<p>I have been accepted into both colleges and am strongly considering both. My parents think Stony Brook is a more reputable and well-known school, but I thought Fordham was? </p>
<p>Rankings-wise, Fordham's higher, but not everything is based on rankings. So I guess my question is, which of the two is more reputable?</p>
<p>Fordham definitely. Not even close.</p>
<p>I thought Fordham too, but my parents insisted Stony brook.</p>
<p>Not to sound condescending, but I've never heard of Stony Brook, but that could be because I'm from the south..</p>
<p>You parents are wrong about this, in general, though in some specific departments (hard sciences?) it might be better rep. likes state schools in general.
Stoney Brook is not well known, and it certainly doesn't have the alumni network of Fordham.
If price matters, I assume Stoney Brook is much cheaper. We read up on both schools, talked to alum from both. It is not going to give you the same type of college education you'd get at Fordham. Equally great in specific departments, better maybe in hard sciences I think, but not the general college life/learning.</p>
<p>IMO, it's two different campuses in terms of locale and attitudes. You really need to visit both schools to help you decide. Fordham is expensive while SB is a state school and cheaper. If finances are the deciding factor, SB would have to be your choice, especially for an in state student. In regard to reputation, it depends on your goals/interests.</p>
<p>One can find fulfillment and get a good education in any school -- from an Ivy league university to a community college! When one is smart, he/she is smart. </p>
<p>Moreover, many professors from Ivy league or more first rate schools supplement their incomes in "lesser" schools, like community colleges or day state schools when they are nearby. They're the same people with the same intelligence in both places. </p>
<p>What makes the difference between Ivy league A and State School C are the fringe benefits -- an outstanding library, a cohesive and nurturing campus life as a student, easy accessibility to professors and learning aids, being surrounded by driven student, and in the post grad period, it's nice to have a "name".</p>
<p>Which school can best offer that ? </p>
<p>As for a Stony Brook - Fordham comparison, having attended Fordham from out of NY state, I can tell you that I, nor anyone else from out of state knew about Stony Brook until we arrived to Fordham and talked to students from NY state, which wasn't the case for Fordham. Although I am in no way an authority, Stony Brook is a state school whose reputation probably does not extend outside NY state and perhaps New Jersey. </p>
<p>Fordham, although still largely underrated, has a reputation that crosses the country and even extends to China: they have an MBA with the University of Bejing. Generally in NY and definitely outside of NY state, Fordham is considered more prestigious; however, that does not mean you can't get an excellent education at Stony Brook. Between the two, if you're looking for a name with prestige, Fordham would be the better choice. If you're looking for an excellent education, and despite my soft spot for Fordham, I think it is, overall, probably a better college experience given its location and Jesuit tradition. </p>
<p>Having said this, we're all comparing apples to oranges and the most important thing is to go where you'll be the happiest. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I know this is an old thread, but I feel something must be said.</p>
<p>Who cares if nobody out of state knows SBU? Do you REALLY want to move away from the area? IMO NYC is the place to be as far as jobs and opportunities, and trust me, anyone who has any sort of knowledge about the area and students knows SBU.</p>
<p>I just don't know why you would bring in the "nobody out of NY knows SBU" argument in - it's just downright irrelevant.</p>
<p>I don't believe there is any real correlation between strength of the school and "name brand" appeal. Williams is probably the best LAC, and noone has ever heard of it either. Your argument is just weak.</p>
<p>In this day and age of hyper competitive job markets, hyper competitive school admissions, it seems to me a name is one of several factors to consider. But what is behind the name is most important. What does the name Fordham bring to mind? If you ask anyone in NYC they know precisely what it means: Jesuit ethics and ethos, well rounded hard working kids, and an incredible alumni connection. Fordham is nationally known and recognized. You could move to LA and find a job with Fordham.</p>
<p>Stoney Brook is an excellent state school with a growing reputation. They regularly solicit kids from the South....cold, I might add.....from the college board scores. That is aggressive marketing which I applaud. Fordham needs to do MORE of that....that is after all how BC went from near bankruptcy not that long ago to jumping leaps and bounds up the rankings and shoring up its finances. Fordham needs to recruit more applicants from regions outside NY-NJ-Conn....and they are working on it, I hear.</p>
<p>To me, Stoney Brook and Fordham are two very different schools. Different strengths, different cultures, different size.</p>
<p>Ultimately YOU must decide what is best for you, based upon who YOU are, not what USNWR says or pressure from your parents or friends.</p>
<p>I know someone at UNC Chapel Hill who was top 5% in his class. He went there for financial reasons and because of its lofty ranking, which it deserves I might add. But he is already miserable. Its too liberal for him, too big, and too many parties. He would have been so much happier at a small (er) private school with greater emphasis on things besides beer bongs and all night parties with a liberal leaning faculty. He doubts he will stay there for four years if this continues. (I am not picking on Chapel Hill....only stating the obvious. Its a superb school....but you gotta be very disciplined to avoid crashing and burning with the party atmosphere and the large student body. Though compared to Ohio State and Michigan and Georgia they are regard themselves as small to medium sized.)</p>
<p>And the ubiquitous financial aid picture may come into play. Fordham is not cheap and they are more modest than some schools with doling it out. My D picked Fordham because she knows that when she graduates she will not only have a world class education in a healthy Catholic atmosphere, shepherded by the Jesuits, but amazing job opportunities....and hopefully a salary to boot to pay off those student loans. Plus, visiting campus last June (among 6 schools she was admitted to from the South and Midwest), she simply said, "This is ME!"</p>
<p>Many of her friends went to Chapel Hill, NC State, Duke, Tufts, Dartmouth, Princeton, Davidson, Furman, Elon, Emory, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Providence, BC, etc.....but for her, she felt the best at Fordham, its strong programs, amazing faculty, and beautiful campus...in NYC (Bronx).</p>
<p>We believe it was the best decision she could make and trust she will be very happy, fulfilled, CHALLENGED, and safe.</p>
<p>For you that may be a different decision and that is okay. The important thing is to find the college that best suits YOUR interests and YOUR personality.</p>
<p>correction: we visited Fordham last April, not last June. lol.</p>
<p>and one last salient point: I know this is an old thread as well and the initial poster has likely made a decision and may even have moved into his/her dorm at whatever college they decided to attend. But the point here is to help other people who may be reading this thread for the upcoming admissions cycle, which is going to be MORE brutal I am told than last year because the demographics are even worse; a larger applicant pool than last year across the nation.</p>
<p>Stony Brook is strong in music, philosophy, engineering and the sceinces. In my opinion it is more forward looking and cutting edge.</p>
<p>dude doesnt even know what he wants to major in. just wants to base it on whos better in what?? appearance??? although, told a few girls i go to fordham, eyes lighted up like tom brady entered the room, ahah gotta love those dumb girls.</p>