Rutgers New Brunswick Reviews

A Vibrant, Diverse City

New Brunswick is the capital of the county, and a vibrant place to be. From what I have heard from my collegiate friends who drink, the bar scene is active and lively. The State Theatre is located mere minutes walk from the primary campus (College Ave), and shows off-Broadway versions of plays, dance performances, musical performances, and more. There is a nice shopping district along George Street and Easton Ave, and a variety of places to eat.

Overall, Rutgers is a great school...

Overall, Rutgers is a great school because of how much it has to offer. Since there are so many different campuses, you never get bored. Don't ever let anyone tell you Rutgers is too big—that's what makes it awesome.

The drug scene at Rutgers, while...

The drug scene at Rutgers, while not an overbearing aspect of campus life, is certainly noticeable. You can barely walk two feet without seeing, or more often than not, smelling someone smoking. There are many cliques whose conversation rarely deviates from the amount of alcohol they drank last night, or the amount of pot they smoked. For those who want to avoid it, however, it is very easy since most do not want to get involved with drugs.

So far it has been really fun, and...

So far it has been really fun, and I've met some cool people. If I could do it over, I think I would probably come to Rutgers again. It's very convenient that I can hop on a train back to home easily.

The dorms are nicer on other...

The dorms are nicer on other campuses, but College Avenue is where everyone wants to be.

I would definitely come here, time...

I would definitely come here, time and time again if I had the chance. There's so much to do here that I'm never bored. You have to study, but on the weekends, you can go wild if you want—unless you have a Sunday exam, that is.

The guys and girls are very...

The guys and girls are very diverse at Rutgers University. There's all types of races and stereotypes intermingling on each campus. If you come here, you'd easily find people to fit in with on campus.

Parking is a pain! Out-of-state...

Parking is a pain! Out-of-state freshman can have a car. Parking passes are very expensive, and you cannot park in the lots close to your dorm.

Rutgers is extremely diverse. The...

Rutgers is extremely diverse. The guys and girls come from each and every background imaginable.

I absolutely love Rutgers. I feel...

I absolutely love Rutgers. I feel like I am really a part of something. You can walk around any place in New Jersey and see other people sporting Rutgers gear. It's a great feeling! Rutgers is known for its academics as well as its athletics. It's an all-around great school. You don't need to be a party animal to go here. You can be exactly who you are.

It's hard to describe a Rutgers'...

It's hard to describe a Rutgers' dorm because they vary. Every campus has totally different dorms. I lucked out and got the nicest dorm on my campus with big rooms, air conditioning, a big lounge with a TV, a laundry room, and recreational activities—including volleyball and basketball courts—right outside.

They're good. A lot of the chain...

They're good. A lot of the chain restaurants are on the highway, though not in walking distance. George Street and Easton Avenue have tons of affordable places to eat that are almost always open. Downtown New Brunswick also has nice restaurants at a higher price range, such as Old Man Rafferty's.

With a huge campus, there are few...

With a huge campus, there are few incidences of crime at Rutgers. However, if you just keep alert with your eyes and your ears open, walk with friends at night, and just use common sense, you should be fine.

It's pretty big here, but you...

It's pretty big here, but you don't have to be a part of it to have fun. You can party in their houses.

Greek life is here for parties,...

Greek life is here for parties, community service, and other events. It's not that big a deal, though, if you're in one or not. Usually anyone can get into frat parties, which is good.

Unless you have a car, there...

Unless you have a car, there aren't really places you can go to within walking distance, except for College Avenue. There are a lot of restaurants over there. Some include Qdoba, Starbucks, a variety of Chinese places, cafes, and pizza places. There are definitely a lot of options for different cuisines and prices. It's easy to find a cheap place with good food.

The parties are okay. There are a...

The parties are okay. There are a lot of frat parties on College Avenue, and I guess they're the easiest to get into—especially if you're a girl. I think house parties are better, though. There aren't really any clubs nearby that you can go to. There are bars, but of course those are for students over 21 only.

The drug scene isn't too big, but...

The drug scene isn't too big, but it probably depends on who you hang out considering the stories I've heard. Drinking, though, is a much more popular and accepted activity.

I love this school. I never wish I...

I love this school. I never wish I was anywhere else, and if I could do it all again, I’d just wish I had more advice at the start about which classes to take freshman year. But all experience is good, since it helps you learn. Too many people come here with a negative attitude and just want to transfer, since they ended up here because of not getting in somewhere else. I think that I could have been happy anywhere, and most people can. All you have to do is make an effort. If you make an effort, any big school can seem small when you join clubs and make groups of friends. Also, every year at Rutgers, it seems to get smaller. I see people I know everywhere, and find out that friends from different places are interconnected through different things. It’s always surprising to see the connections.

I’m glad I’m here. The education...

I’m glad I’m here. The education has challenged me for the most part. There are lots of things to get involved in no matter where your interests lie. Also, because Rutgers is so big, you are bound to find people who share your interests. I could have gone to Brandeis, but I’m glad I chose Rutgers.

Professors at Rutgers, compared to...

Professors at Rutgers, compared to other schools, seem a bit more distant from the students. Rutgers is a more ‘do-it-yourself’ or ‘seek-out-help-on-your-own’ kind of college. No professor here is going to hunt you down for a paper or, especially, come to you to help you.

For the most part, my teachers are...

For the most part, my teachers are good. They are definitely well educated, but I feel they don’t really teach. It’s not necessarily a bad thing because the classes are so huge. They lecture the material, and the students have to teach themselves. That’s just how it is at a huge university like Rutgers.

Rutgers dominates the areas around...

Rutgers dominates the areas around New Brunswick and Piscataway. If you go anywhere around here, you’ll find that many Rutgers students working at those restaurants and other establishments. Rutgers is the local atmosphere.

New Brunswick isn’t the greatest...

New Brunswick isn’t the greatest town, but it’s a great wake-up call for students because it’s the ‘real world.’ Rutgers isn’t on an isolated campus; you’re put in the middle of a city, so you learn to ‘buddy up’ when you walk, and the police presence is very obvious. New Brunswick is in the center of New Jersey, less than an hour train ride to either New York City or Philly. The shore is also less than an hour away, too, so the local atmosphere is awesome.

New Brunswick is always lively and...

New Brunswick is always lively and filled with rowdy college students. One of the benefits of attending a large university is the surrounding atmosphere. There is a lot to do, including trips to the city, plays at the state theater, parks, and any on-campus activities.