Current Fordham student open for any questions! =]

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<p>@ ghostbuster: my point in responding was to tell him/her that it doesn’t matter if you are at RH or LC, unless you are driving in that morning from somewhere not-too-far away, you will need to stay in a hotel somewhere before move-in day. Even if he/she does Urban Plunge, which my daughter did as well, if you are flying in, or driving from somewhere where you will be arriving the night before, you will need a hotel. Unless they are planning on arriving the morning of move-in day, whether they move in early during Urban Plunge, or move in on move-in day, they will need a hotel. Even if they are international students, my suggestion was come a few days early, get a hotel, and use the time to purchase what is needed for the dorm room there. It is much easier than shipping stuff from home, especially if home is not here in America.</p>

<p>My advice was if they are flying in, to plan on using a car service, renting a car, or taking a taxi, because the amount of stuff you shlep to the dorm would not make it practicable to take the train and definitely not the subway to get to RH whenever they move in. Unless you are driving yourself in your own car or coming in with a rental car, while both campuses are very manageable using public transportation, I, for one, would not advise doing move-in without a car, car service, or taxi, regardless of when he/she moves in and regardless of which campus. Probably more for RH than LC, though. And yes, while my D goes to LC, I have been to RH so am familiar with its layout and how to get there. </p>

<p>Finally, my recollection was that your S did not do Urban Plunge. My D did. There is still a move-in day when you do Urban Plunge but the move-in day is several days before the general move-in day for the other students. So there is still a designated time that they will have to be at the dorm to unpack and move in. Thus, no real difference in coming early for Urban Plunge and moving in on move-in day if the issue is having a place to stay if their travel arrangements bring them in before the appointed hour or day of move-in. I would heartily recommend Urban Plunge for all the reasons you stated, and the benefit is that they do get to move in a few days before the others, so they avoid the onslaught and craziness of move in day, and have a chance to get acclimated and even set up their side of the room before their roommates arrive (assuming the roommates aren’t also doing Urban Plunge), but if the issue is timing their arrival in NYC with their arrival at the campus, that is tricky unless driving in from somewhere close. If their issue is when they are arriving in NYC and when they can move in, I can tell you, unless Res Life makes arrangements for international students, which neither of us knows if they do this at either campus, and unless that student is an international student, which neither of us knows, I don’t believe either campus makes special arrangements for students to move in if they arrive in NYC early, because most of the Fordham students that are not coming from the immediate area are all in the same situation.</p>

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<p>We have been doing this for what will be four years, jptmom. Including new student orientation. If you read what I originally posted very carefully you will note that I asked if the poster was international, I didnt accuse or assume and then also said I apologized if it was wrong. That person has not responded. Further, the specific question was about finding hotels in the area around RH (or Manhattan if necessary), which was a further clue it was an international student as most people in the US are familiar with travel websites. I didnt say ResLife would accomodate anyone I only said they should ask. </p>

<p>I know people who did Urban Plunge. You arent telling me anything I don’t already know. I also know people on the Ram and Rose Hill Society. You seem to have some agenda going on here that I can’t explain. I don’t speak for LC and never tried to, though I am very familiar with that campus and the students who have taken classes at both campuses. Your D is a rising sophomore and presumably has not taken any classes at RH…yet. RH and LC are both Fordham. One family. But there are distinct differences in the campuses and to some extent the students who attend there. Its not a case of being better, its a case of being different. </p>

<p>This forum is for any and all opinions, and there will be different perspectives and ideas which is a good thing. </p>

<p>Your point that all students coming from far away (i.e. not driving distance) are in the same situation is basically true, but internationals have a lot more going on: culture differences, language differences, time zone differences, enormous jet lag etc. It may well be that Fordham makes all of them find hotels for the day or so before official move in day. I will have to ask my Rose Hill Society friends and find out. </p>

<p>Finally, this website is just a place to have a discussion and direct people to the right place. Its not a One Stop Answer forum. People are responsible to ask Fordham for official responses, we are not responsible to do it for them, though we hopefully never give really bad advice.</p>

<p>I hope your D has a good year this coming year and perhaps ventures over to RH for a class at some time in the very near future. In the meantime, we are making our plans for graduation/graduate school and getting out of there.</p>

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<p>You will be missed Ghostbuster if you too leave us (CC) as your D prepares for and will graduate…You have been a tremendous pool of info for all of us here on CC and I for one will miss your thoughts and insights about Fordham…Im hoping you do still scour CC and give us the enormous insights you have gained as you and your D trudged through the college years.Its a wonderful time but also exhausting mentally, emotionally , financially but hopefully not spiritually! Keepin the faith…:slight_smile: Looking forward to RH and my D is so excited to move in and experience Fordham and also appreciates all you have contributed to CC .</p>

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<p>ghostbuster:
Thank you very much for your help! I am indeed an international student and this is the first time I’ve ever gone this far for study. You have pointed out all the problems that an international student may encounter which makes me feel that you’re very considerate.You said that you would ask your RH Society friend to find solutions? It couldn’t be more helpful.I will wait for your message. Have a nice day!</p>

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<p>jptmom:
Thank you for your advice!</p>

<p>I come from China and it’s 6830 miles (13.5 hours flight)away from NY. Since it’s the first time for me to study abroad, my mom won’t let me go unless my two huge suitcases are too full to close. Who can blame a mother for the endless love of her daughter? But this obviously makes it impossible for me to carry them from JFK to RH.</p>

<p>I’ve searched the mta and airport service websites and learned a little about renting a car.But I don’t think I can afford it unless I could find some other freshmen to split the bill.</p>

<p>And thank you for mentioning the Urban Plunge which I’ve never heard of before. But could you tell me how to apply for that? </p>

<p>PS: Is your daughter still in RH? May I write to her in person to ask about the school life and especially the Urban Plunge?</p>

<p>Best wishes.</p>

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<p>happy1:
Thank you for your time!</p>

<p>You’re absolutely right about the hotels in Bronx.I 've searches the internet and I’m very disppointed to learn that almost all of them get terrible feedbacks from their custmers.So I decide that if I arrive a few days before the Move-in Day, I will live near JFK because I certainly don’t want to carry the huge suitcases all the way to find a hotel in Bronx.</p>

<p>The Urban Plunge sounds great. I will try to get more information about it.</p>

<p>Hope to learn about my roomie soon and maybe we could figure out the solutions together.</p>

<p>Best regards.</p>

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<p>I think it makes sense to stay near JFK and go to Fordham for move-in day. I would try to contact the school to see if they have a van service from the airport to the school. My son mentioned that they run this service for school vacations, but I’m not sure if they do it during move-in. But it is worth asking about. The van service is call the Ram Van (after the school mascot, the ram). If it is available, it would provide a cheaper way to get from the airport and will take you directly to campus. Otherwise, I would take a taxi to Fordham (although it is bound to be expensive) because you can take it right to campus. It would be easier than renting a car.<br>
Also, if I remember right, information about Urban Plunge comes out soon. Again, you can always contact the school if you want to find out earlier.
Hope you have a wonderful experience at Fordham!!</p>

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<p>The ramvan does go to LaGuardia and JFK as a regular transportation cycle. However, from what I know it is for departing students and not for arrivals. The taxi runs from JFK to Fordham. D1 used it from LaGuardia a few times when friends were unable to pick her up. But also from JFK its possible to get to Fordham on the Subway and then train, but with all that luggage it is NOT advisable. Thus, you can find a taxi and just pay the fare and be done with it. Or…once you arrive at JFK and your hotel you can call ahead to Fordham and see if the ramvan will pick you up. There is a small fee for that however. </p>

<p>For hotels we usually stay midtown at the Hyatt Grand Central immediately atop the Grand Central Terminal…its a fabulous hotel, you simply walk downstairs to fabulous dining or the trains to Fordham, or outside to shopping or a show. But its expensive. You can get discounts on orbitz, travelocity etc. But for a student its likely not a good selection.</p>

<p>Another choice I used once is the Holiday Inn near Lincoln Center Campus. If you do that, then you can walk to Lincoln Center and catch the RamVan to Fordham Rose Hill. But that seems a bit cumbersome for a student with a lot of luggage.</p>

<p>zhouzu: Welcome to the Fordham Family! Its a fabulous school. Fordham has an MBA campus in Beijing and I know someone who spent last semester there.</p>

<p>I will ping my Rose Hill Society friend for an inquiry on your question and get back to you. </p>

<p>Caseymom: thanks for your kind words. I’ve been grouchy of late due to a bunch of drama at home, and I am not a happy camper about some “national” issues as well, but I won’t get into those here. I will try and put a smile back on my face.</p>

<p>We are looking forward to our Senior year. Reflecting this am with D1 over some of the AMAZING professors she has had. Some have died or moved on, so they are gone. Sadly. But many remain. The thing is this: you can “choose” the easy path at Fordham… many do…to protect gpa’s. Many of those are CBA or Communications majors. I understand the interest in having a high gpa. But another path is to choose the toughest classes with the thoughest professors and have your mind blown…its STILL POSSIBLE to get a high gpa…if you have the horsepower and the work ethic…just tougher to do…my D1 has taken that path and thrived. But it ain’t easy. And I am including upper division language courses…brutal to read/translate/write papers on Medieval French…written in the Olde Medieval French…, some AMAZING professors in Philosophy Dept (but one incredible dud and ogre who shall remain unnamed who is an adjunct and to this day if I see him on campus he better run away fast! LOL), some amazing professors in the History Dept and English Dept. One in Theology who is BELOVED. Another who is moving on to BC next year and will be gravely missed…a gem. Brilliant Jesuit. Some amazing professors in Political Science Dept as well. One in Music who died last year…</p>

<p>So its been a great time and she has really been challenged (and Fordham was not her first choice or highest ranking school she got into.) Lots going on with the personal dialectic these days so we shall see…which grad school, do go immediately or take a year to work and reflect and focus…do a terminal M.A. or jump into a 6 year PhD program or not. Opportunities looming in New York…and friends begging her to “chill with them” for a year. Or return home and “de-Bronx” for awhile. Fr. McShane was right…its been transforming to be certain. Its all good. But then again, none of her high school friends at schools throughout the south and some in the Northeast are the same either…they have all changed. For the better for the most part. </p>

<p>God bless you all.</p>

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<p>zhousu365: check out Carmel car service. They offer a mini-van for $34 which can take you and all your luggage from the hotel to the school. [CarmelLimo</a> - NY Limousine Service New York City, Airport Limousine Services. Limousine New York City (NYC) & At NY Airport](<a href=“http://www.carmellimo.com%5DCarmelLimo”>http://www.carmellimo.com). We have no stake in them other than we have used them pretty regularly and found them reliable and reasonable. If I were you, I would consider staying in a hotel closer than near JFK, but I would defer to those more familiar with RH and the Bronx to tell you what area to stay in. It is probably cheaper to stay in a hotel outside of Manhattan than in the city, but would probably cost more in car service or taxi to get a car large enough to transport you from JFK to the Bronx. Also, as I said before, consider giving yourself a day or so before move-in to get stuff that may be easier to buy here. You will have some time during orientation, but you will also be busy with orientation activities as well.</p>

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<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I will be a freshman commuter in Sept 2010 at FCLC. Please see if you can help me with my questions.</p>

<p>What specific initiatives/efforts have there been during your time at Fordham that aim to integrate commuters into the campus?</p>

<p>I read the posts that state that it is fairly simple to take classes at either campus but more to the point, with the new core, how many classes would one be taking freshman year, that are not core requirements?</p>

<p>Thank you! :)</p>

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<p>I’m sorry if this has already been asked, but is it difficult to get housing on-campus at the Rose Hill campus? I’m not sure if I would be comfortable in off-campus housing in New York city because I come from such a small, relatively rural town.</p>

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<p>It usually isn’t a problem to get on campus housing at RH, especially with all the new dorms they just built.</p>

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<p>There students who get accepted to Fordham but not given housing. It appears to be especially true for people who live close enough to commute (but it has happened with students from further away). Hopefully it will be less of a problem with the new dorms on campus. Students who are given housing are guaranteed a dorm for all four years as long as they remain on campus.</p>

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<p>That’s wonderful. I was a bit unsure about the way they worded the chances of getting housing. I’m definitely not close enough to commute. Haha.</p>

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<p>At least as of when my S applied, you find out if you have been given housing in the acceptance letter. Again, with the new dorms, hopefully it won’t be an issue.</p>

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<p>to FCLC2014- first of all, welcome! i look forward to seeing you in the fall.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>for commuters that are in their first year, we have CFMs, which are Commuter Freshman Mentors. basically, these are your big helpers during your first year to integrate you into the FCLC community! they’ll be there to help you throughout the year with any questions you might have, concerns, tricks of the trade, etc. they’re all really friendly and super nice, so they make you feel more than welcome beyond the usual orientation leaders, since the CFMs last all year (similar to our resident freshman mentors).
there’s also a commuter student association that is huuge on campus, it’s one of the major student governments at LC and they work hard to make sure almost everything going on on campus is commuter friendly, meaning we try to have any events that are not through the residence hall at a time that is convenient for commuters, so you don’t feel like you’re missing out on fun things just because you have to catch a train home or something.
there’s also this cool thing they just started last year where freshmen have a little sticker on their IDs that let them into the dorms before 6 so that they can hang out in the dorms if they want to have a break from hanging out in lowenstein, or something.
there’s also sleepovers CSA puts on a few times a year that my good friend that’s a commuter has done a few times and loves it, usually they do them after a big on campus event that is in the evening, like our falltopia or halloween dance… so there’s the option of being able to stay on campus the night of a big event if you don’t want to stay in someone’s dorm or something.</p>

<p>basically, fclc has been trying hard to get commuters to feel like they’re more of a part of the fordham community, and from what i’ve heard they’ve definitely made tremendous strides over the past few years. </p>

<p>

</p>

<p>it’s recommended that you take almost all core your freshman year, just to get it out of the way when you are allowed to take 5 classes. it sucks, but you kinda have to go through it in order to take the courses you really want to take. another thing is that typically you’re gonna be locked out of a lot of the non-core classes your first year just because upperclassmen get to register sooner, so it just makes sense to do the core now, and then take your major classes once you bump some of the core out of your schedule.</p>

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<p>ramfan2013, thank you so much! that answer was more than i was even looking for. you really did help me understand the commuting situation. are all freshmen automatically enrolled in CSA? is it a club?</p>

<p>and thank you for the core classes advice. i think i just may do that!</p>

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<p>i definitely want to be involved in CSA!</p>

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<p>yeah, CSA is a club, it’s the Commuting Students Association. search for them on facebook, they probably have a group or something. it’s basically the student government for commuters, and you can definitely get involved! your Commuter Freshman Mentor (CFM) who you’ll meet during orientation should be able to tell you more about how to get involved, as well as when we have club day in late september.</p>

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<p>What are some of the things you dislike about Fordham?</p>