Why the Class of 2030 Chose Bloomfield College

Top Takeaways

• Small Campus: Students say Bloomfield’s smaller size makes college feel more personal and less overwhelming.
• Best of Both Worlds: Being part of Montclair State University gives Bloomfield students access to the resources of a larger university while maintaining a small-campus experience.
• Strong Academic Programs: Programs like Nursing and the Creative Arts helped students find a college that matched their academic goals.
• Affordability and Location: Financial support and proximity to home also played a role in students’ decisions.

Choosing a college is about finding the place that feels right. We asked first-year students why they chose to study at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University. For many, the College’s smaller size was a major factor, offering a close-knit environment while still providing access to the resources of Montclair State University.

From academics, affordability and location to athletics and personal connections, here’s what members of the Class of 2030 shared about beginning their Bloomfield journeys.

A Small-College Experience With Big-School Opportunities

For some students, Bloomfield offers the best of both worlds: a smaller campus experience with access to the opportunities and resources of Montclair State University. 

“Bloomfield is close to me, and I also really love small campuses. I was very intimidated by Montclair because it was a very big school, and even though a lot of my friends are going to Montclair, it did make me feel better that Bloomfield and Montclair joined together because it doesn’t really feel like I’m missing out on everything. My stepdad actually went to Bloomfield for music, but I’m still the first person in my family to get a degree, so that was also a motivation for me.”

Kimora Mote, Graphic Design, Newark, NJ 

Strong Programs and Big-University Resources

Students Steven Sullon and Daniel Perez both pointed to Bloomfield’s Nursing program as a reason for choosing the College.

“Right now, I’m undeclared, but I want to get into the Nursing program. My high school guidance counselor was actually the first person who told me about Bloomfield and how good the nursing program was. I wanted to find a college with a good nursing program because becoming a nurse, to me, isn’t just about the money. It's about helping others and supporting a community. I chose Bloomfield for that reason, and also because of how much financial support I got when I applied and the scholarships I was was offered”

Stephen Sullon, Undeclared, West Orange, NJ

“The reason why I chose Bloomfield was because I heard it had a great nursing program. Since Bloomfield is part of Montclair, I’d still be able to have a smaller college experience while getting the resources of a big school. I also wanted to do nursing because of my sister, who’s a nurse. She really helped push me to go down this path.”

Daniel Perez, Nursing, Bound Brook, NJ

Small Classes Make a Difference

“When I was looking through all my different colleges, Bloomfield really stood out to me because of how small the classes are. I heard from people about one time when they were sick and didn’t come to class, and their professor reached out asking if they were okay, which really showed me that the professors care about their students.” 

- Sabrina Towell, 2D Animation, Pennsauken, NJ

Finding the Right Fit

For some students, choosing Bloomfield came down to finding a college that fit into their lives. Whether it was the opportunity to continue playing a sport, a smaller campus that felt less overwhelming or the convenience of staying close to home, different factors helped make Bloomfield the right choice. 

“I chose Bloomfield because I’m interested in sports and I got recruited to play basketball. I also like that Bloomfield has a small campus, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.”

- Johno Harrison, Business Administration, Jersey City, NJ

“Bloomfield is really close to where I live, so it’s not difficult for me to commute, and I know a lot of people around here. My godfather also works at Montclair and has been there for a while, so he helped me through the process.”

- Aman Gregory, 2D Animation, East Orange, NJ