Getting a little worried!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
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<p>I’m sorry! I only used my daughters stats as an example. And as others noted, I suggested the RD option as a way to bring up the grades. </p>

<p>Admissions is such a guessing game at times. When one thinks they have the stats that meet a schools criteria, they wind up being denied. That’s why I also said to make sure you can sell yourself in your essay. </p>

<p>As for the scholarship comments, again, it’s a crapshoot sometimes. I know of kids that went to public schools and received very generous scholarships with higher stats. And I know of a few who attended parochial schools whose stats were much higher than my daughter who received nothing. And there are those whose stats are similar got more. </p>

<p>Go figure. But we all have our opinions about admissions and the FA. I suggest you go back and try to find threads for those who were accepted EA and what their stats were. That might help. You have until what, November 1st if you file EA? Think about it. </p>

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<p>Spirit and Molly-really wish you would keep the personal attacks off the boards. If you disagree with a point someone else has made, then share your perspective. CC is a place for folks to share their experiences and knowledge to help and support others. Sovereign is very generous in sharing and has helped many to know Fordham better. Why does it bother you that she does? That is rhetorical-I have NO interest in getting in to a debate of character or motives-don’t respond to me, answer to yourself. And just please leave the digs at the door. </p>

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<p>That is exactly what we are trying to do. </p>

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<p>My son is in the Class of 2018 at Lincoln Center (undeclared major, but leaning toward politics or history, or both), and applied to 10 different schools with varying results. Here’s my two cents:</p>

<p>You can’t change the past, you can only help to change the future. If you don’t apply to Fordham you won’t get in. My son had Cs in 10th grade, and some low Bs in 11th grade. His overall GPA was about a 3.1. He went to an independent school where every class was an honors class, so I don’t know how Fordham recalculated his grades, but I’m assuming they were bumped up to about a 3.6 or maybe even 4.1. Statistically, he shouldn’t have been accepted, but he was AND was given great merit money (I disagree with those above who think colleges should do away with merit $; we’ve put three kids through private schools and we are not rich–the $ certainly helps). His ACT was 29 (some 30s and 31s, but the science score brought it down) and a 10 in writing. He was selected to be enrolled in Comp II as opposed to Comp I freshman year and is thriving.</p>

<p>Why did he get in with barely a 3.1 GPA? Maybe it’s because he’s a great kid with a lot going for him, and Fordham’s college counselor who visited his school was impressed with him (she remembered him when we visited the Open Houses in October). He had work experience, great ECs, fantastic recs, and is a student leader. His personal statement was thoughtful and on an unusual topic. Villanova rejected him (as did GW), but NYU wait-listed him until August. He was also accepted to great private schools in the Pacific NW and Occidental, all giving him merit aid. He’s thrilled to have been accepted and the Lincoln Center campus is unbelievable, as is the new dorm. Give it a shot, but don’t be disappointed if you don’t get in. You sound like a great person and any college will be happy to have you.</p>

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<p>Montana ::
I am delighted your son got in and got money. Just like others here who have been brave enough to post their scores and scholarship information. It does underscore what I and others have stated, that Fordham Admissions (admittedly changing as tuition has been rising…its up 10k since 2007, or 40k over four years) is quirky on all the above. </p>

<p>Merit money is just a grant with a certificate of merit. It really comes from the same source, except the restricted scholarships which are designated for certain students, like “children of Italian Firefighter etc.” My view is that NEED should determine who gets aid. NOT SAT scores or GPA. Again, and while we had some unfortunate people on this board who made comments otherwise, I am not posting my daughter’s situation 07-11 FCRH to brag or promote her. Its a statement of fact to put her creds up and compare what WE were offered. We had NEED. We got aid in the form of fairly generous grants (though not nearly enough) and some student loans. But many students with lower scores and grades got MORE money and some of them, we know from their families didnt even need the money. Its infuriating. </p>

<p>There are countless stories of students every year fighting with financial aid and getting shut down or some who wink and nod and got more money. Its simply arbitrary and therefore unfair.</p>

<p>If we were offered a scholarship we would take it. I congratulate you and wish your son the best. I am not putting him or you down. I fully acknowledge the fact the SAT and ACT are poor measures of success in college often and certainly not a good measure of defining hard work. I wont argue that more here because it would take another thread and it would go on endlessly. The point is that Fordham is less than completely objective. </p>

<p>Yes, I get that geographic diversity counts and Fordham is looking to encourage kids from other areas. I also know that they look at need in determining all forms of AID, including scholarships. </p>

<p>I wish him the very best at LC and hope he works his behind off and produces stellar grades, obtains a good job and all ends well. I just wish Fordham was more fair…and gives aid to those who need it and not those who don’t. </p>

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<p>Some schools are more generous than others, some have a poor reputation of giving aid. Rather than challenging one another’s experience, simply share what your experience was as just that: your experience. I think that is what everyone here was doing and no more: lets not take it as a personal challenge of an absolute truth.</p>

<p>Results will vary. ;^)</p>

<p>There are many factors when it comes to aid, one year a kid can get little, another year that same kid can get a good amount. In the end when a kid and his/her family sit down and consider everything, Fordham might be in the final tally, maybe not; finances are always a big factor. I have recruited many a kid who got into Fordham but got better aid elsewhere. Just as there are many cases of a kid getting into an Ivy school but choosing Fordham. </p>

<p>I wish all who apply the best of luck.</p>

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<p>Congrats to you and to your son, mrs montana! My daughter is a senior at LC and has loved living there. She has totally embraced New York City. Best of luck to your son!</p>

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<p>@RamRay‌ – I agree – this forum should be a place where people share experiences without being concerned that others will compare their own experiences to them in a negative fashion or opine on the perceived fairness of their experiences. IMO keeping posts positive, informative, and based on one’s own experience is best.</p>

<p>And @mrsmontana‌ congratulations and I’m glad your S is happy at LC. I come from a very competitive high achieving public HS that does not weight GPAs and (thankfully) I do think Fordham took that into account when they came up with my admissions decision and merit aid award. </p>

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<p>I agree with RamRay. Also, negative postings could dissuade potential applicants and their parents from wanting to join the Fordham community–a Jesuit, Catholic, caring community. Bickering about financial/merit aid stats have no purpose as each candidate brings with them a myriad of unique talents so comparisons are ineffectual. Thanks again RamRay. </p>

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<p>The bickering and sniping didnt come from me, it came from people now espousing a more open and inclusive position. I will state again for about the fourth time for those with reading comprehension problems, that I stated that my daughter had higher stats and gpa’s and more AP’s not to denigrate anyone. In fact, I congratulated EVERY person who got a scholarship and stated clearly they should take it and run. The point I was making was aimed DIRECTLY and EXCLUSIVELY at Fordham admissions. Where the criticisim is justified and needed to be stated for those who queried on this website about the “chances” of getting in with some grades that were not the best. </p>

<p>I can take criticism when it is deserved, well placed and I am more than happy to apologize to any student or parent who feels I was insensitive. I stand by my remarks that Fordham Admissions has been quirky in granting admissions to people (as most schools are) with both high and moderate SAT scores and they have been very quirky (and frustrating) in giving scholarships to people with lower SAT scores and nothing to people with higher scores and demonstrated need. And no, it wasnt the extra curriculars that determined it either. </p>

<p>I used my kid because I am not at liberty to use the scores of others, though I am well aware of who they are and what they are. And to be speaking from direct experience, not just talking from anecdotes. </p>

<p>I dont mean to be offensive, but being direct is important. These are facts. </p>

<p>You would be hard pressed to find someone more supportive of applicants to Fordham and supporting Fordham University on this board. Suggesting I am running people off is ludicrous. I have been criticized in the past for being too much a pollyanna. I tell it like it is from our perspective and experience and welcome the opinion of others about Fordham and THEIR experience. I am as strong a proponent of diversity at Fordham as anyone. That includes geograpahic diversity. I dont work for Fordham and certainly dont influence their decisions in Admissions or Financial Aid. </p>

<p>People who come here seeking information deserve clarity and honesty. </p>

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<p>I don’t want to belabor the obvious, but what folks have to understand is that Fordham, like most private colleges and universities, approach admissions holistically. They look at the whole child, not just numbers. I don’t think it’s “quirky” that Fordham admits one kid with lower GPAs and/or test scores than another; the applicant admitted may have a more “total package” and better application than the one with the higher grades and scores. On its admissions website, Fordham states: “We’re looking for people who see a school like Fordham and a city like New York and feel their hearts swell because they’re already imagining what they can do. We’re looking for people who see college as a chance to engage with the world–its people, its cultures, its urgent problems, and its enduring questions.” Perhaps, when looking at the application, the kid just didn’t exhibit (by way of personal statement, the rigorousness of high school courses, teacher recommendations) those qualities. Admissions at Fordham–unlike certain state universities, where a student can be summarily rejected for not having a certain GPA or score–is subjective.</p>

<p>And so is a merit aid decision. There’s no guarantee any applicant, when admitted, will receive a merit aid award. Again, Fordham makes this clear on its website. Even though our family did not qualify for financial aid, we told our S that, had he been pulled off NYU’s wait-list in the summer (in an email, NYU stated that if my son was accepted off the wait-list, he would receive no $) he would not have been able to attend as a full-pay student. Thus, to avoid disappointment when merit aid decisions are made (keep in mind: merit means merit, not based on ability to pay), the child needs to know how much of an award, from any source, is needed in order to attend the school, period. When Fordham admitted my S and gave him two merit aid scholarships (guaranteed for four years), we knew that they really wanted him to attend! I don’t think it was based on our geographic location, either: schools in the Pacific Northwest awarded him similar packages, give or take $1,000. One private college in California (which was his favorite going into senior year but fell out of favor after he visited Fordham) offered such a small amount of aid that it would probably just have covered his books. In my opinion, the schools that awarded him good packages really, really wanted him to attend; the California school was probably on the fence about him and gave $ to kids who it felt were more worthy of an award. It’s not a “quirkiness.” It’s just a subjective decision on how the private university wants to distribute its funds based on the particular applicant.</p>

<p>To sum up, I think folks have to keep an open mind about the importance or grades and test scores on the admissions officer reading the application. If you’re so-so in one area, make sure you shine in another. Make them want you, and I’m sure you’ll be very happy with the result.</p>

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<p>@sovereigndebt - I understand that you weren’t intentionally trying to denigrate anyone but with the words “my daughter had higher stats and gpa’s and more AP’s” but please try to understand that by using the words “higher” and “more” you are in fact setting up a comparison which puts your D as superior and that can (and clearly has) been taken badly. I would humbly suggest that in order to avoid future misunderstandings that you could make the same point by stating your daughter’s stats and her aid. This way you can make the point by using your own experiences rather than by making a comparison. If you are unwilling (which is understandable) to divulge that information perhaps it would be best if you refrain from commenting on that particular thread. While you have much to offer, IMO any comparisons are a lightening rod which take away from the positive discussions on this thread. </p>

<p>And I do agree that the merit aid etc. is not determined solely by stats at Fordham. I’ve heard more than one admission officer say that a college tries to bring in a class that is well rounded and that meets the needs of the school – they are not looking to fill up with kids who have the highest stats. And I imagine (although I don’t work in admissions) that achieving this well balanced class is one of the factors reflected in the distribution of merit aid. That is why when finances are an issue, it is always wise to apply to a number of schools because it is impossible to know in advance exactly how the aid will turn out at each school.</p>

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<p>I found the information helpful. I don’t know the people on this forum well since my daughter has yet to even visit the school but it was very enlightening to read merit aid decisions aren’t related as much to stats as I had been led to believe. I have also been led to believe they give a lot of merit aid and it seems this may not be accurate either. This is the kind of information that really helps those of us looking for a school. </p>

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<p>I am glad you found it informative Pepper. Please visit Fordham early and often. There are many stories of improved financial aid as tuition rose rapidly the last ten years. I am just saying there are also stories of frustration and sadly for some they elected not to attend Fordham because of poor financial aid offerings. Or worse, some kids had to take on too much debt to finish. </p>

<p>Fordham’ endowment has also been replenished/restored since the great Crash of 2008. They completed a 500 million dollar capital campaign and hopefully some of those funds will be used for improved aid. </p>

<p>This is the only real thing about Fordham that I complain about and voice openly. Otherwise, I am all about Fordham. My goal is to improve financial aid and make it more objective and fair, and less subjective and unfair. Again, if it were up to me, people who need help/aid would get all the money and the people who dont need it wouldnt get it. Not sure where I would make the cutoff or how steep I would taper that award. </p>

<p>People SHOULD apply to Fordham. But they also need to know the facts going in (the published class profile at Fordham is the best judge of what it takes) and the financial picture. </p>