I’m currently attending a local CC and plan on applying to Rutgers when I finish my Spring 2016 semester. At that point I will be 21 years old. Depending on how many credits I have, I will either be considered a first year student or a transfer student. So the question I have is whether or not I should live in transfer dorms or freshman dorms. Since I will be 21, I was wondering if it makes sense to be in the freshman dorms with younger students who will have 4 years of university ahead of them like myself or as a transfer student who will more than likely be around my age but more than likely would have completed enough courses to be sophomores or juniors. I’m considering the first year dorms so I can have a true freshman experience. With that being said, I think I would find it weird being 3 years older than most in these dorms. The transfer dorms will have people closer to my age, but will probably finish their college careers earlier than me. Just wondering if anyone has gone through a similar situation at Rutgers NB, whether a 21 year old freshman or a first year transfer of the same age?
How many credits will you have? I think if you will have 12 or more credits, you would be applying as a transfer.
If you have that, I’d opt for the transfer housing if you wanted the on campus experience. You would likely meet other transfers of varying ages/grades who will be eager to meet each other.
If you qualify for freshman admissions, my gut feeling is that you probably would not enjoy living in freshman housing (at any university). While I know you yearn for that “true freshman experience”, there is a big level of difference maturity wise between a 21 year old and a 18 year old. I think it would get real old, real quick for you. Plus, you may find yourself as an outsider among those 18 year olds just because of your age. So, I would see if it is possible to get housing other than the traditional freshman dorm.
Rutgers is pretty big. I would not be surprised if they actually offered special housing options for students in your situation (non traditional aged freshman), and/or special “living communities” around special interests/majors where at least you know you’ll have common ground with others there. You could look into that. Unless housing is required, you could also get an off campus apartment, but that would not give you the on campus experience it sounds like you want.
I have no personal experience/knowledge, this is just my opinion. You may get more university specific feedback if you post on the Rutgers forum.
Don’t worry about some of the other transfer students graduating before you do. Many of them will end up being there as long as you are. There also will be bunch of new transfers the next semester, and you have no way to know now how long you yourself will want to keep on living in a dorm.
I think my biggest concern is forming those friendships that last through college and often beyond. Being in a transfer dorm seems like it would be increasingly difficult to form those first year bonds.
Thanks justlookingnow, I’ll have either 12 or 15 credits so I would be a transfer student. I would like to experience on campus housing, at least for a semester or two. Thanks again for the feedback.
As someone who sees 18-23 year olds every day in my classes that I teach, I’m with the others in recommending that you choose a transfer dorm. Rutgers is large enough that you will find others like yourself and there are so many clubs etc. that you should have no trouble making new friends. Traditional age freshmen are not necessarily going to like hanging out with a 21 year-old (well except may be to buy the beer 
) . You are closer in age and maturity to beginning grad students than beginning freshmen. The difference that those few years make is striking, especially for male students.