Rutgers University–New Brunswick — Attraction in New Brunswick

I attended my freshman year in New Brunswick, and for the 1st semester it was a bit of a challenge to navigate the system--getting the right classes, dealing with the administration, and finding the best way to get around the huge campus--but by 2nd semester I had figured out all of the tricks. If you're a self motivated and relatively focused individual the size and complexity of the University as well as the larger class sizes will not pose a problem. The campus life is fantastic with a vast array of academic, extracurricular and social clubs and groups to suit absolutely any and all interests. Accessibility to NYC, Philly, and the Jersey shore make it an ideal location for both cultural pursuits and also the variety of entertainment.

I transferred to the Camden campus sophomore year for financial reasons and was very surprised at the quality of most of my instructors and professors. Smaller class sizes and a tiny campus--especially compared to NB--has its advantages, and for certain majors such as mine Camden is just as good, if not better than NB. RU Camden is predominantly a commuter campus in a much poorer city so the campus life is much less vibrant and eclectic as NB, but Philly is just a quick Speedline ride across the Delaware River where cultural attractions, great dining and nightlife are all excellent. Getting around on a bicycle is easy, including riding across the Ben Franklin Bridge into and around Philly, and the biking and hiking trails behind the Art Museum and in Fairmount Park along the Wissahickon are fantastic.

Rutgers is a reasonably competitive university where certain areas of study--particularly applied research, business & marketing, and fine arts related studies--are top rated and comparable to other top rated research and liberal arts schools. The Camden campus thrives in the shadow of such prestigious and respected institutions as The University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University, and many others, and so the standards for excellence are keenly felt.

Unless you're a top 1% level student, or a premium brandname obsessed consumer, Rutgers University is a superb and worthwhile choice for higher education, including the Camden campus. And above all else, the cheesesteaks & hoagies are the best...

The campus is beautiful though it is not quite as lovely as Princeton. However, the endowment at a public university pales in compares to that of an Ivy League school. Expect the New Brunswick campus to be what it is, a campus for a Big Ten school. The scenery of the New Brunswick campus is nicer than that of many other campuses in its tier though not quite on par with say the campus of Indiana University Bloomington or University of Colorado Boulder, both of which I have visited. That having been said, there is no mountain range at the backdrop of New Brunswick as you will find in Boulder, Colorado.

Unfortunately, the university pays their less-tenured faculty an insulting salary. One of my family members is a published scientist who has accomplished formidable research. She did not participate in a recent labor strike which was well-publicized by both local and national media.

If Rutgers top brass really promoted equality, it would go beyond initiatives supporting ethnic and gender diversity by providing adequately pay to its workers. The university does not do that.

On a positive note, Egalitarianism lay at the heart of Rutgers. The school can take pride that renowned Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once taught there.

Make no mistake though - gorgeous red brick buildings which sprawl beyond campus gates are not open doors for the working class. Worker exploitation run amuck.

Come here to study as a student. Folks in New Brunswick welcome you with warm regard. Workers and post-doc graduates - avoid this place. Untenured scientists and lecturers: You are welcome for your diligence but will find yourself shut out in the cold if or when you are seeking a fair salary to feed your family or...

Anyone who writes a bad review about their university did not take full advantage of everything it had to offer. Are there SOME awful administrative buildings? Of course, but that's everywhere. Besides, in the end, I've never had any issue where a little perseverance and focus didn't help me get through it. Go figure, but most of the offices are there to actually help you with what they say they should. Again, it's all about your attitude and how you handle it. In terms of 100% avoiding the RU Screw, you just need to be ahead of the curve, know what classes you need to take and when, pay attention to dates of important things (registration, housing, etc.), knowing who to contact immediately should something go wrong, and not be afraid to send a lot of emails. And to tell you the truth, a little RU Screw here and there is a great thing- it builds Rutgers character and prepares you for the real world which is a lot more brutal than RU is.

Rutgers is a fantastic university where there is a niche for everyone. Academics and student life are getting better and better each year. Also, how about that awesome B1G Ten Conference? Rutgers is already amazing now, so just imagine it as the years continue on. Come give it a chance and find out. I'm gonna have a great degree and a great experience to go with it.

Rutgers has a character like no other and I can say that with certainty because I have been to a lot of universities across the country. Rutgers sticks out (in a good way) and it's a special place (in the best...