<p>I am a fan of Fordham, my S is very happy at the school. But not having housing is a big issue. I can’t imagine you’d hear anything by May 1 because Fordham needs to get all the decisions in before they could even consider extending housing to anyone else. You can certainly call admissions and ask how the waiting list works and when you might hear back. </p>
<p>Since my S has been there, Fordham has had some forced triples in freshman rooms so I don’t think you should count on getting a room by the start of school. My S has run across some people at school who did not get housing – some get off campus apartments and others commute. But in all honesty, I don’t think my S would have had nearly the same experience at Fordham without housing. For me, not getting on campus housing would be a reason to look closely at options at other colleges. We didn’t look at BU or UMD but I have friends with kids who are happy at both schools. If it is possible, I would suggest going to the accepted students day at all three schools so you can get a sense of which place is right for you. Good luck.</p>
<p>I don’t think you should go unless they offer you housing. It’s a great school, but you can also get a great education at the other two. If you do get housing, though, I would recommend Fordham, but that’s personal bias.</p>
<p>Karmic93- If you are offered campus housing, it is guaranteed for all four years. But due to limited dorm space, some people are accepted to the school but are not given housing.</p>
<p>And I agree with BillyMc – I would not go to Fordham without housing if you can be a resident student at BU or UMD. While my S is very happy at Fordham, he would not have had close to the same experience if he did not dorm there.</p>
<p>On the Common App supplement there is a question that asks if you would accept an offer of admission without housing. I remember discussing in detail this question with my S last year. He checked yes bc he felt that he would rather have the option of commuting to Fordham then be rejected for a lack of space. He was lucky though and was admitted with housing. BUT even if he didn’t get it, he may still have chosen Fordham although his life would have been dramatically different as a commuter. </p>
<p>To the OP, I agree that being a resident at your college is probably the best overall experience. But you also need to strongly consider which city you want to live in for the next four years. As for living off campus, you might consider living in Manhattan…you don’t HAVE to live in the Bronx although you might learn to love it if you do! Good luck! :)</p>
<p>karmic93 - Not sure how they choose who they admit without housing. Only admissions knows for sure. </p>
<p>sandkmom - I don’t know if it was unusual , but someone at my S’s high school checked that he would NOT accept an offer of admission to Fordham without housing yet he was still admitted without housing (and went elsewhere). So, I’m not sure that admissions looks at that box as closely as we may think!</p>
<p>I remember reading on their website that those immediately around New York City are less likely to get housing if they don’t say they require it. Also, I believe it said that housing was actually academically competitive in Lincoln Center, so it was more difficult to be admitted there if you had to have housing, but it said no such thing for Rose Hill.</p>
<p>My S said he didn’t require housing, we live local enough to commute, and he got it at LC so I guess the info they are giving on their website is not 100% accurate either. So who gets housing and who doesn’t? I’m picturing some secret room in the Admissions office and a sorting hat! ;)</p>