I am in need of some advice. So, I have a 1220 SAT score and a 3.6 gpa. I Know my SAT score is very low, but I applied anyways, and I am waiting for a decision. If I got rejected, my back up is to apply as a transfer, but my question is should I stick with my SAT score (and apply as a transfer with this score)? Or, should I complete 1 year at a university and apply without the SAT score. I really would like some advice about this issue I am having. I have no clue if I should study for the SAT again. Fordham is my dream school. Any advice will help. Thank you for reading this.
Don’t be so dead set on Fordham. My advice is that if you don’t get in, definitely don’t go into whichever school you do end up going to with the mindset that you are going to transfer. I’m currently a student at Fordham and its nothing special. In fact, I’m transferring out.
P.S. I know kids with much worse stats than you who got in, so don’t worry too much.
I am a recent Fordham grad and loved the school. However, I don’t think it is a good idea to start one school with the sole intent of transferring. Hopefully you will get into Fordham but if you don’t there are so many great schools out there (including a number of Jesuit schools which I felt had a similar vibe such as St. Joes, UScranton).
Anyway from what I have seen from a friend – if you go to a college intent on transferring it becomes hard to get involved on campus, commit to new friendships etc. and if the transfer doesn’t work out then you are totally stuck. If you don’t end up at Fordham try to find another school you can love and go with the intent of staying 4 years – if you decide to throw in an application to transfer that is fine but it is always best to assume you will stay where you start off.
Thank you for the advice. I definitely understand what you guys are saying, and you’re right. I really shouldn’t go in with the intent of transferring, but I know that I really want to go there. So, it will definitely be hard not to be so focused on that. Any more advice is appreciated. Thank you. The responses helped!
There is no harm in having a goal of attending Fordham. If you don’t get into Fordham this year, my advice is to pick your next top choice and excel at that school. (great grades, involvement, etc.) If you get into Fordham as a transfer, your hard work will have paid off. Alternatively, if you don’t get in, your hard work will definitely pay off in other ways.
If you decide to transfer, stay in contact with Fordham admissions to show your interest. So many students neglect to do this.
Also, if you wish to save money and feel it will work for you, consider attending community college prior to transferring. That is what I did. I figure I saved about $80,000 dollars. Not bad.
@cusnew I had a 4.00, but I think I still would have gotten in with a 3.5. Yes, grades are important, but so is being involved on campus and in your community. Also, I don’t mean to say that community college is easier, but typically you take introductory classes, which tend to be naturally easier. Also, you usually take fewer classes.
Also, if you decide to go the community college route, know that you can be super successful and save a lot of money. I don’t mean to brag, but I got into 30 universities as a community college student and was offered a total of about $200,000 in merit aid.
@atp1234 Thanks for the reply, it helps a lot. Another question I have is a more general question about classes at Fordham. Does your writing and grammar always have to be perfect? Are professors lenient about this? I hope you don’t mind me asking more questions. I really appreciate all the answers and advice!
I’m in the Gabelli School of Business, so my answer might not be relevant for all majors. Generally, based upon my experience, though, your writing and grammar skills don’t have to be perfect. Coming from a community college, I didn’t have to put a lot of extra work into integrating with the standards established by the school. Quite honestly, I never once had any student or professor judge me negatively or treat me differently because I went to a community college. Yes, the writing requirements are a bit more demanding, but if you take it one step at a time you will be fine.
Also, it is so easy to get involved on campus and off campus as a transfer student. There must be over a 100 clubs that you may join. In fact, I’m starting my own business society and am part of student government already, which is pretty neat.
What is your major? If its business I can provide a little bit more information about how the transfer process works.
Also, one of the best pieces of advice I can give you as you enter college is this:
Do your best work always in every class. So many students, even at Fordham, sit in the back row and don’t engage with the teacher. They might be one hundred times smarter than me, but I certainly got better grades than them because I showed such immense passion. Professors like students who show sincere interest.
Writing is very important at Fordham. Things are a bit different for Gabelli students since their core is different. My daughter is Rose Hill and depending on the classes, you will have papers to write and they do have to be really good (grammar, punctuation). The professors will take their time to read them and give responses and edit to correct grammar, usage, punctuation.
Also, participation is key for many classes since some tend to be smaller and its good to engage the professor with thoughts and insights.