Rutgers University - New Brunswick

In the library science program, you get what you pay for. I was initially attracted to this program for the low cost and high rankings. It certainly doesn't have the interesting very specific classes offered by any of the other private library programs in the area, most courses are very general. If you have a very specific interest or want to learn in depth on a topic, this isn't the program for it.

Any dealings with administration or other offices (notably parking)are best handled in person with every bit of paperwork Rutgers has ever sent you. Do not expect any quick solutions, Rutgers is a giant bureaucracy with grumpy lower level employees. The up-side to this is anytime someone tells you "no" you can just ask someone else until you get a "yes".

Faculty are ok. Some are so scatterbrained and disorganized it's hard to believe they are librarians, while a few will care about you if you put in the effort. Most have had actual library experience and are able to relate to actual issues in the field.

The student body is the most disappointing part of my experience. Most students come to class unprepared, don't contribute to discussion and are committed to doing the least amount of work possible to graduate. This is especially problematic because all but 2 of my classes involved a group project or presentation. The librarian stereotype is alive and well, about a 1/3 can't have a basic conversation or are really unpleasant to be around. I've never had a class before this program where students are flat out rude to the professor.Funding-- don't expect it on the Masters level. Most scholarships are restricted to minorities and men. I only met one person who received any money from the department.

ECE dept is not at all good. But, i heard about other dept professors who are really really good. Its a great univ in terms of everything except ece dept. and funding.

Grad school program simply seems like its trying to stay alfloat. There is a grad association but it is not as comprehensive as it could be.~MCRP program~

First of all, Rutgers is a large university. My corner of it, (unofficially) the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, is a small chunk of it. I graduated Rutgers College, a much bigger chunk of the University, and the experiences are quite different: at Bloustein, it's easier to make friends than in Rutgers College, due to the fact that most classes in Bloustein are close together (indeed, the school only uses part of a building). In Rutgers College, in contrast, one has to negotiate numerous campuses (generally, classes wind up on College Avenue, Busch, and Livingston campuses), generally via Rutgers' bus system. This bus system has decent buses, but roads may be bumpy and the bus shelters generally don't tell you when the buses are going to come. (Also, bus shelters tend to be exposed to the elements).

Rutgers has a very definite "Chinatown" on the Busch campus, due to the large number of Asian/ Asian-American students working in the "hard sciences" (largely a specialty of Busch campus). Busch campus also has one of Rutgers' best dining halls, although the gargantuan barn at College Avenue probably gets people a quicker meal.

Professors of economics and math in Rutgers College may be tough to understand due to their accent and foreignness; however, other professors may be easier to understand. Professors can be friendly; one should try to talk to them and make appointments with them. Bloustein also tries to engage in social activities.

Rutgers has numerous fraternities occupying colorful frathouses, and parties in our Greek clubs might be rather common (although, not being Greek, I haven't been to one of those).

If you're Jewish, you may want to live on College Avenue, which houses a Hillel and a Chabad House (and both occupy decent-looking buildings). The Chabad House has a women's dorm on its upper floors. However, if you're Jewish and have trouble listening in a crowd, beware! The Shabbat dinners are maelstroms of conversation! The Rutgers Screw is still alive and well, unfortunately, demanding oftentimes that students go to one place, get a signature, hop the bus to another place, pay money, and so forth, until a lot of time is wasted both on the road and in line. This is something that really needs correction.

The Rutgers campus and surrounding area is a very pleasant place to learn and live. There is an ample and broad social life, and a beautiful mix of city life and urban landscape, though at times it gets very crowded. The quality of the courses and teachers are quite good, especially since there is an encouraged opportunity to take courses in different programs. I greatly wish the professors would be mentors, instead of laid-back and distant.