<p>Can anyone give me your opinion on Montclair State:</p>
<p>Academic Reputation:
Campus/Social Life:
Commuter Campus?
Known for music/Theater School vs academics?</p>
<p>Is it considered a good/challenging school with a solid reputation? Looking for a good undergraduate school with a solid track record with getting students to top graduate/medical schools.
Average grades, looking to transfer for Spring 2010 with less that 12 credits from California.
Looking for a school in an urban/surburban area with good social activities nearby and on campus.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Montclair is nothing great. To be honest you only go there if you want to transfer somewhere else after a year if your in-state. Need good financial aid. Otherwise, if your OOS its not worth it since it’s below the standards of Rutgers. No offense, but the students who usually go there are people who didn’t perform so well in high school in Jersey. Nothing fabulous about this school, if you could apply to Rutgers instead. Other decent schools in Jersey are Kean, Drew, Rowan. They are a bit better than Montclair State but others would say they are pretty much the same.</p>
<p>Thank you for your feedback and response! It’s very helpful! </p>
<p>Would also love to hear from some others especially students or graduates as well !</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>It is in a very lively suburb. It is large with many students commuting–check the website for %. In the NJ state system, in difficulty of admission, it is below Rutgers, TCNJ, Ramapo and Rowan. Given your saying your grades are average, I am surprised you want it to have a solid track record at top med school admits–dp you htink your GPA will soar there?</p>
<p>The Monclair campus is fairly attractive with decent facilities. There is a train station that goes to NYC on campus (NYC is about 30-40 minutes away by car; not sure of the train schedule) and the surrounding area is nice, but there’s not much there. Approximately 26% of students live on campus, but it is obviously mainly a commuter school. I know two students who go there–one is older and enjoys the classes, but doesn’t really care much about campus life and I haven’t spoken to the other one (who is recent high school grad).</p>
<p>While I would agree that Rutgers and Rowan are better in-state public options, I don’t think that Kean is a better school. It is less selective, even more of a commuter school and has a lower retention rate.</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>yabeyabe2: thanks for your feedback. Yes I am looking for a school that will prepare me well for grad school despite my average grades. To clarify, my freshman and sophmore year of high school were average and I got it together for Junior and Senior year and did well but of course my overall GPA was impacted and was average despite the upward trend. I am trying to start strong in college but am looking for a competitive program so I can continue doing well. </p>
<p>Midatlmom: Thank you as well. Sounds unanimous that it is a commuter school which is a little disappointing as I am looking forward to living on campus and enjoying the college experience. I had read that Forbes magazine had ranked it high in New Jersey so was really excited especially with how close it is to NYC…</p>
<p>sigh…</p>
<p>If you want a school close to the city and is somewhat decent but better than Montclair I’d say look at Seton Hall. They have a pretty decent Business program but it’s a Catholic school. Quite a small campus too but I know two people who go there and my brother went there but dropped out after two years and went to the military.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how good Montclair is for financial aid with regard to transfer students? I need to shave like 5-7,000 off.</p>