Current Fordham student open for any questions! =]

<p>The freshman dorms have important differences so you should figure out what is right for you before you put in your request. While A/C is nice, it is probobly more important to be in the type of environment that works for you.
-Queens Court - the “wellness dorm”, you have to write a letter saying you don’t drink/smoke/do drugs. The dorm is a small, close-knit community. You must commit to going to an evening programs twice a week. It can be a great experience, but if only if you want the wellness atmosphere and a lot of programmed events.
-Alumni North (Loschert)/South - typical double room dorms with hall bathrooms. Pretty new and nice.
-Tierney- rennovated dorm which has a Manresa program where you take classes with people in your dorm. The negative is that this dorm is located on the other side of campus from the rest of the freshman dorms (but Fordham isn’t a huge campus).
-Hughes - it was quad dorms - often considered more of the party dorm. But the building is going to be gutted and made into a home for CBA and may not be available as a freshman dorm next year.
-Martyr’s - I wonder if some freshmen might end up here? Small rooms, decent location
-There is also a special learning community for people in the sciences.</p>

<p>Check website for pictures and more descriptions…
[Fordham</a> University - The Office Of Residential Life at Rose Hill](<a href=“http://www.fordham.edu/student_affairs/residential_life/rose_hill/]Fordham”>http://www.fordham.edu/student_affairs/residential_life/rose_hill/)</p>

<p>My D got accepted to Fordham, NYU, and Hofstra, as far as NYC schools are concerned. We are not at all familiar with the population of the schools, but have heard Fordham is mainly a commuter school.</p>

<p>We really want her to have that college campus experience, hence her selection of the RC campus. Can you elaborate on the type of students and campus experience at RC?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>You heard wrong about Fordham. Hofstra is much more a commuter school than either Fordham or NYU. </p>

<p>A very high percentage of students at Rose Hill live in the dorms. There are SOME commuters, and you should be glad for that otherwise it would be even harder to get into Fordham with tight dorm space. </p>

<p>Rose Hill is a quintessential college campus: gothic buildings, several dorms, huge library, sports facilities and football stadium, large open spaces with green lawns and large trees (with a pair of redtailed hawks who live there and have mated for life), cafeteria and student center etc. Its adjacent to the Botanical Gardens and Bronx Zoo, both of which have programs with Fordham science department. But its also an urban school, so its the best of both worlds.</p>

<p>Students tend to be middle and upper middle class. Fordham is proud of its diversity at more than 20 percent being in a minority classification, but its largely a somewhat yuppy group of kids, some with more money than they know what to do with who went to prestigious catholic schools in the area. But Fordham is about 60/40 Catholic to non Catholic.</p>

<p>Many people visit Fordham’s campus and are smitten immediately. NYU is 100 % urban with no real campus…though its buildings are pretty much in the same area…they are just mostly high rises on busy streets. NYU is also considerably larger than Fordham. Rose Hill is roughly 5,000 undergrads, so its a nice size…not too small and not too large. Just right.</p>

<p>Fordham just hired Hofstra’s basketball coach, by the way.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>What marks Fordham as a commuter schools is the Lincoln Center campus where about half the population is made up of commuters. Rose Hill, like ghostbuster said, is a very different story. It really does have the typical college campus feel which is why I made the switch. I love both campuses, but Rose Hill is very student life oriented and has many opportunities for residents. The students at Rose Hill are very community oriented and very welcoming. The dining hall tables are nearly all large community style tables where one can sit in groups of 10 or 20 people. It is actually rather difficult during heavy meal times to sit alone! (Which is a good thing entering a new environment in college). From the RC students I’ve met so far, they seem to be a very tight knit group who take care of their own. Even after graduating, I’ve met alums who simply hearing I went to Fordham would go out of their way to help me.
One thing that actually made me love RH might sound a bit silly, but last winter when we got the mass loads of snow, RH students didn’t come out on the quad to build snowmen. They built large snow forts to wage snow wars with each other from. That struck me because it’s exactly the type of thing one might imagine from a typical college campus but I never expected to actually find it. It also demonstrates the inclusiveness and creativity of the student body. I truly think Fordham provides the fully NYC experience without depriving students of the community typical college campuses provide.
The best thing you can do is visit the three campuses and see which one she feels right at. Go on the tours, talk to admitted students, but also walk around a bit on your own, see how you like the atmosphere away from the highlights the admissions office points out. There’s a lot to take into consideration and sometimes following the paths on your own can be very enlightening to how your daughter’s life in a year will be.</p>

<p>I have 3 more quick questions.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Because of space restrictions and, well, because its in the heart of Manhattan, does the room & board @ Lincoln Center cost more than at Rose Hill? Fordham gave me a very generous fin aid package but there is still a lot money left for me to pay. If I go to RH, would that be cheaper than LC considering you’ve lived (I assume you’re not a commuter) at both?</p></li>
<li><p>Where do Fordham undergrads go to graduate school? Do a lot of them go to Columbia or NYU for law school for example? In other words, is Fordham a good stepping stone to a good grad school?</p></li>
<li><p>This is probably on the website somewhere, but does Fordham have any learn abroad programs? And if it does (this is what’s not on the website) what is your or your friends experience with them?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>1- They end up costing about the same. The room at LC is a bit higher but the mandatory food plan at RH is higher. In the end the only real difference is that the area around LC is more expensive than the area around RH. Also, I like the food at RH better so I’ve found myself spending less money in general because I always had to purchase so much outside food at LC.</p>

<p>2- Fordham is definitely a great stepping stone. It provides an excellent education and has some of the best graduate programs in the country itself. While most of the people I’ve met are younger since I’m only a freshman, I do know a number of older students planning to go to some of the best graduate and law schools. Because its own reputation is so high and because it’s location allows the school so many excellent connections students are well equipped to be successful once they graduate.</p>

<p>3- Yes! There are tons of study abroad programs. Essentially there are three categories, semester long trips, year long trips, and summer trips. There are Fordham affiliate programs throughout Europe and the world, and the course offerings are great. My roommate herself is actually going abroad to London this summer to take a course. The website is just [International</a> & Study Abroad Programs](<a href=“http://www.fordham.edu/studyabroad]International”>http://www.fordham.edu/studyabroad)
I’ve heard really wonderful things about the programs, and the Fordham professors often even go abroad to teach the classes.</p>

<p>Fordham also has overseas programs that are service oriented, which are called Go! Trips. Many students take advantage of these programs for foreign travel in the summer, doing tutoring, or helping build things etc. Most of these students raise their airfare etc through creative efforts throughout the year.</p>

<p>The GO! trips, in my experience, have all sounded fantastic but been out of reach. They tend to cost thousands of dollars and do not last very long. While the service aspect is great, unless you have an extra $4000 sitting around, the money, I think, is better spent on summer courses/ paying off loans.</p>

<p>I didn’t realize that the meal plans at the campuses were different and so I am wondering if you can use your LC meal plan money at RH? I would imagine that you might get hungry if you were on the other campus for a class or to use the library or for a campus event.</p>

<p>Also, is there any advantage to sending in your enrollment deposit early in terms of housing at LC? I thought I read somewhere that housing info would come after 5/1. And what about the wellness floor…I understand that it’s tough to get and an essay is required. The essay looks tough to write because it asks what programs you would implement and without knowing what programs they already have how will he have a clue?!! Do freshman have a shot at this or is it all upperclassmen? </p>

<p>Thanks! :)</p>

<p>Yes! You can use the LC meal plan at RH because it’s all in dining dollars, I use it all the time actually. I’m not sure if it works the other way though because RH meal plans use mostly by meal counters instead of dollar amounts.
I doubt there is much benefit. If you are guaranteed housing then you will get it, if not they have to see who declines admission so they know how many spaces they have first. That said, if you know Fordham is the school for you, send it in, the effort can’t hurt and there might be a waiting list if you did not receive housing.</p>

<p>The Wellness floor at LC is nonexistent. The only difference between it and the other floors is that it is more handicap accessible. At RH I know there are programs set up but at LC it doesn’t mean anything really to be on that floor. I know the Fordham website advertises an agreement with the student, weekly yoga classes, and other great sounding benefits to the floor, however, I know for a fact none of these were carried out this year, and the year before was worse. It is only for freshman but it is seriously not worth applying to.</p>

<p>I don’t know the LC campus so I’m sure nyc2013 is right about the wellness floor not having a lot in terms of activiites etc. Still, if you don’t drink/smoke there may be an advantage of just being on a floor with other people who went out of their way to find that type of environment. My S was in freshman and soph.wellness dorms at RH and they were both really good- he found it easy to make friends he could do things with who also weren’t into drinking/partying etc. Again, I don’t know LC campus, but just a thought.</p>

<p>From what I’ve heard the RH wellness floor is more developed. The wellness floor of LC has just as much drinking/ drugs as any other floor in the building. To be honest, the way you behave in college is not determined by the floor you’re on but the person you are. If you want to go to parties or drink or do drugs being on a “wellness” floor won’t change that, only the desire to live a certain lifestyle will result in that lifestyle.</p>

<p>Thanks to both for the answers. </p>

<p>S is guaranteed housing at LC and we will be sending in enrollment soon. I really only hesitated because I wanted to speak to FA office re the tuition aid award. I’ve read on the other threads that it hasn’t changed for others over the years and I would just like confirmation from FA counselor but haven’t been able to get in touch yet. We’re coming on Saturday for the Spring Preview so I’ll bring it up then at the financing session. Since he did get housing there doesn’t seem to be a reason to send in enrollment prior to Saturday. Maybe I’ll bring it…they are probably ready, willing and able to take the money, no?!! :)</p>

<p>So that is pretty disappointing about the wellness floor and yet maybe not. If none of these programs are carried out then perhaps they are in need of good leadership. Now my S has an essay topic at least! He feels very strongly about not drinking so meeting others who are like minded would be a plus. His nightmare living situation would be someone who parties all the time.</p>

<p>So, nyc2013…you’re saying that there will be plenty of non drinkers on other floors AND plenty of drinkers on the wellness floor so it isn’t even worth it, yes?</p>

<p>As long as you have housing there’s nothing to worry about, but also no harm in getting the money in. =]
I’ve met every student on the wellness floor. There are 4 rooms with a total of 20 kids. Of those 20 only 4 do not smoke/ do drugs/ drink. It’s a very small floor! Actually, I’d advise not attempting to get on the wellness floor. It is the second floor which places the rooms very close the ground level. Since students are not allowed to smoke inside the building it can get very noisy outside, especially at night, and I’ve known people on that floor to whom this has been a constant issue. That said, the ceilings are also twice as high which is a pretty cool room setup!
No matter what floor your son ends up on, he can find ways to work out with his roommates acceptable living conditions, and there are students here who do not participate in those activities.</p>

<p>Good point about being close to ground level! Just wondering what would possess 16 kids who DO drink/drug/smoke to write an extra essay expressing interest in a chemical free lifestyle? Their parents made them?!!</p>

<p>Looking at fordham and a bigger southern school with heavy sports influence. I know Fordham won’t have the big ACC school sports feel but can you give me some idea of the support for major sports like football and basketball? Is there a good support for the sports by students? I love my sports- and play 3- and want to be able to follow as a fan and feel like I’ve got more than a basic high school fan experience. And can you also comment on the intermural/club sports scene (I’m going to try out for the football team but in the likely event I don’t make the team, would like to play intermural/club football/ basketball).</p>

<p>Okay…lots going on here. First, on wellness, I agree with NYC2013 that it all depends on the kids and the RA to enforce the wellness rule. But that doesnt mean you cant find kids who dont drink or smoke. How that differs at LC from RH, I dont know. But at RH, even kids in non wellness dorms/floors there are plenty of people who dont drink or smoke. You will find rude rule breakers everywhere and when you leave governance up to kids (RA’s) it can get randy at times. Its part of the dorm drama everyone complains about at every college. You may get lucky and find a roomie who is respectful and follows the rules. The GOOD news is you can pick roomies in sophomore, junior and senior year. </p>

<p>Queens Court has had ups and downs with rule breakers over the years. Some years they are wonderful and follow the rules. Others, they have obscene and offensive people and its really nauseating kids who sign that pledge and then mock it. But Fordham is working on the drinking issues and with that Notre Dame recruit dying in Florida last week on spring break, it will be a topic of conversation. </p>

<p>Keating: Rose Hill has plenty of athletes. Fordham is working on improving its teams and there is a core group of athletically minded students who are hard core fans. Plus there are plenty of club sports to play and many do so at a high level, particularly soccer and basketball. There is also a swim and diving team, water polo, rowing. Some of them allow walkons. </p>

<p>Fans are dependent on the enthusiasm of students so we welcome enthusiastic students like you to stir up more interest. My D goes to all the football and basketball games. Win lose or whatever. They are fun. Ive attended a few myself. Parents weekend is a big deal. Fordham sponsors events around basketball games and football games in major cities with a large Fordham alumni base as well. </p>

<p>No, its not the SEC or ACC. Not even close. But its the Patriot League in football and A10 in basketball and its fun. Lots going on with sports on campus these days. Big news to follow.</p>

<p>So come on and bring your best plays…good luck on the tryouts!</p>

<p>I only received a small amount of scholarship. I am thinking of writing a letter to fordham asking them for more. Do you think it will work?</p>

<p>Even though we are not known as a particularly sporty school, I’ve always found that our teams get a lot of support. The budgets are getting tighter causing the school to have to cut certain programs, but there are many club sports available and the school sends out weekly e-mails announcing the athletics for the week. I’ve always liked how they integrate the athletics into daily life by having current pictures of all the teams in the dining hall along with past memorabilia.
Topangaa- It can’t hurt to try to send a letter, but the likelihood is that it will not increase your package. Fordham has a numerical system, they input specific stats into a computer and it spits out a number for how much aid/ scholarship money you get. There are a lot of students hoping for significantly larger packages than what they receive, but if money is really an issue I would not depend on Fordham increasing the scholarship, especially if it is a merit scholarship.</p>

<p>Thanks for the sports insight. That helps me alot. Feeling comfortable that there is sports enthusiasm helps tip my scales significantly to Fordham!!</p>