<p>For my nephew's search- he is going to look at Rider (TCNJ is first choice right now). He is PA resident, and wants to be a business major.
Rider gets a glowing write-up in Princeton Review, but we all know that the reality doesn't always match.
Thoughts are appreciated. Does it empty out of weekends? Nice campus?</p>
<p>Rider was the first college we looked at for D back in 2000. We did an open house - I thought it was ok, D and my H weren't crazy about it. D then stayed on campus for a week in 2001 for Girls' State and after that really had no desire to pursue Rider, even with generous merit money. Fast forward to 2006 when S is starting the college search. We had Rider on his list, but when I called to schedule a visit, the woman I spoke with in admissions was very rude. At that point, he had so many other schools on his list I wasn't interested in dealing with them anymore.</p>
<p>I have heard that their business program is fairly good, and they were pretty generous with merit money, so it might be worth a look for your nephew.</p>
<p>I know about this school. This is a good school if student is athletic. They have a brand new recreational athletic facility. It's gorgeous. The boys have no problem picking up games to wind down.
Concerning the academics, I know a science major there who says many of the kids in his intro. college chem class have to retake the class due to poor grades. However, we all know college chem isn't all that easy for everyone. The student we know who is a science major and honors student has the opportunity to work with a prof on research for pay beginning the second semester fresh year. He likes it and says it is not all washing bottles.
The student we know finds the teaching atmosphere there supportive and the faculty is always making contact with students in their major to make sure they are on track.The parent of this student we know likes the fact they make an effort at Rider to recognize their student's success. A definite private school atmosphere. There are many talented kids who major in theatre there and the business department is crowded too, with high job placement at many of the busnesses nearby.<br>
Concerning the social atmoshere, it all depends on what a student is like. If they are interested in alcohol, the kids can find it at off campus parties. If the student would rather play ping pong or billiards at night with a group that's there, too. There are nice kids there and they find their social group whatever it may be. In my opinion the kids tend to get along well, less socially and academically competitive than some schools.Biggest complaint: the food gets old fast.</p>
<p>My advice is, student should work hard in h.s. at academics if they want to go to Rider because it isn't as easy there as some assume.</p>
<p>Personally I just want to add that suburbanites, members of the Great Urban Sprawl Community, feel comfortable at this college .When we were college shopping there were some schools we looked at where we just felt lost, like the environment was too countrified or too liberal or too wealthy or too foreign. When we sat there and looked around we felt that these were good kids who know the city and know the suburbs and can make wise or foolish decisions but we could relate well to them. Just thought to add this from my own experience.</p>
<p>While I have nothing to contribute personally, here's a link to an excellent Rider trip report by zoosermom:</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>The kids we know who have attended Rider aren't great students (B/C in HS). They received good $ for athletics - that why they chose Rider and they enjoyed their time there. Some have had trouble academically but I don't think it's that Rider is hard. Their parents told me their kids didn't understand why they had so much trouble because the classes weren't harder than HS. I think it was more that these kids weren't used to working that hard at academics - concentrating more on their sports. Two others transferred in after attending CCs in central NJ. One failed out of Kutztown and then attended Rider as a commuter student (and did ok there). Comparing the SATs at both schools, TCNJ is definitely a more academic environment (at maybe 1/2 the cost).</p>
<p>If he could get admitted to TCNJ, I'd say it's a better overall value.
Many years ago, Rider was considered a choice for kids with mediocre stats and a family willing to pay the tab. I wonder if much has changed.
Maybe Rowan, Ramapo would be places to consider that aren't as pricey.</p>
<p>Thanks, all. Monmouth has just entered the race, and it looks perfect for him. This is why this forum is SUCH an amazing resource! Until we read the link to the Rider trip report, Monmouth wasn't even on the list!</p>
<p>Monmouth--can't beat the setting! (I grew up near there, and still can't figure out how I ended up in North Jersey for the last 20+years. Nothing against up here, great people, but I miss the shore.)</p>
<p>My impression is that Monmouth and Rider are probably about equal academically; I think that the Monmouth students might be a bit higher up the SES range, on average. As far as business, my sister-in-law got a business degree there and seems to have done well with it.</p>
<p>MomofWildChild-
I graduated Monmouth in 1978.
Had a great experience there. It was, and still is, much smaller than the state Us I was looking at (that we could afford). Earned a merit award that made it possible, monetarily. My BS has served me well all these years.<br>
BEAUTIFUL campus, near the beach. Small classes, great old buildings. Mix of students, mostly NJ, NY, PA.
They've improved the campus and dorms since my time.
We know 2 young ladies who recently attended. Good but not great students. They loved the school and are doing well as graduates. Education, I believe.</p>
<p>garland-
I miss the shore also! Morris County isn't so far away but I just don't seem to get there very often! LOVED biking to the beach in HS and college.
Ahhhh, the good old days!!!</p>
<p>Yup--skipping school half of senior year to hang out in Asbury--shhh, don't tell my kids. </p>
<p>We are so hijacking this thread.</p>
<p>Sorry, MOWC, Musicmom and I figured out a while back that we went to the same HS, near Monmouth.</p>
<p>I have fun memories spending time at Barnegat Bay and Long Beach Island. But I haven't been there in a very long time.</p>
<p>D looked at Rider 2 years ago. She did not like the dorms, however new dorms were being built along with new athletic building.D was interested in the teachers program, that was really very well done. She ended up at univ. of Delaware and loves it.</p>
<p>Research the housing situation at Monmouth. I believe that there is a housing shortage. After the first year, one may very well be off campus. I would price out the off campus rental costs. The meaning of a scholarship could be wiped out if housing is too expensive. I believe that you will also need to take the need of a car into account. We looked at Monmouth, but at the time these additional expenses took Monmouth off of the long list of schools.</p>
<p>BTW, TCNJ is pretty competitive in admissions for instate students. I don't know how competitive it is for OOS.</p>