Full tuition scholarship to Fordham vs. Georgetown

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
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<p>omzac, its my sincere pleasure. I fully understand the dilemma. Believe me. We came down to three choices in 07 and all three had basically the same money involved! Ugh! And it also involved personal drama with friends. Not easy. She pulled the trigger on Fordham on the last day. Freshman year was rough…really rough adjusting to New York and all the college stress. Almost pulled her…but she persevered, pulled up her socks and re-energized. Finished top of her class at Fordham (who ranks students btw.) </p>

<p>Never looked back. I do understand the prestige thing. Its a powerful allure. But important to consider all the options and really try hard to find out where he will perform the best, be happiest and perhaps make the best long term decision whether he goes to medical school or not. Pre Med is very stressful whereever you attend. I remember the PreMed kids we met at WashU Stl…on tour…freaked us out how utterly freaked they were. So comfort and happiness are important. </p>

<p>This also is not a rural setting, like Kenyon or Bucknell. Its New York. New York has its wonderment, but also its hyperness and intensity. Fordham is a bit of an oasis on campus at Rose Hill, but its still there. Washington DC has another level of intensity and competitiveness…and class structure. </p>

<p>I am biased to be certain. We love Fordham dearly. But we also know some will go elsewhere, and to them we say “good luck and God’s speed.”</p>

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<p>NYmomma</p>

<p>“The fact that Georgetown is academically superior to Fordham has NOTHING to do with how either school is ranked. Rank was never mentioned in my previous post so why mention it now.”</p>

<p>Please reread my post. I never quoted you as saying anything about ranking: I mention it as a definitve method of comparison between schools and how schools considered above Georgetown academically (i.e. USN&WR) are not necessarily superior across the board to Georgetown. The point of this thread is: would a person have a better chance getting into med school by going to Georgetown over Fordham. My experience would say no, not necessarily. If 2 seniors from each school gets a 3.75 GPA, high MCAT scores and good references, I can assure you the determining factor in chosing one over the other will not be because he went to Georgetown undergrad (unless the admitting officer is a GU grad ;^). I know because I have spoken to the admitting officers of this medical school and they assure me the qualities and scores of the individual matter far more than the school they come from…in most cases it does not make a difference. In this context Georgetown does not offer any tangible advantage over Fordham…or many other schools for that matter…for med school admission. So it’s not just my opinion. Leave it at that.</p>

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<p>@Thanks, RamRay.</p>

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<p>Dear RamRay,</p>

<p>I believe it is you who should reread my post. In my second post, I never said you quoted me and my first post wasnt all about Georgetown, Please read past that. I informed the OP that her son would most likely excel at Fordham and his superior grades would be an advantage for medical school applications and that his full scholarship is a huge consideration. I’m entitled to my opinion as you are entitled to yours, but ours are similar in some areas so there must be some confusion as I’m getting lectured for no reason. No need for that.</p>

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<p>I’m in the same situation, actually - full tuition scholarship to Fordham, admitted to Georgetown early, but not expecting much need-based aid, if any, from them. I’m planning to double major in German and Economics, and while I want to do grad school (not med or law), I’m not sure how much my major path vs. premed would change the verdict on this issue. In any case, I don’t want to shoulder $240,000 of debt, and I don’t expect my parents to either. :/</p>

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<p>I guess we are in similar boats. I wish you a lot of luck in making your decision. My son is leaning towards Fordham at this point unless some miracle happens and he gets a lot of aid from Georgetown.</p>

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<p>NYmomma</p>

<p>I was not lecturing, sorry you think so. I was just trying to clarify my views as you were yours. Your comment “The quality of the education at Georgetown does surpass Fordham. That is just a fact and anyone who says it does not, is uninformed or not being honest” did not sit well as to say if I don’t agree, am I uninformed or dishonest? Please re-read what you wrote and try to see it though the eyes of others. I was just indicating that in the context of med school admission, it may not be that important where a person went to college… even if one is academically stronger than another.</p>

<p>In the end we are just trying to offer good advice and support in this difficult process. It it easy to take certain statements and become reactive, but we both meant well.</p>

<p>omzac, good luck where you decide to go.</p>

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<p>@RamRay I really appreciate everyone’s input. Reading the different opinions and viewpoints is very helpful to my son and I. It is a difficult decision but your help is making it easier. Thanks.</p>

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<p>any questions ping me by pm. Glad to help. Yes, its subjective and hard. Been there. And its a gut feeling…</p>

<p>but once made, close the book on the one not selected, embrace the one selected, buy the gear and move along…looking forward and upwards. </p>

<p>As a parent, aside from the financial considerations (which loom large), its his decision…his life…hard for parents to let go and let them decide. Why? Because they must own their own decision ultimately. Good, bad or indifferent.</p>

<p>Fordham clearly wants you. He would be a credit to Fordham. And he wont be the only one in the dorms with uberstats and feeling geekish. I was SHOCKED how many kids in Queens Court (07) who had simply amazing scores. Fordham admits a lot of very very smart kids who select Fordham for a myriad of personal reasons. </p>

<p>He will know, walking on campus, with a gut feel, if its right for him. We went to admitted student orientation (on a terrible weather weekend) in April. We spoke with students, faculty, Fr. McShane. We spoke together and also separate from each other. On the metro north train back to Grand Central she sort of hinted this was it. But still it was the last day before she pulled the trigger…April 30. </p>

<p>Fordham is not perfect. Its also not a panacea or nirvana for everyone. Its very special, but also very unique. There are issues at Fordham like there are issues at Harvard. My kid went to another school for grad school and there were plenty of issues there as well. No school is perfect. Quirks, frustrations, and all sorts of annoying things…</p>

<p>My kid had amazing professors, most of whom were warm, endearing, supportive and challenging. THe harder she worked the more they dumped MORE work on her! LOL. I am not kidding. But oh the rewards. </p>

<p>Fr. McShane says in his speech he wants kids to come to Fordham and that Fordham will change them…scary words. But he also wants them bothered by injustice in the world when they leave. He was spot on the mark. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>Thank you sovereigndebt for taking the time to post. As we get closer to D-day, I will surely pm you. LOL!!</p>

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<p>Just my 2 cents:</p>

<p>I’m a senior at Fordham. Four years ago I was accepted into Georgetown and received close to a full ride from Fordham as well as admission into the Honors Program.</p>

<p>I’ve never regretted my decision. I have no debt and I would never trade my Fordham experience for anything. </p>

<p>In response to some of the other posts, I agree that the average student at Fordham will likely not be as challenged as the average student at Georgetown. As a whole, Georgetown offers a more academically rigorous education. HOWEVER, Fordham does a very good job at identifying its top students and placing them in programs and providing them with opportunities that will push them to their full potential. I feel that through this special attention, I have received a better education, more attune to the tenet of cura personalis, than I would have at Georgetown. </p>

<p>Likewise, Fordham is in the Bronx and New York City. Georgetown is in one of the wealthiest suburbs of D.C. (that happens to be within the City’s limits). I cannot explain to you how critical to my education living in the Bronx and New York City has been and how it has changed me as a person. I have spent a lot of time at Georgetown (I have some close friends there) and the surrounding neighborhood, while beautiful, would have offered little to challenge my perspective as a middle-class student who grew up in suburbia. </p>

<p>If your son attends Fordham, here’s my advice for him:</p>

<p>Seek admission into the honors program (by contacting the program director ASAP)
Get involved with activities that force you to interact with the community beyond Fordham’s gates.
Seek out the hardest professors with the best reputations (Fordham makes this easy to do because it requires all students to evaluate every course they take and then makes the data available to students online. Plus, ratemyprofessors is always a good resource).</p>

<p>Good luck with the decision! I know I would have been happy at Georgetown too, probably for very different reasons than why I am happy at Fordham. But, I’m just really glad I have no debt.</p>

<p>And Fordham’s campus is far superior to Georgetown’s. I’ll debate anyone who claims otherwise :)</p>

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<p>@yenrod Thank you very much for your thoughtful reply. You make many excellent and valid points. My son is still deciding. However, after visiting Georgetown’s campus on Monday and then attending Fordham’s open house on Friday, I can attest that Fordham has by far the nicer campus. And its much, much cleaner too.</p>