So I’m currently attending TCNJ for computer science but my parents want me to transfer to Rutgers-New Brunswick. However, I don’t want to as I like TCNJ for its smaller class sizes, and the ability to know almost everyone in the CS department. So, can I please have some advice?
Yes - they should apply to and attend Rutgers. Since that’s what they want.
However you want TCNJ. And you have very good reasons.
I assume they have influence but remind them this is your life and if they work at companies, they’ll realize when they look around, that people come from schools of all stripes and work together.
Good luck.
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The thing is that after college I want to go to grad school and then I would like to get a job. So, I guess I’m fine right?
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I’d stay where you are happy and doing well.
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Yep. For both !!
It’s funny - at my work a Harvard Law works for a BA from Fairleigh Dickinson. The head of my group at my home office went to a school I hadn’t heard of - West Georgia. A Vanderbilt MBA worked for him.
I know people think the higher ranked school gets you a better job. Maybe for some. Not for all.
More importantly you have two or three years left. You like where you are. Not every college student can say that. That’s a win in itself. Happy is good.
Now when you say grad school I assume CS so this isn’t apt but at Harvard Law, where you could in theory apply, the first year class includes TCNJ. So does Penn.
I know it’s not CS but I don’t think they provide those lists. The point - you are not limited by going to a regional school. I assume that’s their thinking as to why they want you at Rutgers ?
Stay strong. It’s your life, not theirs.
Best of luck.
https://www.law.upenn.edu/admissions/jd/entering-class-profile.php
Who are our CS experts so they can assure this student they can meet their goals from most anywhere, including TCNJ where they are happy?!!
Who else?
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@DadOfJerseyGirl hires I believe
This looks good. If you contact the career center you can likely get a report of what % placed or in grad school and salaries to show your folks if it strengthens your argument.
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TCNJ is a great school. We know a number of very happy grads! I’d stay there, as happy students do better than unhappy ones…and you seem to want to stay put.
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This doesn’t apply to this student as far as I can tell. They haven’t mentioned law school…or any other grad school for that matter…except saying they want to go to grad school…which they may find is not necessary with a degree in Computer Science.
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I understand - as I noted - my point was to show them - best I could - that TCNJ is not going to hold them back - that grads from there go to the top grad schools.
I noted CS wasn’t available so I used this as a proxy.
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@Lala1231, what are your career interests? Do you know what kind of industry you want to work in after you get your CS degree?
The good news is that your college won’t matter for the vast majority of CS/tech jobs. Instead, your coding skills and experience (gained through course projects and/or internships) will be what matter. So if you’re happy at TCNJ you should stay there. For the very few industries where the name of the college matter, Rutgers won’t make that much of a difference over TCNJ.
Now, should you go to grad school?
Again, that depends on your area of interest. If you’re working in a research heavy, evolving field like AI then grad school will help. Otherwise it may not add much value.
(I have a CS grad degree myself).
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I want to become a data scientist and do something and AI.
I meant with AI
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If you are happy where you are and the courses you want are available, stay put. It’s not uncommon to need additional credits after a transfer - different requirements, prerequisites, etc, - so that could be a consideration as well.
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Of course you should stay where you are happy. Meanwhile, summer internships in your field will probably be of more value in helping you to get that first job, than transferring. And once you’ve got that first job, perform well, and the next one comes more easily. Also, if you wind up going to grad school, having a big name grad school at the top of the education section of your CV will make your undergrad irrelevant, not that TCNJ is bad.
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I have a Rutgers grad (accounting, COA), and a TCNJ finance grad. Both enjoyed their time in college, but they’re very different, Rutgers is not for everyone (my TCNJ grad is younger and makes more money). The two schools are always ranked close when I see lists of the top public universities in NJ.
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Look up Dr Sara Beery. She’s a professor at MIT, did her PhD at CalTech.
Her undergraduate degree? From Seattle University.
So attending a supposedly “lower ranked” university was not an obstacle to being accepted to one of the top grad schools in the country, and then going n to be hired by another top school.
Oh, she is in AI.
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Programmer here. It doesn’t matter where you go for college if you’re studying CS. Computer Science is ridiculously employable, and you shouldn’t have too much problem finding an entry level job out of college. Are your parents wanting you to transfer for money reasons?
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Don’t want to answer for OP but it sounds like, given both are NJ publics, the reason is more reputation. Rutgers is a national name and TCNJ more regional - or at least that’s what I took from the first post.
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Having kids at both, I believe TCNJ is a little more expensive.