Montclair State University announced on Apr. 15 that its Early Bird Junior Admission Program is helping high school students reduce the stress of the college application process by offering early admission and scholarship decisions before their senior year.
The program allows high-achieving juniors to apply for free and receive an answer months ahead of regular timelines, providing a sense of security as they enter their final year of high school. This early notification can help students manage the pressures commonly associated with applying to colleges.
Dana Brzezinski, who participated in the program while at Howell High School, said learning about her acceptance over the summer made a significant difference. “Then I got the email and I was like, ‘Oh, I got into college.’” Brzezinski said that knowing she had already secured a spot made her senior year “a little more relaxing.” She added, “It definitely made the application process more manageable and a lot less stressful.” The non-binding nature of the offer allowed her to consider other schools while holding an option at Montclair State University.
Brzezinski described being drawn to Montclair’s campus community: “I liked the community, and all of the buildings are beautiful,” she said. “You could tell that the staff, the professors, when you saw them walking around, you could tell that they like their jobs.” She also noted positive student interactions on campus: “You see all the students outside together, talking instead of everyone just looking down at their phones. I feel like it’s just different here.” Now studying Educational Foundations and involved in campus clubs such as Future Educators Club and gardening club activities, Brzezinski said: “Overall, my freshman year is pretty good. I can already tell that the elementary education program is a great fit for me.”
Montclair State University serves around 23,546 students—including approximately 18,062 undergraduates—across several New Jersey municipalities such as Montclair, Little Falls, Clifton, and Bloomfield according to its official website. The university’s suburban campus covers 252 acres with facilities expanding beyond its original single building according to university information.
More than half of Montclair’s student body comes from underrepresented minority groups; it is recognized as New Jersey’s largest Hispanic-Serving Institution according to official data. The institution has been ranked among Wall Street Journal’s top 30 public universities nationally for value and social mobility according to its official website. Its academic approach combines liberal arts education with professional training and research aimed at preparing graduates for societal challenges through inclusive access and community engagement as reported by university sources.
The Early Bird Junior Admission Program reflects Montclair State University’s ongoing efforts to support prospective students from diverse backgrounds while maintaining academic excellence.
