Daniel
Not that this is news to anyone, but Rutgers is an extremely large school. Coming from a small high school I thought it would be a nice change of pace to attend classes in large lecture halls. What I didn't take into consideration was the minimal amount of contact I'd have with my professors and the impact that would have on my studies. Most professors will tell you that they encourage their students to ask questions during lecture but it really doesn't flesh out. For classes that don't have recitation periods you may find yourself looking for outside tutoring if you need extra help.
New Brunswick is a haven for filth and depravity...and that's not a bad thing. Being drunk on the streets of New Brunswick at 2 am on a friday night is an experience you can take with you for the rest of your life. You'll meet strange characters, be invited into dark exciting places, and probably eat a horrifyingly greasy sandwich.
School pride was minimal at best until the RU football team beat Louisville two years ago. Now they are putting millions into building a new stadium and selling more RU sweatshirts then they ever have.
As far as frequent complaints go, there is one that must stand above the rest. To even mention another minor annoyance would belittle the intensity with which every RU commuter despises the parking administration. There will never be anywhere to park. And just when you think you've found something in the corner of east-bumblefuck and you've assessed the literature provided to come to the conclusion that this is indeed a viable bone-fide parking space, you will return to your car only to find a red envelope stashed tenderly between the wiper blade and your windshield.
David
The big picture of Rutgers is just that, a BIG picture. The school is huge, both enrollment size and campus-wise. Forget walking from one end of campus to the other, unless you have an hour (probably more, never actually did it) to spare. Rutgers entire campus spans several towns. The drive takes (according to google maps) 11 minutes. If anyone has ever been to New Brunswick, you know that is not nearly true. Driving from Cook Campus to Bush Campus requires a shot down either the horrendous Route 18 or the treacherous back roads that probably have an equal amount of traffic.
Rutgers has a very different reputation out of the area than in the area. If you are from the tri-state area, Rutgers is pretty much a joke. If you are from anywhere else Rutgers is thought to be almost like an Ivy League school.
New Brunswick is NOT a college town. Yes, there are lots of college kids. Yes, they get pumped for football games (now that they are good). But if you go anywhere off of the main drag, watch out. George Street and Easton Avenue are where the bars and restaurants are. If you venture outside of the immediate area, I hope you know Spanish and aren't alone. Even parts of George Street are not fun to be at night. Homeless people roam the streets begging for change and people are frequently mugged.
Recently, controversy has been sparked over the decision to allow expansion of the Rutgers football stadium. The budget has been slashed repeatedly over the past few years, including a multi-million dollar cut that forced the university to disband several NCAA sports teams.
School pride is very bandwagon related. My freshman year saw very little enthusiasm within Rutgers. There were your typical die-hard Rutgers fans, but for the most part no one cared about caring for Rutgers. It was just a shcool. Ever since last year it is completely different. There are billboards reading "Global reach. Jersey Roots." Sports teams are making national news and everyone knows Tony Soprano went to Rutgers. That being said, if the football team goes 5-7 next year and the women's basketball team craps out early in the tournament, we will see how long that pride lasts.
Andrea
Many students feel that athletics are the best feature of Rutgers, but I find the large number of diverse courses to be the best part. I transferred from a very small college with few majors. If I could, I would make transferring to Rutgers much easier because it was torture for me. I had to go to every department that I took a course in to find an equivalence. I think the school could be slightly smaller. I have classes of 250 students and classes of 15 students and I learn much more information in the classes with 15 students. Plus, I have more of an incentive to attend class. People usually smile and ask me if I know their friend when I mention Rutgers. I spend most of my time in the SCILS building and hanging out with friends in the Newell Apartments. I would agree with the term "college town" after interviewing Bill Bray and finding that the financial status of New Brunswick depends on students. I find it unusual that Miller Hall was once a funeral center.
Carson
The people probably qualify as the best thing about the school. I wouldn't change an absolute thing. Getting screwed over by Rutgers makes the day seemingly more exciting. The school is obviously far too large, and far too crowded, but once again, it makes the day worth going through. Most question whether or not I have an STD when they find out I go to Rutgers. I say no. Just incase if you were wondering. I overall greatly appreciate the Rutgers administration because they frequently try to save me from the RUScrew, and often suggest dropping out. I've often taken their suggestions seriously. The biggest controversy must have been the whole Imus-nappy-headed-hoes-situation. Oh, gosh. School pride is at it's highest during football games, I must say. Especially when we play #2 teams, like South Florida. Then, especially when we beat them. The buses are either good to you or bad to you. I wish there were more. That could qualify as another RUScrew.
Andy
Overall, Rutgers is a pretty decent University. I feel that I have a decent amount of fun here and that I'm getting an enriching education. However, thats not to say that I wouldn't change several things about the school.
In high school, when i first told my fellow graduating class mates that I was going to be attending Rutgers, it was kind of frowned upon to a certain extent. "Oh, so you're staying home for the most part? Not going/doing anything exciting for the next four years?" was the most common response I would receive when telling friends that I was, in fact, staying in Jersey for my college career. However, i have found that what lacks in adventure category has certainly been made up in the convenience one. The NJ transit ride to get too and from school and home is a mere 12 minutes, making it very easy for me to rush home if I have a need for any supplies, rent checks, or emergency family issues.
But all proximity qualms and compliments aside, the school still has a few issues which have never sit well with me. The school is too big. It's not that there are too many students, but that it is literally and physically too large. The five plus campuses that make up Rutgers University are too spread out amongst the towns of New Brunswick and Piscataway. The school has a very divided sense and lack of unity considering the only thing that really connects its give campuses is the highway of route 18. This almost gives the university a Disney World type feel, reminding us that the path from MGM to Epicot is not too different from the path to Busch Campus from College Avenue Campus. Considering this division, it makes the school have a much larger feel. If you meet someone on Busch Campus and you live on Livingston, it is possible you will never bump into or see them again. The amount of people is a good thing, but everyone being separate is not.