<p>My D was accepted RD to Fordham, Tufts and Brandeis. She is planning on a Bio major and loves science, but from my experience many kids don't have it all figured out as freshman... She is very social and very creative (dancing since 3). Any thoughts on the different choices? </p>
<p>I like Fordham as a Jesuit school (son is at Georgetown and I've been very impressed by the Jesuit education system), and it also appears that it's easy to move between colleges (Rose Hill, Lincoln, Gabelli) in case one changes their mind. NYC environment is great, but so is Boston. </p>
<p>Potential cons for Fordham: it appears that Tufts and Brandeis may have an edge in terms of academic reputation and research opportunities (for Bio major); Fordham $30K endowment/student v Tufts $147K endowment/student; for what its worth, USNWR Fordham is 58 v Tufts at 28.</p>
<p>Congrats to your daughter. Well done! Tufts is a wonderful school, but historically, its quite secular. That means that Fordham and Tufts are very different…though Fordham is not overtly religious…its Jesuit…philosophical and theological. (A big difference in approach if you get that.) Brandeis also a wonderful school. Prestige counts for many people and we can’t argue about that…but we can point out the depth of Fordham’s programs…its amazing faculty and breadth (as you pointed out). </p>
<p>In the end, its a personal call for each student and family. Where do you/she feel the best? Where do you think she will shine the best? Boston is an amazing place…and different than New York. Does that factor into it? Where do you live and what does she want out of a college experience?</p>
<p>My kid graduated Rose Hill, but took classes at LC and was involved in the arts. She was very close to her roomies (shared apartments on campus) and some of their Gabelli partners/boyfriends etc. All of them graduated Phi Beta Kappa, because they were all outstanding students with the right priorities. </p>
<p>Biology is a growing program at Fordham and we have our own Biological Research Station in Armonk. Its gorgeous. The Jesuit education is something very special…and prized by employers. </p>
<p>I will never tell someone to forego a better opportunity…and never trash another school for any reason, whether higher or lower in USNWR. Not my bag. I will attempt to point out Fordham’s selling points and try to help you discern the differences. </p>
<p>Come to Accepted Students programs at Rose Hill. Listen to people. Talk to people. Talk to Fr. McShane…and then pull the trigger on the school where you are the best fit.</p>
<p>Dont judge a school by endowment. I know fabulous schools with less endowment…and some with huge endowments that I dont particularly like. </p>
<p>I can assure you if your kid was accepted at Tufts and Brandeis, she will do well at Fordham and be challenged. Professors often take the best students at Fordham and work them even harder…preparing them for graduate school. Fact. </p>
<p>I can assure you that Fordham wants her. But its a deeply personal decision, and everyone has their own criteria for what suits them best. I get that.</p>
<p>Congrats again and I hope she picks Fordham.</p>
<p>One more salient point. Jesuits are also about community service. And there are myriad opportunities for internships in social justice matters. The Rose Hill campus is gorgeous and gated. But its also part of the Bronx community and my kid REALLY enjoyed doing an internship in the South Bronx that was life changing. On her last day doing that job, people hanging on her. Students clinging to her…crying. It was very very emotional.<br>
Embrace the Bronx. Its very rich in culture and extraordinary opportunities for personal growth. Yes, its urban and can be eclectic and gritty in places. Its not a country club, though Rose Hill is stunning. That is another difference between Brandeis, Tufts and Fordham. (We know someone who graduated Tufts). </p>
<p>Fordham is also stronger in athletic footprint, being Division 1. (Tufts and Brandeis Division III). That means for great experiences, such as the venerable Rose Hill Gym, the oldest Division I basketball venue in the country. Your daughter could even walk on to the women’s rowing team. LOL.</p>
<p>There are club sports, and intramural sports at Fordham…to get exercise and a breath of fresh air. </p>
<p>There is Rose Hill Society and the Fordham Club for those wanting to get steeped into the heritage and legacy of Fordham. </p>
<p>Fordham students are PRIZED by employers, being hard workers, not particularly “entitled” (i.e. Ivy syndrome), and strong ethics and moral compass. They get into amazing graduate schools (including all the Ivies). Some kids in Boston come to New York for graduate school and some kids from New York go to Boston for graduate school… :-)</p>
<p>It might be worthwhile to re-visit the colleges and look at the science facilities of each school. I LOVE Fordham but the other two schools may have an edge in that area.</p>