For students looking to fast-track their education and reduce tuition costs, Rutgers University provides two notable programs: the 3+3 law school program and the 4+1 master’s program. These initiatives allow undergraduates to complete their degrees more efficiently, offering both savings for time and money.

The 3+3 Law School Program

The 3+3 law school program at Rutgers enables students to complete their undergraduate and law degrees in six years instead of the traditional seven or eight. In this program, the first year of law school also fulfills the final year of undergraduate requirements, resulting in significant savings.

Dr. Anthony Grasso, the pre-law advisor for Rutgers-Camden, emphasizes the financial and professional benefits of the program. “By allowing the first year of law school to count toward both the law degree and the final year of undergraduate requirements, the program enables students to earn both degrees in six years instead of seven, accelerating their entry into the legal profession,” he explains. “This also results in substantial cost savings, as students pay for only four years of undergraduate tuition and two years of law school tuition, rather than the standard three.”

For students considering the 3+3 pathway, Dr. Grasso advises careful planning. “First, students should ideally meet regularly with their academic advisor and myself beginning early in their undergraduate studies to ensure they complete their major and general education requirements by the end of their third year. That is a key eligibility requirement for the 3+3 program that requires careful course planning,” he notes.

Additionally, strong academic performance is essential. “Potential applicants should work to meet the program’s competitive admissions criteria, aiming for an LSAT score and Rutgers GPA at or above the medians for Rutgers Law’s most recently admitted class (currently a 158 LSAT and a 3.61 Rutgers GPA),” Grasso says.

More information on the 3+3 program is available at Rutgers Law School.

The 4+1 Master’s Program

For students seeking a master’s degree, Rutgers also offers a 4+1 program, which allows students to complete a master’s degree in just one additional year beyond their undergraduate studies. Unlike the 3+3 program, which is exclusively for law school, the 4+1 program offers multiple fields of study.

Alexis Hopkins, a recent graduate of the Rutgers 4+1 program, shares her experience during the application process. Alexis found out about the program through various professors at Rutgers and by doing her own research at https://grad.rutgers.edu/. 

For students interested in pursuing the 4+1 option, Alexis recommends early engagement with faculty. “Get in contact with Dr. Fiske (4+1 program director) by the start of your junior year. That way, you can get all the information you need, and she knows you. By the time you apply to the program, she will be expecting your application”.

Students can learn more about the 4+1 program and available graduate degrees at https://grad.rutgers.edu/academics/graduate-programs. Those with specific questions can reach out to Alexis Hopkins at alexis.hopkins@camden.rutgers.edu.

Both the 3+3 and 4+1 programs offer students the opportunity to accelerate their academic and professional careers while reducing tuition costs. However, these pathways require careful planning and commitment. Students interested in these programs should consult their academic advisors early to ensure they meet eligibility requirements and are prepared for the rigorous coursework ahead.

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Whether approaching graduation or just beginning to think about the future, internships are a stepping stone to opening the door to a professional career. 

It’s normal to either have a clear career goal or to be unsure about the future beyond graduation. Before diving into the job search, it’s helpful to step back and think about some important self questions: 

● What activities or topics interest you the most? 

● Is it possible to turn these interests into a career? 

● How would you picture the perfect work culture? 

● Are you focused on finding stability, career advancement, financial wealth, or prestigious recognition? 

Being honest when answering these questions helps to visualize the type of career that will make the most of a student’s skills and passions, ultimately leading to a fulfilling and successful future. 

Once a better idea of the ideal career is created, students can begin thinking about which internships will suit them best. Here’s a simple guide to get started. 

Step 1: Gather the Essentials 

To begin the application process, three key items are needed: a resume, a cover letter, and an online network. 

If there’s no resume or cover letter yet, scheduling an appointment with the Rutgers Camden Career Center is a great way to get help creating these.

Step 2: Create an Online Network 

In today’s job market, an online presence is necessary. If LinkedIn or Handshake accounts aren’t set up yet, now’s the time to create them. Both platforms are essential for connecting with employers, researching companies, and finding internship opportunities. 

● Handshake is a job board supported by 

Rutgers, specifically designed to help 

students and recent graduates find 

internships and job openings. Job postings 

can be filtered by interest, and there are 

opportunities to engage with employers and 

research companies. Create your Handshake 

account here. 

● LinkedIn is another key platform, not just for 

job searching, but also for networking. A 

polished LinkedIn profile showcases skills, 

academic accomplishments, and professional 

aspirations, making it easier for potential 

employers to view students as serious 

candidates. 

Handshake and LinkedIn give access to hundreds of internship opportunities. Filter searches based on interests, and apply to the positions that align with individualized career goals. 

Step 3: Prepare for the Interview 

The Rutgers Camden Career Center has a free resource called Big Interview to help practice answering tough questions and get comfortable for the big day. 

Need help with any part of the process? Whether it’s polishing your resume, perfecting your cover letter, or prepping for an interview, the Career Center is there to guide you through it. 

Top 5 Fastest Growing Careers 

For those whose career reflections don’t yet lead to a specific job, here are some top growing career options, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 

1. Wind Turbine Service Technicians:Projected to grow by 60%, with a median annual wage of $61,770. 

2. Solar Photovoltaic Installers: Projected to grow by 48%, earning a median annual wage of $48,800.

3. Nurse Practitioners: Projected to grow by 52%, with a median annual wage of $132,270. 

4. Data Scientists: Projected to grow by 36%, with a median annual wage of $108,020. 5. 5. Information Security Analysts: Projected to grow by 33%, with a median annual wage of $120,360 per year. 

The Rutgers Camden Career Center will be hosting the annual Spring Career Fair on Tuesday, April 1st from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Registration can be done via the Handshake app.

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Earlier this month the MFA Organization had a sit down with author Alyssa Songsiridej as part of their Local & Visiting Writers Series.

An accomplished and growing author, Alyssa Songsiridej is a 2022 5 under 35 National Book Foundation honoree. She read to the small gathering of MFA Creative Writing students and alumni a small excerpt from her book, Little Rabbit, a novel shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award and the Edmund White Award. Songsiridej focused her talk around the differences between the role of a writer and role of an editor. She formerly worked as an editor for a literary magazine, so her insight into both realms allowed for a well illuminated discussion. Songsiridej gave real insight into the roles of editors and writers as well as hard tips to help writers distinguish between editor skills and drafting skills, allowing for their best work to come through. Songsiridej described the essence of her book as “art, power and sex”.

Songsiridej read for the small group two chapters of her book, chapter one and chapter three. The first chapter detailed the nameless main character meeting for the first time the nameless love interest, a wealthy male choreographer.

The third chapter, revealed the main character having a sort of confessional moment with her roommate and best friend, Annie. Confessing she slept with the male choreographer. Songsiridej chose these two excerpts to frame her talk. The first chapter remained, almost entirely untouched during the revision and edition process. The third chapter was a complete and utter revision.

Being in the position of both writer and editor is something that is not unfamiliar to Songsiridej. She gave tips to the MFA students on how to revise when you are in writer mode. She urged the students to, “embrace being an inefficient writer”. She urged them to put down a piece of work and come back to it, seemingly when they are a different person.

She suggested them to, “be willing to change your ideas” and that being stuck in one idea is detrimental to the writer and the story. At the core of her message; embrace change and come back to your writing when you are a new person. Songsiridej also offered some unique and personal tips for the writer. She offered that she writes all her first drafts by hand, it isn’t until multiple revisions later that she brings out the laptop for a written draft. Songsiridej acknowledges that this is untraditional, but urges the young writers that it works and works well.

Along with letting go of old ideas destitute to old drafts, Songsiridej encourages the writers to keep the editor or “critical voice out of the room” when drafting. She makes clear that drafting is a space to let ideas fly without the filter of a critical lens.

The MFA Organization will continue to host authors for their Local and Visiting Writers Series. Where short readings, advice from established writers and conversation with other creatives will ensue. For more, the Organization’s event calendar can be found at: MFA Org Presents: Local and Visiting Writers Series.

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The United States, a long-standing ally of Israel, has provided more military aid to the country than any other since World War II, allocating $17.9 billion in the past year alone. While U.S. military support for allies is a well-established precedent, it has also sparked significant domestic controversy, with some citizens questioning the use of taxpayer dollars in overseas conflicts. 

For nearly a year, a group of protesters has gathered every Saturday along Cuthbert Boulevard in Collingswood, NJ, voicing opposition to U.S. military aid to Israel. The demonstrations, which began in December 2023, were sparked by the conflict that escalated after the attacks of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza.

Protestor Saif and his friend holding their hand painted signs.

When asked why he started this small but determined protest, Michael responded, “The outrageous murder of civilians—men, women, and children—using U.S. taxpayer money and bombs in Gaza. There is overwhelming propaganda by our government. We have to counteract that propaganda, number one. We can’t rely on our leaders; we have to rely on the people to assert their power. We are out here to educate people that it is our tax dollars paying for this genocide. We are interested in trying to spur people to take action” 

Michael emphasized the importance of grassroots activism, urging people to take action through simple measures, such as contacting their local congressmen. 

In addition to their weekly protests, the group has taken their message directly to local politicians. Michael shared that the group had previously visited the office of Donald Norcross, where they peacefully protested, presented a written statement, and had several members speak. The protesters were not dismissed; a staff representative for Norcross came out to listen and receive their statement. They have also demonstrated outside the offices of Andy Kim and Cory Booker.

Looking ahead, the group plans to continue its efforts by distributing flyers and raising awareness about alternative political candidates. “[We’re] “working towards alternative candidates, to oppose the candidates of the machine,” Michael explained, referring to the ‘machine’ as his belief that both Democrats and Republicans are beholden to the same system. He expressed that another way forwards is by voting for alternative candidates. While not aligned with the Green Party, he expressed support for its political candidates within New Jersey. Michael mentioned, “The Green Party currently has 13 candidates running for Congress and Senate in New Jersey.” Although he doesn’t identify as a Green Party member, he supports these alternative candidates, describing them as people “offering the chance to vote for someone who is on the right side of humanity and history”. 

One of the other protesters, Taylor, who stood a few people down from Michael, summed up his motivation simply: “We’re just out here for the love of the Palestinian people. We just want to see them prosper.”

Protestor Taylor with his sign.

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The Candlelight Concert Series, an offshoot of Fever entertainment company, has bewitched audiences around the world since its origin in Madrid in 2019. With its ambient glow, this phenomenon has spread to over 100 cities worldwide, Philadelphia included.

The candle-lit concerts are typically performed by a string quartet. The themes range from classical symphonies to jazz, fantasy and anime soundtracks. Unique venues are staples of the Candlelight Series—Masonic temples, aquariums, and even cemeteries are not off-limits.

Each October the Candlelight Series treats Philidelphians to a strange and unusual concert, fittingly held in the historic and haunting Laurel Hill Cemetery. Should you choose to attend the event, upon arrival you will be overtaken with the hundreds of candles (battery operated for obvious safety reasons) that line the darkened cemetery walkways and adorn the many mausoleums and ornate graves.

Laurel Hill Cemetery is the perfect resting place for this gathering. The cemetery has a rich history with the city of Philadelphia as well as a destination spot for art appreciators of the macabre genre. Founded in 1836 as a solution to overcrowded churchyards in Philadelphia, Laurel Hill Cemetery was the city’s first rural cemetery and the second in the U.S. It became the preferred burial site for Philadelphia’s elite, and the cemetery slowly filled with grand monuments by renowned sculptors and architects. More than just a cemetery, it serves today as an outdoor unearthly art museum. The creation of Laurel Hill, reflecting Romantic ideals, aimed to replace unhygienic urban burial grounds with serene landscapes and classical monuments. 

Starting October 8th and running until All Hallow’s Eve, the Candlelight Concert Series will return to Laurel Hill Cemetery with the Listeso String Quartet. They’ll capture the spirit of Halloween with a fun and chilling setlist, from Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” to a very classical “Danse Macabre” by Camille Saint-Saëns, and some familiar themes of Ghostbusters, Stranger Things, Beetlejuice and more.

Surely an eccentric way to mark the start of spooky season, the cemetery will welcome a performance every Tuesday night, hosting a 6:30 pm show as well as a 9 pm show for the braver souls among us.

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Photo and Story by Kateri Tyrrell

On Wednesday April 10th, the School of Business here at Rutgers Camden held their fifth
annual business symposium. This year’s symposium discussed a topic that, though may seem
tired to some, begs to be further discussed as its influence in our daily lives continues to expand:
artificial intelligence.

This year’s symposium welcomed panelists Sean Boyce, founder of Nxtsetp consulting
which specializes in AI; Gil Kaminski, co-founder of Humelan, an AI-based hearing aid
company; Michael Kirchhoff, who shared insights on AI in healthcare; and Ojobo Agbo Eje, a
data specialist and author of A Layman’s Guide to Understanding Artificial Intelligence. Each
speaker brought their unique expertise, whether in content creation, healthcare, or data analysis.
Given its context within the School of Business, the panelists offered their perspectives
on AI through the lenses of marketing, healthcare, and data. However, as it is widely
acknowledged, artificial intelligence has permeated nearly every facet of our lives, not just the
realm of business. This new landscape is leaving many college-aged individuals, on the precipice
of graduation, and about to enter the workfield, wondering how to navigate this seemingly ever
evolving territory. Does one fight against the rising tide of artificial intelligence, or ride the wave
and learn how to work smarter not harder?

How AI works is, the creator feeds the AI tons of training data, the AI then analyzes the
data, recognizes patterns in the data, and makes predictions based on said patterns. There is
no doubt AI is helpful for many businesses; each panelist was quick to describe how AI has
helped make their business more efficient. However, as artificial intelligence is a young concept,
it has its flaws and needs some refining still. Gil Kaminski gave an example of the errors of AI. She
described this phenomenon as “biased data”.

In Kamiski’s example, she used Midjourney, an artificial intelligence that generates images.
She uploaded a picture of herself, and prompted Midjourney to generate an image of herself as a
CEO. All the photos that Midjourney conjured were of Kaminski as a man. She then prompted
the AI to make her into a nurse. Midjourney created a photo of her dressed in a tacky, old school
nurse’s uniform. These examples exemplify biased data. The AI was likely fed limited data based
on traditional gender roles, and thus created biased images. If not corrected, this sort of biased
data can be harmful as AI moves forward.

Speaker Ojobo Agbo Eje is a major proponent of creating ‘ethical artificial intelligence’. Eje
describes ethical AI as, “the development and deployment of artificial intelligence in a safe,
secure, humane and environmentally friendly approach”. In his presentation, Eje pointed out
common ethical issues within AI. One being biased data, just as Kaminiski touched on. Another
being copyright infringements, which may be all too common on AI channels such as ChatGPT,
that can write complete, compelling essays within a matter of seconds. As Kaminski touched on gender bias in AI, Eje brought race bias into the AI conversation. A study done by Joy Buolamwini, an African American graduate researcher at MIT, discovered that AI facial recognition programs had an easier time recognizing her face when she wore a white mask. This once again exemplifies biased data in growing artificial intelligence.

With the ethical errors of artificial intelligence in mind, Eje presented the “Five Pillars of
Ethical AI”. They are as follows: Fairness, where race and gender must be fairly represented;
Explainability, where the data that AI is trained on must be easily explainable; Robustness,
meaning the AI must be resistant to hackers; Transparency, where there needs to be easy access
to the AI’s data. Finally, data privacy, which is an ongoing concern in the modern technological
era; individuals must be able to consent to having their data shared.

In less than a decade, artificial intelligence has substantially impacted almost all areas of
our lives. However, it still has a long way to go. For college students, the looming prospect of
working in cooperation AI can seem daunting. Some college students may be familiar with using
AI for homework help. Others may worry about what it will look like competing with, or
working alongside AI. There is much to learn, and the climate of AI is ever evolving.
For college students and graduates entering the workforce, the presence of Artificial
Intelligence creates both opportunity and challenge. AI’s integration into every industry has
reshaped the workforce, demanding adaptability. While some fear AI’s encroachment on
traditional roles, it also offers efficiency and innovation.

College students must navigate this new and evolving environment, considering whether
to embrace AI as a tool to enhance one’s capabilities, or view it as a threat to job security.
Understanding AI’s potential and its errors are necessary when it comes to learning how to use AI
ethically and responsibly. Integrating AI fluency into one’s skill set will be essential for success
in the modern workforce. By mastering the ethical use of AI, college students can find
meaningful roles and contribute to the unavoidable synergistic future of artificial and human
intelligence.

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