Fordham vs. Villanova

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
1

<p>Well, BC and Notre Dame waitlisted me, and I was rejected by Georgetown, but I am still relatively happy with my choices. I have narrowed it down to Villanova and Fordham, but am having a tough time deciding because they are so similar. Right now, I'm leaning towards Villanova.</p>

<p>What I have been considering so far:</p>

<p>-I think Villanova is considered to be slightly more academically prestigious than Fordham (althugh, that may be because of Villanova's business and engineering schools). I am majoring in political science, and I think their programs are comparable.
-Athletics are a bigger part of the college experience at Villanova. While I don't play sports, I enjoy watching them, but the tradeoff it seems is that Villanova is more of a jock school.
-I'm interested in being a member of the band in college, and I think it would be more fun to be a member of the band in Villanova, which is the more athletically competitive school.
-I definitely prefer Fordham's campus.
-I definitely prefer Villanova's location.
-Villanova's core curriculum seems a lot more daunting and less appealing to me than Fordham's which is more lax.
-I like the idea of Villanova's learning communities for freshmen.
-Fordham initially gave me less aid than Villanova, but I asked them to consider giving me more, and they ended up giving me another $5000. While cost isn't a major issue, I thought that was really nice of them. As of now, both schools are offering me about the same amount of aid (a little over 17k) and will cost about the same. Fordham's aid is almost all merit (they chose me as a Dean's scholar being in the top 6% of their applicant pool) whereas Villanova's is mostly need-based. Villanova said its aid was non-negotiable.
-Fordham has expressed more interest in me.</p>

<p>If anyone can offer any other opinions, comparisons, or thoughts, I'd greatly appreciate them.
Thanks!</p>

2

<p>i have a question, who did u talk to to get that extra 5,000? and was it federal aid or private aid (merit aid is private)?</p>

<p>Also im not sure what to tell you but Villanova is higher ranked than Fordham. Though Fordham is getting up there i think you should check in terms of what you want to study and which will give you the education you need. Also consider checking acceptance rates to maybe a grad school you have in mind. For example, FCLC last year had a pretty good medical school acceptance rate, and thats one thing i looked for when making my decision. Now im not sure if im going there yet because of its high price, but it seems kind of worth it.</p>

3

<p>I went to their student services center and talked to one of their counselors. He told me to write a letter explaining why I deserved more aid, and also to fax my award letters from Tulane and Villanova, which each gave me more money. I did all of that, and a day later I got a call telling me that my award was updated on OASIS. My Dean's scholarship increased from $12,575 to $15,000 and I got a need-based grant for $2500.</p>

<p>Thanks for your input!</p>

4

<p>This is interesting, because I am in almost the exact same situation. I am interested in both, have almost the exact same scholarship at both, and am also going into political science (and I am in band). However, I have been leaning towards Fordham. Here's why:</p>

<p>-Fordham has great internship programs, and New York is a good place to be in terms of access to politics. I'm interested in International relations, and the UN is based there.
-I heard Fordham's band play, and was impressed for a college band in a school not focused on music. I didn't get to hear Villanova's, but I got the impression that the instrumental music program is better at Fordham.
-I really liked the design of Fordham's honor college.
-I felt the students at Fordham were more diverse in terms of viewpoints and ways of looking at life (although I really loved the people at Villanova)
-I felt like Fordham was more academically challenging</p>

<p>These are just my opinions, so I would also like to hear other attitudes, especially because a lot of the impressions I got are subjective and based on a few observation.</p>

5

<p>Did you get into Fordham's honors program? I think that is only around 25 kids, that's a great accomplishment! If I got into it I think my decision would be a lot easier.</p>

6

<p>I'd go to Fordham.
I was accepted to Villanova as well but I did some hefty research.
If you are not white, it may be a little harder to get into that social circle. As i've read, there's really no other outlet than little college parties while Fordham has NYC just 20 minute Ram-van ride away.
I also visited Fordham for a weekend just couple of weeks ago. Great university. Friendly ppl. Definitely had girls of my type. Smaller than I had expected but hey, NYC is ur campus. I'm not enrolling in Fordham tho, so I guess u miss getting an opportunity to know an amazing person. XD
Also, I was able to meet with some honors students. They are intelligent and open. Many turned down ivy or semi-ivy schools for the honors program.
If global honors business, also great people who came to Fordham mainly b/c of the opportunites Fordham exclusively provides for you.
Plus, this school is rising in its status perenially.</p>

7

<p>go to Fordham. Yeah, Nova has better sports but you can't compare NYC to Philly. Of course the area around Fordham's campus is rough but the students are well protected. Academically, I think both institutions are very similar. Since you are a political science major however, Fordham (being in NYC), is the obvious better choice for you.</p>

8

<p>To the poster who claimed Villanova is a better school academically;</p>

<p>I attended a Villanova welcome accepted student’s day with my daughter who got in. Many times during the fanfare, it was said (bosted) that Villanova was #1 in their category in the Northeast. I suspect this is the reason why so many people think Villanova is better than Fordham. At worst this is an incorrect statement, at best it is apples and oranges.
Taking a good look at that statement, the US News and World Report ranking of #1 in the Northeast for master’s level programs is a fairly small group. Masters’ level programs are regional and are not in the same category of National Universities, which offer PhDs and are strongly into research. The Northeast region is one of FIVE regions USN&WR reports on, so there are FIVE #1 master’s level programs in the US. Davidson is #1 in the Southeast, so can the claim to be #1 as much as Villanova can. With five other #1 schools, the #1 claim is somewhat devalued. Then, what are the schools in the category with Villanova? Fairfield is #2. You will also find schools like Marist, U, Scranton, St. Joseph’s etc. and you will not find Fordham. Villanova is not in the bigger category of National Universities, where you will find the Ivy League, Mega-state schools like Michigan, schools like Stanford, Emory, Duke, Chicago, Georgetown, Boston College…and Fordham.
So that #1 ranking in the bigger context of the 1,000+ National Universities does not mean as much and is not in the same group: apples and oranges. Fordham is ranked #61, but out of the very best universities in the nation in a pool of 1,000+, that is a good ranking and cannot be compared to a master’s-only school who’s pool is about 200 regional schools. Don’t get me wrong, Villlanova is a fine school and my daughter was happy to be accepted, but she ultimately chose Fordham for it’s diversity, major programs, ample resources and access to NYC. While it may appear the SATs are higher for VIllanova, Fordham has a strong commitment to help local residents and has a school of general studies who’s SAT profile lowers the collective SATs reported. I invite you to compare Fordham College’s SATs to Villanova’s: (an apples to apples comparison) and you will find they are roughly the same.</p>

9

<p>Wow, another account?</p>

10

<p>““Fordham has a strong commitment to help local residents and has a school of general studies who’s SAT profile lowers the collective SATs reported.””</p>

<p>What are you saying here, that local residents have lower SATs?</p>

<p>And what do you mean by a “school of general studies”? Are you talking about an adult evening school? Students in liberal studies are not required to submit SAT’s and so they are not factored into the SAT profile.</p>

11

<p>I had the opportunity to choose between Villanova and Fordham. It was an easy choice for me - Fordham!</p>

<p>In my opinion, the students seemed more open-minded, diverse, and interesting.</p>

12

<p>To FordhamAlum</p>

<p>As you are a “Fordham Alum”, I am surprised you do not know this, but to answer your points:</p>

<p>Fordham is in the Bronx. Many in the community do not have the same opportunities as kids from an upper class home. No judgement, just fact. As such there are 2 programs to allow students entry who would not qualify based on the mean SATs for FC or CBA:<br>
HEOP: Higher Education Opportunity Program. This allows students from less advantaged backgrounds who do not have the best grades or SATs but show a desire to come to Fordham and also provides financial support as well.
School of General Studies: While you are correct that the school does not require SATs, what it DOES require is a specialized admission test that is comparable to the ACT. While I cannot verify this, it is my understanding that as the school does offer a degree at the end and is an accredited undergraduate college of Fordham, the scores are factored in when reporting to USN&WR.</p>

<p>Both programs are a wonderful testimony to the Jesuit principle of educating all who wish to learn and welcomes all who can do the work. But when one diggs a bit deeper, it explains why the reported average SATs seen in USN&WR is different from the individual FC or CBA scores, which are higher.</p>

13

<p>RamRay or whoever you are now,</p>

<p>Please don’t generalize and insult the students of the Bronx when you apparently know nothing about the Bronx or its students. </p>

<p>I’m from the Bronx, and lots of people on this board are from the Bronx. Many is the community are brilliant students who attend top NYC high schools. You don’t have to be rich to go to these schools.</p>

<p>I’m well aware of HEOP. This is a New York State program, and since you want to pretend you know so much about it, the students from the Bronx, and how it affects Fordham, I’m sure you’re aware that Columbia University and NYU also participate in HEOP. Funny their average SAT scores seem to be higher than Fordham’s!</p>

<p>HEOP is not just for “students in the community”. It is for all students from New York State. So, in case you don’t know, New York State is huge and Fordham can draw in HEOP students from across the state. When you generalize that “community” students bring down Fordham’s SAT scores, that is borderline ignorant and racist in my book.</p>

<p>And just so you know, Fordham does not have a “School of General Studies”. It’s called the “College of Liberal Studies”. It is not a program like HEOP, it is an evening school for adults who generally work during day hours.</p>

<p>And it’s laughable how you make things up stating that Fordham requires a specialized admission test that is comparable to the ACT. What a joke - the ACT has 5 sections, reading, writing, math, science, and english and is about 3 hours/30 minutes long. Fordham’s entrance exam for liberal studies is a “brief college skills assessment”. It has 2 sections and takes 1.5 hours to complete - Not comparable in the least. It’s a basic exam to make sure the adults, who do not require to submit SATs, have the reading and writing skills necessary for college.</p>

<p>Now you may go on to create a new id and continue to post inaccurate and insulting things.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

14

<p>

</p>

<p>I’m glad you pointed that out; that’s Columbia who has GS.
You’d think these experts could keep their schools correct, but then again, it seems like a lot of these people (or the same person in a lot of accounts) think Fordham = Columbia.</p>

15

<p>I’d really like to better understand the sole purpose behind Affirmative Action, specifically regarding residents of the Bronx.</p>

16

<p>Fordham alum:</p>

<p>I do not understand your hositity, but will address your points without rancor:</p>

<p>1-I never use any other ID on this or any other site but that of RamRay. If you inded are a Fordham alum and have seen some Fordham blogs, you might recognize it. Your comment is bizzare. I can only assume you have mistaken me for someone else. </p>

<p>2-I too am from the Bronx: born and raised. Yes, there are brilliant kids (I went to Bx.HS Science) but there are also first generation kids from other countires and disadvantaged kids in the Bronx and it is those kids Fordham makes efforts for. I worked with many community groups as was politically active in the Bronx to help many kids so your comment is presumptive and inaccurate.</p>

<p>3-While HEOP is a state program, if you check with the office of admission, the vast majority of kids in the program are local. The only thing racist and ignorant are your wild conclusions from my stating facts. </p>

<p>4-While it is now called the College of General Studies, I remember it as the School of General Studies: It is the same thing. That NYU and Columbia’s General Studies have higher SATS than Fordham is only reflective of their higher SATs in general and have nothing to do with my satements.</p>

<p>5-As to my “Making things up”, to you or anyone reading this, I invite you to go to Fordham.edu and look up the College of General Studies. There you will find some info on the special admission test required. Should you go further and call the office, you should be informed that is similar to elements of the ACT. and in fact can be considered a simplified version to assess a students ability to do basic collge work.</p>

<p>You have taken worthwhile programs done with a good prupose and reduced them to meaningless and racist gestures because I noted them. I find it difficult to believe you are indeed a Fordham alum as your unprovoked and insulting comments are not what I would expect from a graduate of a fine school and my alma mater. I am convinced that you have mistaken me for someone who has clearly rubbed you the wrong way so will not take your attack personally.</p>

17

<p>Seriously RamRay, </p>

<p>I hate to waste my time responding to your ridiculous post, but I have some time to spare, so here‘s some rancor back at you.</p>

<p>You start off post #12 by insulting me stating that since I’m a “Fordham Alum,” you’re surprised I don’t know that “Fordham is in the Bronx…….” Talk about Hostile! …and nasty!</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Is it a coincidence that you showed up on the board in January when an overzealous poster left? Is it a coincidence that you use the same posting style as the overzealous poster? Is it a coincidence that you post as though you have knowledge of Fordham and the Bronx, and the majority of your posts are incorrect, similar to the overzealous poster? Is it a coincidence that you post snarky messages similar to the overzealous poster and then feign innocence and a lack of understanding to the response? We can draw our own conclusions.</p></li>
<li><p>My comments are not presumptuous when you state that local students bring down Fordham’s SAT scores. Your words clearly express your beliefs. Your comment is appalling to me and if you have volunteered in the community, which is questionable, you have appeared to have learned little from it. </p></li>
<li><p>And you know that “the vast majority” of HEOP students are local because you checked with Admissions? So then you must be aware that HEOP has its own set of counselors separate from those in the undergraduate admission office?</p></li>
<li><p>Once again, it is not called the College of General Studies! Fordham has a College of LIBERAL Studies. Fordham had a SCHOOL of General Studies in the 80’s and prior. They also had a School of Pharmacy and Marymount College – All no longer exist. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Once again, Fordham College of Liberal Studies does not require SATs , so they are not factored in the overall SAT average. </p>

<p>The fact that both NYU & Columbia participate in HEOP, as well as Cornell, Barnard, Binghamton, etc. and all have strong average SATs, proves that HEOP does not have the negative impact on SAT averages that you would like to believe.</p>

<ol>
<li> As to your making things, up…ROFL…….Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, LOL!</li>
</ol>

<p>You’re inviting me to go to Fordham.edu and look up College of General Studies? FYI – I won’t waste my time, because it doesn’t exist! And everything else you said in #5 is pure nonsense. According to you, Fordham’s Liberal Studies admission test has now gone from comparable to the ACT (post #12) to having similar elements (what’s that reading and writing?)…big difference if you know anything about the ACT.</p>

<p>And P.S. Mr. Bx Science – HEOP students can come from Bronx Science and Stuyvesant, etc!! The only person who has demeaned the wonderful College of Liberal Studies students and the HEOP program is you with your reprehensible comment about community students. Shame on you.</p>

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<p>[Search</a> Results: “school of general studies”](<a href=“http://google.web.fordham.edu/search?access=p&entqr=0&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&output=xml_no_dtd&ud=1&site=WWW_Fordham&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&client=fulldom&proxystylesheet=fulldom&q=“school+of+general+studies”&ip=69.86.103.191&filter=p]Search”>http://google.web.fordham.edu/search?access=p&entqr=0&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&output=xml_no_dtd&ud=1&site=WWW_Fordham&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&client=fulldom&proxystylesheet=fulldom&q=“school+of+general+studies”&ip=69.86.103.191&filter=p)</p>

<p>FordhamAlum is correct. There is no “School of General Studies” anymore.</p>

<p><a href=“http://google.web.fordham.edu/search?site=WWW_Fordham&q=“college+of+general+studies”&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&ie=UTF-8&client=fulldom&oe=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=fulldom[/url]”>http://google.web.fordham.edu/search?site=WWW_Fordham&q=“college+of+general+studies”&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&ie=UTF-8&client=fulldom&oe=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=fulldom&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Nor is there a “College of General Studies”</p>

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<p>Fordham is a National University. Being that it is in NYC it attracts a way cooler student body than Villanova. Most Importantly – Fordham produces more Fullbright Scholars and other honors than Villanova . This is more definitive of a university doing its job than incoming SAT scores. The Internships are boundless - you are in NYC one semester you could be at City Hall and the next at the UN and why not MTV?? It is a priceless education - inside the classroom and out Fordham is superior Academically </p>

<p>Watch Fordham as it gains momentum for its rise as the preeminent catholic university in the country – it does not need a basketball it has the rigorous scholarship that Jesuits have brought there for over 150 years . </p>

<p>As for Political Science - a VP candidate Geraldine Ferraro went to fordham - there are countless politicians s from the tri state area that are Fordham educated . Andrew Cuomo is a proud alum as well as the Lt gov. of Mass . Mayor Michael Bloomburg has stated how many officials in his cabinet bleed maroon .
Our List Of Alumni is far more illustrious and interesting than that other school you mentioned</p>