Inconsistent information, please help clarify

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
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<p>This is specifically with regard to Fordham University. I have seen a few people on this forum state that specific colleges within Fordham are no harder to gain admission to than another. Specifically the difference between applying to Fordham Rose Hill College vs. the Gabelli School of business. I can't seem to find any info on the Fordham website other than one sentence stating that the business school "prefers" an SAT math score of 650+. To me that would suggest specific admissions criteria/selectivity. </p>

<p>Hopefully one if you can clear this up for me, thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>Its common sense. A business college which has a major in finance and accounting wants a high math score as indicative of your likelihood of success, whereas FCRH is a liberal arts college and would place greater emphasis on your reading and writing scores. FCRH is a tough school. Very demanding. You will write a LOT of papers. Professors are warm, endearing, supportive…but demanding. </p>

<p>Its a bit of a fool’s errand to compare selectivity and make a choice on that basis alone (rhetorically, not accusing you of being foolish or doing that). Its really more about what you want. I know Gabelli kids who double majored in a FCRH liberal arts major, or minored, or FCRH kids who minored in business. Done all the time. FCRH and Gabelli kids live together and share many core classes. An almost perfect world, where the world is your oyster. You pick.</p>

<p>Don’t worry about which is harder to get into or more selective. Frankly, admissions will tell you its all pretty much the same. FCLC in Manhattan is smaller and has fewer seats, but also has more commuters (on a percentage basis, I think). People who attend Gabelli are pretty much headed to banking, accounting, marketing jobs. Some go onto MBA school. FCRH kids are a full panoply of human interests, from philosophy to premed. Some go to medical school, some law school, some MBA school, some graduate (Phd) programs in arts (english, philosophy, language, international relations, theology etc) or sciences. Some go to work for communications companies like Fox or NBC, some go to work for non-profits. </p>

<p>Nobody expects an incoming freshman to have their lives mapped out perfectly and to follow that map without one scintilla of doubt. Some do, but nobody expects that. Rather, come to college open minded and ready to change, grow and find yourself. </p>

<p>The purpose of the core curriculum at Gabelli and FCRH/FCLC is to open doors for you, turn you onto ideas, give you a chance to let the light bulb glow. You may be very surprised at what you learn. And where that leads you. My kid went in with one idea and then came out substantially changed, though not radically (e.g. not accounting to philosophy) Four years at Fordham were full of amazing experiences and a whole lot of personal growth intellectually, spiritually, emotionally. </p>

<p>There were kids in Gabelli who minored in theology. Fact. Be open. </p>

<p>Finally, prestige is fool’s gold. Go with what fits you, what excites you and motivates you. Its not about which school is more selective in admissions. Trust me, when you get to college, whether its a school in the so called USNWR third tier or a top 10 school you will be challenged and professors will be demanding. In fact, at Fordham, the more you perform the harder professors make you work. They pick out the kids who are there to work and who turn in superior work, and give them MORE work! LOL. But its to prepare them for graduate school level work. And trust me, that works miracles and gets the job done. Because its what my kid did, and she performed flawlessly in graduate school as well. (FCRH Phi Beta Kappa undergrad.) </p>

<p>The answer is within you. But take your time…let the core lead you.</p>

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<p>I don’t know what the situation at Fordham is specifically, but generally, if transferring from one school to another is not a shoo in, then you can pretty much figure that admissions to the specialty school is more selective. So ask what has to be done, and how difficult it is to transfer from arts and sciences to business. That is one indicator.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your insightful reply sovereign! I asked this question because I love Fordham and the idea of the core so much, that I think if it came down to it I’d be willing to start out in the RHC and then transfer to Gabelli. And from what i have read about internal transfers it seems like more of filing paperwork in time yo get into the proper core classes than anything else. And that’s where I started to see conflicting information. Perhaps I looked to far into it.</p>

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<p>My pleasure. In short, there are people who are business centric. That is who they are. That’s perfectly fine. To thine own self be true. But for many, its not so simple. And many straddle both interests. Or put another way, they want a liberal arts education with a touch of business reality to bolster their resume and job prospects if they intend on entering the business world. Many corporate executives have liberal arts backgrounds. Its not like majoring in business (finance) is your only choice if you want to enter the business world. </p>

<p>As for transfering between schools its not necessarily about selectivity. Its more about open space/seats, graduating on time (credits) and your interests. Some kids apply to Rose Hill since its the largest college at Fordham, largest campus…then get verklempt about being practical and run to Gabelli for safe haven status. LOL. Nothing wrong with that either. But I would say if you have a strong liberal arts interest to be brave and strong and pursue that…and perhaps minor in business or economics if you fear the job market. (Dont forget FCRH has a superb communications program and those kids get hired at Fox, NBC all the time.) </p>

<p>A lot of people will advise you to be practical and stick to business. That is a rational point of view. But I also add to that that college is sort of the last best chance to pursue your heart and inner soul and take classes that burn in your inner self. My kid was often frustrated she couldnt take this or that because of scheduling issues, and ultimately because you often have to choose between two loves. Its part of life and growth. You simply cant stay there forever taking everything. LOL. </p>

<p>Its a special phase in your life. Its when being enmeshed and embraced by academia is encouraged and supported. After you finish, its like “time for reality…jobs, taxes, bills…marriage and family.” </p>

<p>Fordham is particularly strong in theology, philosophy, history, english lit, psychology, sociology etc. Wonderful programs and professors. Just fabulous. Do they guarantee a job in Manhattan? Of course not. But many do. And my kid has a fabulous job after earning a superb masters degree. She may go back for a doctorate…but for now is working in an amazing field, which is directly related to her Fordham experiences. (Not bragging, just using it as fodder for discussion). </p>

<p>Finally, Fr. McShane often tells students as they arrive on campus, “I want you bothered by injustice when you leave here.” What he means by that is to become a whole person, whether a communications, finance or philosophy major. Someone with a heart who wants to give back to community and help those who are disadvantaged. Not just about working at Goldman Sachs and making a million before they are 30. Think about that. </p>

<p>God bless.</p>