<p>I know three people who graduated from TCNJ in the past few years with degrees in comp sci. All three found employment immediately. All three loved the school.</p>
<p>The location is a little remote, but other than that it's a fine school.</p>
<p>Great insights--so helpful to hear!! The 'no kids there on the weekend', jrzgrlmom, made me a little nervous (I've seen that at some schools, too) until I heard about the exam week, iamhere. Thanks to you both for the info! Xanatos, librarian and musicmom; it's wonderful to hear from those who know people who attended & enjoy/ed TCNJ.</p>
<p>Oldperson--thanks for that encouragement re: son getting into more well-known schools...the only thing is his gpa (because of 9/10 grade) is an UW 3.0 so -- in this more competitive admissions environment--we're trying to find out as much as possible about 'safety' schools (in admission & financial). He'll likely do a mix (reaches/matches/safeties) so trying to follow that 'love your safety advice' & learn as much as possible.</p>
<p>I guess I'd love to know if Rutgers or TCNJ would be a better bet for a comp sci major. So interesting to hear your comparison of the 2, musicmom. I have a feeling son would like a smaller school w/a nice campus a bit more (wasn't thrilled w/New Brunswick on a Rutgers tour). But, as you said, the larger school seems to have more academic offerings.</p>
<p>Maybe he'll apply to both---we'll see how he likes TCNJ after a tour & what he thinks.</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>From what I have heard from students who are attending TCNJ, is that it is a suitcase school on weekends, but the students who remain behind bond even tighter.</p>
<p>Also, check into the housing situation- I recall something about lack of housing, so many upper classmen may live off campus (not necessarily at bad thing). </p>
<p>I can confirm it has become more selective, but what school hasn't these days ? Definitely take a tour while in session, and ask random students about these issues, not just the tour guide. If you are thinking of this as a safety don't take it for granted.</p>
<p>I have heard that it is a suitcase school, as are some other NJ public Us (less competitive ones like Ramapo, Stockton, Montclair State and William Paterson). I do not think that Rutgers in New Brunswick is a suitcase school, but I heard some rumblings about housing problems. I do not know what they are, and if they are extensive or not. I have not heard much about the other Rutger's campuses to comment.</p>
<p>you should of course visit both schools -- and don't just do the info session and tour -- contact the computer science depts and see if there is someone your son can meet with to discuss their program.</p>
<p>and remember -- this is your son's decision -- he has to see where he will feel comfortable -- all you can do is suggest things for him to look at.</p>
<p>Thanks for that additional info, SouthJerseyChessMom & northeastmom. Good to know about the possible housing issues; definitely something to look into!</p>
<p>Interesting point, iamhere, about the more indepth visiting. We did the 'big tour' of Rutgers & thought that was it. Maybe we should return. Oh, and I definitely have the perspective that this is son's decision. :-) I'm just trying to get enough background info to present some schools that might fit w/his (preliminary) interests as well as show him schools across the spectrum to help him narrow down his preferences. The only school he's come up w/independently is USC (weather factor...!).</p>
<p>It will certainly be his call at the end of the day!</p>
<p>My daughter is graduating from TCNJ next week with a degree in Economics. She transferred after freshman year from Dickinson, a small private school in Pa. TCNJ is a little larger than Dickinson & in my opinion a much better school academically & definately a bargain ( $20k vs. $45k ). She has been very happy & although we live only an hour away, she hardly came home at all. The campus is beautiful, the location convenient & the facilities superb.
She lived on campus sophomore year & off campus the last two years with girls from her sorority. Well-paying summer internships were available & she will start a job in June with an investment firm in Manhattan. Overall, TCNJ has exceded our expectations in all respects. It is a school on the rise & admission is becoming more & more selective.</p>
<p>Wow, that's great to hear, golferdad. We are looking at so many schools which are in the $45k range that I was taken aback at the tuition at TCNJ & had to re-read the total several times. </p>
<p>Really glad to hear that she got an excellent education there; comparable or better than a $45k school...!</p>