Simply College Visits: New Jersey & Montana College Tours

Hope everyone’s enjoying these final days of summer! Lindsay spent the last few weeks attending tours specifically designed for college counselors in New Jersey & Montana, learning about 13 schools total.  Instead of our normal “Simply College Visits,” here are some highlights from the tours.

Princeton University

Location: Princeton, NJ

  • All students have to complete a senior thesis, with most completing independent research starting their junior year. 

  • In each residence hall, there is academic advising and support staff.

  • Along with the FAFSA, Princeton requires the Princeton Financial Aid Application to be completed instead of the CSS Profile.

Majors of Note: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Operations Research & Financial Engineering 


The College of New Jersey

Location: Ewing Township, NJ 

  • 95% of classes have fewer than 30 students, with the business school having the largest class average of 27 students.

  • TCNJ tracks demonstrated interest and encourages students to interact with them before applying. 

  • Art & music programs are test optional.

Majors of Note: Integrative-STEM Education; Journalism & Professional Writing 

Caldwell University

Location: Caldwell, NJ

  • Offer a direct admit nursing program, with a 100% NCLEX pass rate for their traditional students & 100% job placement. 

  • On-campus housing is available all 4 years, but the student body tends to be split 50/50 between commuter and residential students. 

  • While students come from a variety of religious backgrounds, all classes are taught through a Catholic lens. 

Majors of Note: E-Sports Management; Public Health Education 

Montclair State University

Location: Montclair, NJ

  • Out-of-state students with a 3.0+ GPA & performing arts students are eligible for in-state tuition.

  • Test optional, even for BSN students. 

  • Recently partnered with Sony to build a state of the art production facility for the School of Communication & Media. 

Majors of Note: Medical Humanities; Sports Media & Journalism

Drew University

Location: Madison, NJ

  • Drew’s new “Launch” program will require students to integrate practical experiences (internships, mentorships, etc.) with their liberal arts education.

  • Drew is committed to affordability: 2 years ago they lowered their tuition 20% and the average freshman scholarship is about $21,000.

  • The RISE program recruits retired researchers & scientists to work individually with undergrad students on research projects. 

Majors of Note: Environmental Management; Pan-African Studies

University of Montana

Location: Missoula, MT

  • Emphasize cross-training students in multiple disciplines to prepare them for post-graduate life.

  • “Four Bear”, an opt-in program that helps ensure students graduate in 4 years, is available to everyone.

  • Freshmen are required to live on campus. 

Majors of Note: Forestry; Parks, Tourism, & Recreation Management


Montana State University

Location: Bozeman, MT

  • Approximately 53% of freshmen and 40% of transfers are from out of state.

  • The architecture program does not require a portfolio.  

  • Students from any major can use the entrepreneurship center. 

Majors of Note: Environmental Design; Sustainable Food & Bioenergy Systems

Is there a topic you would like us to cover in a future blog post? Let us know!

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