OT: RU Mech Eng

[RU_87]

Which is the better Mech Eng school, Rutgers or NJIT? NJIT claims to be top 20 but not sure if it’s self proclaimed or based on some other conditions (relatively smaller public institution, etc).

I assume RU is better but diff pros / cons (large / auditorium classrooms, etc)

 

[Scarlet Jerry]

Which is the better Mech Eng school, Rutgers or NJIT? NJIT claims to be top 20 but not sure if it’s self proclaimed or based on some other conditions (relatively smaller public institution, etc).

I assume RU is better but diff pros / cons (large / auditorium classrooms, etc)

Rutgers is better, and it's not even close. NJIT just had an advertisement in the Chronicle of Higher Education that states the following:

"NJIT earns R1 Carnegie Classification....Positions NJIT among the 131 elite universities nationally for research activity. Joins Princeton and Rutgers as the only 3 universities in New Jersey receive R1 classification. Learn more at research.njit.edu "

1. They are trying to compare themselves to us.

2. When you click the link, it broken

 

[T2Kplus10]

Which is the better Mech Eng school, Rutgers or NJIT? NJIT claims to be top 20 but not sure if it’s self proclaimed or based on some other conditions (relatively smaller public institution, etc).

I assume RU is better but diff pros / cons (large / auditorium classrooms, etc)

Comparing NJIT to RU is like comparing RU to Princeton. All 3 are in separate categories.

 

[jay_hq]

Rutgers Mech grad here working in the industry. For the most part locally NJIT, Rutgers, and Stevens are respected about the same. Alums from all schools are renowned and hired.

Rutgers is popular more nationally. Stevens and NJIT are smaller schools and smaller campuses.

Rutgers offers the better experience overall as the New Brunswick campus is huge. Dont like being around the science geeks all the time on Busch? Head on over to college ave!

Its just over all a more diverse experienc (more majors, more students, more things to do, more options, more athletics)

Every alum I know from NJIT was a commuter.

From what I have heard professors at NJIT might be at the bottom. Every alum ive came across complained about them. Don't hear that from the Stevens crowd.

I personally enojoyed the professors at Rutgers. Yeah there were one or two bad apples but most students are made aware of which ones to avoid by word of mouth.

 

[RU1977]

My dad wanted me to go to NJIT for Engineering. I instead went to Rutgers. No regrets.

 

[RU_87]

Thanks all. I’m an RU EE grad but that was long ago. So, wasn’t sure what leaps and bounds if any that NJIT has since those times. I would’ve never have considered NJIT back then but since my son was accepted at both RU & NJIT (backup school), I had to ask...esp since he was offered a scholly, etc. He’s also waiting on UPenn (of which I’m also an alumn), Drexel-Honors, Stevens and Lehigh.

 

[RU1977]

NJIT is in Newark. Newark 2019 not much better than Newark 1973.....

 

[Upstream]

Which is the better Mech Eng school, Rutgers or NJIT?

Better for what?

Both schools offer a wide variety of engineering courses, and teach similar material. So a student would be able to learn the same classroom material in either school. As another poster noted, a good student from either school will have learned the same technical information and could get an equivalent job locally (while outside of this area, NJIT probably has much lower name recognition).

As far as being challenged by other students, and learning from other students, I would guess that Rutgers has the edge here. A strong student might find Rutgers more challenging, and therefore be pushed to excel beyond the norm. A less-strong student might find NJIT to be more accommodating, and may find it less frustrating to achieve the norm.

And then there are other factors to consider, like social and extracurricular experience, breadth of classes outside engineering (which could be especially beneficial in the future if an alumni is looking for career advancement, or a career change), and cutting-edge research opportunities. I would expect that Rutgers would be favored in all of these areas.

 

[RU_87]

Better for what?...
.

Thanks Upstream...what I was trying to understand was purposely not broken down into categories. NJIT claims to be top 20 in some way / shape / form. So, I was trying to understand what and how that might be which I assume might be based on some small subset of categories. Also, wanted some feedback on Pros/Cons (which could be around a decomposition of such categories). Does NJIT offer smaller classroom size?, Is that better in terms of dedicated Professor to Student attention?, Do they have some distinct Mechanical Engineering labs?, Do they provide something exceptional education in what might be considered some of the subcategories / specializations of Mechanical Engineering (e.g. Packaging, etc.)?, Do they have some sort of Job/Work apprenticeship program?

 

[RU_87]

NJIT is in Newark. Newark 2019 not much better than Newark 1973.....

True...however, there has been some change. The area immediately around NJIT / RU-Newark is not as bad as it used to be...looks like they've cleaned it up a bit since the mid 80s. I recall going there in the 80's and not wanting to leave my car by itself. It's still bad a couple blocks in any direction.

 

[Knightmoves]

My dad wanted me to go to NJIT for Engineering. I instead went to Rutgers. No regrets.

And to think it was called NCE during my hs days. Newark College of Engg.

 

[RW90]

My son was accepted to both NJIT and RU. Both programs appeared to be on par with each other. I must say though, when we visited NJIT for accepted student's day, the Mech. Eng. staff there seemed top notch. In the end, my son decided on RU for the overall college experience with NJIT seeming more of a commuter school, and being closer to home when he needed.

 

[RU1977]

And to think it was called NCE during my hs days. Newark College of Engg.

Yep - NCE (guess they thought NJIT sounded better, and doesn't immediately link itself to Newark).

 

[patk89]

I seem to remember guys who either failed out of RU or were struggling, transferring to NJIT for a 2nd chance. But agree that the material taught is essentially identical. Stevens is in a nice spot in Hoboken.

 

[RUnTeX]

And to think it was called NCE during my hs days. Newark College of Engg.

Yep - NCE (guess they thought NJIT sounded better, and doesn't immediately link itself to Newark).

It's also a testament to the growth of the institution that as a tribute to its history and the legacy of NCE that it retained that name for the academic unit/engineering school that houses all of the engineering departments/programs, which is within the larger university known as NJIT.

I think these days NJIT overall has expanded its degree programs with several other majors organized under 2-3 other schools/colleges beyond just traditional engineering programs under NCE. Not much different than several other medium to large "institutes of technology" around the country.

p.s. IMO, NJIT should consider branding their athletics programs as NJ Tech Highlanders as it continues to expand awareness at the D1 level.

 

[ScarletDave]

Does he want to get a job in Newark/Hudson county doing NYC construction? NJIT would be a comparable option to RU then. Does he want a job literally anywhere in the country .... RU

 

[HeavenUniv.]

For those interested, here are upcoming tours and information sessions for prospective students for the Rutgers School of Engineering---https://soe.rutgers.edu/tours