Honestly, how hard is it to get into Fordham??

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
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<p>I've heard various stats ranging from not hard to just as hard as places like UM.. I've seen the class profile but I don't see those very usefull as they accept people above and below those stats..</p>

<p>So does anyone with experience applying to FU know how hard it can be? And if you got in or know someone who did what were your/their stats?</p>

<p>I don't have many recent stats (should get them this week) as far as GPA & SATs go. At the LOWEST my GPA in the worst situation would be 3.0-3.2ish UW.. I have weak ECs but worked the last two years of HS continuosly as I lived with retired granparents on a fixed income and needed a job if I wanted anything that wasn't necessary for school. However I'm planning to have a really good essay. I'm also a minority which I heard helps since FU is looking to diversify. Could someone with a GPA of 3.0-3.2 UW and similar circumstances expect to have a chance? And with those stats what should I aim for on the SATs to better my chances??</p>

<p>Sorry for all the questions, lol, I'm just really tryna get a "feel" for Fordham, so any reponse would be really helpful.</p>

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<p>It’s not easy. Fordham is really looking to boost their rankings, and so admission is only getting tougher. As tough as UM? No way. But, a 3.0 will only hurt you if you’re trying to get in. Looking at Collegeboard, 14% of my incoming class had a 3.0-3.2, 61% had a 3.5 or higher. The odds aren’t really with you, but they’re not totally against you either. </p>

<p>A good essay and being an URM will help you, but I don’t think it will be enough to cover a 3.0/3.2 GPA. One piece of advice: Don’t apply early action. Take this semester and work your a ss off to raise your GPA as much as possible. Take the SAT and get above a 1200 M+CR. That seems like your best course of action right now.</p>

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<p>I agree with collegebound. Your chances look a little bleak because a GPA around 3.7 (which is the average) is pretty much expected and taken for granted. For most schools, an average SAT score can be forgiven but a subpar GPA is really frowned upon. But then again, it all depends how your course load was and how your ranking was (if the school ranks). Also, if you had an upward trend in GPA, that cannot hurt. I would suggest the same thing as collegebound. Take all AP’s this semester and get straight A’s. I would say an 1850 SAT could be alright since you are URM if you want them to look past the GPA.</p>

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<p>I would also like to add that many of the URM’s are very hard working and usually tend to do well as far as GPA’s concerned and some of them may struggle on the SAT’s if anything. If you are a hard working student, it doesn’t take much to do really well in high school. SAT is really when you find out. So all I can say is get a 4.0 this semester, write good essays, provide explanations where need be for poor grades, get excellent rec’s, and try doing as well as you can on your SAT’s. Show interest to the school - visit it as many times as possible. Take on a EC senior year. Fordham is big on EC’s so not having strong EC’s doesn’t help. Fordham takes its fair share of URM (20%) so I am assuming they are not willing to give that much of a leeway as far as grades are concerned (prob 3.3 to 3.5 GPA and 1100 SAT at the most) unless you’re an athlete. You have to remember their average GPA is 3.7 and bottom 25% of their SAT is 1200. </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.fordham.edu/admissions/undergraduate_admiss/applying/class_profile_28473.asp[/url]”>http://www.fordham.edu/admissions/undergraduate_admiss/applying/class_profile_28473.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Don’t mean to dishearten you - just want you to know how realistic your chances are so you do not expect anything more or anything less. Just give it your best man - does not hurt to apply. Have some really good safety schools like Baruch (which is a great school). Feel free to ask any more questions. And I just found out for you - this year’s class had an exact average SAT score of 1240 and the acceptance rate was around 42%.</p>

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<p>Starbury^^</p>

<p>No problem man I really appreciate the help, like I said I was just looking to get a “feel” for the university after hearing conflicting things… Also by the look of your handle I get the feeling your in the NY area haha…</p>

<p>If you don’t mind answering, could you tell me more about Baruch and their housing situation? I’m pretty sure they lack “official” type housing which is kind of something I need (I CANNOT pay NYC rent haha)</p>

<p>And also do you know anything of Pace University(NYC Campus)? Pace is another one I’ve heard good and bad about. I would love to have a real NYorker’s opinion about Pace U. :slight_smile: and what you would you think of my chances about Pace?</p>

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<p>Both my Ds got in with less than 3.7gpa. They did have high SATs, took honors and AP and had LOTS of ECs that were meaningful. Your work etc can make up for lack of ECs.</p>

<p>Fordham looks at the whole student. They do want someone who can do the work, which isn’t for slackers. They have a core curriculum.</p>

<p>Don’t discount Fordham because of GPA, but you need a really strong rest of your application. You need a pretty good SAT to balance the GPA. What is your wieghted GPA.</p>

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<p>hey JD, yea I am from Queens, NY. Baruch is a commuter school so the housing may be a problem. I am not 100% sure but Baruch may have some affiliations with nearby apartments (you’ll have to check with them). If anything, you can room with a few roomates, and can probably find an apartment for 800-1000 a month or find something in Queens. But I am almost positive Baruch has to help out students and make accommodations for students that need them. So call them up.</p>

<p>By the way, my brother got wait-listed and later rejected to Fordham. He went to Baruch for one year before transferring over to Fordham, which may be a viable option for you as well. He kept a 3.7 or 3.8 GPA at Baruch. Plus, if you go there for one or two years, you can save tons of money plus fulfill all your liberal arts requirement over there so you do not have to take them at Fordham. Fordham accepts many of the core requirement credits (Music, History, Math, Science, English 1, Social Science) if you take the right classes. Plus you’ll be able to salvage your Fordham GPA. Baruch is relatively easy and you easily maintain over a 3.6 if you work hard enough.</p>

<p>I would not apply to Pace, Hofstra or even St. John’s for that matter. They’re just not academically up there. I have known students that have gone there that were easily accepted and breezed through the the school. If you get 1600-1650 on your SAT’s, you’re pretty much guaranteed in those schools.</p>

<p>ilovetoquit, you’re right, there is nothing written about 3.7 on a stone. Class rank is more important and they’re trying to get students from the top 10%, which has a direct influence on the U.S. rankings and we all know how conscious Fordham has gotten recently about its rankings. So they’ll take everything into account from your course load to your rank. </p>

<p>Just some questions,</p>

<p>1) Which state are you from? Are you only looking for NY schools?
2) Which year are you in and when do you plan on taking your SAT’s?
3) What do you want to major in?</p>

<p>Based on that, I can recommend more schools.</p>

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<p>Great EC’s, 50ish volunteer hours, 4.0 gpa (not sure if its w or uw), but average ACT (26) and SAT (1620)…what are my chances as of now for Fordham LC?</p>

<p>I’ve retaken my ACT and I’m retaking my SAT or SAT IIs on October 10th.</p>

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<p>It is probably weighted if you did not get straight A’s in each and every one of your classes. I would say your chances are on the low side. Your ACT’s are not that terrible as the score stands (probably equates to high 1100’s on the SAT). In all honesty, you need to bring either your ACT or SAT scores up a little but. Bottom 25% is 1200 according to their website, so I am assuming only 25% of the class pool score 1200 or less on the SAT’s. Avg SAT score is somewhere around 1250. So bring your score up to at least the 1200 range so that you get considered. Good luck!</p>

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<p>My D got in early action, she had a 3.8 unweighted GPA, SAT of 1290 (reading and math) but ACT of 30, nine AP classes, strong ECs with leadership positions, and excellent recommendations including one from a college professor from a neighboring school where she did a pre-college program the summer before she applied. I believe the stats that are in show that the acceptance rate was in the mid-40 percent (don’t remember if it was 42% or 46%) so it is competitive. She also had over 250 documented service learning (volunteer) hours. She did have to take her SATs three times and took the ACT once but did take a prep class, so that might help you as well.</p>

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<p>42% was class of 2011, 46% class of 2012, 49% class of 2013. Bad trend for Fordham. pathetic.</p>

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<p>For Starbury ^^</p>

<p>1) I’m from Queens, NY aswell :slight_smile: but have lived in Houston, TX for all of HS. I’m looking at other schools in TX, Florida(FIU/UFC), possibly Cali, and other states surrounding TX. However, it really is my dream to return back to NY, especially while I’m in college. </p>

<p>2) I’m a HS senior right now and plan to take the SAT test two weeks from now.</p>

<p>3) I’m planning to major in Business, possibly Finance. Another major reason I’m looking to NYC.</p>

<p>If you could recomend anywhere in NY or the other states I’ve mentioned that would be awesome :D</p>

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<p>If you can break like 1700-1800, you’ll get into Baruch. With your GPA, it’ll be very hard to get into Fordham, like I said before. So just try for Baruch, which I think will be the perfect match for you. If you do not get into Baruch which is doubtful., CUNY Queens College, St. Johns, Pace are some other schools (not the greatest schools) but you can always transfer to another school. I am not too familiar with the Southern region or the West for that matter. Do some research on U.S./ News. You’ll definitely have a better idea of your match schools once you get clarity on your SAT score.</p>

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<p>On Fordham’s trend: </p>

<p>I have been following the New York Times articles on the annual meeting of college admissions officers and high school guidance counselors in Baltimore. A lot of schools accepted more kids this past year because they expected a lower yield with the economy being so bad. But now that the stock market has recovered nicely, perhaps some families are seeing better investment portfolios. Fordham has a record number of triples this year because their yield turned out to be higher than expected. However as most of you know they are building new dorms at Rose Hill that will be finished next year and those kids wont be tripled any longer. Its all about dorm space. Fordham has a very low student/teacher ratio, as most classes are very small. That is the good news. So we can afford to “grow” a little bit. Fordham is also planning a lot of building at LC, including new dorms and a new law school. So don’t be worried about the selectivity rating for now, so long as the scores are stable or rising, we wont be hurt in the rankings. </p>

<p>I dont have any clue how admissions decides who gets in and who doesnt. Kids get rejected at every college, every year who would otherwise seem to be well qualified on paper. Fordham’s avg’s have risen a lot in the past 5 years. But they still accept kids…or “take a chance” on someone with a lower SAT score, or conversely with a lower gpa. There are so many factors that go into who gets in, from where, with what qualifications and attributes. All you can do is make your best shot and hope for the best. </p>

<p>That being said, kids with scores and grades that are in the upper ranges of Fordham’s averages generally have a better chance of success at Fordham, and a lower chance of blowing out. (maturity and study habits play huge roles as well.) </p>

<p>Every applicant should spread their wings and apply to a roughly equal balance of reach, match and safety schools (relative to their personal stats). Cover your bases. </p>

<p>Loading up on AP classes in high school is helpful…not so much from a college credit standpoint, but as a good measure of the workload and rigor of the classes…excellent college preparation. </p>

<p>Personally, I wish high schools gave aptitude tests, as in your personal aptitudes for various skillsets, so that kids know going in what their strengths are, where they are weakest and what careers they would likely do best at. Its amazing how many kids major in subjects they are not well suited for, or go into careers that arent good choices for them. Simple things like introverts majoring in communications and marketing. While some kids can “come out of their shell” as they grow up, others head off into the real world and struggle. Ditto for doctors and lawyers and accountants. Outgoing extroverted people would not do well in a small cubicle crunching numbers all day long, nor get overly excited about balancing a corporate ledger. But its amazing how many do that. DOH! So as you find a college, try and do an honest inventory of your inate skillset and personality traits. Fordham’s core curriculum can also give you an examination of your best talents.</p>

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<p>Good post…just want to make some points.</p>

<p>“Fordham has a record number of triples this year because their yield turned out to be higher than expected.”
Wow did not know that. But the yield was still pretty bad this year. The class consisted of 1803 students this year v/s 1871 last year. With the acceptance rate going up to 49% and Fordham once again having a record amount of applications, the yield definitely went down considerably. Don’t know how LOW Fordham’s expectation was. Hopefully it goes back down to the low 40’s very soon with the improving economy. </p>

<p>“However as most of you know they are building new dorms at Rose Hill that will be finished next year and those kids wont be tripled any longer.”
Arent’t those dorms for upperclassmen? </p>

<p>"As most classes are very small. That is the good news. So we can afford to “grow” a little bit.
They definitely cannot afford to grow even a little bit with the current infrastructure. They need more UNDERGRADUATE academic buildings and definitely a lot more classrooms. If anything, Fordham needs to start accepting less students than the current level to avoid overcrowding IMO.
Fordham has always prided itself on small class sizes but such is not the case and actually very misleading. Only 49.5% of classes have 20 students or less. The only good thing is that nearly none of the classes are over 50 students. So in actuality, Fordham class sizes are not small, they just aren’t big. As far as college rankings go, “the proportion of classes with fewer than 20 students make up 30 percent of the faculty resources score and the proportion with 50 or more students make up 10 percent of the score.” So maybe Fordham should have some more classes comprising of more than 50 classes so that they can have more classrooms with fewer than 20 students. Compare a large research university like NYU for instance, which one would expect to have really small classrooms in comparison to Fordham. Actually, 60% of the classes at NYU have fewer than 20 students. A school like NYU should not beat Fordham in this regard. NYU does have 11% of its classes larger than 50 students v/s Fordham’s 1% (but like I said, very little weight is given to this in the rankings)</p>

<p>“So don’t be worried about the selectivity rating for now, so long as the scores are stable or rising, we wont be hurt in the rankings.”</p>

<p>I agree on some levels. However, even though acceptance rates may not have a direct influence on the rankings due it only making up 20% of the total selectivity score, it does affect other things like class size. As I mentioned before, maintaining class size is becoming a problem for Fordham, and the students are outgrowing the facilities. Fordham needs a separate building for its undergraduate business students (legitimate building like Stern’s, not FMH) and a science building for starters. Also, although the acceptance rate may not have a huge influence on the overall rankings, it still hurts the school’s reputation. People will not take a college that has a 49% acceptance rate seriously in it’s pursuit of being the preeminent catholic institution (by 2016 they said? Only 7 years left).</p>

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<p>I forget where I read about the triples, but it was an official site somewhere. I’m not making that up. I’m not privy to any admissions stats or numbers, only what is in the open media. Nor do I know why they elected to increase the acceptance rate to 49% this year, other than the general remarks I quoted from the professional gathering in Baltimore, which were not specific to Fordham, but to many schools. (Actually the Holy Cross admissions director was quoted in the Times article). I wouldnt obsess about it though. I am sure they have a handle on the housing situation. The new dorms are reportedly going to be for upperclassmen, sort of a perk for being in the older dorms all these years. But I don’t know for certain. You know how rumors are…</p>

<p>As for additional classroom space for CBA and Science, the need is clear. However, schools are being cautious with this economy and looking out into the distant future of demographics, costs etc…and how many students they expect will be on campus. </p>

<p>My kid has had several courses cancelled because too few students signed up. What a drag that is when its a class they really wanted with an amazing prof. I really dont think Fordham has any problem with class size. Then again, my kid isnt in CBA and that may be a different paradigm.</p>

<p>You graduated in 2008? Where are you working now?</p>

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<p>Yea I graduated early - I was supposed to be class of 09. I worked for a year at a large public accounting firm called McGladrey & Pullen. Now taking time off to study for the CPA exam and switch to maybe a smaller firm to get more experience or maybe get MS in accounting.</p>

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<p>Right. Good luck on the CPA exam. Its not easy, from what I hear. And its everything in your profession, as you likely know. Without it, you go nowhere. So focus on that. I dont know what an MS in Accting will do for you. Specialization, maybe? You cant teach at the college level without a Doctorate of some kind. Not even third tier colleges. </p>

<p>Find a firm that does the kind of work you want to be involved in, because enjoying what you do is half the battle to success. And take an aptitude test while you are young and have the time. They arent expensive but are very enlightening. I know a lot of people who are in careers they hate, but its too late to change. Don’t make that mistake.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>p.s. some companies even require an aptitude test before hiring you. I think Proctor and Gamble does that. They dont want people selling their products who are not cut out to be good salespersons. Or conversely hiring an accountant who would be better off in sales. Just a thought.</p>

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<p>Fordham is an excellent university; the school offers challenging academics, as well as a broad insight of both moral and spiritual intellect. As a undergraduate student myself, I can offer you a some insight of the university. Yes, generally the classes are small and the student body is for the most part wealthy. However, the school is always undergoing construction and expanding and as a result the school only grows prettier and prettier each day. Fordham has campaigned to raise 500 million dollars to expand the Lincoln Center campus. As for the Rose Hill campus, new dormitories and more classrooms are being built as we speak. Fordham is competing against some major contenders, particularly NYU, and Columbia. As for the future of Fordham, it is a university which will continue to prosper. Fordham has a rich history and a strong alumni base. The reason I believe Fordham is accepting more students is to strengthen the possible connections of future alumni. Looking at the current acceptance rate for Fordham it is only 42%, five years ago it was 50& and ten years ago it was 52%. The rise in admission to the school is also showing that more applicants are applying and the school is only accepting top quality students. As for my four years at Fordham, I had a wonderful experience which I will be taking with me for the rest of my life. This school has virtually made it possible to achieve my dreams of attending an ivy league university. Harvard University school of government has accepted me for some odd reason, and I believe it was partially due to the reputation of Fordham and my own personal merit.</p>