Fordham vs. American University?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
1

<p>With only a few days left to decide (yikes!), I'm in panic mode trying to decide between these schools. I'll admit that neither are my first choice (oh how I will mourn you, Brandeis and William & Mary), but they are the most financially responsible option and wouldn't involve being in debt up to my eyeballs.</p>

<p>I'm going in undecided, but looking to do communications/IR/PR/history/media studies-esque things. I'm hesitating on Fordham because it's close to home, Jesuit, and doesn't offer the Russian program American does. I like and am familiar with New York more than D.C., I think? I'm hesitating on American because it's not ~ranked as high~ (or whatever), and, according to CC threads, isn't well known outside of the D.C. area, which is not necessarily where I want to stay.</p>

<p>I'm at a loss, and any advice you could give would be amazing! Thank you.</p>

2

<p>Okay…good information and we can help with that.</p>

<p>First, congratulations. Second, well done on paring down to a final two schools…yes its hard. Been there. Close the book, turn the page and look forwards and upwards. </p>

<p>Third, I know someone in that situation a few years ago who picked American over Fordham, and not sure how that worked out for her. But she wasnt Catholic anyway and thus maybe the Jesuit ethics and ethos thingie didnt resonate quite as deeply with her. </p>

<p>Fourth, Fordham does have a good Russian program and the current Intelligence Czar for Obama, John Brennan is the Commencement Speaker this year at Fordham and is a graduate of that very program at Fordham many years ago. </p>

<p>American is all about DC and getting jobs in DC. It is often in the shadow of GW and Georgetown but that is also a state of mind. If you perform and excel it wont matter. </p>

<p>Do you want to go into business with your Russian (a very solid option and potentially lucrative)? Then Fordham is the choice. Because of its connections, internships and such in New York. If your intention is strictly the State Dept., then maybe American is the better choice. But be careful…kids at 18 make different choices than kids at 22 and the road is full of people who have changed majors…for varying reasons. Sometimes you get to college and find another program or course or professor who catches your attention. Sometimes its a disappointment…college Russian is tougher than high school Russian, I assure you. No matter where you go.</p>

<p>If you intend on going to graduate school for a PhD and teaching Russian or going into a think tank, then its a flip of the coin and will depend more on your performance. </p>

<p>The Jesuit thing is a PLUS. The core requirements at Fordham are a PLUS. </p>

<p>Make your list, be objective, then pull the trigger. Anything else? Are you admitted to Lincoln Center at Fordham? Let us know.</p>

3

<p>Wow, thank you for your fast and informative reply!</p>

<p>I’ve been admitted at Rose Hill – sorry, I should’ve mentioned.</p>

<p>With the Jesuit aspect of Fordham, I guess I am more concerned about the political atmosphere of the campus than the philosophy on education – I think the core is great. I’m not Catholic, but I understand that Catholic schools tend more towards the conservative side of the spectrum (and sensibly so, I suppose). I’m just wondering about comfort level, essentially.</p>

<p>Because I’m so undecided, I’m really afraid of making the wrong decision. I don’t know what I want to do as a career. I have a lot of interests (Russian, history, linguistics, etc. – which have all led to an interest in communications) and I’m trying right now to figure out how to make them into something constructive. Russian isn’t the end-all be-all of my decision-making process, but it’s something I love and would love to continue through college. American has a very good Russian(/studies) program, as well as ties to the embassy, a ton of opportunities, etc. Fordham offers a Russian minor and I’m sure many opportunities because of New York, but I don’t know if it’s quite the same. I also don’t know if I will use Russian to define my career path. There is definitely an appeal to a D.C./State Department job, but I don’t want to limit myself if I change my mind and then realize I’ve made a mistake. I’m not dead-set on strictly business, either, but I am interested in the comm/media studies/marketing/advertising/PR side of things. Which is, uh, a very broad side! </p>

<p>I’m sorry that this sounds so confusing – this is what the inside of my head looks like right now. I’m reeling.</p>

<p>Thank you again for all insight! I really, really appreciate it!</p>

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<p>Sovereign, I am not certain I see that big a deal with AU being in DC. Fordham does arrange internships at the UN, and does have an International Relations program</p>

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<p>Okay, my friend. Slow down. Breathe. And try to sort this out logically.</p>

<p>First, Rose Hill is awesome. My daughter finished Phi Beta Kappa there last year, doubling in History and Theology/Religious Studies. Liberal arts are what makes Rose Hill what it is…really strong. There are languages to offer at Rose Hill and I strongly suggest you do so…my daughter took upper division French classes from freshman year! She placed well on the summer online examination Fordham offers. She doesnt regret it one bit. That satisfied the core requirements too. Second, don’t panic on picking a major just yet. Take the entire freshman year and relax. If you do very well, as I think you will, they will tap you on the shoulder quietly and say, “come look at this program…its an honors program”. My kid had 3 such offers and selected the one she wanted. They require a 3.5 gpa after freshmen year mostly to be invited. Many departments do this. </p>

<p>Third, the education at Rose Hill is two for one…its in the Bronx, which I recommend you embrace. Its gated and safe, but the outside is not nearly as scary as people think. The Botanical Gardens are world famous. The Zoo is famous. Both are free on wednesdays. </p>

<p>Its a misnomer to assume Jesuits are all conservative or “orthodoxical” to theology. Many in fact are quite the contrary. You will find all stripes and colors in the Jesuit order. And there are other religious faculty at Fordham who are not Jesuits, btw. And many people who are not nuns or priests, who have advanced degrees in Philosophy or Theology or Church History etc. Fordham is strong in so many departments. </p>

<p>Fordham kids get internships in New York, but also in DC. I know kids who studied at Fordham’s campus in Beijing. I know some who studied abroad in Chile and Spain. Fordham has connections to study in almost every country, including Russia. </p>

<p>Fordhams connections to the media crowd are unparalleled if you ask me. Many, many Fordham alumni work at NBC, ABC, FoxNews, NYTimes and other magazines. Some work at the UN. Some work at consulates. So communications is awesome at Fordham and for the Honors Communications students, who do very well, there is an upperclassman scholarship available (Claire Booth Luce? I think). </p>

<p>Being non catholic isnt difficult at Fordham. 40% of Fordham students are not Catholic. Many are Jewish. Some protestant and muslims and some agnostics. My daughter has a friend who is Jewish at Harvard Divinity School now (graduate level). </p>

<p>Fordham is very diverse. The non profit world also has many outstanding and life changing internships available. Giving back to others. The opportunities are really up to you…if you perform, they will come knocking in droves.</p>

<p>Being in New York is special particularly if you are not from New York. Its two educations in one. You are required to take only two theology courses which are more philosophical in nature and NOT doctrinal. Some are historical in nature. Most deal with “Reason and Religion.” </p>

<p>I am biased about Fordham to be certain. No denial there. I do like American. Fine school and good people. But at the end of the day, you must decide and take the risk. And then close the book on the one you say no, and open the doors to the one you say yes…get the gear and embrace it fully. </p>

<p>One more point: Fordham plays football and soccer and all Division I level sports, mostly on the Rose Hill Campus. Womens’ softball is a real winner! Fordham also allows walkons to its womens rowing team. So you know.</p>

<p>Be well. Let me know if I can help.</p>

6

<p>Congratulations on have two great (and financially viable) choices. I would have the following comments.
-Think about how important having Russian Studies is to you, particular if it is not something offered at Fordham to the extent it is at American. You may have done so already, but look carefully at the offerings of both schools online and compare.
-Fordham is Jesuit but my S, who is a senior there, has friends who are Jewish, Muslim, atheist etc. and it is not an issue at all (although I’d imagine that there is a greater % of Catholics at Fordham as compared to a non-sectarian school). It may be a bit more conservative than some campuses, there are plenty of liberals around. As part of the core, you do need to take two theology and two philosophy courses. Overall, my S liked the core and was exposed to things he never would have taken on his own.<br>
-NY and DC will both offer you a ton of opportunities so I’d say that would be pretty equal.
-I am confident that fit is more important that ranking, but Fordham (53) is a rated a good bit ahead of American (82) in USNWR.
-My S’s roommate is a communications major who has had excellent internships. There is also a wonderful student radio station on campus.
-I wouldn’t worry about being close to home with Fordham. You would just have to have a talk with your parents before-hand how to manage that. We promised to treat my S as if he were hours away, we never “stop by because we are in the neighborhood”. We knew that it was important that he has his space at college. Still, when his laptop broke, I was able to drive down with our old computer for him to use until the repairs were made on his.
Good luck figuring it out.</p>

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<p>kay: My point was that American is really all about working in DC, mostly for the government. (Of course lots of American graduates go elsewhere and work other places, but its the genre I am talking about…a focus, if you will.) Whereas Fordham is about working in New York or Boston or DC or Philly or even Dallas and Atlanta and Los Angeles, or for the government, or for the UN. </p>

<p>I used to live in DC and work there…so I know a thing or two about this scenario. Nothing wrong with American at all. Fine school. I used to work with someone who went there and who eventually entered the Diplomatic Service. </p>

<p>Fordham has a lot of graduates at FBI and the intelligence community.</p>

8

<p>Well, both are good, both have provided leaders in the international and intelligence community. American has a big plus in that it has a well known School of International Service, which is right behind Georgetown in DC for that. A big plus for Fordham is while they don’t have a School for International Service, their international programs and institutes (Fordham College and Gabelli) have a very good reputation for placing grads in high government jobs. Other Fordham factors to consider is that it is in NYC (THE international city) where the UN is located and of lessor note is that Fordham is ranked 53rd (USN&WR) and American is 82nd.</p>

<p>Both fine universities in the two most important cities for what you want to major in. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I am deciding between the two for Fall 2013 and I was wondering, where did you end up?</p>