The New Jersey Institute of Technology

NJIT is for those students who are dead-serious about pursuing Architecture, Engineering and Computer Science (although there are other majors too). It is not a place for those who are undecided what major they wish to pursue.

Students with weak math/science background may wish to think twice before opting for engineering as some students were asked to take pre-calculus courses or sent for additional tutorial lessons due to poor grades. Many engineers also had to take the computer course a second time as most couldn't cope with it during first attempt.

It may not be MIT, Caltech or CMU but you would not be missing out on anything as the school follows the requirements of the accreditation boards. The school is one of the 1st batch schools to have its Computer Science program accredited by the Computer Sciences Accreditation Board together with Georgia Tech, Stevens Tech and some other schools (got accredited even before UC Berkeley and MIT got their programs accredited).

98% of the faculty members hold Phd degrees and most of the classes are taught by them; once in a while, you may get an easy lower-division course or 1st course of a subject taught by a RA/TA on Phd track who specialize in that particular field. This is unlike some other universities whereby students are taught by TA's for most of the lower-division courses. Most classes are limited to around 30 max although there are some classes could be sharing the lecture hall with more than 100 students. Although the university is a public-research university and professors are expected to set high priority for doing research, unlike other colleges, students do get to see professors during their office hours here unlike the bigger research universities.

The big minus of the school is its under-rated reputation and its neighborhood but both are expected to improve. NJIT would become a full NCAA Division 1 school with effect from the 2009-2010 season (although the basketball team recently set the NCAA Division 1 season losing streak record (0-29)recently) and that should turn the school from relatively "unknown" to "known" school (as well as attract more scholar-athletic). The school has concrete plans together with Rugters-Newark and the city of Newark to convert the neighboring streets into nice streets that students would want to hang out at and build new buildings for the fraternity houses of NJIT and Rutgers Newark.

The school may not be MIT, Caltech, CMU, RPI or Georgia Tech but students still have to work hard to get their degree (but not at insanity pace and in pressure-cooker environment) but would not have to fork out US$15000-US$26000 extra per year (except Georgia Tech) for an engineering degree. The school does not collect fees to build up its endowment funds; it throws every penny back to the students or improving the campus. You would not be surrounded by the super-bright student here. You would get a very diversified group of classmates from the very smart type to the very mediocre type (because the school admits some students with disadvantaged backgrounds). If you work hard here, you would get the reward that you are seeking for; those who did not ended up going out of school.

One thing NJIT does offer is an environment that allows freshmen to easily adapt. Most freshmen are grouped into one strategically located dormitory so it is easy to study together. The campus may not be the most beautiful campus but is just the right size for students to love it. The gym (weight-lifting, swimming, 3 basketball/volleyball courts, tennis and racketball courts) are just next to the dorm, the library and the cafeteria are within 100 meters and all the classrooms are within 300 meters of the dorm. You do not waste time traveling from campuses to campuses..or walking 800 meters to the next classroom unlike other campuses...all the time and energy saved could be put to better use....You could even take a nap in between classes if you mugged overnight for an exam the previous night......

The male-female ratio at NJIT , like most techy school, is lop-sided at 3-1. However there would be ample opportunities for students to cross-register for courses at Rutgers - Newark (where there are more ladies) which is just separated by 1 street. Many NJIT students register for (graduation requirement) interdisciplinary humanities courses not-offered at NJIT such as foreign languages and foreign history at Rutgers - Newark. Many students also use their library very frequently.Most students do not hang out in the city other than on days that the NJIT basketball team plays at the Rock. However, New York City and New Port Mall (in Jersey City) are just two subway rides away and cost only a total of US$1.45 per direction (max 1 hour ride). You would not be missing out on fun..Broadway shows, New York Knicks, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, and many other places awaits you....you would not be missing out on anything...other than Football (because it is too expensive for the school to support a team).

3rd Year Male -- Class 1994

Education Quality: A, Surrounding City: C

What a great school NJIT is. They are on the ball with any request you have and treat you very well. Food is great, facilities are top notch. Came from another College and can say I am learning much more here and feel the real-world advice coming through. Students here are realistic and not shallow. Very diverse population. Nice dorms, one is created by world renowned architect Michael Graves. School is a little tough, but if you work hard at it you will meet with great success. Parties are decent, everyone likes to have a good time and work hard. A few more girls and a few more trees and this place would be awesome, but all in all great school!

3rd Year Male -- Class 2009

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: B-