P C City Inc
PC City is one of those places where you can get almost any type of computer hardware you need - they have a better selection than any of the CompUSA's, Best Buys, or Circuit City's in the area. And for the most part, their prices are better than those mentioned above.
I've purchased processors, motherboards, video cards, and various odds and ends here - I think this should be your first place to really go to when you're in the area.
I bought a processor from PC City when I was building my first computer for college. Needless to say, near the end of the school year my processor burned out. I took it back to the store and they replaced it free of charge. I think their customer service is definitely up there.
Overall, a great place to buy stuff if you can't get a good deal online (ebay or newegg).
Rutgers The State University
You'd be hard pressed to find a better university for the price you'll pay going to Rutgers. The course and major selection is ridiculously varied, and once you get in, you're free to take whatever classes you want. Not to mention that, with the (tens of?) thousands of people coming to rutgers every year, you're going to meet a lot of friends and have a lot of fun.
Unfortunately, you can also read that the other way - if you prefer high school sized course classes (20-30), then you should definitely look elsewhere. Some introductory (101) classes have upwards of 500 people during lectures. Speaking of which, the faculty, for the most part, is made up of good professors who really want you to learn the material.
As for providing you with tools to succeed in life: Rutgers gives you a quality education, but doesn't give you a good start into entering the job market. There's no co-op program and once you graduate...you're pretty much on your own.
Otherwise, I would give Rutgers a hearty recommendation even though it gets a bad rap as the second-choice school.
Westaff
This was the second temp agency that I visited when trying to find a summer job during college. I arrived here and filled out an application, and then had to take TWO sets of tests - one for general clerical skills (filing, alphabetizing, simple math) and a computer test. After this, the agency found me a position doing Quality Assurance at a large company nearby. I was a little unsure, so they said they'd give me the rest of the day to think about it and to call them in the morning.
As soon as they opened I made a call to one of the specialists there, who at first had absolutely no idea what I was talking about - and then when I finally did get someone who did, they told me that the position was gone. I wasn't too happy to hear that.
To make a long story short, Westaff did not find me a position after that and that experience pretty much ended it either way. My advice would be to go with Lorelei Staffing instead.
Cameo Personnel Systems
During my summers off from college, I tried nearly every temp agency in the area in the hopes of finding some summer temp work. This was my first stop. The people were extremely nice and had me fill out an application and take a typing/general skills test. Needless to say, I aced the test but the folks at Cameo were unable to find me any sort of clerical position.
My recommendation would be to go to Lorelei - they're larger and cater to bigger clients. It doesn't hurt to come here to fill out an application though.
Lorelei Personnel Inc
While trying to find employment for the summer months out of college, I went to at least 6 or 7 temp agencies in this area. The only agency that was able to find me a data entry/typing job was Lorelei. Once you sign up with them and take a computer skills test, they'll assign you to one of their temp specialists, who will get you started.
The first temp job I got from this agency was strictly data entry for a large pharmaceutical firm located in Somerset which turned out to be a great experience. The hourly pay rate was fairly decent at $11/hr. However, this will vary greatly as the next job I took after this was basically putting stickers on boxes for $8.50/hr. Anyway, I highly recommend this agency if you're a high school student or college student looking to do something over the summer.
Legends Golf Center
Short review: Nice place, large miniature golf range, big arcade; have to purchase cards; out in the middle of nowhere
Long review: Legends Golf Center is a family fun center located off Route 18 in Old Bridge. It boasts a fairly nice sized miniature golf range (which is a lot of fun - probably the best miniature golf place in this area). I believe there is also a driving range but I have never tried it out.
The actual Legends building houses a gigantic arcade with games of all types - many of these games are the little-kiddie ticket type games, but they also have a couple newer games. Tickets won at the games can be used to "buy" prizes but the prizes are for the most part somewhat junky.
Also, from what I remember, you needed to purchase a card to play the games and mini-golf but that might be changed now. Birthday rooms are available if you're thinking of taking your kids here to celebrate.
Overall, a good family fun center and place to bring friends for a day of fun.
Fairway Golf Ctr
Short review: Lots of activies besides golf; large parking lot; reasonable golf fees; free use of irons; heated driving range in winter
Long review: Fairway Golf Center is a great place. Located in Piscataway, NJ it offers (mainly) golf, but also miniature golf, bumper boats, go-karts and a batting cage.
The golf course features a driving range and Par 3 9-hole course (a little on the small side), with some small spots for putting greens and chipping zones. The driving range is quite large, has two levels, and is very reasonably priced - a bucket of balls that will last you for about 30-45 min of hitting costs about 6 dollars. If you join the free membership club you can get a discount for spending over a certain amount at the driving range.
The miniature golf course is moderately priced, but is a somewhat bland course - nothing really fancy (no windmills).
Bumper boating is fun but costly and a little short. Go-karting is also fairly short and the go-karts are the very slow kind.
If you're driving into Fairway from Plainfield Ave/Stelton Rd., try taking a detour off Kilmer and then Suttons/Ethel, because the single lane traffic light on that side creates an atrocious amount of traffic.
But overall, definitely a great place to bring your family, even if only Dad plays golf.
Hammarskjold Middle School
Short review: Good central location in East Brunswick; close to East Brunswick High School and Brunswick Square Mall; fairly large building; good faculty
Long review: Hammarskjold Middle School is the primary school for grades 6-7. Fairly large considering nearly all of the students come from the small elementary schools that make up grades K-5 around town. Decent course selection, but not very many "Honors" type classes. Faculty is excellent as usual. A little daunting for new students, but overall, a good transitional school from Elementary to Junior High.
Churchill Junior High School
Short review: Small, actual junior high school is broken up into two buildings; quality of education fairly good
Long review: Churchill Junior High is the school one step below EBHS (East Brunswick High School) serviing grades 8-9. The 9th grade technically counts as a high school level grade which may factor into college applications later on. Quality of the faculty is very good much like most of the East Brunswick School System. Unfortunately, like much of the school system there's something that's just not right. In this case the junior high is broken up into two schools, one known as Smith and other known as Churchill. Since Churchill doesn't support enough students, most 8th graders will have to walk up the path to the Smith school.
Visually, the school looks like any other junior high - nothing really fancy. One downside is that It is located on one of the edges of East Brunswick bordering North Brunswick/New Brunswick which may call for long bus rides if you live on the complete opposite side of town.
Otherwise, a good quality East Brunswick school.
East Brunswick Adult School
Short review: Much more appealing to look at than before, quality of teaachers and education is very good. Crowded.
Long review: I attended East Brunswick High School for all 3 years (10-12). However, when I was there the school looked almost nothing like it does now - it didn't have the extra gym or the second level that it does now. Teachers are intelligent and definitely not your average school system educators. The normal curriculum isn't exactly challenging, but the variety of Honors and Advanced Placement courses offset that.
Unfortunately, the school is *crowded*. Very overcrowded. Packing several thousands students into a school that's probably made to accomodate half as much doesn't work too well. My graduating class had something about 530 people - and that was years ago.
Overall, the school offers a great education wherever you plan to go after your high school years.