The College of New Jersey

Date: Apr 12 2010
Major: Communications (This Major's Salary over time)
With freshmen year winding down, I can not imagine a better past year.

There's so much to love about this place, and it's great that it's reputation is improving and more applicants are trying each year. The school is getting more and more competitive. I'm so happy to be here.

When I was a senior in HS, all I wanted was to be in a big city like NYC or Philly and go to a "name" college. I never imagined myself here. I applied because my mom encouraged me to. I'm still a little unsure of why I picked here in the end, but I am so happy I did. There is something for everyone.

The people here are generally great. Welcome Week is the first week where all the freshmen move in and do activities where you get to know your floor. It was SO much fun, and I got to know SO many people. My friends at other schools don't even know everyone on their floor. Here, everyone is still very friendly and it's now April. My floor, for example, put together a couple intramural sports teams that anyone who is available and wants to can play. We have pizza or ice cream get togethers a couple times a year. Everyone is very loving and really there for you if something goes wrong.

Social life IS HERE! I hate that TCNJ has a reputation for having no parties. If you want to go out, and people DO (its not people studying 24/7, i promise!), there's plenty of options. It helps to play a sport or think about joining Greek life after freshman year, it seems though. Open parties at frats, sport houses, or people's houses are getting old. The only downside of the parties: $5 unless you know someone. Rides are provided and I haven't heard of anything like date rape or roofies going on. The other downfall, a lot of people can't handle themselves and look like idiots. Everyone has their preferences. After trying out most of the frats/sports houses and getting to know people with houses of their own, I know where I like and where I don't. Spring pledge season was a little slow on parties, but I still found one every night I wanted to go out.

Another thing at TCNJ to take advantage of are the (often free or cheap ) trips. NYC, Philly, Washington DC, Princeton.. almost every weekend there is a bus trip somewhere. A lot of times they're free (with just a $5 or $10 desposit that is returned on the bus). There is not much around campus in Ewing, but they definitely give you ways to get around. The Loop Bus is promoted as a way to get to the movies, mall, stores, etc. but it only runs Tues, Fri, and Sat. and you have to adjust to their schedule. Still, it's there to take advantage of (also free). And you get to know upperclassmen and they have cars.

One thing I don't like about TCNJ is that there is no sports spirit. Some people go to the games jsut as something to do or watch their friends play, but no one goes crazy or dresses up or anything. Not that we're very good at anything.

Overall, I LOVE THIS PLACE.