Hello there, I’ve been admitted to a few schools and I’m currently looking between Baylor and Rutgers as I feel they are my best choices.
However I am having trouble deciding, I have visited both and do like the feel of both but they are very different.
Forgot to mention that I’m going into computer science for my degree. Don’t know where in the field I would like to go however
Some questions to help us guide you or to helo make a decision:
Politics can come into play even at schools where you do not expect it to happen.
Rutgers had small demonstrations on campus (with regard to the Middle East) and emails sent to students from the school.
These things are going to happen. They are not “in your face,” but they are there.
If you’re not religious (ie., not only are you not a Baptist nor a practicing Christian but wholly indifferent), Baylor, as an “unambiguously Christian” university, may be a bit difficult. You do NOT need to be a Baptist but faith is an important part of academics and of students’ lives. (There are quite a few topnotch public universities in Texas so faith is a matter of distinction. Students chose Baylor over UT, TAMU, Tx Tech, UTD, SMU, TCU, etc., and faith is a key element.)
The role of learning, according to Baylor’s mission, is to create a common foundation of knowledge, develop skills, but also to
“Inspire moral, intellectual, and spiritual virtues.
The knowledge, skills, and virtues you gain and cultivate within our community of Christian scholars will provide you with the resources you need to uncover and recognize truth, to deepen your faith, to live virtuously, to strengthen your communities, and to affect the world in transformative ways.” (Emphasis mine)
Among the compulsory courses you’ll have one semester that centers “originalist” thinking about the constitution (ie., on the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, to a certain extent Samuel Alito) in its discussions; one course in “the basic building blocks of the historic, living Christian faith”, aka “Christian Scriptures” -the word itself indicates it will be studied from a religious rather than academic point of view which is typical of “Christian Theology” or “Bible&Society” courses; one course about “Christian Heritage” which aims at helping students become “servant leaders of faith communities which highlights the cultivation of normative Christian virtues.” All of this is par-for-the-course for the most prestigious Baptist university but if you’re not a believer these courses may be difficult. In addition, chapel (and related experiences) is required several hours a week for 2 semesters - many students do more.
If this is fine, either because it sounds new&exciting or because you’re a young Christian believer, it’ll be an experience you wouldn’t have at Rutgers.
Just want to comment that our Catholic high school sends kids to Baylor every year, most of whom are vaguely Catholic and probably lightly conservative. Everyone seems to love it. My C&E Catholic daughter had it on her final list for schools. Our tour guide said “Baylor is unapologetically Christian, but not everyone who goes here is.”
I think you need to be comfortable with Baptists and comfortable with the extensive general education requirements, but I don’t think you need to be seriously religious to have a positive experience at Baylor.
It’s a Catholic HS though: students are used to religion classes including taught by representatives of a faith and to people praying, they’re used to prayers in general; they know what it’s like being surrounded by people for whom faith is a core part of their identity even if they, themselves, don’t believe in much; they’re not systematically the odd one out when asked their favorite Bible verse, what Christian bands they listen to, what they did at summer camp or teaching Bible school, are assumed to be free on Friday evening or Saturday, etc.
That’s why I said it’s 100% fine not to be Baptist but why OP needs to know about this part of Baylor’s identity - your guide said it well : “unapologetically Christian” – which is, in itself, a concept. You don’t need to exude pride in being a Christian at Baylor but if you’re truly indifferent, don’t care about “spiritual values” and don’t have a frame of reference for what it means to be “unapologetically Christian” it would be hard to gauge how you’d fit in, in a “you don’t know what you don’t know” pitfall, especially if OP is from NJ or the NYC metropolis area.
Btw I’m not trying to push OP towards one or the other but it seems like religion would be a big distinguishing factor and I’m not sure OP has had enough information about it. OP could love the idea of growing spiritually or could have not known enough to check the core curriculum&mandatory chapel.
There’s no wrong choice here, both are good, so choosing will rest on fit, preferences, curriculum differences, environment, etc.
I’m from California. Been in mainly public schools and have been raised without going to church or temple ( one parent is catholic and the other is Jewish) if I went to Rutgers I may look into the Hillel as it sounded/ looked quite big Jewish community (also love me a good matzo ball soup)
There is such a contrast here, I cannot imagine how one would not stick out.
Rutgers is HUGE - and while I can’t answer, others may be able to - there are multiple campuses - would that impact you?
On the flipside, Waco is a bit more remote- and the school is religious. If you think you might lean Jewish, I cannot imagine that Baylor is for you.
Best of luck whatever you do.
Rutgers New Brunswick consists of 5 smaller campuses and a bus system. Whether or not that is a problem will depend on you.
There is no wrong answer here and it will depend on fit. I agree about the contrast and I would ask yourself if one school speaks to you more than the other.
If you are looking for matzo ball soup, you will definitely find it at Rutgers!
What about the CS programs between the two schools? Quality of teaching, difficulty, interns & job opportunities? Thanks.
Often times it’s on the student for jobs and interns. There are no guarantees. Many today find on indeed or linkedin or through the school (handshake or on campus, etc.).
Here is the Brown Open Source rankings. I’m not saying you should use them…it’s just a 3rd party thing - so use as you might. Placement is one category.
Baylor isn’t even on the list while Rutgers is 34.
Rutgers is known to be a fine school and I can’t imagine why a Jewish leaning kid would even apply to Baylor, quite honestly. You have parents of each faith but noted the Hillel at Rutgers - so I’m assuming your comfort is there.
Rutgers is strong in the engineering/CS/STEM fields so I’d personally think it’s better but there are likely sucessses from all.
The schools are so different- one has to stand out to you - I’d think. You will be there four years, day after day after day.
Good luck.
I agree Rutgers is stronger. Just want to point out that the brown rankings link is heavily skewed to graduate school/academia: The US News ranking is for graduate programs. The Placement is for faculty positions.
USNWR also has an undergraduate CS rankings list. If that’s not what’s indexed by the Brown rankings, OP can look up the undergrad list themselves (although, rankings shouldn’t be the only deciding factor).
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