Montclair State University

The pandemic not only impacted the appeal or availability of college life; it cut into schools' ability to recruit students at remote events, or invite prospective students and families onto campus.

Across the board, regardless of race or ethnicity, students reported a tremendous impact on their mental health when the pandemic first hit the Northeast and sent schools, businesses and homes into lockdown mode.

Princeton University is New Jersey's top institute of higher learning and one of the two dozen or so best colleges on the planet, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Because of pandemic restrictions, it was difficult for students and their families to get a true feel for a college campus in 2020.

Luckily, schools out for summer because a New Jersey university is said to be one of the most haunted colleges in America.

Students joined a roundtable with the president of Montclair State University and New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education.

The coronavirus pandemic shattered any sense of routine held by New Jersey residents, but as weeks turned into months, the pandemic led to knew routines and behaviors that may be hard to break away from as "normal" life starts calling again.

"We've always been frustrated that the only thing people talk about when it comes to sex education is how well it prevents pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, when we know that comprehensive sex-ed is designed to do so much more," said Lisa Lieberman, public health professor.

Select colleges and universities in the Garden State are offering hope for normal operations come Fall 2021, whatever that may mean in the face of a lingering coronavirus pandemic.

Many institutions have, at least for now, completely or mostly eliminated their typical requirement that standardized test scores be included with prospective students' applications.