TCNJ

48 The College of New Jersey Magazine 10 things you need to know about … Why TCNJ was my top choice Dylan Chidick '23 entered TCNJ this fall with national notoriety: A formerly homeless teen from Jersey City, he landed on NBC's Today show when he was accepted to 17 of the 18 colleges he applied to but was holding out for his top choice: TCNJ. His dream came true — and his reasons for becoming a Lion might match your own. —Kara Pothier 7. I didn't want to go too far from home. I have younger twin brothers with heart problems. I want to be independent, but close if I need to help them. 6. No one in my immediate family went to college, so I had to figure out how to apply on my own. TCNJ helped me through the process more than other schools. 9. I come from a really challenging financial background. TCNJ has the best EOF program in the state, which helps me not have loans. TCNJ X10 1. I came here on a tour, it was like 7 a.m. and everyone had a smiley face and was so bubbly. My family's from the Caribbean, we're warm and friendly. That's how I grew up. PETER MURPHY 10. My family is all excited I'm going to college. My mom keeps talking about me being away and says she's going to turn my room into a closet. 2. Seeing the TCNJ ambassadors in the striped shirts made me want to be one of them. If they are happy to represent the school, then I knew the school is treating them well. 3. I knew I had to go to a reputable school. I want to go to law school, so the name of the bachelor's degree has to hold weight. 8. I am a social butterfly. I need a balance of fun and schoolwork. TCNJ had so many clubs — more than other schools I looked at. 5. I didn't want to go to a really big school. In classrooms, I actually want the professor to know me. I took Rutgers off the list because that is too big. 4. I did my research and saw TCNJ's high rankings in New Jersey and nationally and said, "Wow, this is a really good school." And that's when I fell in love with it.

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