Dilemma over TCNJ and Rutgers

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rutgers University
1

<p>Im in 11th grade from NJ, gpa 4.4 so far. will be more to 4.7 or so at end of year. 2010 SAT. will take it one more time to improve math score.</p>

<p>Ive heard and read online that TCNJ has better education and the smaller class size is an advantage since i want to go to med school and less competition is there. But in Rutgers a lot of my friends will go there too, and i dont know if the education is better but i heard its not on par with TCNJs. I want to go the college with a nice environment, good people, good dorms, basketball courts, and the better education that will help me get into med school. plz help!</p>

<p>and has dorming with a stranger been an overall better experience for u cuz that is what will happen if i go to TCNJ.
Also should i go to a better selection of schools?</p>

2

<p>If you’re into Liberal Arts/Philosophy/Opinion, then go for TCNJ. If you’re into straightforward practicality, then go for Rutgers.</p>

3

<p>Sure, you should try for a wider range of schools because your numbers seem really good.</p>

<p>I know there’s always the Rutgers vs. TCNJ for NJ students, and obviously both have their merits, but I’ll try to address your points one-by-one, for their true value in your decision.</p>

<p>Education: Yes, TCNJ is more “selective”, but I really think a large part of why they can say that is because they are such a small school. Rutgers can’t really be selective in the same way because it’s the flagship state university of New Jersey; it’s supposed to be a large school with lots of diversity.
Rutgers has good and bad professors. TCNJ has good and bad professors. I would venture to say the education would round out to even-ish, because there’s really no best way to determine which is better. (Considering the level of difference, of course. Some schools are much more demanding than both Rutgers and TCNJ. To be “better”, though, is a personal matter.)
Of course, you can always try out the rankings (undergrad/grad/whatever) for the department/s you are looking at…</p>

<p>Environment: I love New Brunswick. I don’t know what there is to do round Trenton/Ewing, but Rutgers is a train ride away from NYC/Philly/Princeton. Or a car ride, whichever is available.</p>

<p>People: If you are friendly, I am sure you can make good friends in either place.</p>

<p>Dorms: I like the freshman Busch dorm I live in (Barr). I really don’t know anything about TCNJ dorms, sorry.</p>

<p>Med school: Okay, so I feel this is important to say. “Less competition”?! There is tons and tons of competition for med school right now and going to a college with less competition won’t necessarily help or hurt you. A good way to go is a try to get into a medical program right off the bat. Rutgers has one with…I don’t remember… and TCNJ has one with UMDNJ. I know the application and interview process is very rigorous, but that is a great way to go if you know that’s the track you want to be on.</p>

<p>Basketball courts: hahaha! both schools definitely have basketball courts. well, Rutgers does… I feel like it’d be very weird if TCNJ didn’t.</p>

<p>Living with a stranger: you’ll get lucky or you don’t. I got lucky and I love my roommate to pieces. Some people hate their roommate so much. It just depends, really. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. But you can make the best of any situation.</p>