Ask an Admissions Counselor - TCNJ

<p>hi, i have another question. i applied for the bio program and i hear its really competitive. im just wondering, for those applying to the bio program, what criteria are you guys weighing heavily on? is it the same as an applicant of a different program?</p>

<p>Hi Willthethrill32. Although some majors see more applications than others, all students are reviewed by the same criteria. We spend a lot of time dissecting a transcript and looking for trends in course selection and grades as well as a lot of time looking at activity resumes to see how potential students will fit into our community. Of course, SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation and essays factor into our decisions as well, but we weigh heavily on those first two more than anything.</p>

<p>My high school has block scheduling and we have all new classes for the rest of the year after this week. I wanted to switch out of my Calculus class into Financial Planning. However I have already been accepted to TCNJ ED for nursing. Will this affect my acceptance?</p>

<p>My school also has block scheduling and I wanted to switch my cooking elective to a ceramics class elective but I already accepted my ED for secondary education English. Would this affect my acceptance??</p>

<p>Hey TCNJ3114! It sounds like your are going to be switching from what we’d consider a core math class to a math elective. Switching your schedule is really on a case by case basis because so many things come into play such as the major you were accepted into and your reasoning so it’s hard to counsel someone over CC. Try sending us an email at <a href=“mailto:tcnjinfo@tcnj.edu”>tcnjinfo@tcnj.edu</a> or giving us a call at 609.771.2131 so we can talk details and better advise.</p>

<p>Hi Glzsprts! Same goes for you. You should reach out to us either way, because our policy for these requests is to have a written statement for the switch.</p>

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>If someone was invited to an interview for an accelerated program, does that mean that they are accepted to TCNJ? If so, when will they be getting a formal acceptance letter?</p>

<p>Hi Ialan137! I’m assuming you are talking about the 7 year med/optometry program. Congrats on your interview! The Biology Department and UMDNJ make the decisions on who they admit into that program, not Admissions. Admissions will review your application for your second choice major and that decision will be made by April 1st.</p>

<p>Thank you! I’ll be waiting for a response then.</p>

<p>Hi, I got deferred from ED and I was wondering if TCNJ looks at midterm exam grades as well as the semester grades</p>

<p>Hi Senioritis! We sure do! We encourage ED defers to keep us updated on their year as well as continued interest in TCNJ. You can send those to our general email account at <a href=“mailto:TCNJInfo@tcnj.edu”>TCNJInfo@tcnj.edu</a> and we’ll make sure it gets added to your file!</p>

<p>Would you say you put more weight on GPA or SAT/ACT scores? Do you take into consideration if your gpa was not the best freshman year but had a great upward trend since then? Thanks!</p>

<p>Hey, it says that e-mail will be the primary method of communication with applicants. Does that mean an admissions decision will be received ONLY through e-mail? Will it be an acceptance/rejection message or tell you to refer to your PAWS account?</p>

<p>Hi OXCgirl1029! We actually put the most weight on your transcript. We look to see the classes you choose to take and the grades your received in those individual classes. That seems to give us the most accurate portrait of the type of student you are vs. your GPA or your SAT scores. I hope that helps!</p>

<p>Hi Meowcats5! Email is our primary means of communications. We’ll notify you via email if your application has been started but not submitted, if your application is going into a second review and we’d like to hear a little more from you, or if we are missing pieces from your application. All admissions decisions, however, will be sent via US Post mail. After the letters are sent in the mail, you’ll be able to see your decision in PAWS, but that will be in addition to a paper letter being sent.</p>

<p>Dear AdmissionStaff,
I am a NJ resident with the following profile:
SAT 2230 (M:780, CR:760, W:690)
SAT II (Math II: 800, Physics:800, Chem: 800)
AP s: (Stats: 5, Calc AB: 5, Chem: 5, Physics B: 5)
APs Senior Year ( Calc BC, Bio, Physics C, Comp Science A)
National Merit Commended, NHS, …</p>

<p>Varsity Tennis, Some Volunteering etc., UN Club, Trial Team, Quiz Bowl Team, …</p>

<p>Music: Piano almost 13 years including couple of times at Carnegie Hall, NY, and Steinway Hall etc.)</p>

<p>I already had preliminary screening interview for UMDNJ BS/MD program at TCNJ. Given the current competition for the program I not sure I will go beyond that level. However I am interested in TCNJ and want to get some basic information about your financial offerings.</p>

<pre><code>What is the average Scholarship you award for NJ residents?
What is the non-zero Minimum award and the Maximum?
</code></pre>

<p>I want to do Bio Honors with Pre-Med focus and have applied for Regular Decision.</p>

<p>Thanks and Best Regards,
njCave</p>

<p>Hi NJCave! For instate students, our scholarships range from $2,000 to $10,000 per year, for 4 years. About 50% of incoming students receive merit aid.</p>

<p>About how many students placed on the waitlist get admitted?</p>

<p>When will fall transfers begin to receive admissions decisions?</p>

<p>Hi Oxcgirl1029! About half the people we put on the waitlist will be pulled off and offered admissions.</p>

<p>Hi Mismoo! Transfers for the fall class will be notified by April 1.</p>

<p>Are students notified of their scholarships when they received their acceptance decision? Or does this come at a later date?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Hello, This thread is extremely informative and i thank you for the advise. I have been contemplating lately if i should send a letter to a few of my school’s admissions counselors (specific to my area that will personally be handling my application). I have done it so far for my one waitlist school and my one deferral school; but that got me thinking, should i also write a nice personal letter like this for the colleges that i haven’t heard from yet, and that i won’t likely hear from for another month or two. I don’t know if this will come across as demonstrated interest, or a desperate pain.</p>