Back to School: Rutgers Student Pursues College for the Fourth Time

By Genise Deal

Ken Kurtulik may have more anxieties than your average student at Rutgers University. He is a sophomore, that holds interest in technology, video games, and his 1992 Legend Sedan. This is the fourth time he's enrolled into an institution of higher education.

He is returning back to school after receiving a degree in advertising from Rowan University. Kurtulik studies journalism, in hopes of find  a career writing for technology magazines in San Francisco, California.


Once Kurtulik graduated Rowan University he struggled to find a job. He decided to come back to school for a second chance --but less enthusiastic. “College failed me the first time, I didn’t land on my feet,”Kurtulik said. Rutgers University is the fourth institution of higher education he's attended.

After a year at Penn State, Kurtulik returned home to attend Raritan Valley community college. There he would get his associates and go on to Rowan for a degree in advertising. Kurtulik realized into his last year of college that advertising wasn’t the right fit for him, he said.

“I don’t want to work in NYC and I don’t like what I’m learning but I felt committed to finish until the end,” he said. The only sensible choice at the time was to finish out his major-- more of an obligation than a choice. Kurtulik now lives with his parents in Branchburg, New Jersey and commutes to Rutgers.

Because of his previous college and life experience Kurtulik is now on the dean’s list student and plans to keep it that way. “I’m really here working a lot harder than I ever did the first time to insure that I am the best pick.” He claims to stay in the library for 12 to 15 hours a week.

Although Kurtulik may not interested in making friends he still keep up with other hobbies and extracurricular activities. He currently writes for the Daily Targum, he said.

His hobbies reflect his passion for technology. When not studying for school he is interested in learning more about new advances in the technology industry and enjoys playing video games. Kurtulick also owns a Canon 60d digital SLR camera and considers himself an amateur photographer. 

If you happen to have any questions about the 1992 Legend Sedan, Kurtulik may have all the answers. He occasionally attends 1992 Legend Sedan car gatherings, that may host 25 to 55 Legend Sedans in one area. These gatherings are for people with the same car to come hang out, he said. “People will bring food and beer, it’s like a big cook out and you just talk about your car.”

It’s not hard to imagine why Kurtulik was apprehensive when going back to school. “I was not a partier, I struggled to make friends as a result so I did not enjoy college the first time around.”

He feels his approach to education now, greatly differs from most of his peers. “Compared to most students here the 18 to 22 they are preoccupied with making friends, building hobbies, and going to parties --but I’m just here to win.”