So I have been accepted to both, as well as UCLA and Emory, as a Business/Pre-Business Major, but these two are the cheapest of my four options so that is what I have narrowed it down to. I have been interested in going to college on the East Coast since middle school, so both of these options are absolutely up my alley. In addition to being admitted at Fordham with a full academic scholarship though, I have been invited to their Global Business Honors Program, which seems to be really selective with a number of perks like subsidized travel and more. CSOM at BC seems to be more prestigious though and this is why it is hard for me to decide I guess.
I absolutely love everything about BC, with my only reservations being that it may be too preppy and a bit homogeneous for me (I am a minority but this doesn’t worry me too much). On the other hand, I have a couple of issues/doubts about Emory, like the fact that a good portion of its students are commuters and are likely to go home on the weekend, the lack of a sports culture (though not a top priority), and my ability to get a job outside of NYC after graduation. If anybody has more input on this, that would be greatly appreciated.
Business programs at BC and Fordham are both good…a major difference being that Fordham is in a very lively and diverse urban neighborhood, while BC is in a safe and wealthy neighborhood that’s partly in Boston and partly in Newton.
BC is certainly higher ranked and has big time sports which seems to be at least somewhat important to you. If you love the school and it is affordable, go to BC. For full disclosure, my S graduated from Gabelli and he had an excellent experience there.
With the location of Fordham comes access to Manhattan and great internships. I don’t remember where I read this but I thought I saw that Fordham biz graduates have higher starting salaries than BC. Do some research, but if you will be spending significantly more for BC, then I say go to Fordham.
At this point, the only difference price wise between the two is one is guaranteed full tuition scholarship and the other is need based, so that makes the decision a bit harder.
I’m sure there are others here who have more experience there than i had. It isn’t horrible. If you have some urban experience perhaps it would be just fine. But if you are not accustomed to big cities I can see how it might be worrisome.
BC has an excellent alumni network, probably one of the best in the Northeast and a top ranked business school. Mario Gabelli a Fordham grad is one of the largest donors to BC.
Is your family’s financial situation likely to change? Merit money is less risky than need-based awards because it’s guaranteed (providing you meet whatever academic standard is required).
Three great choices, congrats! Personally, I’d prefer Fordham for diversity on and off campus but I grew up in the NY metro area so I’m not put off by less refined urban surroundings.
Bump. I am not really sure about if I’d regret not taking the Fordham offer purely because I’d miss out on world travel and being really close to faculty members. Boston College student life still appeals to me much more than Fordham’s, but I am still extremely undecided.
They are both good options. My son visited Fordham Lincoln Center two years ago. I think the Fordham opportunities are best taken advantage by those that want the Manhattan, or perhaps Brooklyn experience. Without the desire for the New York experience, the Fordham pitch carries less weight.
You want the Boston College experience. BC has a great business school. Your business school experience at BC will offer you as many opportunities as Fordham. You can and will develop your own relationships with professors and staff. BC has a good brand name to employers and grad schools, perhaps better than Fordham. Embrace the BC culture. Alumni support for internship and jobs is reported to be good there. You like BC. You will not miss out on opportunity. In fact I think you will do better there. As a fellow minority, and dad. I say: Go to BC! Be happy. Live a good life.
P.S. The big key for quick business success is getting good summer internships. When you are freshman at BC ask for some alumni contacts to call. Or just start sending polite, well researched emails to business people you would like to work for. It works.