<p>We live in Derry, NH - my daughter is trying to decide between High Point and Fordham. She really WANTS to go to High Point - beautiful campus, up and coming - but is concerned that it does not have the same name recognition as Fordhan, concerned about where she will be in four years, and the cost is about double at Fordham at the end of the day. Thoughts, advice, suggestions?</p>
<p>Honestly, I have never heard of High Point Univ. BUT that being said, I think that, within reason, every person should choose the school where they feel they will be happy and successful. While I believe Fordham has the better reputation, that is only one factor in the decision. As a parent, I know cost is a factor as well. I’d go to both schools accepted students day and take it from there. It’s great that your D has choices she is happy with.</p>
<p>Thanks - High Point was rated by USNWP as one of the top “up and coming” schools, but of course, Fordham is already well known.</p>
<p>Interesting selection. Puts me in a hard spot because I have seen High Point and agree with you that its an amazing and gorgeous campus with a certain zeal to the student body, an incredibly dynamic President in Nido Qubein and of course a southern culture and climate. Fordham on the other hand is NYC and in the Bronx, lots of opportunities. My D is at Fordham so our heart is there.</p>
<p>Fordham is very strong academically, but their workload is going to be a lot tougher than High Point. That being said, each person must decide for themselves about where they want to go and where they think they will excel and grow the most, fit in the best etc. The Jesuit education at Fordham is awesome. But its going to be more stressful and demanding. High Point has excellent connections in the Southeast. It is up and coming, but its still considered to be below Wake, Elon, NCState, UNC, Duke, Davidson, Furman, Wofford, USC-Columbia…in the south. Its made huge strides and has amazing facilities. Pretty buildings are part of the college experience. New dorms etc. BUT…at the end of the day for most kids, its about the strength of programs, faculty etc. </p>
<p>To thine ownself be true. And yes, for some money is a big factor that can’t be ignored. If your daughter feels she can excel at High Point, be happy there after the honeymoon wears off and last four years far from home in a different culture, and find herself then that may be your best choice. I never denigrate any school for any reason. Each school has its own merits. Each student knows where they fit the best and can excel. </p>
<p>And it also depends on what she is looking for in a college experience. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Wow were here again… Please check some of the threads here on CC about “High Point University” and by all means make up your own mind.</p>
<p>There was a one just yesterday - <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/893590-whats-real-story-high-point-university.html?highlight=elon[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/893590-whats-real-story-high-point-university.html?highlight=elon</a></p>
<p>Or an older thread - <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-point-university/554943-anyone-visit-high-point-university.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-point-university/554943-anyone-visit-high-point-university.html</a></p>
<p>and of course - </p>
<p>I know a few love High Point and can even understand in a very limited way (like all schools, it’s a good fit for some kids). But in the interest of accuracy, yes High Point was named #5 in the “Baccalaureate Colleges (South) Rankings” (not the comprehensive universities ranking). </p>
<p>The other schools ranked higher than High Point on the list are…</p>
<h1>1 Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR</h1>
<h1>2 John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR</h1>
<h1>3 Erskine College Due West, SC</h1>
<h1>4 Covenant College Lookout Mountain, GA</h1>
<p>And Then…</p>
<h1>5 High Point University High Point, NC</h1>
<p>^^^ Its not a “here we go again”. That reeks of arrogance, ncmentor. I am not into school bashing on any level. Every school serves its constituency and has a valuable place in the community and society at large. We should applaud all colleges for what they do and those students who attend each college. Our nation has over 2,000 colleges and that is a wonderful opportunity for each high school graduate. </p>
<p>Nobody here is saying High Point is equal to Fordham on academic standards. Nor are they suggesting that its equal to its peer schools in North Carolina or regional south. But it is on the move and has been prominently featured on the Today show, and USNWR. </p>
<p>The message here is to select the college which is the best fit for each individual student, which may include a financial factor, particularly in these challenging economic times. </p>
<p>We all welcome each person admitted to Fordham with open arms and hope they select Fordham. But if they select a different college, for whatever reason, we wish them the very best.</p>
<p>ghostbuster, I’m sorry - it was not my intention to reeks of arrogance and the “here we go again” was not directed at you. It was more of a general comment on the whole High Point University Hype. </p>
<p>I think it is important that interested parents and students educate themselves and I hope that by reading the two threads I referred to would give more incite into HPU Pros and Cons. </p>
<p>gadad’s post #17 on the “What’s the Real Story of High Point University” thread said everything in a way that I only wish I could have.</p>
<p>No problem. There is hype about High Point, but its mostly for those people in that tier of colleges. HPU isnt taking kids from UNC or Duke or Wake with hype, believe me. It is a unique school and offers many students a wonderful opportunity. Their facilities are amazing and were featured on The Today Show. I applaud them. But, they are not in the same league as top tier schools academically. They are significantly less expensive however. One thing they do at HPU which I admire is they have cut out the faux “we only raised tuition by 3% garbage” you hear at many colleges, as they raise room/board fees by huge percentages…a back door method of bilking parents. HPU doesnt do that. They have a ONE FEE for everything: tuition, books, room/board, school fees. They dont play accounting games. No surprises. But they don’t have a lot of money to throw around for scholarships either. </p>
<p>For some families, its a good bargain and a great opportunity for their kid. For others, its not academically strong enough and they opt for bigger fish. Elon, Wake, Duke, UNC, NCState, Clemson etc. </p>
<p>My point is that kids should go where they fit the best, and that includes financial considerations, social fit, and academic fit. </p>
<p>Cheers.</p>
<p>High Point is about as selective as a community college for $35,000 a year - No Surprises.</p>
<p>80% of students graduated in the top half of their high school class. I didn’t even know that the bottom half of my high school class went on to college.</p>
<p>Shall we talk about the number of kids who go on to good graduate schools, or just about and criteria that a good school is judged by? </p>
<p>I feel that High Point University should carry a warning label, when we compare ourselves to any other University we may appear larger and more significant than we really are.</p>
<p>I’m done with this discussion, frankly. I refuse to engage in school bashing. Period.</p>
<p>Every school has its own constituency and serves its community and society in some fashion. That we have more than 2,000 choices for colleges in the United States is a wonderful thing, in my view.</p>
<p>Fordham stands on its own legs academically and in all other facets of a solid Jesuit education. </p>
<p>The end.</p>