Rutgers, CCNY, or Kean University? (Beacon, Boston: credit, transfer to, high school)

[Dorian]

I am trying to determine what school I want to attend and was hoping someone on here had some info on one or more of these schools. I am planing on going to school to be a Meteorologist and these were some of the schools that I would consider going to. I have read on the internet that Rutgers rank number four on a list of best Meteorology programs in the country and that was the one I originally planned on attending, but the others are less expensive and Kean put out a good amount of Meteorologist from what wikipedia says. I was also concerned about community colleges. I wanted to know about the ability to attend a community college for the first two years and then transfer to one of the schools for my last two. I know Rutgers has a transfer program from the Jersey community colleges, but don't have all the info on how exactly it works and Kean has a similar program with some of them, but I don't know exactly how that works either. I assume City College has a similar program with the community colleges within the cuny that transfer to ccny, but have no clue about which ones, if not all, of them transfer to ccny or how many years. Are there any community colleges that transfer to all of them? Also, which is the most reputable? If anybody knows which has the best Meteorology program? Any information will help.

[znycgirl]

I know you probably have researched this already, but writing or calling the American Meteorological Society at 45 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 (ph 617-227-2425) may be a good way to start. I find that sometimes you can get some help from these societies (and they may be able to set you up with organizations that have internships so that you know what you are getting yourself into).

As for transferring from school to school...I know you CAN do it, but I'm not sure how easy it is. I know that where I went to college, you could not find many of the types of courses you would need to take (and it was a large college). Maybe you can do well from anywhere if you can get into a good graduate school.

Good luck.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by znycgirl

I know you probably have researched this already, but writing or calling the American Meteorological Society at 45 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 (ph 617-227-2425) may be a good way to start. I find that sometimes you can get some help from these societies (and they may be able to set you up with organizations that have internships so that you know what you are getting yourself into).

As for transferring from school to school...I know you CAN do it, but I'm not sure how easy it is. I know that where I went to college, you could not find many of the types of courses you would need to take (and it was a large college). Maybe you can do well from anywhere if you can get into a good graduate school.

Good luck.

Thank you very, very much. Just out of curiosity what school did you go to?

[bmwguydc]

In New Jersey, an associates is transferable, by law, to a four-year institution and all of the credits accumulated transfer as the first two years of undergraduate work. There's no worry about transfers within the state college system.

The same is true with SUNY and community colleges in the SUNY system. Articulation agreements within CUNY, however, do vary, depending upon institution and course of study within the program, so I would definitely check with the admissions officer to see what will transfer, and where.

Kean used to be a teacher's college, so I would imagine that the program might be smaller than other schools. However, Rutgers is well known outside of the state, and if the program is highly ranked, that would be worth focusing attention, since you can get better internships and the alumni network in the field might also be very strong. This is coupled with a respected degree.

CUNY is also well respected in many disciplines, and is also a well known institution. Admissions to graduate programs or to securing a good internship and job should not be terribly difficult from CUNY, either. Plus, you're in NYC, so that might have some more opportunities for a plum internship since you're already local.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

In New Jersey, an associates is transferable, by law, to a four-year institution and all of the credits accumulated transfer as the first two years of undergraduate work. There's no worry about transfers within the state college system.

The same is true with SUNY and community colleges in the SUNY system. Articulation agreements within CUNY, however, do vary, depending upon institution and course of study within the program, so I would definitely check with the admissions officer to see what will transfer, and where.

Kean used to be a teacher's college, so I would imagine that the program might be smaller than other schools. However, Rutgers is well known outside of the state, and if the program is highly ranked, that would be worth focusing attention, since you can get better internships and the alumni network in the field might also be very strong. This is coupled with a respected degree.

CUNY is also well respected in many disciplines, and is also a well known institution. Admissions to graduate programs or to securing a good internship and job should not be terribly difficult from CUNY, either. Plus, you're in NYC, so that might have some more opportunities for a plum internship since you're already local.

That's interesting, I didn't know it was a law. Do you know if there is an advantage to living in the county of the community college I will be attending other then commute times, like cheaper price? I ask this because I live in Pittsburgh now and don't know exactly where I will be living, but I will have to fill out my FAFSA form and also the form for the aid from the military since my father was in the military, so I may have to just put one of them on there and hope to live in that county.

[bmwguydc]

Originally Posted by Dorian

That's interesting, I didn't know it was a law. Do you know if there is an advantage to living in the county of the community college I will be attending other then commute times, like cheaper price? I ask this because I live in Pittsburgh now and don't know exactly where I will be living, but I will have to fill out my FAFSA form and also the form for the aid from the military since my father was in the military, so I may have to just put one of them on there and hope to live in that county.

Yes, there are advantages in New Jersey if you are a county resident of the community college that you will be attending. In some areas, there's not a huge difference between out-of-county and out-of-state. It can be over $100/credit hour or for a full semester several hundred dollars in a price differential between the county resident price and out-of-county price. Generally, you have to have in-state and in-county status to get the reduction, and just moving into the area, you would be at the higher rate initially, until you are a resident of New Jersey and the county for 12 months. Then, you would be eligible for in-state and in-county status in the New Jersey state college system.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

Yes, there are advantages in New Jersey if you are a county resident of the community college that you will be attending. In some areas, there's not a huge difference between out-of-county and out-of-state. It can be over $100/credit hour or for a full semester several hundred dollars in a price differential between the county resident price and out-of-county price. Generally, you have to have in-state and in-county status to get the reduction, and just moving into the area, you would be at the higher rate initially, until you are a resident of New Jersey and the county for 12 months. Then, you would be eligible for in-state and in-county status in the New Jersey state college system.

Yeah I counted on the higher rate initially due to me not really being a resident yet, but I didn't count on the out of county fee I mean I knew it was possible, but didn't count on it.

[bmwguydc]

Originally Posted by Dorian

Yeah I counted on the higher rate initially due to me not really being a resident yet, but I didn't count on the out of county fee I mean I knew it was possible, but didn't count on it.

Yes, but the savings will be substantial when you get the residency rate, hence why it's a good idea to have a place in mind when you apply and move so that you're in the right area. Check with some of the county schools to see what they offer, since some make no distinction for out-of-state, just in- or out-of-county.

Here's a link to Bergen, which does have a distinction: Bergen Community College - Tuition & Fees


Here's a link to Middlesex, which does not have a distinction: Middlesex County College : Admissions : Tuition & Fees

[homenj]

I know that Middlesex County College in New Jersey offers a free scholarship to those who graduated at the top 20% of their high school. But you do have to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. I believe it's called NJSTARS.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

Yes, but the savings will be substantial when you get the residency rate, hence why it's a good idea to have a place in mind when you apply and move so that you're in the right area. Check with some of the county schools to see what they offer, since some make no distinction for out-of-state, just in- or out-of-county.

Here's a link to Bergen, which does have a distinction: Bergen Community College - Tuition & Fees


Here's a link to Middlesex, which does not have a distinction: Middlesex County College : Admissions : Tuition & Fees

Wow, those out of county fees are HIGH!!!! Like you said there really isn't any difference between out-of-state vs. out-of-county