Hi all. I’ve found this forum to be very helpful as a parent of a first time future college bound teen. Teen is still finalizing college list. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about Rutgers-New Brunswick the school as well as their engineering program. Besides a solid engineering program, I feel like my teen wants a “traditional college” feel. Think green spaces. School spirit.
I want teen to have access to good support services since teen is seeking a tough major (chemical engineering), as well as good post graduation job opportunities. Does anyone know anything about the experience at Rutgers? Thank you in advance.
I can’t speak to Rutgers specifically other than it’s very respected and is accredited in ChemE, but if you are looking there, also look down the road at U Delaware as it’s one of the top ChemE schools in the country. Given its location in the chemical capital, it makes sense.
Here’s the Rutgers career page but I can’t get it to open by major. Maybe someone else can. It’s not to intuitive but I have it set up to engineering.
They note a full report available to faculty and I bet if you call the school, you can get it specific to Chemical Engineering.
Rutgers is huge and not a traditional campus, but 4 campuses students bus to, students get used to the buses, parents don’t. There is not a lot of handholding. My oldest was a RBS graduate, loved it, one of my daughter’s bff’s is there for engineering, junior, and is doing well. S21 withdrew freshman year but had issues that would’ve been an issue anywhere. I also have a UDel graduate, who loved it there. Both universities have happy students and a lot of school spirit, UDel is a more traditional campus that feels smaller than it is (there are buses but my daughter never used one). Both are solid choices. Merit is significantly better at UDel and it’s easier to get into honors (Rutgers is very competitive).
For some kids, Honors is additive to their experience. For some it’s not. It really depends on the kid and program. Some, like my kid, just used it for earlier class registration and dropped his last semester.
My kids applied to some, but not all Honors, depending on how it looked for them.
Here’s some info related to Rutgers specifically so that you can get an idea.
Are you an NJ resident or OOS? The cost of Rutgers in-state is likely less than many OOS publics, unless your kid gets merit.
Rutgers Engineering has its own campus, which would mean most classes would be there. However, some may be on other campuses where buses are required. Kids also move off campus and then use the bus system as needed.
Large school and as noted, not a lot of hand holding, but lots of clubs, activities, sports etc typical of a big, flagship U.