Academics
A Rutgers education delivers "opportunities around every corner." After all, it's a "diverse university in all aspects of the word-academically, culturally, politically, ethnically, linguistically, and socially." And from the School of Engineering to the Mason Gross School of the Arts, undergraduates have the ability to "pursue anything they're interested in." Since it is known as a research university, it's quite common for undergraduates "to conduct research and work with professors in any number of fields." They even have opportunities to present their work, like at the annual Aresty Undergraduate Research Symposium.
When it comes to the classroom, most courses are taught in a lecture format. However, electives tend to be "much smaller and thus much more open to discussion and student presentation." As at most schools, you'll find a mix of "great professors, average professors, and bad professors." However, most students insist that the vast majority of professors are "intelligent people who have a lot of information to share and a lot of experience that allows them to elaborate on many topics." And the best of these instructors are "experienced, intelligent, and helpful," as well as "diverse, accessible, proactive...and interested in students who take initiative." These educators know how to make learning "enjoyable and informative."
Student Body
Sure, at first glance it might seem like the average Rutgers student hails from New Jersey. It is a state school after all. And while you will meet plenty of Jersey locals, undergrads offer assurances that "Rutgers is truly a melting pot of people from all over the world, of all different backgrounds with different interests." Given that the student body includes people from over 130 countries and more than 60*% of students identify as a person of color, that sentiment seems to bear out. Students share that "no matter what you're interested in, there is a group of students here who share the same exact interests. It's really easy to find your own niche." While Rutgers students are united in their "dedication to academics and community service" and "are serious about their work and studying," students stress that their peers also "know how to party and have fun." Moreover, they're quick to note that their classmates are "very friendly, funny, and nice." Perhaps best of all, with a campus of over 40,000 students, "It is not uncommon to meet someone new weekly...With so many students here, everyone is able to find someone to befriend and interact with."
Campus Life
Rutgers students report that "there's rarely a dull moment" on campus. Indeed, you can "always [find] something going on," whether it's "movie screenings, arcade games at the RutgersZone, performing arts, local theaters, university-sponsored concerts, free food events, community service days, [or] Greek life." The university offers more than 500 academic, service, social, and athletic clubs, so you're bound to find an organization that strikes your fancy. There's even an annual Involvement Fair every fall, making it easy to meet student leaders and explore what's available. Undergrads also enjoy Late Knights, twice monthly late-night programming that ranges from trivia to open mics. Additionally, they love to support their more athletically inclined classmates. As one undergrad shares, "During football season...everyone can be found cheering in the student section at the games." When the weekend rolls around, it's not uncommon to find students socializing, whether on campus or at the local bars. Undergrads report that they generally feel safe, highlighting the fact that the school "sends out (campus) police to patrol around the campus twenty-four hours to ensure student safety." Finally, for those who want to explore life beyond campus, New York City and Philadelphia are both an easy bus or train ride away.
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