And I appreciate your respectfulness!!!
I agree they vary in strength and range of opportunities but for 95% of kids who are simply going to school, the diploma is the diploam. Also, many colleges - perhaps through Honors, have opportunities we aren’t all aware of. Bama has the Blount Scholars and Randall Research. My daughter’s school has the Charleston Fellows. No doubt Rutgers has what they have, Ohio State what they have, Nebraska has what they have, etc. I’m sure they all have special programs for their top students - research, living learning or otherwise.
I guess what I’m trying to say is - when you’re sending out resumes - to 95% of companies - you are going into a system. It’s why my son at Bama, for example, is working alongside Purdue, Ga Tech, Wisconsin, Olin and other students (as a Mech E) even though “rank” wise they’re not in the same hemisphere (this I know). And he was invited back for the second summer where his two Ga Tech roomies from last summer were not.
Now - if one wants a job on Wall Street - perhaps Rutgers will have some local cred - if companies are coming. But even the major Fortune 500 companies coming to Bama…they are coming and saying, if you want to interview, go online and apply. It’s crazy to me they are there yet not doing in person. But this is what is happening.
I guess my main point is - since OP brought up Fordham with his NMF - few have the gift that NMF brings and in my opinion, it’s at least something to look at. My belief is - that what Fordham would offer him would be compelling, at least worth a look and not a - they stink - kind of attitude. You don’t think he’d learn at Fordham what he could/would at Rutgers?
My view is - and this is where we differ - but in 95% of cases, this student will likely have a similar outcome whether at Rutgers, UCONN, Iowa State, Alabama, Nebraska, Oregon or you name it.
Thanks for your view - I totally get it and appreciate it - and the folks I know in TN aligned with Rutgers (which are few) , likely similar to the # in NJ aligned to UTK - but those who know of Rutgers think the world of it.
Just not their football coach - who UTK fired the day he hired - and that was a blunder because he would have done a great job!!!
I just go back to and if OP wants to be in the NE and Rutgers makes budget, so if the family loves it and wants to afford it - then it’s great. But having that NMF card if the student does - that’s a golden lottery ticket - which is what I was really trying to get at.
But no doubt Rutgers is a great opportunity.