Rutgers University-New Brunswick Top Questions

The thing I love the most about Rutgers is the team spirit that everyone seems to have. Rutgers may fail in quite a few areas but its students never fail to show support in Rutgers events, such as sports games and other causes the students believe in. One thing I don't especially like about Rutgers is its size. I can't say it's too big because this is a personal choice and it changes from person to person. Going to a school with a large student population can be nice for some things, like game days, but it be easy to get a little lost in large classes where everyone is fighting for the professor's attention. If you're someone who doesn't especially need individual attention or help, then Rutgers is probably a great school to attend. However, if you're like myself and like to get personal with the professors, then I would consider smaller schools (also depends on your major; if you are going into a highly popular field, such as science, then classes are large but if you go into something less popular, such as English, then the classes are smaller). In terms of administration, Rutgers could definitely improve (but who couldn't use a little improvement?). I've met quite a few deans at Rutgers and I can only remember 1-2 deans who have truly been helpful AND encouraging. College can get really tough at times and when you seek help, you want someone who isn't going to just tell the shortest answer possible and send you on your way; you want someone who will guide you and show you your options and follow-up with you to see how you are progressing. Dean Anderson on College Ave is the BEST dean to do this; she has not only helped me through my toughest times at school by helping me make a plan, but she always encourages me and shows support in my endeavor to reach success. I think one of the biggest complaints from Rutgers students is the wasting of money. Now, I think this is a touchy subject because unless we're in the position of these school authorities, we don't have a right to criticize and say how easy it would be to fix problems at a college/university. However, Rutgers students feel that Rutgers occasionally wastes money on things like new carpeting in the dining halls or the expansion (drastic expansion..we're talking HUGE remodeling of some campuses) of particular campuses or even the newspaper (that many don't read and are littered everywhere). We feel like Rutgers can spend this money better by fixing AC/heat units in old buildings so that we are sitting in classrooms of appropriate temperatures. Rutgers could also probably offer more scholarships/financial aid to kids who want a college education but can barely afford to pay for it. They could also give more printing credit to students instead of giving us such little amounts and making us pay for printing if we go over the given limit.

I didn't like the school in the beginning of freshman year, I thought the school was too big and it was hard to just get an answer from any administration office. However, it really takes time, one thing I realized was that it is really up to you as a student and how involved you want to be. How involved you are changes the entire dynamics because the school is so big it's hard to make friends and gain that intimate friendship level. But once you're in, you'll have a great time. There is the greek life, public service/volunteering groups, intramural, Clubs, and work study really ties people together. The great thing about Rutgers University - New Brunswick is that even though it's really big which is a drawback, the pro is that since it is so big there are so many types of people that you can definitely find one that you'll fit in with. When I tell people I go to Rutgers, there's that notion of being from a scandalous/ promiscuous environment but once again it's really what you make of it and who you hang out with. Since Rutgers has so many campuses on the New Brunswick Campus - it is actually College Ave that is the highlight campus to party on because of all the frat and hosue parties, and eat "normal" food. Also another benefit of living on college ave is having the accessibility to catch the train into NYC and not having to wait on buses. Oh, Rutgers has buses that take you from campus to campus because classes are scattered EVERYWHERE. Sometimes, it's fun riding a bus (when you're drunk) and something it's just horrible (when it's raining and you're trying to get to class). Rutgers is known for the "RU-Screw" which basically entails what it's hences. The administration screws you over with credits, requirements, class offerings, financial aid, meal swipes, I mean anything unfair on Rutgers end is the RU-Screw. The beauty of it is that we all experience it ... everyone knows the "RU-Screw." I'm sure everyone is aware of the recent epidemics that have occurred on campus, RIP Tyler Clementi - who was bullied for particular reasons. Eric Legrand's health problems, and Snooki from the Jersey Shore being paid an obnoxious amount of money to talk to students. Rutgers football games are the best, hot fall days pre-gaming with friends and going to the game is great followed by a great win and a good house party is the ideal college story but it just depends if you like to attend sporting events and drinking. It's fun to just go and hang out even if you don't understand the sport, most people don't even listen or watch because they're too intoxicated. One experience i'll remember on campus has to be during the spring semester freshman and sophomore year when the bugs decide to have an epic mating season and just populate every dorm room. It's hard to sleep when you're scared of bugs and they hang out in your dorm room. Most student complaints have to be buses, there may not be enough running, or weekend buses that run at like 40 mins pace, over packed. Also, takeout at some of the dining halls are just horrible like college ave - food is bad ... save your swipes for livingston of douglass starbuck drink swipes.

When people ask me how I feel about Rutgers, the answer is simple. I love it. And true love means taking the bad with the good. The best thing about Rutgers is the diversity. It's a huge school, so you're liable to meet people from all over. And not only are the students diverse, but so are the programs that are offered here. There's such a wide variety of majors and minors to choose from. From Science to the Arts to Humanities, Rutgers has it all. Another great thing about Rutgers is the school pride. On any given day you'll see many kids wearing Rutgers apparel, proclaiming their love for our school. On game days, it's even crazier. You'll see black and red EVERYTHING-painted faces, painted bodies, dyed hair, banners hanging from dorms and apartments. Everyone takes pride in Rutgers. Another great thing is the location. New Brunswick is a bustling city, which means it's culturally diverse and brimming with new experiences. There are so many museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks to explore. There's always something to do, and you don't feel isolated to the college campus. However, there are some frustrations that come with being a Rutgers student. With such a huge student body, the administration has a lot on its plate, and mistakes can be made. Problems you encounter at Rutgers are affectionately called "The RU Screw". But you shouldn't let that discourage you. No college is perfect, and administrators do their best to help you sort out your problems. Once you come out on the other side, it's easy to look back and laugh about the ole RU screw.

With a school as large as Rutgers, the opportunities to be involved with organizations, teams, causes, and other groups are plentiful. Every studend should take advantage of the resources that come with a state school. Students can be as active or as passive in however many groups they would like depending on their own interest and schedule. While I would personally recommend becoming invovled with extracurriculars, a tremendous college experience can be had without them, simply by going to class, studying, hanging out with classmates and in and around the dorms. Since the most students who live off campus are within blocks of the College Ave campus, students both dorming and not are still integrated with one another. The bus system, though maligned by many, does a good job of keeping the campus connected. Within Rutgers, students will get the contrasting feelings of both the large and small school atmosphere. Yes, it is a large state school where each student is a number, but within each students' community, whether it be school, major, dorm, campus or organization, one will have that smaller community vibe where each person knows each other. School pride generally surrounds the football team for most people. The campus and community definitely comes alive during the season. All in all there is something for everyone, and like any school, is what you make of it. The one thing Rutgers has going for it is the opportunities it provides and makes available for those who want to use them.

Rutgers is a large university with a diverse student population. Because of this there are enough opportunities for everyone to find where they belong. For in state students it's a great deal since it's about the cheapest respectable big name university out there but out of state students will be heavily outnumbered and asked why they came here. International students probably outnumber out of state US students. Students study very hard since classes in most majors are demanding and in staters get a lot for their money. Each campus has it's own academic focus and they're mostly ugly and prone to flooding in the rain. New Brunswick is an okay city but there's not a lot to do here except for drink, which is how many students spend two or three nights out of the week. Lots of school pride since the football team has been doing well for the last few years and the city has been embracing this. There's a number of great events every year. Tent State is a yearly protest against high tuition and the war and whatever else they feel like and is a good excuse to smoke up and have sex in a tent. Rutgersfest is an outdoor concert with maybe one played out hip hop artist and two unknown or formerly popular bands but causes the whole student body to wake up before noon to start drinking. The football games are fun to go to and the RU crowd is a little rude and rowdy. We also have Hot Dog Day and a number of smaller events during the year. If you have to spend four years somewhere you could do a lot worse than Rutgers. Work hard and you'll get an ivy league education for half the price. Slack off and why bother.

Rutgers is huge, and as expected, there are not enough administrators to accomadate every student's personal needs. The help is there, if you want to seek it out, but be prepared for a lot of bureaucracy and paper work. It's in New Brunswick, which is a limbo city, neither here nor there. There's a huge socio-economic divide between the kids going to school and the general population of the city, and the school usually gets it's way in terms of zoning, city planning, and funding, often to the detriment of the rest of the New Brunswick community. As a public school, Rutgers is influenced by the tax-payer's and the state's interests. Sometimes this is great and means the school can't cut funding for important academic and artistic programs, but more often it means we spend a million dollars (literally) for a new football coach to boost our image and attract better atheletes. Such is the paradox of public funding. It all depends on how smart the public and the administrators are.

It's a bit large so you sort of get lost in the masses unless you become involved in many extracurricular activities. This, I find, is the best way to find people on campus with similar academic and life goals in general. It's nice to be so close to an urban area (The City of New Brunswick) for those times you need to escape campus life. One experience I will always remember is the Anti-War Rutgers Walk-out that happened recently. It's amazing how many Rutgers students become fearless activists with confidence of making a difference beyond our direct communities, both on a local and national level.

the best thing about rutgers is the social life. one thing id change is having equally nicer dorms at all campuses. its a large school, but not for everyone. for me it is okay, i have no complaints. when i tell people i go to rutgers they see me in a good light i guess. even if everyone from where i live goes here or eventually transfers or visits here alot, its still a positive thing. i spend most of my time in the student centers since i do not dorm or live on campus. my classes are close together so i go to class and then chill, study, do nothing, hit friends up. there arent recent controverseys ive heard recently taht are big. there is a lot of school pride around football season. only thing unusual ive seen at rutgers are some of the people here. but it is a very good thing that the school for hte most part is diverse. i can't realli say i have taht amazing crazy experience yet cause i have only been here like 3 months. most frequent student complaints have to do with thinking about going to class or not.

There is a lot of Rutgers pride, especially when it comes to football. although the latest controversy in our school has been about the approval of the football field's expansion which will cost the school approximately 80 million dollars.

Ok so being a transfer really gives me a totally different perspective of Rutgers University. At first I loved it, then somedays (When financial aid is on my tail) I hate it and then when I finally accomplish the goals I set out to complete in it I give it a perfect seven (Hey there is always room for improvement). Rutgers has a large amount of activity on campus which is great because you dont have to go very far to enjoy yourself. With sports, various clubs, organizations and parties Rutgers literally has something for everyone. I tend to commute most frequently between Livingston and Douglass because I have more friends on these campuses and all my extra curricular activities are on these individual campuses (as well as classes and the place i sleep and yada yada yada). I have had the priviledge of interacting with some administration and faculty for both academic affairs and leisure. They have always been very professional as well as very helpful when needed. Also, having the priviledge of studying abroad, I have found the faculty to be the most dependable even half way across the world!!! I must say that Rutgers is very openminded which makes it a great place to explore who you are and get away with it! With that said complaints are often minimal with the basics such as housing, financial aid, ect. but overall its a wonderful university because it not only handles its problems, as they arise but it lets the world know "Yeah we have issues just like you so, we know how to fix them".