@akadream, Going to Middlesex for 2 years to earn your associate’s degree then transferring to Rutgers is a good plan. Are finances an issue for your family? You can run the FAFSA4caster to see if you might qualify for a Pell grant (up to ~$5k/year). You’ll be able to borrow up to ~$5500/year by filing the FAFSA and taking the federal student loan. If your parents okay with you going to Middlesex and transferring, and you’re happy with that decision, then that’s a great plan for you. What are they advising you to do?
@newjerseygirl98 @austinmshauri I don’t have any money issue. It’s just that I don’t have any plans studying out of state. My parents are fine with Middlesex because they have a good transfer policy (Engineering Science Curriculum). I wanted to get into Rutgers Engineering but because my SAT and GPA is so low, I don’t think I can get into it. But don’t they look at your essay, clubs, etc? I’ve been part of Robotics which is really good for engineering. Is it possible that I can get in at least Rutgers SAS?
@akadream I live in the South and know nothing about NJ CCs. But you are getting great advice from posters who do know, and I will second, or third, the opinion to avoid the for-profits. If you are considering them, be sure to do a lot of research to find out what job opportunities you would actually have. Some companies may not even consider an applicant from a grad of a for-profit. I would agree with newjerseygirl to consider out-of-state private schools. Many are SAT optional. (Although few will have engineering). Also, the suggestion by mamag2855 of Rowan sounds like a great idea.
I think it’s fine to know that you want to stay in-state. Lots of students want to stay close to home, and local in-state options are usually a lot cheaper than OOS public universities. They’re often cheaper than private universities, too, especially with an applicant who has average stats.
OP, I think you are smart to know that if you have an 800 SAT you are unlikely to raise your score enough to get it to a 1200 - and the bare minimum score is never a good way to approach going into a school. The middle 50% of accepted students at Rutgers SAS had about an 1170 to a 1400 on the SAT (and a 3.6-4.0 GPA), and Rutgers is somewhat selective in accepting 58% of applicants. Engineering was even higher - 1280 to 1490 middle 50% SAT scores and a 3.7 to 4.2 average GPA. You’re still unlikely to get into Rutgers SAS, too, with your scores and GPA.
Going to community college and transferring to a four year college is a good idea - many NJ CCs will have articulation agreements with Rutgers to make transferring really simple. You’ll also be able to get into a better four-year college after a stint in community college than you could now. Make sure you chat with a transfer advisor about transferring into engineering, specifically; you’ll probably end up spending more than four years in school.
Lots of fine schools, some test-optional, would accept a 3.3. Manhattan College is one good school that places more emphasis on GPA than SAT.
It’s fine to stay in-state. Rowan & NJIT are good. Even CC is okay if you’re not ready to leave home. I just don’t see why someone with a decent GPA and no financial constraints would go to DeVry… @austinmshauri
@newjerseygirl98 No I’m not going to Devry. I haven’t even started applying yet. I already signed up for the SAT without the essay so when I get my scores, I will see where to go. I’m just wondering why Rutgers requires an essay, recommendation letters, and activities if they look at standardized tests more… Just pray for my luck!
@akadream If I remember correctly, Rutgers does not accept letters of recommendation. They also care very little about extracurriculars, as you will see on the application there is very little space for them and no attachments are allowed. They are pretty much about stats and that’s it.
@jnkam24 can you look at my thread on my chances off getting into Rutgers, it’d be much appreciated and it’s not long
It’s called chance me: Rutgers university (school of arts and sciences)
I understand insisting on staying in-state if a state school will end up being the most affordable option. I understand wanting to say relatively close to home, which, depending on where you live, may or may not be in state.
I do not understand the apparent belief of some posters that a student’s head will explode (or something equally dire) if they cross a state line to attend school, when it’s not about money or distance. OP, what tragedy will befall you if you go to college in NY or PA? Also, it’s fine to have a dream school, a first choice (I differ on this matter with many CC posters.) but it is a colossal mistake to put all your eggs in one basket. Your high school grades and scores are no where near good enough to get you into Rutgers as a freshman. Why will your community college grades be any different? I strongly advise you to come up with a list of of reaches, marches and safeties that you can afford, even if some of them aren’t in NJ. You might also want to find out what you need to do to get into Rutgers as a transfer and think REALISTICALLY about your chances of accomplishing that. You might be better off at a 4 year school at an appropriate academic level for you currently. If you do extremely well there after a yearor two, a transfer to Rutgers might then be possible. But PLEASE, get over the “must be Rutgers; will die if I cross a state line” mentality.
You are very right. When I was a freshman in high school, my GPA was somewhere around 3.4 and it was getting higher until I got some Cs here and there. I started studying for SATs in the fall of my junior year. It was a class called Staffsprep. We didn’t learn anything, it was just a waste of time and money. I took the old SAT which turned out to be…and then I took the new SAT in June with the preferred essay. When I was a freshman, my biggest goal was to study in Rutgers University (NB). You know it was close to home, I had very good grades, extracurricular activities, and my GPA was also good. Everything just turned upside down when my SAT scores came out very low and my GPA came down. I don’t want to study out of state because I want to be close to home and once again, the issue is not the money. Its where I’m going to end up going after high school. I have very few choices other than my “dream” college but you have to understand I want to study close to home. And it’s very unlikely I will get into Rutgers NB. I would stick to the CC idea and then transfer. But I’m going to take the SAT once more without the essay. We can hope for the best!
@Mike1999 You have a big chance getting into Rutgers! What are you planning to major in? And how is your SAT score so good, can you give some tips?
@akadream thanks for your comment! I’m planning to major in secondary education/math I want to coach basketball and I like to help people
As for my SAT score, it’s not that great but I used Khan academy to brush up on geometry and algebra and did practice tests which greatly helped, I really recommend using that site
Best of luck to you!
@akadream I’m also taking the ACT next month, try taking that too!
@Mike1999 I’ll use Khan Academy but I don’t think my score would jump up from 800 to 1000 in October. My GPA is also lower than what Rutgers requires but my parents and I are going to wait for my SAT score. Then we’re going to circle and cross of colleges from the list!
Thank you for understanding my point! I see this so often with local students (I’ve literally heard kids say Rutgers is #2 after Harvard…) Our CC’s are awful! Mine is one of the “good” ones, but has a 3% graduation rate.
Many people act like NJ is the “best” state, despite the opposite being shown on CC. I guess they enjoy the bubble…? @millie210
While I respect your expertise @newjerseygirl98 Middlesex, which the OP intends to go to, as well as Mercer, are both excellent CCs, but you must already know that from your extensive research of all CCs in NJ.
@akadream good idea! You never know until you try, good luck and hopefully we’ll both be at Rutgers!!
@newjerseygirl98 There are a lot of colleges out there that are really good! With the help of these advisers, some said ‘go to a CC and then transfer to RU’, others said ‘take the SAT once more or try taking the ACT too’. I respect their advice that I am willing to follow. I have mentioned before that I am not looking forward to study out of state. Its also not about money once again. Many people don’t act like NJ is the “best” state, it might just be your opinion. The advice you are giving me is to find colleges out of state that are cheaper and would accept my SAT and GPA. I appreciate your help a lot but you should also understand my point here. Why do people go to college? So they can study and become something right? I always wanted to become a engineer and thought I would get into Rutgers since my grades were so good. NJ has some really good colleges! Take NJIT for instance. We enjoy the bubble because we are close to home and the education is really good. Thanks for your help.
I don’t think NJ is the best state; far from it. Many people do think this, some family friends, and rarely travel. NJIT & Rutgers are great, but there aren’t many good options for people like you, who have an average GPA.
A 3.3 isn’t “so” good, and with low test scores, it’s often an example of an underperforming school. I had the same issue. With a 3.3 in high school, Rutgers may be too difficult for you.
What do you mean “'not looking forward to it, not planning”? Nothing will happen if you cross state lines! I attend a great school in PA, since I didn’t want to limit myself to a CC. If you do, then fine. A good list has safeties, matches, and reaches, not one school. I’m going to be professional, and leave this thread. Good luck.
@newjerseygirl98 Please do not take me wrong. I respect the advice you gave me! I know that there are a lot of colleges out of NJ that are really really good! I often get mails from Wilkes University, Hunters College, and there’s another two but I can’t remember the names. There are colleges out of state that would accept my GPA and very low SAT. I know there are very good four year programs and some may even have engineering! But I also have some priorities. My goal is to get into RU. I am taking the SAT once again and if nothing works out, I’ll think about transferring. Your advice is good! There are colleges out there that would accept me. But I won’t study out of state on my will.