<p>Ditto 3221clk and LadyLazarus. Even though it doesn't really have a national reputation, TCNJ is very prestigious in New Jersey. </p>
<p>
[quote]
A schools so "good" they need to buy quality students.
[/quote]
Most schools do this. Even Caltech, which offers one of the best undergraduate programs in the country, gives scholarships to students at the top of its applicant pool. The fact that TCNJ tries to lure in top students with money doesn't in the least suggest that TCNJ is a mediocre school.</p>
<p>There are several drawbacks to TCNJ, naturally. One is that it used to be a teachers college and is currently in the middle of its ascension to a kind of public LAC, as MotherofTwo said. I've found that, because of this, people in my parents' generation regard TCNJ as a not-so-selective and not-so-great school. On the other hand, teenagers, teachers, GCs, etc seem continuously shocked by TCNJ's growing selectivity, especially when a kid with a 1300 gets rejected. It makes sense though. Many top students from NJ who would otherwise go to Rutgers choose TCNJ because (roughly) Rutgers's top 50% = TCNJ's top 50%, but Rutgers's bottom 50% doesn't exist at TCNJ. </p>
<p>Another drawback is TCNJ's status as a commuter school. But I think that this will change as it attracts more and more good students who are looking for the full college experience.</p>