OT: College enrollment and financial issues?

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Like I always say, Rutgers is not for every good student, BUT, we do a horrendous job of making sure that every student and Mom and Dad in New Jersey knows about what the university has to offer and at least visits the campuses.
 
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agree with all of this (except Clemson as that is a tough degree to market) and Rutgers is far from a bargain for a state school. I'm paying the same for OOS at a different BIG school

we should offer every state valedictorian free ride (not all get this surprisingly)
we should offer in state (or reduced neighbor rate) to Eastern PA and the Burroughs
RU needs to really get more involved earlier as suggested and follow how Florida, Texas, Indiana, and some other states do it.

Even the onboarding experience for parents is so much better away from Rutgers. I'd also suggest Rutgers really needs to focus less on the diversity angle and more on the merit angle as it turns off a lot of families. Few will admit it publicly but privately it's a very real concern.
The whole family of five are moving to South Carolina in the next 12-18 months so having a Clemson degree is a good thing.—Certainly agree that the top student at each high school should get a very large aid package.—Merit is all that should be factored into admission. If 100 percent of the student body is left handed, red haired, Hispanic/Norwegian Mormons from Atlantic County, then so be it.
 
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Leonard23

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Even the onboarding experience for parents is so much better away from Rutgers. I'd also suggest Rutgers really needs to focus less on the diversity angle and more on the merit angle as it turns off a lot of families. Few will admit it publicly but privately it's a very real concern.
How so? It just seems like Rutgers parents complain more or louder. I see the same issues with parent and student onboarding, scheduling, housing selection, etc. at tons of in-state and out of state schools, private and public. Those parents just don't cry about it as much or as loudly.
 
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Rutgers Chris

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My oldest is just stating high school so we have some time yet, but many families here in CA take advantage of this program. I believe some schools only open it up to hard to fill majors, but I wonder if Rutgers would benefit from something similar.

 

mdk02

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agree with all of this (except Clemson as that is a tough degree to market) and Rutgers is far from a bargain for a state school. I'm paying the same for OOS at a different BIG school

we should offer every state valedictorian free ride (not all get this surprisingly)
we should offer in state (or reduced neighbor rate) to Eastern PA and the Burroughs
RU needs to really get more involved earlier as suggested and follow how Florida, Texas, Indiana, and some other states do it.

Even the onboarding experience for parents is so much better away from Rutgers. I'd also suggest Rutgers really needs to focus less on the diversity angle and more on the merit angle as it turns off a lot of families. Few will admit it publicly but privately it's a very real concern.

UNC has had the Morehead Scholarships around for close to 80 years. It has likely changed, but it originally offered 2 nominees as top students from each of the top 50 high schools in NC and each of the Top 50 prep schools nationwide a full ride. If the nominee turned it down it went unused.

Of course they were funded by a huge donation from an alum.
 

motorb54

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I am an old fart, so my comments refer to great-nieces and nephews.
In the one family the four kids went to South Carolina, James Madison, Rider after a year at Alabama, and Auburn.
My nephew told me the costs were less than if they all attended Rutgers. Southern state schools are often generous to quality New Jersey high school grads looking for a college.

As for "...turned off by the urban feel of the College Ave. campus..." I knew my son wanted an Animal Science major and might have that same "no city feel" desire for college. So for his first visit entered Rutgers via Rt 1 onto Cook. First site was sheep in a pasture, then large pigs next to a barn. A few buildings but a good amount of space including Passion Puddle. He accepted the offered Presidential Scholar and saved me $!00,000. If you think the incoming student will spend most of his/her time in Piscataway (Bio, Chem, Engineering, Pharmacy...etc...) may want to first introduce them to all those newer housing and academic buildings on the north side of the river.
 
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e5fdny

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Even the onboarding experience for parents is so much better away from Rutgers. I'd also suggest Rutgers really needs to focus less on the diversity angle and more on the merit angle as it turns off a lot of families. Few will admit it publicly but privately it's a very real concern.

How so? It just seems like Rutgers parents complain more or louder. I see the same issues with parent and student onboarding, scheduling, housing selection, etc. at tons of in-state and out of state schools, private and public. Those parents just don't cry about it as much or as loudly.
I'm guessing that's one of the reasons the "Letters to the Editor" part of Rutgers Magazine went away. Because towards the end of its run, it's what a lot of the letters were talking about.
 
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NotInRHouse

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My experience with nephews and nieces that have entered college in the past 10 years. Many chose southern state schools and northeastern privates. Very similar to your family members. South Carolina, Clemson, UVA and Nova were all chosen as out of state options. Each one had matching in state tuition (so paid SC rates)as long as they maintained a certain academic standard. Nova even extended Bloustein scholar grant money that was earned at RU.

UVA is extremely different than the others, and actually a top 5 public school. Certainly, a degree from RU is worth more than a school in South Carolina, and probably more than Villanova too even if the tuition is the same.
 

NotInRHouse

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I'm guessing that's one of the reasons the "Letters to the Editor" part of Rutgers Magazine went away. Because towards the end of its run, it's what a lot of the letters were talking about.

My guess is those people didn't look up what % of NJ HS school students looked like them, and the % of those scoring 1380, the current SAT average at RU. They don't look like the average parent. It is quite merit based, has been for a very, very long time.
 

NotInRHouse

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How so? It just seems like Rutgers parents complain more or louder. I see the same issues with parent and student onboarding, scheduling, housing selection, etc. at tons of in-state and out of state schools, private and public. Those parents just don't cry about it as much or as loudly.

This is probably each crop of parents being more and more internet literate than the last.
 

Leonard23

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I'm guessing that's one of the reasons the "Letters to the Editor" part of Rutgers Magazine went away. Because towards the end of its run, it's what a lot of the letters were talking about.
This is pretty irrelevant. NJ and Rutgers people like to cry a lot, just look at the old NJ.com comment section and different Facebook groups today.
 
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e5fdny

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This is pretty irrelevant. NJ and Rutgers people like to cry a lot, just look at the old NJ.com comment section and different Facebook groups today.
When the tone of the letters have a central theme, from alumni, it’s noticeable.

My Wife’s alumni magazine from a well regarded and well known private, did something similar after letters that sounded like what I read from mine.

So I guess if you don’t talk about it or acknowledge it, it mustn’t exist in the first place.
 

kupuna133

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UVA is extremely different than the others, and actually a top 5 public school. Certainly, a degree from RU is worth more than a school in South Carolina, and probably more than Villanova too even if the tuition is the same.
Not different at all. This was about families choosing to go out of state for school and tuition costs. All of the schools matched or beat NJ in state rates. And South Carolina’s business school is held in high regards and their international business school is #1 and has been for some time. As well as their hospitality program. Clemson was for a golf professional program that is equally held in high regard. Villanova’s alumni network and placement services blows away anything that is offered at RU. I know because I assisted in setting up a young alumni program in NYC.
 

Leonard23

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When the tone of the letters have a central theme, from alumni, it’s noticeable.

My Wife’s alumni magazine from a well regarded and well known private, did something similar after letters that sounded like what I read from mine.

So I guess if you don’t talk about it or acknowledge it, it mustn’t exist in the first place.
More people send complaints than compliments. Not publishing the complaints doesn't mean they're ignored or burying their heads in the sand. Large organizations are hard to change, but if you think Rutgers hasn't changed and listened to feedback, then I can't help. Should they do even more of that? Absolutely, but Rutgers isn't much different than many other schools, as everyone has issues.
 
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Rutgers Chris

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We live 30-35 minutes from UCSD, one of the top publics in the country and a top 30 overall university. It’s steps from the beach, sits on a train line that has you in downtown SD in a few minutes and is in one of the safer areas you can hope for. My daughter says it’s “too close to home.” Granted she’s young yet but there’s very much something to be said for getting away from home and seeing something different.
 

e5fdny

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More people send complaints than compliments. Not publishing the complaints doesn't mean they're ignored or burying their heads in the sand. Large organizations are hard to change, but if you think Rutgers hasn't changed and listened to feedback, then I can't help. Should they do even more of that? Absolutely, but Rutgers isn't much different than many other schools, as everyone has issues.
Which ones and from whom do you think get “listened” to more or addressed.

Here’s my example:

social media, Instagram. RU Alumni is posting about all of the graduation years having their 20, 30, 40, 50 anniversaries.

I asked if the class celebrating their 50th is still considered the Old Guard when they reach this milestone. And do they still get the straw boater hats that comes with that honor. Along with a good spot in the parade.

For some reason my question/comment was removed.

Not sure what was so controversial or critical about it?
We live 30-35 minutes from UCSD, one of the top publics in the country and a top 30 overall university. It’s steps from the beach, sits on a train line that has you in downtown SD in a few minutes and is in one of the safer areas you can hope for. My daughter says it’s “too close to home.” Granted she’s young yet but there’s very much something to be said for getting away from home and seeing something different.
Not sure why so many have an issue with this.
 
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Leonard23

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Which ones and from whom do you think get “listened” to more or addressed.

Here’s my example:

social media, Instagram. RU Alumni is posting about all of the graduation years having their 20, 30, 40, 50 anniversaries.

I asked if the class celebrating their 50th is still considered the Old Guard when they reach this milestone. And do they still get the straw boater hats that comes with that honor. Along with a good spot in the parade.

For some reason my question/comment was removed.

Not sure what was so controversial or critical about it?

Not sure why so many have an issue with this.
I'm not sure deleting your comment shows much of anything, but it's certainly odd. Every social media team deletes comments, and sometimes too much. This isn't just a Rutgers thing. I don't understand why Rutgers fans and alumni still take things so personally, and think we're the only school doing things or having issues. And we wonder why we can't get better recruits or more top students after seeing our fans and alumni complain so often.
 

e5fdny

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I'm not sure deleting your comment shows much of anything, but it's certainly odd. Every social media team deletes comments, and sometimes too much. This isn't just a Rutgers thing. I don't understand why Rutgers fans and alumni still take things so personally, and think we're the only school doing things or having issues. And we wonder why we can't get better recruits or more top students after seeing our fans and alumni complain so often.
Exactly.

Some kids (students and athletes) just want to go away.

The more who understand that, the better.
 
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NotInRHouse

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Not different at all. This was about families choosing to go out of state for school and tuition costs. All of the schools matched or beat NJ in state rates. And South Carolina’s business school is held in high regards and their international business school is #1 and has been for some time. As well as their hospitality program. Clemson was for a golf professional program that is equally held in high regard. Villanova’s alumni network and placement services blows away anything that is offered at RU. I know because I assisted in setting up a young alumni program in NYC.

If you surveyed an employer outside of South Carolina or grad schools nationally they would have a different answer. UVA is one category, RU another, and the others, a lesser. Maybe Nova in the same as us, but insane price tag for at best equivalent education. RU Business School is #2 in the Big Ten.
 

NotInRHouse

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Exactly.

Some kids (students and athletes) just want to go away.

The more who understand that, the better.

It's understood, but from what I have seen, many of the most popular OOS schools are ones that are not very "away"- Delaware, Drexel, NYU or lesser academically (Cult and the Southern Schools, which again aren't UF/UGA or that echelon, never mind a Duke or Emory)...it's just the same old NJ mentality of "I spend more money so it's better."

You look at the 40 schools ahead us in USNWR, other than NYU, you're not seeing many NJ parents running to them. And even there, I think the "cities scare me" mentality is returning.

Now kids that don't get into RU I get more, but I really don't think anyone thinks JMU is more impressive than Rowan, either.

Mostly to me it strikes at the point you were dancing around earlier. It's more about "class" and anti-diversity sentiment than anything else. 9/10 parents is not just strutting up to a college campus uninivited, and a lot of high schools where joining a Southern frat or sorority is the flavor of the month, going to RU is contrarian and not reliving HS.
 

NotInRHouse

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I'm not sure deleting your comment shows much of anything, but it's certainly odd. Every social media team deletes comments, and sometimes too much. This isn't just a Rutgers thing. I don't understand why Rutgers fans and alumni still take things so personally, and think we're the only school doing things or having issues. And we wonder why we can't get better recruits or more top students after seeing our fans and alumni complain so often.

It's a couple of whiny parents. You look on social media, you'll see the same ones over and over, and the same deranged, fact free arguments.
 
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NotInRHouse

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We live 30-35 minutes from UCSD, one of the top publics in the country and a top 30 overall university. It’s steps from the beach, sits on a train line that has you in downtown SD in a few minutes and is in one of the safer areas you can hope for. My daughter says it’s “too close to home.” Granted she’s young yet but there’s very much something to be said for getting away from home and seeing something different.

There's a lot of really good UCs- UCLA, Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Irvine, Davis...so there's going to be something for everyone.

Weirdly, in a state that is such a geographic behemoth, you probably have less regional and parochial attitudes about college. Everyone in CA whether they are rich, poor or in between wants to get into a UC. In CA, going to Oregon or Arizona is essentially an admission you didn't get into one of the good ones. It's becoming that way here, slowly but surely, and you can already see the handwringing about it, ironically from people affiliated with RU. In my generation, parents are already setting their kids up for RU or Ivies or close to it. Maybe all the kids who went to Clemson from NJ will have some big allegiance in Gen Z....I guess they're banking on it.
 

Knight Shift

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There's a lot of really good UCs- UCLA, Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Irvine, Davis...so there's going to be something for everyone.

Weirdly, in a state that is such a geographic behemoth, you probably have less regional and parochial attitudes about college. Everyone in CA whether they are rich, poor or in between wants to get into a UC. In CA, going to Oregon or Arizona is essentially an admission you didn't get into one of the good ones. It's becoming that way here, slowly but surely, and you can already see the handwringing about it, ironically from people affiliated with RU. In my generation, parents are already setting their kids up for RU or Ivies or close to it. Maybe all the kids who went to Clemson from NJ will have some big allegiance in Gen Z....I guess they're banking on it.
Three things factor in- first UCLA and Berkeley are top 3 public ivies. High prestige factor going to either of them. The other ones you listed are no slouches either, they are all fine schools. Second, the weather factors in over dreary Oregon or arid Arizona. Third, for those looking to work during the school year and get in with employers, Berkeley, UCLA, and Irvine are great locations for corporate jobs.
 
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kupuna133

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If you surveyed an employer outside of South Carolina or grad schools nationally they would have a different answer. UVA is one category, RU another, and the others, a lesser. Maybe Nova in the same as us, but insane price tag for at best equivalent education. RU Business School is #2 in the Big Ten.
Thats a very parochial view of things(and I was guilty of that until I looked under the hood). Yes there are throw away majors at any school. But family that pursued South Carolina and Clemson went for very specific majors that are held in high regard in their fields. #1 ranked international business school is what it states. PGA program at Clemson is ultra competitive. Yea relatives had little problem finding employment out of South Carolina and Clemson. And I guess I U Chicago business school sucks nowadays.
You didn’t read where heaven and I both stated that family members received very generous packages to attend these schools at or significantly less than NJ in state rates. I have no idea why people attend inferior schools at hyper inflated rates. But this is not that case.
 
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rcube1994

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It's understood, but from what I have seen, many of the most popular OOS schools are ones that are not very "away"- Delaware, Drexel, NYU or lesser academically (Cult and the Southern Schools, which again aren't UF/UGA or that echelon, never mind a Duke or Emory)...it's just the same old NJ mentality of "I spend more money so it's better."

You look at the 40 schools ahead us in USNWR, other than NYU, you're not seeing many NJ parents running to them. And even there, I think the "cities scare me" mentality is returning.

Now kids that don't get into RU I get more, but I really don't think anyone thinks JMU is more impressive than Rowan, either.

Mostly to me it strikes at the point you were dancing around earlier. It's more about "class" and anti-diversity sentiment than anything else. 9/10 parents is not just strutting up to a college campus uninivited, and a lot of high schools where joining a Southern frat or sorority is the flavor of the month, going to RU is contrarian and not reliving HS.
When is the last time you've been on a college visit? I've recently been to RU and some of the others you've mentioned, and in many cases the campus, support services, facilities, athletic programs, etc. are better than what RU is offering. In many cases the education is equivalent or better than RU.

Tuition and local rep if you're planning on working in the northeast are the areas RU has the edge in most cases but they need to up their game in the other areas.
 

mdk02

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It's understood, but from what I have seen, many of the most popular OOS schools are ones that are not very "away"- Delaware, Drexel, NYU or lesser academically (Cult and the Southern Schools, which again aren't UF/UGA or that echelon, never mind a Duke or Emory)...it's just the same old NJ mentality of "I spend more money so it's better."

You look at the 40 schools ahead us in USNWR, other than NYU, you're not seeing many NJ parents running to them. And even there, I think the "cities scare me" mentality is returning.

Now kids that don't get into RU I get more, but I really don't think anyone thinks JMU is more impressive than Rowan, either.

Mostly to me it strikes at the point you were dancing around earlier. It's more about "class" and anti-diversity sentiment than anything else. 9/10 parents is not just strutting up to a college campus uninivited, and a lot of high schools where joining a Southern frat or sorority is the flavor of the month, going to RU is contrarian and not reliving HS.

You're seeing NJ parent's run to BC & BU, both ahead of Rutgers. And Boston has an allure of it's own. That helps Northeastern, which rated lower than Rutgers. Vermont still has a lot (for it's size) of Jersey kids.
 

bigmatt718

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Villanova isn't a state school so it's different. However, RU is a relative bargain compared to other OOS schools for NJ families if we're talking schools of similar caliber. I see for example that SUNY Albany is offering NJ in state tuition to students, but it's not on our level.
Nova kids are definitely not going to Rutgers (IMO it's a safety school for the rich Catholic school kids from North Jersey and Long Island who didn't get into any of the Ivies, ND, BC, or Georgetown).
 
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bigmatt718

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My experience with nephews and nieces that have entered college in the past 10 years. Many chose southern state schools and northeastern privates. Very similar to your family members. South Carolina, Clemson, UVA and Nova were all chosen as out of state options. Each one had matching in state tuition (so paid SC rates)as long as they maintained a certain academic standard. Nova even extended Bloustein scholar grant money that was earned at RU.
I think Rutgers can attract more of the middle/upper middle class public school kids in South Jersey who don't want to go to PSU, Delaware, Temple, or Rowan. They need to target students at schools like Lenape, Shawnee, Cherokee, Kingsway, Clearview, Rancocas Valley, Haddon Township, Eastern, Cherry Hill East, etc. I feel like Rutgers-NB feels a bit more prestigious in South Jersey because it has the feel of going away for college without going away for college (an hour plus from Philly metro), further than that from South Jersey shore towns.
 
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kupuna133

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I think Rutgers can attract more of the middle/upper middle class public school kids in South Jersey who don't want to go to PSU, Delaware, Temple, or Rowan. They need to target students at schools like Lenape, Shawnee, Cherokee, Kingsway, Clearview, Rancocas Valley, Haddon Township, Eastern, Cherry Hill East, etc. I feel like Rutgers-NB feels a bit more prestigious in South Jersey because it has the feel of going away for college without going away for college (an hour plus from Philly metro), further than that from South Jersey shore towns.
Absolutely. As others have said Rutgers does a pretty mediocre job of competing financially with many of their state school/northeast private competition. Especially southern state schools that want the northeast “middle/upper class” demo.
 
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Knight Shift

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Absolutely. As others have said Rutgers does a pretty mediocre job of competing financially with many of their state school/northeast private competition. Especially southern state schools that want the northeast “middle/upper class” demo.
And perhaps it is to their financial advantage to admit more out of state kids who pay out of state tuition.
 

kupuna133

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And perhaps it is to their financial advantage to admit more out of state kids who pay out of state tuition.
Yep. It’s been documented. A bunch of the southern state schools, LSU Alabama Florida ole miss South Carolina Clemson openly talked about how they targeted New Jersey upper demo public’s and privates. Even offering NJ in state rates is more than in state rates for southern state residents.
 
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bigmatt718

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Yep. It’s been documented. A bunch of the southern state schools, LSU Alabama Florida ole miss South Carolina Clemson openly talked about how they targeted New Jersey upper demo public’s and privates. Even offering NJ in state rates is more than in state rates for southern state residents.
Those students only go down there for the 4-5 years in school and then come home after graduation. I fail to see the point in going to school down there unless you plan on being there after graduation.
 
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kupuna133

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Those students only go down there for the 4-5 years in school and then come home after graduation. I fail to see the point in going to school down there unless you plan on being there after graduation.
Happens throughout the country not just with students from Jersey. But there are more that stay than you think. But staying 4-5 years and coming back to NJ/NY metro area makes sense. Southern weather and southern school experience and NY internships and jobs.
 
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For those interested, room, board, and tuition for out of state students is $42,000 at The University of Louisville.Students from all New Jersey counties can get $12,000 —$16,000 off through their Regional Scholars Program.
 
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Happens throughout the country not just with students from Jersey. But there are more that stay than you think. But staying 4-5 years and coming back to NJ/NY metro area makes sense. Southern weather and southern school experience and NY internships and jobs.
Some are also looking for a slower pace of life. Not everyone wants to put in tons of hours at the NY office breaking their *** to live in a small 120 year old cape cod in North Jersey. Starting a life in Raleigh, Charlotte, Nashville, etc and the quality of life it affords may be more appealing.
 

bigmatt718

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Some are also looking for a slower pace of life. Not everyone wants to put in tons of hours at the NY office breaking their *** to live in a small 120 year old cape cod in North Jersey. Starting a life in Raleigh, Charlotte, Nashville, etc and the quality of life it affords may be more appealing.
As long as they don't leave the cities, they'll be fine. The burbs in those parts would probably result in a ton of Yankee discrimination from the Southern natives down there. Not sure I'd want to be subjected to that.
 

kupuna133

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Some are also looking for a slower pace of life. Not everyone wants to put in tons of hours at the NY office breaking their *** to live in a small 120 year old cape cod in North Jersey. Starting a life in Raleigh, Charlotte, Nashville, etc and the quality of life it affords may be more appealing.
Yep and don’t think it’s a bad thing. The northeast way of life is not for everyone. Move away experience a different way of life. If you don’t like it (as I did not) move back.
 
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As long as they don't leave the cities, they'll be fine. The burbs in those parts would probably result in a ton of Yankee discrimination from the Southern natives down there. Not sure I'd want to be subjected to that.
It's not as bad as you present, but that's not to say it doesn't exist. I have cousins, friends, and former coworkers who moved down south and have heard more happy stories than "go 'way you damn yankees" stories. They don't live in the cities, but they don't in yonder holler either. Suburbia has spread beyond New Jersey and Long Island.