I got into Fordham and BU as a transfer student. Fordham has a lot of what I am looking for, but the whole catholic thing is throwing me off. The 3:30am guest policy (which I could likely work around anyway) is frustrating and also the fact that because they are catholic I can’t get birth control at the health center? It seems like they may be shoving religion down my throat. I am not at all a religious person I believe in equality and am very liberal but do not believe in god at all. From what I have been told, it is a religious school but they don’t force you to be religious. I am still, however, nervous about it so I was hoping to get some more information from students who are non-catholcis at catholic schools or Fordham students. I also know that other catholic schools seem to be the same way about the birth control, I checked BC’s policy and they are the same way.
I’m a student at a Catholic school, La Salle, which is quite liberal. I think BU & Fordham are pretty liberal as well.
The birth control thing was a bit annoying, but living in Philadelphia I had access to Planned Parenthood. In NYC or Boston, you’ll be fine.
As for the guest policy, I think it varies by school. Our policy is 12 AM weekdays or 2 AM weekends. My boyfriend sleeps over almost every night, and nobody has said anything. I know many students do the same thing, as long as we’re quiet my school doesn’t mind. I think this policy is just mentioned to keep the parents happy. This may be different at other schools.
You don’t have to be catholic to attend a catholic school, but you do have to be respectful of the rules and policies. If you don’t want to follow the rules, then don’t go there. You will not be able to get birth control on campus but it isn’t a big deal to get it at Walgreens or CVS or even have it sent to you by your insurer. If that type of thing is going to bother you, just the principle of it, then don’t go to a catholic school because it is a very minor thing and there are going to be bigger things that bother you more.
You have to have the right attitude to make it work. Go to BU if you think Fordham’s rules will bother you.
My S went to Fordham and here are a few observations I can share with you.
– My S had friends of different religions, atheists, agnostics at Fordham and they were all happy at the school and felt comfortable on campus. You absolutely don’t have to be Catholic to attend. The Jesuits are educators first and foremost. Religious based activities are there for those who wish to participate but it is not pushed on anyone.
–That said I think to attend Fordham you should: 1) be respectful of religion; 2) be OK with seeing some religious symbols on campus; and 3) know you will have to take (I believe) 2 philosophy and 2 theology courses as part of the core curriculum.
–The things like guest policy/birth control are easy to get around.
–The two caveats I would have as a transfer to Fordham are: 1) Go through Fordham’s large core curriculum as well as the courses you need in your major and be sure you can graduate when you plan and 2) If you require housing be sure you get it – sometimes transfers don’t get housing.
Both are BU and Fordham are fine schools – best of luck wherever you end up.
- What are your stats? I’m applying to both for transfer and am curious (feel free to PM if you prefer)!
- Remember there’s 2 tiers of religious schools. Fordham is the lower tier (slightly stricter rules and some theology classes) but it’s not as religious as say Biola or Liberty where you have to sign christian contracts.
@philbegas My stats are:
HS GPA: 3.19
College GPA: 3.9 (honor student)
Democrats Club
Honors program
camera club
SAT: 1860 (old version w/ writing)
I worked hard on my essays
2 letters of recommendation
I was also accepted at Northeastern if that helps but BC rejected me. I also got into BU the first time so that was a given, but I got into CGS and this time I got into Questrom. All my schools were business programs.
To everybody else, thank you for your input! I think I will end up at BU since after much deliberation I have too many concerns about Fordham in general. Thanks!
BC is Catholic, BU is secular.
@TomSrOfBoston thanks I know.
Both are supposed to be great schools I don’t think you could go wrong with either!