<p>My daughter is very interested in TCNJ and I assumed that it would be a target school for her, as a NJ resident. She has taken 4 years of Honors/AP courses at a prep school, and has a 3.9 GPA and SAT of 2050 on her first test, realistic, not exaggerated number of ECs. She has been advised that this is a 'reach' school for her as an instate applicant. </p>
<p>I am aware that the school has expanded its marketing and recruitment outside of NJ, and I'm assuming that this, in conjunction with the current economic crisis is making it an attractive option for many students. I was just wondering what feedback other students have received about the school. </p>
<p>Does applying ED increase one's chances of admission?</p>
<p>The college app process is new to us, this is our first college bound child.
Thanks.</p>
<p>TCNJ is desperately trying to recruit outside of nj/ny , but is 94% in state.Your duaghter will go to school with almost all NJ students.</p>
<p>While I am not an admission expert , my research suggest that ,You are in!</p>
<p>TCNJ is competetive but you will be offered admission.</p>
<p>Apply ED if it is her clear first choice , but you should be in.</p>
<p>Recently admitted students have an average SAT score between 1220 and 1360 and rank in the top 15% of their graduating class.</p>
<p>You may even qualify for merit aid!</p>
<p>In-State Merit Scholarships</p>
<p>To recognize academic achievement, The College of New Jersey is proud to invest in students who have shown strong academic potential. Each year, TCNJ offers an exceptionally large number of merit-based scholarships. Approximately 40% of the students who enrolled in the TCNJ Class of 2012 received some type of merit award. Merit scholarship amounts average between $3,000 and $6,000 for all four years of study. All freshmen that are accepted to The College of New Jersey are automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship.</p>
<p>TCNJ takes a holistic approach when awarding merit scholarships. While most students who receive a merit award fall within the top 10% of their class and have a Critical Reading and Math combined SAT score of 1300 (ACT composite score of 30) or higher, a number of other factors are also considered including co-curricular involvement and leadership. As a result, students who would not have normally qualified for a merit award may receive one if the admissions committee is particularly impressed with their admissions application. Likewise, students who fall into the above academic ranges are not guaranteed a merit award if their admissions application is lacking in other areas.</p>
<p>Yeah believe me your daughter should have no problems getting into TCNJ. If she is a dedicated student and outgoing she will love it at TCNJ. I transfered in so I can compare it to other schools, and TCNJ destroys them. </p>
<p>ED does help your chances, because it shows that TCNJ is your 1st choice. I know kids who got in with bad SATs, but they had other pluses. Best thing to do is have your daughter do some community service before applying, even though I guarantee she is in. </p>
<p>I know some kids here who got 1500+. One kid I met was accepted to Princeton but chose TCNJ for its price. Now he is going to Harvard Law, so TCNJ is a major "up-and-coming" school. Many people compare it to what Villanova was 15-20 years ago, and look at Nova now. It's a top quality education. I don't get why people would go out of state and pay so much more when they can come to TCNJ and receive a better education at a better price. </p>
<p>Make a campus visit, and if she really loves it here (and everyone I know here does) she should apply ED. ED also gives you a better Merit chance I think, because the pot of money they have to give out Merit is largest during the ED phase of acceptances.</p>
<p>Seems to be some misinformation in CM26's post.</p>
<p>Not sure who this 1500+ SAT person is but if CM26 is referring to me, I wouldn't use my acceptance to Harvard Law as anything. For the record, I never stated I chose Harvard and may not necessarily be at HLS. If CM26 isn't talking about me, well, I'm not sure who CM26 is speaking about.</p>
<p>It may be an "up and coming" school but to be honest, the prestige of schools hasn't changed in decades and it isn't happening with TCNJ anytime soon. It lacks ANY semblance of national clout. If you want to stay in-state, you will be alright but anything outside of the area, you'll be looked at like you went to community college. Ask me how I know.</p>
<p>There is nothing spectacular about TCNJ's education. Which professors teach there again? Anyone anybody knows? Maybe one or two? Okay. Their academic pedigrees, furthermore, are nothing to write home about. And let's face it, education is prestige orientated. If you want to get more recognition, getting highly respected faculty, along with brilliant students, is the way to go.</p>
<p>As for applying ED and getting more aid, why? Schools use money to attract students to come to their school. If you are bound to attend upon their acceptance of you, why would they even bother to give you anything?</p>
<p>Last fall when my D was looking at colleges, we spoke with a TCNJ rep at one of the college fairs. She did tell us that it was easier to get into TCNJ if you are out of state and that they actively seek "talented OOS students." However, for those of us OOS, the cost of a TCNJ education is about $31,000 per year. Substantially less than many schools, but not nearly as affordable as your own state university. D was admitted to TCNJ with substantially higher stats than those quoted by Brave Ulysses, yet received only $6500 per year in scholarship. If TCNJ is really serious about getting more OOS students, they need to look at their scholarship practices. While I understand their first allegiance must be to in state students, they will never be able to broaden their student base and get the name recognition they seek with financial incentives like that. In the end, D chose a more nationally recognized college...... the lack of name recognition was something she couldn't get past. Interestingly enough, said college also offered her a substantial scholarship, making the private university much more affordable than TCNJ.</p>
<p>Perhaps some do, tcnj08. Or maybe they are just trying to offer some insight into things they wish they had known when their child was going through the process. For example, I was trying to let 1964beetle know that yes, TCNJ is expanding their marketing and recruiting in order to attract OOS students, but because it costs $31,000+ for OOS and in state students receive better scholarships, it isn't likely to impact her child that much. OP's daughter has great stats; I don't think she has to worry about her "spot" being taken by an OOS student. The COA is just too high for many OOS students, even with a TCNJ scholarship. There are many parents out there who are new to this process and unaware that private universities can sometimes be a more affordable choice than publics, especially for OOS students. I was totally shocked to realize that TCNJ would be thousands more than the college my daughter chose; I had always figured a public university would be more affordable.</p>
<p>But I am curious as to your motivation for coming to this site. I can't possibly be to encourage students to choose TCNJ. It doesn't seem as if you were satisfied with the education you received there. I think you said......</p>
<p>"There is nothing spectacular about TCNJ's education. Which professors teach there again? Anyone anybody knows? Maybe one or two? Okay. Their academic pedigrees, furthermore, are nothing to write home about. And let's face it, education is prestige orientated. If you want to get more recognition, getting highly respected faculty, along with brilliant students, is the way to go."</p>
<p>I'm looking to give actual, non-biased information which of course will include legitimate criticism. Is that unbelievable?</p>
<p>If I am or am not satisfied with the education I received there, at least I can say I chose it with every single option on the table instead of saying "I am here because I couldn't get into x." I have nothing to be bitter about.</p>
<p>I think this speaks volumes concerning my insight of TCNJ and how, now being in a prestigious graduate school, I can see more than just one side.</p>
<p>PS This "insight into things they wish they had known when their child was going through the process" has nothing to do with the OP's question and only seeks to debase the school that his/her daughter seeks as a target school. So I suppose we are both not too far off.</p>
<p>Wait TCNJ08 your not the one who said<br>
""There is nothing spectacular about TCNJ's education. Which professors teach there again? Anyone anybody knows? Maybe one or two? Okay. Their academic pedigrees, furthermore, are nothing to write home about. And let's face it, education is prestige orientated. If you want to get more recognition, getting highly respected faculty, along with brilliant students, is the way to go.""
are you?</p>
<p>I thought that was someone else and that you said you really liked TCNJ especially considering you were going to graduate school anyway?</p>
<p>I am a freshman at TCNJ right now, and I must say that I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER AT THIS SCHOOL. TCNJ is every bit as selective as all of the press has says it is. I personally got into some very well respected schools and chose TCNJ above all of them (GWU, Lehigh, UDel, Villanova, etc.) I even know a few people here that got into very prestigious schools like NYU, Brown, Cornell, and Georgetown but chose to come to TCNJ because its unbeatable price. TCNJ has a very challenging curriculum and I am even struggling a little bit in my first semester here. The campus is absolutely beautiful and only gets better every day. Also, in regards to TCNJ's growing reputation, The College is constantly growing and becoming better! It is truly a Public Ivy.
My advice for anyone considering TCNJ is to give The College a chance. TCNJ is a fantastic institution and it really holds its own when compared to schools with a long standing reputation. We ARE NOT a commuter school. The students at TCNJ are very smart and have all worked very hard to get into this great school.</p>
<p>@collegekid19 i stumbled upon this post and was wondering why you said “We ARE NOT a commuter school” how come? i’ve been considering commuting there if i end up going there and i don’t see why its not a commuter school…</p>
<p>Why wouldn’t you want to dorm at school? That is part of the whole experience! Most people I know (including myself) view commuter schools as an extreme negative. You won’t be around to make friends on the weekends, after school, etc. You’ll miss a lot of the college experience, and plus their campus is so beautiful- I want to live there haha.</p>
<p>Obviously you could commute, they were just saying it’s not looked at as a “commuter school” where everyone goes home on the weekends. I was a freshman last year and I went home maybe 3 weekends all year not including holidays. And when I did it was for a job interview or crazy snow or something, not because I just wanted to go home.</p>
<p>I want to transfer to TCNJ from a community college. I will have my associates degree by the time I transfer but not the best grades. I am more of a B or C student. I want to go to this school because it is one of the few schools that offer Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as a major. I am looking to teach deaf students one day. Do you think I have a chance of getting in even though i do not have the best of grades?</p>
<p>Yes she will get in. She is not applying to Harvard or Yale. Its TCNJ–the school is good, but many people seem to think its a small ivy or somthing??? I have news for you–look at Colagte, HolyCross, Leigh, Amerherst, Havaford, Harvy Mudd…All better than TCNJ! If I was your daughter I would apply to those schools as well.</p>
<p>TCNJ is and will never be a public ivy!! First of-Kids that go to Drew and Rowan make more money than TCNJ Grads—so again what does that say???</p>
<p>calltech why would you bump this lol? OP was made more than 2 years ago. Her daughter is already in college. Yes, TCNJ is not an ivy but I think it’s a great school for certain disciplines and a good school for others. And where did you find the info on the salaries? I want to check it out.</p>
<p>TCNJ is a great option for instate students. However, if you’re coming from anywhere besides NY/PA/NJ region, I would highly recommend really thinking before making your decision. I came from 1500 mi away and the 95% instate students is overwhelming.</p>
<p>Just be careful when making a decision. The out of state tuition price, in my opinion, isn’t worth it unless you’re in the tristate area where you wouldn’t have to pay for steep plane costs over the holidays.</p>