Rutgers NB vs Parenting First

As The State University of New Jersey, a leading national public research university, and New Jersey’s top academic health care provider, Rutgers fulfills its mission to provide learning, discovery, innovation, service, and health care at the highest levels. The university has locations in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden and has a major academic and clinical health sciences presence that spans across the state. Each regional location offers its own distinct personality and Rutgers University–New Brunswick is the flagship location offering a classic, big-time university experience. As a member of the Association of American Universities and the Big Ten Academic Alliance, Rutgers University–New Brunswick conducts life-changing research and offers premier education in a diverse community. Students choose Rutgers–New Brunswick for its educational excellence and vast opportunities to learn how to lead a life and prepare for a career of meaning and consequence. With over 100 undergraduate majors and 300+ research centers, Rutgers-New Brunswick is an academic, health, and research powerhouse and a university of opportunity. Rutgers is constantly breaking new ground and generating new knowledge, supporting pioneering work in stem cells, climate change, DNA and analysis, and more. Rutgers–New Brunswick is perfectly situated in central New Jersey, near the major urban centers of New York City and Philadelphia and the iconic Jersey Shore. This location provides students with access to hundreds of employers, thousands of internships, and the best art and entertainment. The distinct identity of Rutgers–New Brunswick is created by the eclectic atmosphere across five campus centers or neighborhoods. The Raritan River divides the large campus that spans the city of New Brunswick and the town of Piscataway, New Jersey. A free intercampus bus service keeps the Rutgers community connected between locations. The five campus locations offer everything from a pulsing, bustling environment to a tree-lined, classically collegiate campus feel. Students enjoy the mix of eateries, housing, and study and academic spaces at all of the five campus locations: Busch, College Avenue, Douglass, George H. Cook, and Livingston. There is so much happening across campus every day, that it becomes a question of “What do I have time to do?” versus “What is there to do?” Getting involved in extra- and co-curricular activities is a great way to meet people and feel a greater sense of connection to the Rutgers community. At a place like Rutgers, getting involved is a way to make a big place feel a lot smaller. It's a good thing there are more than 500 social, academic, service, or athletic clubs to get involved with. Home of the Scarlet Knights, Rutgers–New Brunswick is part of the Big Ten athletic conference and competes at the NCAA Division I level for men’s and women’s sports. Whether it’s hitting the gym, taking to the court, getting fit, or being part of a team, students at Rutgers–New Brunswick will find plenty of recreational opportunities. One of the largest student housing operations in the U.S., more than 16,000 residents live, study, and relax in the traditional dorms, suites, and apartments spread throughout dozens of on-campus residential options across New Brunswick and Piscataway. Are you hungry? Rutgers–New Brunswick students have a smorgasbord of edible options. From quick bites and dining hall classics to takeout and Twitter-trackable food trucks, you’re never far from your next meal on campus.

ParentingFirst is a digital support platform designed to help parents navigate their child’s transition into the first year of college. The app focuses on reducing stress and providing important information during this period by providing structured guidance, expert-informed resources, and practical tools tailored to you. The platform delivers a series of modules that walk parents through key phases such as understanding campus life (including academics, mental health, and substance use), supporting independence, and maintaining healthy communication once the student is away from home. Each module combines your responses to key questions with short-form educational content. Our goal is to avoid overwhelming parents and students with information and provide you access to timely resources all in one place. Content is developed by parents who have gone through the process as well as experts familiar with student development and higher education environments. ParentingFirst is intended to serve as both a practical guide and a steady source of reassurance during a period that can feel unpredictable. More information about the platform and its resources can be found at www.parentingfirst.org.