I rarely write posts like this, but I feel other parents should know about our family’s experience with Montclair State University’s pre-college summer program.
We paid $1,900 each for our two sons to attend—$3,800 total—because they have enjoyed other pre-college programs and were excited about spending a week exploring possible career interests and experiencing college life.
Unfortunately, both of them cannot wait to come home.
One of our sons enrolled in *The Mathematics of Musical Instruments* because he loves music and is considering majoring in cybersecurity with a minor in music. The program sounded like a creative combination of both interests. Instead, he describes it as approximately 95% math and 5% music, with a great deal of calculus. He is an honors math student entering his senior year, but he has never taken calculus and cannot understand much of what is being discussed. There were no prerequisites or recommended math courses listed in the description, and Montclair reviewed the transcript he submitted with his application.
Our other son is attending the Criminal Justice program. He says the days are repetitive, with students sitting in the same seats for most of the day while professors lecture at them. There are no hands-on group projects that allow students to apply what they are learning. He expected scenarios, simulations, case work, discussions, and opportunities to collaborate. Instead, he has found both the classes and field trips boring. He says most of the students in his program want to go home.
He did not tell us how unhappy he really was at first because he did not want to disappoint us or make us feel that we had wasted our money. I just got off the phone with him, and he told me that he cannot wait to come home. He had been looking forward to this week, and instead, it has taken away a week of his summer vacation.
The residential experience has also been very different from what was advertised. Montclair stated that students would enjoy campus and residential life and that staff would lead evening recreation, sports, interactive games, and leisure time in communal spaces. Our sons have had very few opportunities to socialize. After meals, they have often been sent directly back to their dorms. The recreation center was closed today and will also be closed tomorrow, and the recreational activities on the first floor of the dorm were not available today.
Breakfast is at 8:00 a.m., lunch is at noon, and dinner is at 5:30 p.m. There are no snacks or drinks provided between meals. Our sons are spending money at vending machines, and students are ordering DoorDash because they are hungry. On Tuesday, there were not enough seats in the dining hall at dinner because students from other sports camps were also there.
Our boys have attended other pre-college programs that were less expensive and far more engaging, interactive, organized, and enjoyable. A pre-college program should give students a positive introduction to a university and make them excited about possibly attending in the future. Unfortunately, this experience has done the opposite.
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Isla EllaLocal Guide
12 Jul 2026
Inspection found everything in reasonable shape, flagged one area with early wear that wasn't yet a problem but worth noting in the disclosure. Handled the paperwork side clearly, gave us exactly what we needed for the lease requirement without inflating anything.
This place is ridiculous! I had been accepted into MSU in 2023, but could not move forward as their nursing school was designed for "Fresh out of High School only". I advised them that I was withdrawing my application and they just decided now in July of 2026 to put me into collections ???? I literally stepped foot on campus ONCE to have a meeting with the least helpful person I have ever met and now they are trying to charge me over $2,000.00 for God knows what. Ridiculous, money hungry, and overall disgusting. I should have know from my visit that this was a very money centered place, but honestly this is just not ok.
To any Visual Art majors looking to attend: If you can get into a different University, go there. Not here. If you're already here, transfer if you can.
Our major is pretty much neglected. The building itself (Calcia Hall) looks like a brick, surrounded by the newer buildings. Supplies are limited or non-existant. A few professors pick favorite students (this matters during the final project). Your classes don't allow alot of time to work on big art projects or time to grow as an artist.
All the other people I've met here were kind, but I wouldn't recommend attending here otherwise.
A lot of things are broken or old. The food is mediocore at best- Despite the million-dollar-a-year investment. Public printers are out of ink often. Commuters who use the parking lots will suffer with traffic during peak hours. The roads go around the entire University because it's on a steep hill (horrid when there's construction in the area) And, despite the smoke-free signs, there are still students who smoke on campus.
If you're minoring in Visual Arts it'll be fine but as a major? Don't recommend it.
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Fatima Rosario
27 May 2026
I have now completed two Bachelor’s degrees and I am currently working on my Master’s. I have had no issue completing my degrees because I am very self sufficient, I study hard, and I have maintained high grades. My main complaint is with the lack of help from the advisors, whose job is to guide and support students. When I completed my first degree in 2021, my advisors were helpful and responsive. They even followed up with me when I had questions or small issues, even though I usually handled most things myself because I did not want to be a bother. When I completed my second Bachelor’s degree in 2025, I noticed the quality of advising had dropped. I did not need much help at the time, so I ignored it and continued doing my best to figure things out on my own. But now that I am completing my Master’s degree and actually need help staying on track, especially because I use my Post 9/11 veteran benefits to pay for school (which you have limited months to use), the lack of follow up and support has become a real issue. I have been trying to get into an independent study so I can complete my degree by December 2026. It would have been helpful if my advisor had let me know when these slots were opening, especially after I had already sent multiple emails expressing concern about finishing on time. I was told to reach out to professors and faculty, which I did, but I received little to no response from many of them. I have been stuck trying to figure this out on my own.
Now I see that a summer class opened, but it is too late for me to register and use it to complete my degree earlier. This is exactly the kind of situation where advisors are supposed to help students. I needed help finding ways to complete thedegree within the timeline given to me by Post 9/11.
I have seen advisors submit permits, follow up with departments, and help students work through complicated situations, so I am not sure why that level of help has stopped. I hate writing negative reviews, but the lack of help and follow up has been unacceptable. Even my husband noticed the same issue when he signed up for his Master’s program during this summer 2026. For a school that encourages diverse learning, there should be better support for students who are trying to complete their education within the time and circumstances they have. Students should not feel like they are on their own when the people assigned to advise them are supposed to help. Again, I don't bother them or even ask unless it is neccessary, but even then it feels like a lost cause to ask for help sometimes.
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Rogner QuintelaLocal Guide
24 May 2026
Awesome place all year-round for ice skating.
Great programs for classes. I also see lots of hockey going on here. All level ice skating. Check website for open hours to the public.
They have 2 rings here.
Very nice
