<p>Last year, Fordham's overall acceptance rate was 49.6% (with an early rate of 55.3%). If an email from them I just received is to be believed, their acceptance rate this year is/will be 37% overall.</p>
<p>That seems like a dramatic drop, though I know the school has been increasing in popularity. Does anyone have an idea of why it's becoming so popular? Is it better marketing or just more people aware of another good school in NYC? As a Catholic originally from the area, I know Fordham has been well-regarded by many for some time, but what can this increase in popularity be attributed to?</p>
<p>I thought about the Common App and the fee waivers they sent out, but was this year the first year for either of those? I know they did a pretty good job of marketing to me.</p>
<p>That is a huge drop. I did not hear anything about this. I know several years ago their EA rate was down, but I don’t remember exact numbers. They must have gotten a record number of applications for this to have happened. Has Fordham sent out acceptances yet?</p>
<p>Well, the email was from the Dean of LC campus specifically to admitted students, so yes, it was only sent to admitted students (you could see the problem if that bit I quoted was sent to students as of yet NOT admitted).</p>
<p>i got the same email! maybe it’s shallow of me, but this makes me feel much better about being accepted to Fordham. now no one can say its just an easy school and i can be proud of myself properly haha</p>
<p>Im guessing the addition of the LC campus has something to do with this.</p>
<p>Student 1: Are you applying to Fordham?
Student 2: NOO!! Bronx is SOO Bad!!!
Student 1: You know they opened a new campus in Manhattan, right across from Central Park? With dorms the size of expensive Upper East Side apartments??
Student 2: Seriously? Ill apply</p>
<p>^^^Um, the addition of the LC campus happened in 1961. And yet, so many people don’t know about it, even NYers! I must admit I didn’t either until we started researching schools for my S who is now a LC freshman! And still, when people ask where he goes, they are somewhat surprised when I tell them he’s at their LC campus and lives in Manhattan. </p>
<p>Increase in applications does show how popular Fordham is becoming. And why shouldn’t it be popular…it IS the Jesuit University of New York!!! It would probably become even more popular if their athletic teams were stronger. Ridiculous, IMO, but probably true…I’m thinking Doug Flutie and BC…yes, I know I’m dating myself, lol, but I AM a student’s mom! Google him, kiddies! :D</p>
<p>Higher selectivity seems to also add popularity…people WANT to be part of the in crowd, it makes them feel good about themselves. But if everybody was part of the in crowd then nobody would care to be! This is NOT the first year they offered the Your Choice application and fee waivers and while it does likely increase the number of applications to Fordham, it isn’t anything new or different from what they are doing at many other schools. It is probable that some applicants using the Your Choice application aren’t even competitive for an acceptance but I’m sure that many are. I would imagine that they would realistically have to cut down on acceptances bc they couldn’t possibly provide enough housing. From what I understand, they have underestimated their yield in the past few years leading to a number of forced triples…my S is in one. </p>
<p>Higher selectivity will also probably help with Fr. McShane’s desire to continue Fordham’s increase in the rankings. And given the increase in rankings over the years, yes, much of it is probably due to better marketing in an “image is everything” world…it’s not like they changed their Jesuit philosophy of education. Look at NYU. Years ago it was supposedly a joke and now it’s everybody’s dream school. I’m sure they made some changes over the years but what really did it for them was changing public perception. </p>
<p>You SHOULD feel properly proud of yourself for getting into Fordham! Fordham will challenge you academically and it will challenge you to look deeper into yourself and the world at large. If you come, you will find that your experience can be transformational! Good luck! :)</p>
<p>My 3 children all applied to Fordham EA, but their aid packages weren’t competitive with other selective schools (although some get great aid) They do give out a lot of free apps and my daughters said at many of their friends Catholic schools, many students apply there without even visiting. It’s a good college, the location is great for some, it’s free to apply and a good match or safety for many. I don’t know how many free apps go out, but they received them and friends of theirs and they all had different ranges of scores and GPA’s. It will be it interesting to see how many maltriculate.</p>
<p>I think Fordham will get more and more competitive as time goes on to a point. It’s already grown in that regard since my son applied 5 years ago.</p>
<p>Good luck to you, take advantage of all they have to offer.</p>
<p>Just wanted to add that I DO think there are a lot of positive changes that Fordham is and has been making over the years that really make it a school worth considering…Gabelli, new housing/LC construction, merit awards for the best and the brightest, to name a few. The trick is to get people to look deeper! And that is where the marketing comes into play.</p>
<p>It’s not the right school for everyone but when it IS the right fit, the experience can be priceless! Which is a good thing considering the actual cost of attendance! ;)</p>
<p>I would say Fordham is NOT the right place for a person who:
-wants big time sports program at school
-doesn’t like the idea of a liberal arts core curriculum
-will never take advantage of the school’s access to NYC
-expects to do well in school without putting in the work</p>