Are you "An Outsider"? I need your opinion...

<p>I went to visit Fordham University today and was rather impressed by the facilities and campus. However, none were more impressed then my parents, who liked the school and are now encouraging me to attend, primarily because it would mean I would be within 20 minutes of them. Fordham is well known to my family and friends, and when my parents ask others their opinion, everyone says that it is a great school. Most of these people have never been through the college process, and know only what is around them. Generally, Fordham is respected in my high school, neighborhood, and community. But, I want to know what people think about Fordham outside of the Bronx....</p>

<p>If you don't live in NY, tell me what you have heard.
What schools are comparable to Fordham?
Is it prestigious at all?? (Not so by the looks of U.S. News)</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I'm from Maryland, and i can't really say i've heard anything good OR bad about the school.</p>

<p>I know that Denzel Washington went to Fordham, and it is one of the nation's best Jesuit universities. Other than that, most people here in the Bible Belt of the South aren't very familiar. Some might know just the name.</p>

<p>I'm from NJ and I've only heard the name... most people from here aren't jumping to go there.</p>

<p>Of course, I wouldn't base my opinion of Fordham on how many people know the name.</p>

<p>i see fordham, just basic impression, as a strong religious school, comparable to a place such as villanova, a tier below somewhere like BC.</p>

<p>Never heard of it before CC. However, there were a lot of schools I had never heard of, including RPI. The only Catholic schools I knew of before starting the college search process were Santa Clara, Gonzaga, Georgetown, Villanova, and Boston College (which I often confused with Boston University). However, most of the Catholic schools have a lot to offer: small classes, a lot of different majors including business and engineering, caring professors, and a loyal alumni base.</p>

<p>I don't have a huge amount of insight in the school (so take my words with a grain of salt), but my impression is that Fordham is one of those schools where prestige is not a driving factor behind the students' decisions to attend. It has a very low national profile unlike many of the other Catholic schools that ricegal mentions above (note that nearly all got part of their national name recognition from their sports programs). </p>

<p>From a business standpoint, you will find A LOT of Fordham graduates on Wall Street. You won't find many (any?) in the genteel investment banking side of the firms, but you will certainly find their graduates on trading floors all over the Street and in many of the back office functions as well. I believe that Fordham graduates have a good reputation on Wall Street, but I'm doubtful on how well the name travels outside of the NY area.</p>

<p>I'm from the South and know of Fordham and know several Fordham grads, all of whom have been very successful in the marketing/advertising businesses. I know more people who attended Fordham for grad school than undergrad but everyone has spoken highly and nostalgiacally of the school.</p>

<p>I never heard of Fordham before CC. I'm familiar with New England and CA schools.</p>

<p>I am very familiar with Fordham, but only because my daughter is a dancer. The prestigious Alvin Ailey program is partnered with them. It is known for having a tough academic program.</p>

<p>Well, I'm from New York and I was born in the Bronx (though I don't live there anymore) I can tell you that my parents, all their friends, and everyone a bit north of the city thinks nothing but highly of the school. I mean, no one compares to a name like "Harvard" or something but whenever anyone says their going to Fordham or are considering Fordham, the consensus is that they're really smart and it's a really good school.</p>

<p>Hope it helped a lil?</p>

<p>I guess I've always known about it from its law school.</p>

<p>Thanks for all of your opinions...it helps to know the status of a school from out-of-state-rs...</p>

<p>I live in NV, and I've heard many good things about Fordham. Like others have said, it has the reputation of being one of the strongest Jesuit schools out there.</p>