Montclair State University

Montclair State University provides “diverse programs/curriculum, and [a] focus on student success and career readiness.” The school “does an amazing job creating opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience—from internships and media projects to programs that help us build professional networks before graduation.” Montclair also offers a “strong support system for students” and “the resources you need to succeed.” As one student explains, “Having multiple communications that can help me with a problem from financial aid, classes, etc., is super helpful and puts a lot less stress on me.” Among the many types of resources for students are classrooms with “interactive platforms, live coding sessions, and simulations to make lessons more engaging and practical.” And one student reports, “In my History of the Spanish Inquisition class, we’re doing a unit on using AI to build databases.” Professors are “passionate about what they teach and truly invested in their students’ growth, often going out of their way to provide guidance, opportunities, and real-world insight.” In the classroom, they also “make the material engaging by connecting lessons to real-world situations and encouraging open discussion in class.” This eye toward practicality and future application does not go unnoticed by students, one of whom says, “I feel like I am learning critical information pertaining to my future career path.”

Students appreciate that Montclair State is “an incredibly diverse school with people from all over the world.” Students “vary in age, culture, and experiences” and “everyone is extremely accepting.” Wandering the campus, one can “see all kinds of expression here, from the way people dress to the way they speak up for what they believe in.” Red Hawks, as students are called, “are nice, very respectful, and helpful throughout campus, [and] the friendly nature of the students makes for a lively atmosphere.” At Montclair, “you’ll meet people who are career focused, others who are passionate about activism, and some who are still figuring things out, and that mix creates a really dynamic environment.” The mix of goals and backgrounds culminates in a harmonious thrum to daily living: “There’s this incredible energy on campus; everyone’s always juggling classes, jobs, and internships, yet still finding time to support one another and get involved.”

The school “is always pushing student involvement and for students to put themselves out there and go out of [their] comfort [zones],” and “it is very fun to try new things…and [see] what becomes of an event and what you as a student gain from it.” As one student explains, “I never thought I would be doing Brazilian jiu-jitsu in my free time, but turns out I am.” There are numerous clubs and organizations, and “you’re sure to find something you like no matter how specific your interest,” whether it’s photography, anime, sports, or music. The Student Center often plays host to activities, “like cultural nights and volunteer drives,” as well as “awesome affordable off-campus activities like trips to [New York City], hikes, and local outdoor venues.” For unstructured fun, “a lot of people hang out in the quad, go to the gym, or use the dorm lounges to play pool or just spend time with other people in the building.” A large portion of students are commuters, and the university “has a lot of events and things and spaces for commuters to go and stay while waiting for classes.” Life at Montclair State “moves at a fast but exciting pace,” and students say that on most days the “campus buzzes with classes, club meetings, and study sessions in every corner of the library.”