What are the best graduate schools in the NY/NJ area?

Question

I'm looking into the field of education (possibly educational psychology) and just wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on any graduate programs in NY and NJ. I'm looking into Rutgers, NYU, Kean and Fordham and would appreciate any opinions. Thanks!

Answer 1

NYU and Columbia

You might want to check out Seton Hall too if you are looking in NJ

Answer 2

I can't say that I'm very familiar with which schools are necessarily the best in that area of study, though as a recent graduate of Rutgers (good ole' Queen's College... ;) ), here's some input on Rutgers at least.

I think Rutgers is a good school. They have a wide variety of programs, and many of them are top notch (for instance, I want to say the philosophy department was one of the best in the country, and when I go around saying that I got my degree in physics from Rutgers, then people seem mildly impressed). There's a lot to do both academically and socially there, and I'm glad that I went there for my undergraduate work.

That being said, there are some not so good things about Rutgers. This past year, the state of New Jersey, in its infinite wisdom, decided to make substantial cuts to Rutgers's budget. While I'm sure that the academic position of Rutgers is still strong, it's worth noting that New Jersey isn't the most supportive of states when it comes to higher education. Now, it's possible that this will have no effect on any of your studies should you go there, and I know that the university administration will try to minimise the hurt, but it may be a factor. Not knowing the ins and outs of graduate education in, well, education, I can't say for sure.

Another issue is that New Jersey can be an expensive state. Car insurance is expensive, and living around Rutgers's New Brunswick campus isn't cheap. Of course, if you are only looking at schools in the NY/NJ area, then this will probably be true of anyplace you look at. On the plus side, there is some graduate housing on campus, and if you happen to live in downtown New Brunswick (which is getting nicer all the time, particularly as Rutgers has begun to invade it), you'd be able to use the Rutgers bus system (which is as good as any other bus system I suppose) to get to any of the four New Brunswick campuses.

As to the education program, as I've said I don't know much about it. I do know that the school of education has it's own building on Voorhees Mall (in the heart of the main New Brunswick campus), and the psychology department has it's own building (on a different but very nice campus with all the sciences).

So, that's about Rutgers. I hope I haven't scared you away from it, because I really think it's a great school where you can learn a lot and have some fun. Especially now that the Rutgers football team actually *wins* games, and is ranked (which I'm fairly certain is a sign of the apocalypse... :) ).

Answer 3

Rutgers
My cousin went there for 8 years for pharmacy. Also is a professor there.

I might go there too.