@akadream You don’t owe me or anyone else here an explanation, but I really think it would benefit you to think carefully and seriously about two questions.
- What's the problem with considering schools outside of NJ? Can you really articulate an important and relevant distinction between going to school, say, an hour from home in NJ and going to school an hour from home in NY or PA? You keep saying you won't leave NJ, but won't say why. Again, you don't owe us an explanation, but you should have clear reasons in your mind beyond "I doan wanna." However, if you do tell us, I think one of two things will happen. Either we will see that your reasons are well founded and people will stop suggesting looking outside of NJ or people will be able to tell you why your reasons are not well founded and help you expand your search appropriately.
- What will you do if you don't get the grades or whatever else is necessary to transfer to Rutgers? Seriously. You need a Plan B. You didn't do anywhere near well enough in high school to get in and you haven't offered any reasons to expect you'll do better at a CC. In addition, I don't know how difficult it is to transfer into Rutgers, but I'd be very surprised to learn that the standards are lower than for getting in as a freshman.