chance me at fordham please!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
1

<p>Applying to fordham...would like to know if I have a good chance..thanks!</p>

<p>Stats:
Class of 2009
Male
Northern California
Very competitive Public High School
GPA: probably around 3.4ish/4.0 uw
Shooting for a 4.0 first semester this year...with 3 AP classes. ***** Hopefully will show improvement?
ACT: 27 (taking it again aiming for 30+)
SAT: Took subject tests in Bio/Math..haven't gotten scores back..
RANK: don't know..top half for sure. school size around 430
I also got a D in AP bio junior year..is that going to look terrible?</p>

<p>AP Classes/Honors classes:
AP Biology
AP US History
Biology Honors
AP Statistics
AP Economics
Government Honors
AP Chemistry</p>

<p>Current schedule:
Physiology
AP Chemistry
English
AP Econ/ H. Gov
AP Statistics
Speech and Debate</p>

<p>Speech and Debate (huge commitment) :
Currently Vice President of team of 300+ students
Team ranked #1 in the nation
2nd place at State Championships Junior year
22nd place in the Nation sophomore year
League Champion 2 years
1st at many invitational tournaments
Event Chair- Junior year
Spirit Chair- Sophomore year
High Distinction Level in National Forensics League</p>

<p>Hospital (huge commitment):
Volunteer since 8th grade. Over 400+ hours of service
Treasurer of program- Sophomore and Junior year
Shift leader- 2 years
Shadowed various physicians summer of Junior year
Researched/ Volunteered in Stroke Center
Helped publish various stroke awareness articles</p>

<p>Clubs:
Life time member of California Scholarship Federation- Project Coordinator
Life time member of National Honors Society</p>

<p>Organizations:
Part of a highly selective program Junior year amongst the school district. Visited city hall/homeless shelters/etc. Learned about community organization and leadership. Only 4 members selected per school.</p>

<p>Intern at Services for Brain Injury- Sophomore year. Helped in rehabilitation program</p>

<p>Varsity Track and Field- All 4 years</p>

<p>Soccer- Playing since 8 years old. Played on high school team Freshman year</p>

<p>Roller Hockey- 2 years</p>

<p>Folk Dance- 6 years</p>

<p>Active member at my church- Volunteer 100+ hours of service</p>

<p>Associated Student Body- Sophomore and Junior year- Diversity commissioner</p>

<p>Piano- 4 years</p>

<p>Awards:
Presidential Service Award for 300+ hours of community service in one calender year</p>

<p>Student of the Month- 2006 and 2007</p>

<p>Letters of Recommendation: Sophomore English teacher, History Teacher, Speech and Debate Coach, Volunteer Coordinator at Hospital, School administrator (counselor rec)</p>

<p>Essays: Brain Rehabilitation center experience/ Hospital shadowing experience</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

2

<p>I am not a fan of "chance me" threads. Because people who respond are just guessing and a lot of the threads are just braggadocio stuff.</p>

<p>You however have a few issues which have been disclosed and can be commended for it.</p>

<p>Fordham is becoming increasingly competitive and has about a 40% acceptance rate. The economic meltdown may affect that (as all other colleges). So next year will be interesting.</p>

<p>I dont follow the ACT very well. But the SAT 50th percentile for Fordham is approaching 1250ish and up. Its better to aim for a 1300 to enhance your chances. So however your ACT score sizes up I dont know. Not to say a score below 1250 wont get in, it just becomes more difficult.</p>

<p>Fordham looks for diversity including geographic diversity. Your ECs are very good. Your grades (UW) are likely okay as the Weighted gpa will probably be 3.6 or better and that is in the groove for Fordham. (my opinion, not an official statement). That D in AP Bio needs to be explained: illness, a bad semester, a blown exam that you have now seen and corrected, or whatever. Its obviously not a trend or likely from laziness or lack of comprehension. If you say you want to become a Biologist, its problematic. You would be surprised the number of applications schools receive with "DOH!" kind of stuff in them, like kids who fail classes and then say they want to major in it. Or who get straight A's in math and say they want to become English majors. So be careful and prudent.</p>

<p>Every class has a different pool of applicants. I dont know if Fordham will once again receive record applications this year or not (consecutive years and running....). So while you show some strong qualities, there are a few that bear some further examination. </p>

<p>Do you get in? Its not a slam dunk. In my view, its a "likely" but by no means guaranteed. Apply non binding early action so you know by Christmas, and if deferred then where to go from there. Its a fabulous school for those who really want to attend college in NYC. (Either LC or Rose Hill campus). </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Looks like the ACT composite is 26-30 among last year's accepted students according to the fordham.edu site
Class</a> Profile</p>

<p>That score puts you in the race. Take the SAT, some kids do better on SAT others better on ACT.</p>

<p>I agree with an earlier post, the D in Bio is problematic, but not a killer unless you want to be an MD or major in Biology!</p>

<p>GPA is a tad low, but you've taken what looks to be a very challenging course load, so that may work out in weighting.</p>

<p>Nice list of EC's </p>

<p>Chance is good.</p>

4

<p>Thanks guys! I took the act again yesterday and feel pretty confident my score will go up. Appreciate your advice anymore is welcome!</p>

5

<p>oh and one more thing, do you think that it is important to include religion in your essay since it is a jesuit school and all?</p>

6

<p>If your faith is important to you, if it helps to define you or sets you apart then it should be a part of your story, address it in your essay. On the other hand, a disingenuous attempt at some contrived spirituality will be seen for what it is.</p>

<p>Fordham is looking for the best and brightest kids, not the best Catholic, or Muslim, or Jewish kids. That said, I'm sure a number of applicants are attracted to the Catholic and Jesuit traditions that define the school. Be sure to check this out Fordham's</a> Jesuit Tradition</p>

<p>In the end, you are looking for the best fit in your college search. Be true to yourself in the essay.</p>

7

<p>This has no relation to your post but what speech/debate event do you do and how many points do you have?</p>

8

<p>Agreed. Fordham's Jesuit heritage and administration is a PLUS...an added benefit of going to school there. Its motto is "New York is my campus; Fordham is my school!" What that means is you get two educations for the price of one: a real world NYC experience and education and a classic Jesuit education. You will be well rounded and READY to face the real working world upon graduation. Whether in social work or finance or French or fine arts. Biology or Business. </p>

<p>But it IS New York: either Lincoln Center (the City) or the Bronx-Rose Hill. Its NOT suburban Los Angeles or San Francisco. I strongly encourage applications from the four corners. I want MORE geographic diversity at Fordham, as it is doing by building its national name and prominence. More work needs to be done. But I am confident that Fr. McShane is on the job and making positive changes.</p>

<p>Its an awesome school. But its not a party school. Come ready to WORK. </p>

<p>To answer your question directly: You dont need to address catholicism or religion in your essay. 40% of Fordham students are not Catholic. Your essay should be you personally so that the admissions committee knows who YOU are. Fordham tries to look at the whole person in making admission decisions. There are some VERY bright kids walking around Fordham. My D had excellent stats and is plenty challenged. (She just completed her sophomore Mid-terms and did EXCEPTIONALLY well...even better than last year. But she worked very hard to get those grades. ) Fordham is also a quintessentially east coast school and the "culture" on campus is decidedly eastern...and specifically New Yorker eastern. While it is changing, what that means is that it is not a laid back west coast school and there will be culture shock for kids. Some will adjust and thrive and some will not. Nationally, 30% of college freshmen do not finish their degrees. Fordham does not have that severe of washout or burnout or even financial washout. Not to scare you, but its a serious school with a competitive student body. They are good kids and welcoming. My D had NO PROBLEM making friends.....good friends. Of course, there is the usual dorm drama and as people this age group grow and change, naturally there are some casualties in the "friends" category. But I am confident a lot of them will circle back around as they mature. </p>

<p>Can you do it if admitted? Well, I am one to believe that every admitted student is admitted BECAUSE the committee believes in YOU and that you can succeed and thrive. The kids who wash out usually do so because of partying or being immature or unable to adjust to dorm life/being away from home. Its the toughest in January when its cold and gray and the novelty has worn off, dorm drama is at its peak (sick of antics and being in close company...true at EVERY college), and the reality of your grades has struck home. </p>

<p>Do you see the picture I am painting? We are NOT New Yorkers and not Northeastern people either. So there was an adjustment. But my D is THRIVING and loving it. (Plus she has a GREAT boyfriend whom we adore!) </p>

<p>Best of luck to you.</p>

<p>p.s. We are public school people as well and frankly, I think it gave my D an excellent preparation for Fordham's rigors, both socially and academically.</p>