N.J. Governor Wants to Merge Thomas Edison Into Rutgers

[Jason800]

I think for most of us, the main concern is that TESC will no longer be able to offer the option of 100% testing out - i.e. no residency. Even if they increase their residency to one class, tons of people who go this round will rule them out simply because they don't want to take a class. I wouldn't mind it, but my goal isn't to get my degree done as quickly as possible (though I do want to get it done somewhat quickly).

Also, the Rutger's name isn't as amazing as I think some of you are playing it up to be. It was just a vague name in my head; it took my mom a minute to recognize it at all. Really, the name recognition depends on your location. In some places it may be great (out east, for example), in others less so (chilly Minnesota).

As far as aesthetics go, the very name "Thomas Edison" beats "Rutgers." But I don't think the merger folks are taking that into consideration!

As Shoto would say,

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I think if you live in the NY/NJ/CT/PA area the name Rutgers is going to be pretty well known. How it rates among employers probably depends on the major. Of the NJ schools their engineering department is going to be looked at as lower than Stevens and NJIT. Id think their business school would rank 2nd to Seton Hall. There are probably categories where they rank below MSU and TCNJ. So I think if you are attending TESC and live in the NY/NJ area the Rutgers name will definitely be much more well known than TESC.

But outside of the area I doubt too many folks know Rutgers. Contrary to what someone else said RU does not have a well known sports program. Their football program has been a joke for years and it has not been until the last few years that they have begun to make some of the 2nd tier bowl games. Their basketball program is terrible. I think sports are important in getting a school name recognized outside the area and RU has never been a factor in that category.

But if someone is really worried about the name simply go for a graduate degree at a more well known school, if they can afford it. There are a number of well known schools offering more and more graduate level degrees online every day.