<p>Hey! Today I was accepted to Rutgers New Brunswick CAS and as of right now this is my number 1, but I have more schools to hear back from. But I was just wondering if someone could tell me what the atmosphere at RU is. Everything from academics to school spirit and nightlife.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Bump. Anyone???</p>
<p>Just from visiting you can tell how awesome the atmosphere is. School spirit is great, and everyone wants to attend the games. Even just normal noncollege people from NJ (like me) talk about Rutgers games.</p>
<p>Nice! Anyone else?</p>
<p>What are you looking for in a college?</p>
<p>There is so much to talk about! But I’ll touch base on the things you pointed out:</p>
<p>**academics **
The academics are generally highly respected here – some programs more than others. The sciences are big here. You have research assistant opportunities. Plethora of resources at the libraries. Top Notch professors. They may say that Rutgers is “easy” to get into, but expect to work hard.</p>
<p>school spirit
It’s not unusual to see many students sporting “RUTGERS” gear – hoodies, pants, caps – that stuff. Football games are fun. Go with a group of friend to the games and hang out. Do the “R…U…” cheers. Sing Bon Jovi songs. Cheer with the band. All that random stuff. The only problem I have is that sometimes our students tend to give up on our teams too fast. This is when people start exiting the stadium around third quarter. Like, geez, have some faith in our team! Football games are generally fun. I haven’t had a chance to tailgate or anything, but hear it is fun. You do get a rush when you are in sold out football games and basketball games. The atmosphere is amazing!</p>
<p>nightlife
Walk along Easton Avenue or George Street (near the College Avenue campus) and you’ll find your share of bars, small restaurants, takeout places. You have the frat parties, sorority parties, basement parties. Wanna get away from campus? You can always take the train to New York or Philadelphia. It’s less than a 10 minute walk from your dorm to the train station if you live on College Avenue. </p>
<p>On campus<a href=“1”>/B</a> RUPA hosts many activities each week. We have guest speakers, comedians (Joel McHale, Margaret Cho), music performance (Rutgersfest near the end of the year – last year N.E.R.D. and Motion City Soundtrack performed; Minus the Bear, Jack’s Mannequin, Lupe Fiasco came to perform here recently), movie “knights”, dance performances.
(2) Performances by students themselves, like the a’cappella groups, symphony concerts, cultural dance performances, theaters shows by College Avenue Players, Livingston Theatre Company, and the Cabaret Theatre – for example.
(3) Clubs.** Join them. I kid you not. Join them. You’ll feel better. Join them (see, three times for emphasis). Try new things. Always wanted to act? Join one of the theatre groups. Always wanted to play Rugby but never got the chance? Join club sports.
(4) **Frats and sororities. **Maybe you came into college having a bad perception of them (and there might be one or two here that don’t help the stereotype), but you’ll be surprised to find out that there may be one or two out there that you might like or be interested in. There are some catered to cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and even some to academics like pharmacy and engineering.</p>
<p>I will admit that weekends become sort of a ghost town especially during the winter time. Get a good group of friends (even just 2 or 3 people). You hang out with them + You go places = Your weekend doesn’t suck. If they have a car, even better. </p>
<p>Also, a school of 40,000 (undergrad + graduates) might seem daunting at first. But trust me, as time goes on, it feels smaller. Sometimes you end of running into the same people. If you don’t take advantage of what Rutgers has to offer, 40,000 people will feel overwhelming. If you stay cooped up in your dorm all day and just go to class, you will detest Rutgers and college in general. </p>
<p>Also, not to sound cliche, but take risks and be yourself. Don’t feel like you have to try and fit a certain persona in order to gain friends. Just as long as you are friendly and like being in the company of others, you WILL find friends.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions about anything specific to Rutgers (like housing, or dining hall, or libraries – anything! – feel free to ask) =)</p>
<p>MushaboomBlue: Your post was extremely helpful, thank you :]</p>
<p>MushaboomBlue,</p>
<p>Is College Ave less of a ghost town on the weekend? My son wants to live there but wants things to do on the weekends. He is in the Honors program and wants to live in Brett Hall.</p>
<p>I guess you could say that College Avenue is a bit more livelier than the other campuses on the weekends. And especially if you walk towards the commercial areas like Easton Ave and George Street.</p>
<p>In the morning until about noon, it’s pretty much dead, I think because most kids are sleeping in at this time (I know I usually do). But as the afternoon and evening progresses you do see more people out and about.</p>
<p>Your son should choose Brett Hall. And I think College Avenue is a good choice if he plans to spend most of his weekends at Rutgers.</p>