jellybean1241

I am a transfer student for Fall 2008, and though i know you did not transfer here, i was wondering if you could tell me about the social scene? Is it hard to make friends, or is everyone generally friendly? Do you think it would be difficult to meet people and make friends as a transfer student?

tcnj08

gmac525, you graduate with a distinction and that's about it.

Collegemom1990, I'm late with a and b, obviously. I hope you received what you were looking for on that day.

I can't speak specifically about that business program, but I have mentioned that I know a few students who have received jobs with Goldman Sachs, which is quite prestigious and highly desirable. Thus, it seems that it is a respected school to those whose opinions really matter.

As for your college dilemma, is it worth paying the high price? That's up to you to decide. I must say it's quite pleasing to graduate with ZERO debt. I mean, I do not owe a dime. It's such a liberating feeling.

Several students here wanted to go to Lehigh but it was not on my list so I cannot speak about it, save for the fact that the schools seem to attract similar applicants, I would suppose. Boston College is a great school and may be worth the price tag, if your child will only attend undergrad. It is highly respected.

As for Cornell, I think it, along with Brown, are schools for those who couldn't get into better Ivies and are just hanging onto that Ivy distinction. But that's just me and I understand that Ivy schools have much lay prestige. If that appeals to him/her and you, I would pursue it. Is it worth the price tag to me? Well, clearly from the information I gave in my first post, no. If I were solely going to undergrad and not pursuing law school, I would have gone to Princeton over TCNJ. But this is not the case and it all worked out for me quite well.

For someone coming from a small high school, your child will find the same environment here. If he/she wishes to perpetuate this smaller community environment, he/she will do well to choose TCNJ over Nova/Rutgers/Seton Hall.

jellybean1241, are you going to live on campus? You shouldn't have a difficult time making friends. Put yourself out there. There are numerous parties and clubs to meet people at. Everyone here is generally friendly. I am friends with several transfer students and they seem quite content.

CM26

tcnj08 it's funny that I go to TCNJ yet I actually have a question for you.. I see in your last post that you are taking the law school path, which is exactly what I want to do after TCNJ.. I know I'm just a freshman Marketing major but I want to steer myself in the right direction, so what advice can you give me with regards to putting myself in the best position to get into a good law school?

Also, I've done just a bit of research on LSATs and saw that the schools I would be looking to go to (villanova, seton hall, rutgers-newark, NY Law, brooklyn and Hofstra) seem to have their mean LSATs in the 153-163 range and I am wondering how difficult it is to achieve a score of about 160 on the LSATs? Thanks a ton

-CM

Findmepete

Do you know anything about the reputation of the art department?

tcnj08

Hey CM26,

The only thing that truly matters for law school admissions are your GPA/LSAT combination. No one cares about your personal statement, your extra cirricular activities. I mean, they'll help you but not to the extent of GPA/LSAT. These "soft factors" matter but I'd rather have the "hard factors" of 4.0/180 than a 3.5/160/curing cancer. Just to get the best grades you can along with an excellent LSAT score.

The LSAT is quite learnable. I think Kaplan hosts a practice diagnostics test every so often on campus for free. Take it to see where you stand. Don't get discouraged if you don't get a 160 the first time around; it's definitely possible to. And when applying to schools, make sure you're around the MEDIAN, not the 25%.

I can't say anything about how hard it is to score a 160 on the LSATs. It's dependant on the person.

Findmepete: sorry, no clue.

NEXTOPRAH

tcnj08...I too applied to Culture & Society. I'm torn between Inernational Studies, Criminal Studies & Psychology. How difficult is it to double major? Would I still have time for EC's. How do they determine who will be your roomate. When is the earliest that I will be able to study abroad? How involved are the professors with your classwork. Do you recommend I bring a laptop? I also heard that under circumstances you are allowed to keep a car on campus? Do you know if that is true? I really wanted to take my car to school. Thanks

ohlollipop

Thanks so much for starting this thread TCNJ08 (:

On the subject of recognition, I was wondering if you applied to Rutgers, a more well known school? If you didn't, hypothetically, if you had the chance to choose between Rutgers and TCNJ in your senior year, would you reconsider?

Also, what were your reasons for attending TCNJ initially? Was there anything else that drew you to the school other than the money factor? Did these reasons prove to be consistent?

And finally, what's the best thing you found about TCNJ, as well as the worst, hidden from first glance.

tcnj08

Oprah, you can double major if you want. Even triple major. Don't ask me how easy it will be for you; that's a subjective question. You'll still have time for ECs.

Roommate assignment is determined by FSP choice, back in my day. Other than that, seemingly random. That question list they give you doesn't seem to have much relevance.

I linked earlier to the study abroad page. Probably sophmore year.

Professors will be as involved as you want them to be. Good communication.

You can get a laptop if you'd like but I don't think it's necessary. It wasn't for me, although I did have one.

Yes, you can have a car on campus freshman year if you have the need. But let's be honest: Chances are you only want to have it just to have it; you don't really have a need for it. If you did, you wouldn't be asking this question.

ohlollipop: I did apply to Rutgers and chose TCNJ because it was a smaller school. Not having national recognition isn't a huge problem, other than looking to impress others, when your plan is to go to law school. Both degrees are well respected enough. I'm sure your peers in NJ know what TCNJ is and its admission standards. I would not reconsider as I'm happy with what TCNJ provided me and, as I am going to a top law school next year, it all worked out.

This does, however, depend on what you want. It was only obnoxious to not only have to introduce myself but also my school. Those who don't know about it think it's just another mediocre school. You will have to deal with that. I think the class of 2011 had lower SAT scores than 2010, which is the first dip our school has had for awhile. So if you're in the class of 2011 and are reading this, here's a big thumbs down to you.

As for why I chose TCNJ, I wanted a smaller school where I could get personal attention from professors. That was my main criterion, aside from money. I don't think the faculty is extremely prestigious, because, honestly, they aren't well known in their fields. But they are accessible and knowledgeable enough to help you get to where you want to be.

The worst thing about TCNJ that you won't notice until the years wear on you is the never ending construction. It is terrible and it will never end until your children have children. There are numerous detours developed when main walkways are worked on and you may even have to walk through mud on a rainy day. It is an eyesore. While it's great that TCNJ is developing itself, you'll wish it would just be done with already. There is always something going on, no matter what. Never in my four years have I experienced a construction free campus.

NEXTOPRAH

Thanks tcnj08 for the information. I am so excited to be attending TCNJ this fall.

thecoolchica08

Hi tcnj08, thanks for all your helpful info. I've been accepted to TCNJ for the class of 2012 and I'm also waiting to hear back from the 7 year program. I'm from Seattle, so I was wondering what percentage of students are from the west coast? What are the breaks/schedule like? How often would I be able to fly home?

tcnj08

thecoolchica08, percentage wise, probably zero, haha. Seriously, though, yes, zero. If you're from NY, you're already an anomaly.

As for the breaks, Academic Calendars :: The College of New Jersey . From there, click whatever year and find out.

NEXTOPRAH

tcnj08...It's official, I submitted my enrollment deposit. Please tell me about Freshmen Week and LollaNoBooza. Is it as much fun as as they say and the video show? I have also looked up the area (Ewing) and noticed that there is a Quaker Bridge Mall nearby. For the students like me that do not want to go home every weekend, how is that Mall and the Local movie theatre. Which Freshmen dorm do you consider to be the best, T/W or Cromwell? Will they give me the option to choose either? How hard is to be able to remain on campus as a resident during your Jr and Sr. year? Do you recommend taking more than the average 12 credits freshmen year? Also can I choose my classes freshmen year or because of the FYE program, will they have my classes set? Sorry for so many questions. Trying to get as much information before the official date - Aug. 21.--YYYYEEEESSS!!!!!

CM26

tcnj08, hope you don't mind if I handle nextoprah's question as I am a freshman.. I don't mean to take over your discussion

Yes, I did not experience freshman week or lollanobooza but I have many friends who did.. They all enjoyed freshman week a lot. You get dressed up and take pictures with your floor, you make a floor banner that is displayed in the TW link, and you do many activities to build friendships with the people on your floor because generally they become some of your closest friends in the years to come.. Most people find LollaNoBooza fun, but that doesn't keep anyone from drinking later in the year..

A lot of students frequent the QB Mall and theater, although I feel like less do it as the year goes on (probably due to term papers and the stress of studying).. TCNJ provides a free bus ("The Loop Bus") which takes students to and from the mall, theater and hamilton train station on Tuesday and Friday nights.. Both the mall and theater are fun places to hang out

T and W is the best freshman experience.. Cromwell is honors/transfer housing so I doubt you will be put in Crom.. Everyone thinks T & W is better because, 1) More freshman 2) Bigger rooms 3) TW (T-Dubbs) TW is the food court in the basement between T and W towers.. It's open until midnight so it's great when you are up studying and get hungry.. Plus, they are adding meal equiv. at TW (you will learn how great meal equiv. is) and they're making it healthier

You don't choose your room or dorm, but they do a phenomenal job of pairing freshman in rooms and on floors. It's common for floormates to remain close friends throughout their years at TCNJ

It's not easy, but it helps that many kids decide to move off campus on their own AND they're building new upperclassmen dorms, which open up in 2009

If you take 12 credits you will graduate in 5-6 years, 12 is below the average for a full-time student.. You should take 16 credits, in fact if you take less your advisor will think you're an idiot and when all your friends are registering for classes (order of registration is done by total credits) you will register last and probably not get the classes you want.. Take 16, enough said there

Interesting, you choose your classes without any help.. Yes that's right TCNJ somehow expects entering freshman to know what they're doing.. You can find your major's program planner.. Go here Program Planners By School :: Records & Registration :: The College of New Jersey and click on the school that your major is in, click 2008, and click on your major.. This tells you all of the courses you will need to complete to graduate..

Congrats again on getting in

eaglesfan0630

I am a junior in high school considering tcnj- just went to open house. My SAT scores so far are 1370- 710 in critical reading and 660 math. I have done 3 years of wrestling, volunteered for the past 2 years in an elem. school, and have done battle of the bands. class rank is 40/242, do you think that's good enough to be accepted?

tcnj08

Considering I said that this wasn't meant to be a "what are my chances" thread, hopefully not.

Oprah, CM's post was quite insightful. Good advice there.