<p>just wondering where Fordham stands compared to other Top Notch schools in NY, namely, Columbia (& Barnard for females, like me lol) and NYU. </p>
<p>I applied to all of them..still waiting on doomdsday (April 1st) but just curious to see other's opinions on Fordham's reputation ?</p>
<p>Columbia, as one would assume, has the best reputation of the lot. Then it comes down to who you ask. Most I know have never heard of Barnard, but its close ties to Columbia make it an excellent school. When NYU is known, I tend to observe two sharply different attitudes. Either the person feels that it’s a really great school (the “dream school” reputation) or the person has little respect for “a school made up of a bunch of scattered buildings that puts people into massive debt for an overrated education.” I have seen many reactions of both kinds, though the positive seem to stem from it being New York University; the world cultural capital has a big name, so any university bearing that name is seen in a similar manner by many.</p>
<p>When it comes to Fordham, those in NJ and NY seem to have universally good opinions of it (if not as high as Columbia); among Catholics, its reputation is also high. Those far away from NY tend not to feel strongly about the school, but those who know of it tend to say good things. The worst I’ve heard said is that the Bronx is a bad area; not as many people know about Lincoln Center, but seem to think that a Fordham campus in Manhattan sounds great.</p>
<p>So Columbia obviously has the best reputation, and Barnard will have a high reputation among those in the know (not nearly as many, though). For NYU, it depends on who you talk to, whether they feel it’s great or not. Fordham is similar, though I haven’t heard anyone bad-mouth it like I have for NYU (of course, NYU has a lot of press for the worst financial aid and highest debt).</p>
<p>Of course, most people will compliment you on whatever university you go to, as that in itself is an accomplishment (especially getting into any of these). Personally, I never had to worry about getting into Fordham, yet it was the only NYC school I applied to (not a fan of NYU, even though I’m above their 75th percentiles, and I probably couldn’t get into Columbia and it didn’t fit me anyway).</p>
<p>My advice would be to rely less on a school’s reputation and more on its fit. Good luck.</p>
<p>There are lots of books describing the three schools. But in my mind, the best thing you can do is to visit any school you get into and are considering. Here is what I know. Columbia is certainly the highest ranked of the schools. If you get in, they have the program you want and you can afford it, I can’t imagine not going. The school has a nice urban campus and from what I hear from friend’s kids there are great students and faculty. If you get into Barnard and don’t mind the all-girls aspect, it is also a fine choice. NYU is ranked higher than Fordham, but when I visited with my S he felt that NYU wasn’t what he was looking for in an undergraduate school. NYU really has no campus and has buildings spread over a section of the Village. It just doesn’t have that feel of having a unified campus and close knit student body that my S was looking for. That being said, he has friends who are happy at NYU. When my S walked onto Fordham’s campus, saw the students, heard about the programs, he just knew it was the right place for him. He has never regretted his choice. In the end, picking a college should be more about personal fit than ranking. There is absolutely no substitute for seeing the schools yourself. Good luck.</p>
<p>I agree with happy1. My daughter didn’t even apply to Columbia (though it was definitely a reach) because when we visited, it just didn’t seem like she would fit in. She loved NYU and Fordham though. Personally, I went to a Jesuit University (and so did my wife) and appreciated the core Liberal Arts curriculum and the emphasis it placed on ethics and integrity. NYU I’m sure is a fine school and I would be happy to send my daughter there, but for me it seems like it places a heavy emphasis on marketing itself … almost like its an obvious private business venture. It makes me wonder how big the bling-bling factor is opposed to what it is you are getting for the very high tuition. Again, thats just my impression of the school. Personally, I thought the location is fantastic and the feel of the place is electric. But, again, I wonder how much of that is trendiness and, besides, the LC campus may have a similar feel to it if an urban experience is what you are after.</p>
<p>I thought for sure this would end up to be another bash Fordham thread bc it’s lower ranked than the other schools! I’m pleasantly surprised!</p>
<p>I agree with the other posters that the fit is most important and I just can’t understand why anyone would choose a school based on what other people think! Columbia is a reach for everyone and it does look impressive to have it on your resume. Is that enough? Well, you really need to look at the program you are interested in and visit to determine if you feel like you could be happy there…people HAVE turned down higher ranked schools before for various reasons! NYU has done a tremendous job marketing itself over the years. My S STRONGLY considered attending and I think he could have done very well there. But he just liked Fordham’s Theatre program, Jesuit education and feeling of community better. </p>
<p>You are looking at some very good schools. I’m sure that there are some who think that NYU and Barnard are for kids who couldn’t get into Columbia and Fordham is for kids who couldn’t get into NYU but you really should decide for yourself after thoroughly researching the programs you are interested in and visiting. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>I love Fordham and think it is a great admissions deal for those who want a selective university. The Rose Hill campus is an enclosed traditional place that is lovely. Academics a good, the student life is great, the location gives students access to NYC easily. For those with top drawer stats, merit awards abound. It’s a great choice.</p>
<p>I have had the pleasure of attending both Fordham and NYU and I can tell you they’re both great schools. Fordham is great when it comes to class size because you really get to know your professors and establish a relationship with them. This was important to me for recommendation letters which I still have written by my English professor from freshman year at Fordham. NYU’s class sizes range from small to semi-large and it is still possible to get to know your professors and they do remember your names so you’re not just a number to them.
With that said, which school is “better” depends on what you want to do after college. If you’re premed don’t even think about attending NYU because it’s not worth the money. Basically if you plan on attending the college of arts and science at NYU, DONT. You can get an equally good if not better education at Fordham for a lower price. I would only suggest to attend NYU over Fordham if you plan to go into a business related career. I attend the Stern School of Business and to be honest, Fordham can’t compare to it. We have the best recruitment in the city and they open up doors for you to companies like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan. So if you want a job in investment banking for example, then go to NYU Stern otherwise go to Fordham or Columbia. The people at NYU are also a lot less friendly than Fordham. And for the parents here, my mom wanted me to stay at Fordham for one more year and I should’ve considered it so if your kids start talking about transferring, refer them to this thread.</p>
<p>I am sure you know that almost all sources would rank Fordham below Columbia, Barnard and NYU and above Pace or Manhattan Marymount. Students accepted to Columbia, Barnard and NYU would likely be offered a substantial merit scholarship at Fordham and would be at the top of their applicant pool. Big difference in admission standards, not nearly as big a difference in job placement or internship opportunities. All 3 offer great work experience opportunities by virtue of being in NYC.</p>
<p>Fordham has always been a very good school, but it’s rep during the last few years just keeps getting better and better. (Full disclosure: my son was accepted EA, and Fordham is on his short list.) That said, it really, really is about the fit, and the only way to know that is to visit for yourself! If you’re happy, you’ll be successful wherever you are. Yes, look at it logically and monetarily, but please don’t discount your gut feel. Visit. Ask yourself: Could I see myself here? Do I think I would be happy here? Do I feel I belong here? Sit in the cafeteria and just listen and look. Are the kids happy?<br>
Best wishes and future happiness, PopTart!</p>
<p>@BillyMC: “Columbia, as one would assume, has the best reputation of the lot. Then it comes down to who you ask. Most I know have never heard of Barnard…” </p>
<p>There are very few people in the Ivy League world who do not know what Barnard is. (By the way, I didn’t go there.) It is a top notch lac with a most impressive alum base.</p>
<p>
Hence, as I said, it comes down to who you ask. The vast majority of people are not “in the Ivy League world.” It’s not as well known as Columbia, which is all I was saying.</p>
<p>Your username is “7Sisters,” which I believe refers to either the Pleiades or (given the nature of this website) a group of women’s colleges, so your experiences may not be average.</p>
<p>…And I can tell you beside the Ivy League world, Barnard’s stellar reputation is well known in the academic world, as well as in the New York City area, and to employment recruiters – and that’s where the jobs are. I’ll guess Billym. is not from New York as I was rather surprised that most he knows never heard of Barnard. It may be a geographic thing.</p>
<p>
Note that I didn’t say Barnard was unknown; note that I said it was not as well known as Columbia. I believe that can be agreed upon. And most people I’ve known in FL and NJ (through conversations about schools in NYC) have either not known about Barnard or not known a lot about it (women only, ties with Columbia). A male friend of mine in NYC asked me if Barnard would be a good school for him to apply to… And he’s a very good student (though he’ll be going to Julliard for music).</p>
<p>Things I DID say:
-Barnard is an excellent school with an excellent education
-Barnard is not as well known as Columbia</p>
<p>Thins I did NOT say:
-Barnard is universally unknown
-Barnard is very unknown by employers
-Barnard is not well known in NYC</p>
<p>Fordham is an excellent university with a reputation that keeps growing every year. But, the fact that it does not have a medical school anymore, nor nursing program, engineering programs are the reason why it ranks lower than NYU for example in my opinion. Its business school is actually very good and the job placement for Fordham graduates is similar to NYU’s. All great schools and had Fordham had engineering and med school it would have ranked on par with NYU i’m certain about that.</p>
<p>The top three schools in NYC as I see it are Columbia, NYU, and Fordham. Fordham is actually 3rd or so from the top of the list in A+ schools for B students. Who ever said that NYU has the worst FA was not kidding. My chem teacher is still paying off his debt to this day after. He is in his late 20s early 30s but suspects to be paying them back until the right whole age of 50. Columbia however their FA is based on how much your family could afford giving them one of the most generous FA of any school. Fordham I have no idea about what their FA usually is. My guidance councilor wanted me to apply to Fordham but I didn’t as I already applied to 12 schools. One of the biggest regrets of my life. I’m now going to the University of Scranton were depending on my situation I will transfer to Fordham if accepted. So i guess it comes down to what you like and what type of college environment fits you.</p>
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<p>No offense, but you are seriously misinformed here. There may well be some students with a HS GPA in the B range but there are also plenty of A students who chose Fordham for a variety of reasons. Admissions is competitive and Fordham offers merit money to attract the brightest. </p>
<p>[Class</a> Profile](<a href=“http://www.fordham.edu/admissions/undergraduate_admiss/applying/class_profile_28473.asp]Class”>http://www.fordham.edu/admissions/undergraduate_admiss/applying/class_profile_28473.asp)</p>
<p>I have seen that US News list, but it appears to be pretty outdated at this point. The HS average for Fordham accepted students is now an A-.
[Class</a> Profile](<a href=“http://www.fordham.edu/admissions/undergraduate_admiss/applying/class_profile_28473.asp]Class”>http://www.fordham.edu/admissions/undergraduate_admiss/applying/class_profile_28473.asp)</p>
<p>Sandkmom I got that from U.S news. If you got a bone to pick go to them</p>
<p>yeah I saw that ranking and it is a little misleading. Sure, it’s possible to get into Fordham if you had a B average in high school. But Fordham is not just a good school full of mediocre students (as this ranking may suggest). There’s many students at Fordham who turned down offers at much higher ranked schools (there’s even a decent amount every year who turned down the ivies or other top 20 universities). And, if you had a B average in high school, even if you’re admitted to Fordham, you’re certainly not getting any merit money and you might not even get much financial aid (like most private schools, Fordham is not “merit-blind” when distributing need-based financial aid, if that makes sense).</p>
<p>U.S. News…the end all and be all of college information, lol.</p>