<p>Holy Cross is one of the select schools that is need-blind. HC meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. The Holy Cross endowment usually ranks in the top20-25 of all LAC’s.</p>
<p>I was kind of in the same boat as the OP. I’m applying to a few Jesuit colleges of which Fordham and Holy Cross are part of.</p>
<p>First off, I instantly crossed off Lincoln Center. But of course that was my personal preference, I want a “real” campus, green grass, people playing football on the quad, the works. Of course, Rose Hill had that true campus feel. Awesome, I visited it and liked it, wasn’t to ecstatic but figured I’ll apply anyway.</p>
<p>Toured around the Boston area and saw Holy Cross. THE CAMPUS IS BEAUTIFUL. I loved it, everything about it, okay minus the fact that Worcester kinda creeps me out. But like I said in my earlier post I am in love with Boston, oh and did I mention that there are shuttles that bring you to Boston every weekend? 
Also, in terms of “prestige” I’m not completely sure, but around here Holy Cross > Fordham no questions asked. However I do live in the NY metropolitan area of NJ, thus Fordham is the school to apply to, from my school most B+ students get in no problem. </p>
<p>More reasons to love Holy Cross:
-undergraduate only, thus seniors (and some juniors) get to do hands on works with college professors, something often reserved for grad students
-NO TAs, yup no class is taught by TAs, actually I don’t even think they are existent there.
-small class size, no big lecture halls
-awesome alumni connections
-83% percent of med school students accepted, more than twice the national average
-77% admitted to law school, WOOT WOOT</p>
<p>And those are my reasons as to why Holy Cross totally owns Fordham. It’s my first choice and can’t wait to go (unfortunately I’m too late to apply ED) if admitted. Of course some of my reasons for loving Holy Cross, might be cons on your list. Visit both (if you can) and see how they compare in your eyes, see how well you “fit” or if you can really see yourself attending either one. Good luck! :)</p>
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<p>Not so. Holly Cross’ deadline for Early Decision is December 15th. </p>
<p>[Applying</a> Early Decision | College of the Holy Cross](<a href=“http://www.holycross.edu/admissions/early.html]Applying”>http://www.holycross.edu/admissions/early.html)</p>
<p>Thank you everybody, you have all been very helpful. I visited both schools, but unfortunately both in the summer so I could not get as good of a read on the student body as I wanted to. Also, you’ve guys helped me realize that my heart isn’t 100 % for holy cross and I shouldn’t do ED even though it lessens my chance for acceptance. Again thank you guys </p>
<p>Any more opinions are still definitely welcome</p>
<p>Redsoxx…you are most welcome. I agree that applying ED is the option ONLY if you are 100% certain it is for you. I don’t know if they have EA or not or what their deadline is. </p>
<p>I actually dislike these threads of comparing or pitting one school against another. Too often it gets emotional and different schools strike people in different ways. Its you who are deciding and you who will be going, so your opinion is really what counts here. </p>
<p>The Cross is an outstanding school. I have immense respect for it. Some kids want to get away further from home and some want to stay closer to home. So deciding between Worcester…and Boston, or New York is very personal. </p>
<p>I will say this much, I’m not aware of any TA’s teaching any courses at Fordham. My kid had two adjuncts, who were PhD’s teaching in the first year who were fine. One of those is now on tenure track. Fordham’s class sizes are also very small, because the LC campus is only 1,700 students and the Rose Hill undergrad campus is only 5,000, of which 3,000 are liberal arts and roughly 2,000 are CBA (business college). Most classes are 30 or fewer students with many 20 or fewer. Fordham students also work with professors on projects, from theology to physics. The admission rate for Fordham grads into prestigious graduate programs is very high, I know of one who is at Yale this year and another at Harvard Law this year. Fordham has a high percentage of admissions to med school and law school (I don’t know the precise figures, but admissions will tell you.) They regularly send kids to Cornell Medical School and Columbia. Fordham’s own Law school is a top 25 school. </p>
<p>I disagree that Holy Cross “owns” Fordham…but will let smile get by with rhetorical hyperbole. If he/she loves it (and Boston)…great…best of luck there! </p>
<p>Fordham also owns its own biological research station in Armonk. Plus it is adjacent to the gorgeous and world renowned New York Botanical Gardens and Bronx Zoo. Both of those institutions have joint programs with Fordham. Fordham also has a joint program with the Albert Einstein School of Medicine with Yeshiva University. </p>
<p>Visiting campus during the school year helps out. Seeing kids on the quad (Eddie’s Parade at Fordham), in the cafeteria, in the dorms or student apartments is really where it is at. </p>
<p>Finally on athletics, Fordham is making a new push (along with new facilities for students at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center) for improved athletics, and has recently received permission from the Patriot League (a non scholarship league, including Holy Cross) for 60 football scholarships next year. Fordham’s quarterback this year is John Skelton and he is setting records and is on the radar screen of NFL teams (according to major NFL scouting websites). They will upgrade their schedule to include Villanova, Connecticut and Army in the next few years. In basketball, they are in the highly competitive A10. We have a game against Villanova in the Izod Center this year and a game against nationally ranked Dayton in a return for Fordham to Madison Square Garden! In addition we host Xavier and the other A10 star teams at the venerable and historic Rose Hill Gym, the oldest active Division 1A basketball arena in the country. </p>
<p>Did I mention we had a surprise concert (at Rose Hill) from U2 courtesy of ABC’s Good Morning America last March? Ha ha. </p>
<p>I rest my case. Best of luck to you regardless where you end up attending college.</p>
<p>*late note: Skelton selected to the East West Shrine Bowl college allstar game: <a href=“http://www.fordham.edu/Campus_Resources/eNewsroom/topstories_1709.asp[/url]”>http://www.fordham.edu/Campus_Resources/eNewsroom/topstories_1709.asp</a></p>
<p>I happen to agree with those people contrasting the two schools because they reall are different. As far as HC being below Georgetownon the hierarchy I have to disagree. Georgetown is somewhat more selective but historically, HC was considered the more academic of the two. Georgetown is much bigger, a major research university with a Law School and Medical schools and undergraduate has more of a pre-professional focus with business, internatial relations, polical science, etc. Fordham is more akin to Georgetown than is HC. Fordham also is an urban campus more like georgetown. Obviously Fordham lacks some of the prestige of gtown but is more like georgetown than HC is. </p>
<p>Holy Cross is a very good liberal arts school. Smaller classes, focus on undergraduate education. </p>
<p>Holy Cross is more selective and than Fordham and has a more academic reputation. Despite this there are some majors that I might lean more toward Fordham. </p>
<p>My suggestion, go to HC and go to Fordham for law school.</p>
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Wow thanks!</p>
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Well that’s just my personal opinion, I know plenty of people that wouldn’t even consider HC and are set on Fordham! It’s all about personal preference.</p>
<p>Holy Cross is completely focused on undergraduate education with small class size taught by professors not large lectures taught by graduate students. With a combination of strong academics and athletics, HC has great school spirit and an alumni giving rate OF 52-56%(one of the best in the country).</p>
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<p>Let’s be serious. Georgetown >>> Holy Cross. That said, Holy Cross > Fordham.</p>
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<p>Historically is the operative word, here. I have heard nothing but great things about HC, but the simple fact is that it has a middlin’ academic reputation on the national LAC stage. Holy Cross is ranked #36 overall in USNews report, and has a Peer Assessment score of 3.5, which is tied with of Furman, Depauw, Skidmore, Rhodes, Earlman, & Spelman, but below Kenyon, Occidental, Sewanee, Trinity, Richmond, St. Olaf, & Reed, just to name a few.</p>
<p>In contrast, Georgetown has a PA of 4.0 in the national Uni competition. Fordham has a 3.1 in and Boston College has a 3.5. (And I doubt whether the academic voters care about the so-called Flutie Factor. 
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<p>But agree with the others: the first question is whether you want a LAC experience or an urban Uni experience.</p>
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<p>You have “zero respect” for Princeton Review because it “uses questionable methodologies to come up with their ‘ratings.’” </p>
<p>But you have no problem with a publication that rates schools by their “HOTNESS”???</p>
<p>^^rotfl…</p>
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<p>Uh, GU is a LOT more selective.</p>
<p>GU test scores = 1310-1490, 93% in top decile.</p>
<p>HC test scores = 1180-1350, 61% in top decile.</p>
<p>Holy Cross wins the 2009 Patriot League Football Title-another trophy in its storied history. HC alumni giving rate is much higher than Georgetown, Fordham , and Boston College. Among Catholic schools only ND comes close to HC.</p>
<p>If and only if Fordham’s bizarre neighborhood really appeals to you, you should go there. Otherwise go to Holy Cross.</p>
<p>Holy Cross has a very nice campus and closeness to Boston is a pluse.</p>