<p>I’ve applied to TCNJ this year, mainly because of their sweet merit aid, but I still have a few questions about it. </p>
<li><p>I used to consider it a safety, but now I’m getting more and more worried. It’s considered a selective college by Barrons. How selective??? I know that their classes are usually composed of only 5% out-of-staters. If I’m an out-of-stater but I have a 1500+ SAT, leadership roles in my ECs, community service, high GPA, etc., that should all be enough right? (I’m also looking at top institutions in the country). I guess another thing that worries me is that it seems to have the rep of being “the college for people who get into Ivy League schools but can’t afford it.”</p></li>
<li><p>It seems like such a great place (academically, location-wise, plus it’s beautiful). Why is it so obscure? And why isn’t it ranked anywhere on the US News list for best public schools? (Yeah, I know, don’t always trust US News, but its absence entirely still struck me as odd, esp. since ppl seem to place it above SUNYs and Rutgers – some even compare it to UVa and Berkeley!). </p></li>
<li><p>It’s not rolling right? (Most things I’ve read suggest that all decisions are mailed out in April, but there are some sources which imply its first-come-first-served).</p></li>
<li><p>Does anyone know anyone who went to TCNJ? How do they like it? </p></li>
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<p>It seems to be the in-state alternative to Rutgers. Rutgers has the reputation of attracting all sorts of people. From what I see from my school is that people who are slightly more academically inclined choose TCNJ over Rutgers if they don't want to be too far from home. I wouldn't call it comprable with Ivy Leagues. People considering TCNJ at my school are also looking at schools like Stevens, Lehigh, etc.</p>
<p>Now why the hell would you be applying to TCNJ with a 1500? Don't worry about gettin in, you should be worried about how much money in merit aid your gonna get. Most kids I know who are applyin to TCNJ have like 1100s and like 3.2s.</p>
<p>yeah yo 1450 and u got a full ride. i applied cuz i wanted that full ride but wen i visited it seemed real boring. BTW it is rolling cuz i applied regular and got in already but im instate so idk bout u. Wouldnt wry at all tho</p>
<p>I'll be getting a full-ride scholarship and the social life thing isn't an issue for me (I'm not much of a partier, plus, there's always NYC, isn't there?). I dunno, from the things I've heard about TCNJ to date, it seems like a good place that is often underrated and the scholarship sure is tempting.</p>
<p>yea i applied to tcnj and got a pretty good scholarship (ill end up paying about 5k a year which isnt bad) ive never visited it yet (interview on monday, in fact), but im def going there hoping that ill like it because its become a very realistic option even though i only applied there to satisfy my parents..</p>
<p>phantom - TCNJ is def more selective than Rutgers, but with a 1500 you should have NOTHING to worry about, and your merit $ should be very good. TCNJ is making its mark as a good public choice due to its competetive admissions, high caliber education & affordable tuition.</p>
<p>Many people outside NJ aren't familiar with TCNJ yet, but it was named one of the nation's top schools in the 2005 edition of Barron's Profiles of American Colleges ("Most Competetive" category).</p>
<p>"The College of New Jersey and Princeton University are the only New Jersey schools to garner this distinction from Barron's , and TCNJ is the sole public institution from the Northeast, including New England, to be classified as Most Competitive. Just seven public institutions nationallyTCNJ, the University of North Carolina, the University of Virginia, the College of William and Mary, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California at Los Angeles, and the University of Floridamade the publication's top tier." </p>
<p>While college ratings/rankings and being labeled "most competetive" aren't the only things to consider, some further research will show you that TCNJ has great programs, small classes, a good grad rate, and excellent grad school acceptances, making it worthy of a 2nd look. True, Ewing isn't one of the most exciting places in Jersey, but NYC and Philly are easy to get to. I wasn't too convinced on my first visit which was during the summer, the campus is nice enough, but there weren't many students around. Went back in Oct and it was a different story altogether, students & prof were very accessible and easy to talk to. Only got positive feedback from the people I spoke to, and its def back on the top of my list. Like LisaSimpsonReborn, I'm looking at about 5k a year too, which is something to really consider since grad school is def in my future plans, and I rather spend the money on that. Good luck in your search.</p>
<p>"Now why the hell would you be applying to TCNJ with a 1500? Don't worry about gettin in, you should be worried about how much money in merit aid your gonna get. Most kids I know who are applyin to TCNJ have like 1100s and like 3.2s."
But does that mean they will get in? Most likely not... TCNJ is similar to William and Mary for trying to get in. It is a tough school to get into and it is nowhere close to Rutgers in easiness of getting in.
I was offered a 15K scholarship there but had to turn it down because I was accepted somewhere else ED</p>
<p>Phantom-
Your stats should be a lock for TCNJ admission. Relax.</p>
<p>Our son is a freshman at TCNJ and loves the place. It is THE instate alternative for NJ kids and the most selective NJ public. But still the avg SAT is about 1250-1300ish.
GPAs around 3.6 ish, I think.
The campus is beautiful, the class small and the profs are very approachable.
One of our son's friends is in the combined med school program. Mostly serious, motivated students who study a bit. A variety of challenging programs with good graduation stats and graduate placement rates.
A bargain.
About 6000 students so just a very different feel than Rutgers.
BUT kind of in a suburban cornfield.....takes some effort to locate fun off campus. Philly is our son's destination and has much to offer. NYC is more difficult without a car.... we live in northern NJ about 30 miles from NYC so we have first hand knowledge on this.</p>
<p>Visit while school is in session to get the real impression. It has a lot to offer.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your input, esp. FastLane and musicmom. I guess my worry about getting in stems from the whole damned "Tufts Syndrome" idea -- I'm applying relatively late (just submitted my app -- the deadline's Tuesday) and was concerned that either a) they think I'll never in a million years go there and reject me or b) have already filled up too many spots already...if it IS indeed rolling...and have reserved spots for in-staters. The truth is though, I am sincerely considering their school because of their merit aid and I would go if all my top choices reject me and I'm left with a choice between TCNJ and say, NYU (which is expensive and which I hear is stingy). My final decision on college will prolly all come down to the financial aid package.</p>
<p>If you are in the top 5% with a 1500+ SAT you will be accepted into TCNJ with a four year full tuition and R&B schlorship, even if you are out-of-state. TCNJ is more selective than the best college at Rutgers U. (Rutgers College). TCNJ is a much, much better school for undergrad. But be advised; Rutgers has a much more active social life, espicially on weekends. You will have to weigh things. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hmm yeah I may end up going to TCNJ man. 1450 4.0 can get you places, but nowadays its real competitive. I guess ending up at TCNJ wouldn't be too bad. I just wish it was in a more active area.</p>
<p>TCNJ is also a suitcase school. On the weekends, a lot of students head home (to NJ). So be prepared to deal with that.
Philly is a lot closer than NYC, with lots to do.</p>
<p>TCNJ ranking isn't under national universities. It's listed with Northern universities Master' or something like that (regional category instead of national doctoral schools); I saw it recently and I believe it was ranked #5 or 6 or so in the category, same category where Villanova is ranked #1 each year.</p>
<p>William and Mary is more selective than TCNJ and I wouldn't call it an ivy overlap tho they like to think so. But its rep here in NJ is very good; most kids from our school are in top 10% easily and have at least 1200, more like 1300 and I know several w/ 1400s. A great cheap alternative to its private competitors like Drew, Villanova, Lehigh. Also the people who go there seem to be very happy. I don't think 3.2 and 1100 is even close for getting in there.</p>
<p>ok i just had my interview today, here are some impressions:
very nice, pretty campus (even though it was rainy and yuck today) with a couple of really nice lakes and pretty new brick buildings. umm kids seemed friendly overall, but i got a "cliquey" feel a lot like high school, where the brown kids hang together (LOTS of brown kids btw - i can say that cuz im brown) and the pretty girls hang together and the frat guys hang together etc etc.umm lets see, the food was pretty good but really not too many options at all..there was just one small snack bar, and then you could get salad or sandwiches from the cafe..REALLY not too much if you're a vegetarian like me..umm there were a lot of smart kids..mostly because my tour lady said that the merit aid is AWESOME, so kids often choose this school over a lot of other ones (which ill probably end up doing)..she said she was 90% sure that first year students are allowed to have cars, and since philly and nyu are driving distance, theres probably going to be plenty to do..umm the location actually is really good and i95 is right near it so its not hard to find at all...um if anyone has any questions about location/food/stuff that i probabyl know from visiting, feel free to ask or pm me if i forget to check back here</p>
<p>Yes, right off of I95 so very get to it able.
But, NO, freshman can not have cars......</p>
<p>They do have some "2 week per semester" freshman parking pass that our son has used. We dropped off his car to him just before Christmas break and then he packed himself up and drove himself home after his exams were over. Made our life easier.</p>