the middle of no where.

PSU is crazy for out of state. In state they are one of the more expensive schools for in state as well. My kids have friends who want to go there and several recent grad acquaintances who are going there. They are paying a bundle to go there. One was wait listed at RU. It makes me scratch my head as to why given a choice someone from NJ would pay that much extra to attend PSU.

 

[retired711]

PSU is crazy for out of state. In state they are one of the more expensive schools for in state as well. My kids have friends who want to go there and several recent grad acquaintances who are going there. They are paying a bundle to go there. One was wait listed at RU. It makes me scratch my head as to why given a choice someone from NJ would pay that much extra to attend PSU.

And the irony is that PSU is able to recruit good students from NJ who certainly should be going to RU. The only explanation I can think of is the football program. My feeling is that anyone who goes to a university mainly because of its football program is daft.

 

[ArthrodocRC72]

Merit aide included. BTW Temple has a top 10 fine arts and design arts program. Also a top 15 theatre arts program. The nursing program is good too. It really depends what major you are looking for. One is looking at Design and Marketing and the other is looking at Nursing with maybe a performing Arts minor. For those areas Temple is more highly rated than Rutgers.

Actually the theatre arts program at Mason Gross has consistently been top ten and was top 5 when my daughter went there in 2001-2005, specifically the acting program.

 

[HeavenUniv.]

Here is information about tours at all three campuses. At Piscataway/New Brunswick, general tours are offered,in addition to ones for the Honors College and the various schools--http://admissions.rutgers.edu/Location/CampusVisit.aspx

 

[RUJohnny99]

The interesting thing is that from what I've been able to determine based on their grades and PSAT scores and at least three college expense calculators linked to the schools that Temple would be less per year than Rutgers.

I got a free ride to Temple, accepted to their Honors program & an (academic internship?) with one of their professors. After visiting the campus, my parents forbid me from accepting it.

 

[NotInRHouse]

Wait, 1400 out of 1600 on the SAT?

And they would consider Temple?

 

[sct1111]

And the irony is that PSU is able to recruit good students from NJ who certainly should be going to RU. The only explanation I can think of is the football program. My feeling is that anyone who goes to a university mainly because of its football program is daft.

I speak to a lot of high school students from Princeton and West Windsor via my line of work. It's pretty simple really. Either they want to go away from home and their parents can afford it or and I quote "Rutgers is ugly".

This is a common sentiment among those who I work with. They just don't like the campus and let's face it, Rutgers really isn't that aesthetically pleasing compared to our peer Big Ten Universities.

 

[m1ipabrams]

I speak to a lot of high school students from Princeton and West Windsor via my line of work. It's pretty simple really. Either they want to go away from home and their parents can afford it or and I quote "Rutgers is ugly".

This is a common sentiment among those who I work with. They just don't like the campus and let's face it, Rutgers really isn't that aesthetically pleasing compared to our peer Big Ten Universities.

I have been doing college tours with my daughter and we have visited PSU, Maryland, Delaware and UMass. RU from a campus aesthetics is certainly better than Delaware, about equal with Maryland and UMass and a small step below PSU. PSU campus was probably the best maintained, which gives it the edge. Walking around UMass I could have been at RU they were so similar in feeling.

My point is that with all of the work that has been happening at RU, the campus is getting closer to our peers.

 

[RUTBAY]

Well the tour was pretty good. One said that it remains on the list, the other said it was too big. A lot can change in a year so after we see some more campuses they will have a much better view of the options. One thing that was eye opening is that they handed out a 25-75% SAT chart for each school and the Nursing School in NB was right up there with the engineering school.

 

[RUTBAY]

Actually the theatre arts program at Mason Gross has consistently been top ten and was top 5 when my daughter went there in 2001-2005, specifically the acting program.

Yes you are correct, that is true for drama but not musical theatre.

 

[m1ipabrams]

Well the tour was pretty good. One said that it remains on the list, the other said it was too big. A lot can change in a year so after we see some more campuses they will have a much better view of the options. One thing that was eye opening is that they handed out a 25-75% SAT chart for each school and the Nursing School in NB was right up there with the engineering school.

UMass says the same thing about nursing. It is the single hardest program to get into at UMass. UMass allows applicants to list the first and second choice of schools/programs for example Engineering then Physics. So if they don't get accepted for engineering, they might still be accepted for Physics and then perhaps transfer back to engineering later. For Nursing, they said don't bother with a second choice, because if they don't accept them for Nursing they won't accept them for anything else. Experience has taught UMass that for the majority of applicants being a nurse is more important than what school they go to.

Thought this was interesting based on all of the talk I have heard about the lack of nurses.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Merit aide included. BTW Temple has a top 10 fine arts and design arts program. Also a top 15 theatre arts program. The nursing program is good too. It really depends what major you are looking for. One is looking at Design and Marketing and the other is looking at Nursing with maybe a performing Arts minor. For those areas Temple is more highly rated than Rutgers.

North Philly man...

 

[rubaseball78]

With those GPA and test score numbers take a look at Florida schools. For example those numbers qualify you for in state tuition at FSU. Add to it any additional merit money and you can be significantly less than RU.

 

[RUTBAY]

Just as an FYI they gave out the following data for New Brunswick 2015:

School Math 25-75 Reading 25-75
SAS 610-720 560-680
MGSA 560-670 540-650
SEBS 590-700 550-670
ENG 680-770 600-720
PHARM 710-790 660-750
BUS 660-750 590-700
NURS 640-720 620-690

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

Well the tour was pretty good. One said that it remains on the list, the other said it was too big. A lot can change in a year so after we see some more campuses they will have a much better view of the options. One thing that was eye opening is that they handed out a 25-75% SAT chart for each school and the Nursing School in NB was right up there with the engineering school.

As a Scarlet Ambassador working in the visitors center (I was actually there today and may have seen you!) I'm glad you enjoyed the tour.

The one thing I always tell my tour groups is that you can make a big school smaller, but you cannot make a small school bigger. My favorite part of Rutgers is that there is no limit to the opportunities available. I've been to see broadway shows and museums for free in NYC, traveled to Poland, and done research since my second week as a first year student. There aren't many schools where you can do all of that, have one of the top ROI ratings in the country, pay a reasonable tuition, and never feel like you've met all the friends available to meet.

In fact, I'm not sure there are any!

 

[Scarlet Jerry]

I speak to a lot of high school students from Princeton and West Windsor via my line of work. It's pretty simple really. Either they want to go away from home and their parents can afford it or and I quote "Rutgers is ugly".

This is a common sentiment among those who I work with. They just don't like the campus and let's face it, Rutgers really isn't that aesthetically pleasing compared to our peer Big Ten Universities.

Rutgers actually has many beautiful campus areas. They just are not connected as well as other areas. We also need to spruce up some basics like brick sidewalks and other little things that actually make a big difference in aesthetics. For example, Penn State does not have a ton of beautiful buildings, but their grounds are impeccably maintained. It makes a difference in perception. Sct1111- do you work in education? I am interested in talking to people who have contact with prospective Rutgers students.

Scarlet Jerry

 

[retired711]

Yes, either can probably get into FSU, but have you ever been to Tallahassee? It's in Northern Florida, so it's like Georgia there. There is an old saying about Florida: "if you want to go north, go south!"

 

[RUTBAY]

As a Scarlet Ambassador working in the visitors center (I was actually there today and may have seen you!) I'm glad you enjoyed the tour.

The one thing I always tell my tour groups is that you can make a big school smaller, but you cannot make a small school bigger. My favorite part of Rutgers is that there is no limit to the opportunities available. I've been to see broadway shows and museums for free in NYC, traveled to Poland, and done research since my second week as a first year student. There aren't many schools where you can do all of that, have one of the top ROI ratings in the country, pay a reasonable tuition, and never feel like you've met all the friends available to meet.

In fact, I'm not sure there are any!

Assuming you were the only male ambassador at the 12:30 tour we briefly spoke to you. My daughters were the blonde with glasses and brunette sitting with their parents. Both of them are beautiful young ladies. Laurie our guide was tremendous.

BTW I was the only person on the tour who could answer all of the football history questions. Laurie also did an R U chant. I was tempted to tell her that the students section does it too fast but my wife would have glared at me. :joy: