Hi, I am going through a very tough phase in my life: college planning! I want to get into Rutgers New Brunswick for Engineering but my SAT score and GPA (around 82) doesn’t meet the university’s expectations. Therefore, I have no chance getting accepted in the university but I want to study and obtain a bachelors degree there. Is it possible if I could go to Middlesex County College and study for a year there before transferring to Rutgers Engineering School? Is there any possibly way I could get into Rutgers in the future and how? I am a high school senior right now and the only colleges I have on top of my mind are Rutgers (NB), Middlesex County College, Kean University (too far), and Devry University. I already have advice from my parents but I would like to hear from at least one of you all. I need to know what colleges I’m going to apply to before September because that is when my plans will start but I am very confused. I won’t be looking forward to take another SAT because my score is too low and if I take it again, it won’t jump up to the score Rutgers requires. Please help.
I’m confused by the number 82 for GPA and SAT, but either way, I recommend you take the SAT again. Also, or instead, take the ACT – sometimes people do better on one or the other. Sometimes just having taken one prior gives a person enough confidence & test experience to improve somewhat the next go 'round. It can’t hurt - you only have to report the score(s) you want. If the fee for either test is the issue, apply for the fee waiver.
I have no other specific advice - good luck!
Sorry about the mistake. When I said 82, I meant to say 3.3 GPA. I took the old SAT which was out of 2400 and got a really bad score. The second time I took the SAT was the new one which was out of 1600 (including essay). I got 800 out of 1600… Now Rutgers New Brunswick requires at least 1200 and I don’t think my score will jump up by 300-400 points unless a miracle happens. A lot of people advise me to take the SAT once more but I’m positively sure my score still won’t meet the university’s requirements. I don’t know a lot about the ACT and I’m afraid I won’t do good on that either. Looking at my GPA and SAT, what would you advise me to do? Do you think the ACT would be a good option? Please respond, thanks!
You should be able to transfer to Rutgers with a high GPA.
I’d recommend any community college before Kean or DeVry! DeVry is one of many for-profit scams in this area. They were sued just this year for false advertising.
Why are your options a reach, a CC, and two awful schools? I got into several good schools with a 3.3. Don’t be afraid to look out-of-state, most of my graduating class did the same thing.
Newjerseygirl is right, expand your search a bit and avoid for profit institutions. Rutgers may be your ultimate goal, but there are many paths to get there. Find the best fit for your academic comfort level and your financial situation. Then look for someone to advise you on transferring to Rutgers, come up with a game plan, and execute it.
Middlesex is actually a very good CC and has an articulation agreement with Rutgers too, meaning all of your credits for a particular program will transfer to Rutgers and you will smoothly continue on that path to a bachelors from Rutgers. Your SATs wont matter at that point and you will save a fortune. That is a far better idea than Kean or DeVry. Good luck!
I was thinking the same. But do you know how long will it take to study in Middlesex County College before before transferring to Rutgers?
Two years. Complete the Associates and transfer.
Thanks. I really thank all you guys for making me come up with a plan 
I was really stuck and had no idea what to do. Thank you all for the advice and help!
I am going to give one more shot on the SAT in October without the essay and hopefully my scores will be superscored. I tried signing up for the ACT but there are no more seats available. I just hope my SAT score goes at least up to a 1000 if I study really hard. Otherwise, I’m going to use your advices and go to Middlesex County College. If anyone has any sources or links that would help me increase my score, don’t forget to post them here!
But why do you have the “Rutgers or CC” mindset?
Several schools in NYS & PA would accept a 3.3. Many are test-optional.
I am not planning to go out of state to study. Rutgers was my very first choice from the start.
I know you’re not; I’m just wondering why most students here refuse to go out-of-state. Why transfer when there are good four-year options?
For transfers after freshman year many colleges do look at your HS record including standardized tests – you should find out Rutgers policy. In addition, it may be difficult to transfer into the engineering program so you should look into that as well.
Rowan U also has good engineering programs and accepts NJ cc transfers too. There has been a lot investment in the campus over the last several years. It is a nice medium sized school that gets overshadowed by Rutgers, but definitely worth a look,
Rutgers Engineering isn’t easy. I wanted to be an engineer from the start so my ultimate goal was to study in Rutgers University. There are very good universities out there but I am really striving to get into Rutgers. I appreciate all your advices so I am going to take the SAT once more. I don’t plan to go out of state to study so I am left with very few options. I hope you understand.
I just don’t see why you’d plan to limit yourself to one university…
I do have a list of universities remember: Kean, Devry, NJIT… But when you want to study in a certain university, you have to work hard for it right? Not every single person is permitted to study out of state. I’m only asking for advice here about my future.
DeVry is $609 a credit, you’ll be better off at a CC. Even out-of-state schools like East Stroudsburg would cost less, and you’d be getting a better education.
I hope you realize that privates give financial aid to residents of all states. You seem to think out-of-state is expensive, but you’re also applying to a very expensive scam.
NJIT is great! Just avoid for-profits and NJ’s lower-ranked schools.
@newjerseygirl98, You seem pretty eager for OP to apply OOS. What schools is he competitive for with a 3.3 GPA and 800/1600 SAT that meet his budget?