Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a premier public research university with three main campus'. The public locations across New Jersey include New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden. When it comes to the credibility of a Rutgers education, an accumulation of inaccurate and bias opinions have circulated. Although the curriculum is the same on each campus and a majority of the faculty rotate between location, ignorance is common regarding each locations' credibility.
I am a sophomore attending Rutgers University in Newark. Many interpret and assume that Newark's unfortunate crime rates have an effect on the colleges and the respect given to the students who attend the institutions. There are many borderline offensive questions those of us who live and/or attend the Newark campus receive and three comments in particular we are definitely tired of hearing.
1. Why do you go to the Newark campus and not the New Brunswick?
Depending on the circumstances of the student, there are many different reasons why one may have chosen the Rutgers Newark campus over another. For example, the student may have applied to both campus' and have only been accepted into the Newark campus. Rutgers University in its entirety is the highest acclaimed college in New Jersey. One may have chosen Newark over New Brunswick due to the slightly smaller class size, making the professor ratio smaller. You do not need to take a shuttle bus to get to classes and your professor's offices are only a second away. Regardless of the decision or the reasons why, we go to this school. We made the decision and we love it. Stop asking us why.
2. Isn't it scary living in Newark?
If we were so extremely terrified of Newark, we would not have chose to go here. As long as you follow the few simple rules of living in this city, you are fine. First, don't go outside after dark. If you do go outside after dark, go with a group. There is campus security on duty and cameras for safety all around campus. If a problem does occur, at any time of the day, emergency telephones around campus allow for quick contact of the police. Newark's unfortunate crime rates have no effect on the colleges or the respect given to the students who attend the institutions. A lot of colleges are in unpleasant areas, it doesn't change anyone's credibility. New Brunswick has its fair share of crime in the neighborhood as well. Newark doesn't take away from the best education offered in the country.
3. "You're not the real Rutgers"
Nothing is more annoying than this comment. Rutgers University and each of it's campus' are equivalent in education and value. The degree you receive from Newark, Camden, or New Brunswick is still a "Rutgers" degree. When you graduate, you receive a RUTGERS diploma. Luckily, one of the best schools in the nation offers a variety of types of campus' for a variety and diverse group of students. We here at Rutgers in Newark, love where we go and although the football team is located in New Brunswick and our sports are D-3, we are still Rutgers students. Don't be ignorant.
