social atmosphere at Rutgers and other questions

<p>I'm going to apply to Rutgers New Brunswick... I was wondering what it's like on campus, socially. With so many people I feel like I'd get lost... or are people friendly? Is it easy or hard to find one's "niche"? Where do people generally meet? Do students spend most of their free time/night at campus events, or off campus?</p>

<p>Random: how's the cafeteria food?</p>

<p>Also, my dad went to Rutgers and told me stories of taking classes at complete opposite ends of the whole Rutgers New Brunswick deal, and barely making it on time... is that a rarity, or is that kind of thing a problem? On the same note, how's public transportation? Is it easy to get around New Brunswick if you don't have a car?</p>

<p>Hey--</p>

<p>I'm going to be a sophomore at Rutgers so I can probably help answer some of your questions. First of all, do you plan to live on campus? I urge you to do so, it's really easy to meet people and make friends if you're living with them. Rutgers doesn't feel too big for me because you become associated with different communities-- your dorm, people you know from classes, etc. It shouldn't be too hard to find your "niche," espescially if you get involved in activities on campus. </p>

<p>Free time is split between on and off campus events I'd say. There are obviously the athletic events, but also events that the student-run programming councils put on, such as concerts, comedian acts, and other cool, random stuff. NB has a bunch of restaurants.. and a hookah place and the state theater and a comedy club, so you can do those things too. A lot of free time is just spent talking in the dorm, though.</p>

<p>Cafeteria food is ok... pretty average for college food I'd say... better than some places and worse than others. You can always resort to the salad line, which is usually good. Oh, and frozen yogurt.</p>

<p>You get to plan your own schedule, so it shouldn't be too bad. It's not hard to get around with the bus system, and the buses are usually pretty frequent. It's annoying to wait at a bus stop in the rain or when its cold, but it would be also annoying to walk far to class in the rain or cold at another college, so it's really not that big of a deal.</p>

<p>K, that should answer your questions. Let me know if anyting else comes up.</p>

<p>I actually have a question. I'll be a freshman this fall and I'll be living on College Ave. I'm somewhat of a health nut and am extremely afraid of gaining weight in college. I was just wondering what your thoughts were on the food and gym situation at rutgers. Are the gyms good? Do the dining halls offer healthy stuff? Will I even have time to work out, and do alot of other people do so?</p>

<p>i'm working out in the morning and going for a swim as much as a I can... during my college years...rutgers has a great facilities</p>

<p>Is the pool at Rutgers open a lot?</p>

<p>Also, how are people in terms of friendliness? Are they very cliquey once they have their own group, or do a lot of them welcome you to join them in social events & etc?</p>

<p>Hey--
The dining halls do have healthy options, and I think i managed to eat decently healthy during my first year. The gyms have great facilities, like merudh said. You can see when stuff is open at recreation.rutgers.edu ... but those might be summer hours. Either way, its open a good amount.</p>

<p>Most people are friendly, I mean you're going to be meeting a lot of freshman who are in the same situation as you are so it won't be hard to make friends in a dorm. Don't worry, college is fun.. hah... when you first come, it may seem like everyone's making friends and you're not (maybe), but everyone's in the same position as you are so as long as you put yourself out there, you have nothing to worry about.</p>

<p>Hey supermtt37:</p>

<p>the schedules listed on recreation.rutgers.edu - do you need to pay to participate in any of that stuff? And can incoming freshman for Sep '06 use the facilities during the summer hours?</p>

<p>If you have your ID card, you can go to the gym (I don't know if you got those yet). And everything is free at the gym except for classes. and maybe the rock wall or something, I'm not sure. Oh, and before you use cardio equipment you need to get a fitcheck card, which costs $5 and lasts for 4 years...but you'll find out all this stuff during orientation.</p>

<p>Thanks for your answers to my questions; it was all very helpful. And yeah, if I go, I'd live on campus.</p>

<p>Ooh how about the swimming pools? But nope..didn't get the ID card yet.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the info!</p>

<p>The gyms are great at Rutgers. Healthy food is not a problem.</p>