Is the Fordham campus and the immediate area safe?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
1

<p>Hi guys, I needed to ask this question because the environment that I'm in heavily affects my academic motivation.</p>

<p>I'm from Bellevue, a large suburb near Seattle, Washington. More specifically, I live in Medina, Washington (Yes, Bill Gates lives just down the road.) It's an extremely safe city with a very low crime rate and although I travel a LOT to countries and places that aren't so safe, living in an area that is known to be "dangerous" scares the living daylights out of me. </p>

<p>With that being said, I hope it's somewhat understandable that I'm worried for my safety should I apply, be accepted, and ultimately choose to go to Fordham. I don't know too much but I've heard that really unfortunate things happening often in the Bronx area. Research indicates that being a victim of crime goes from 1/738 to a whopping 1/94 should I move to the Bronx.</p>

<p>Also, in terms of diversity, we're fairly diverse. Bellevue definitely isn't the same kind of melting pot that the state of New York is. Almost 2/3 of the population is white but a fourth is Asian and we have about 2% of the population made up by African Americans. The high school I attend is a little more diverse than that, however! </p>

<p>I know this may sound laughable to many of you but it's a really big concern for me. I'm actually really worried that the area will be too much for be to handle. Do you guys have any input or thoughts? I'm hoping to get some feedback concerning the immediate area around the campus and the safety of public transportation (trains/buses), etc. Thanks guys!</p>

2

<p>Having spent quite a bit of time in Bellevue, I would say you are wise to realize there are different kinds of diversity. The two areas are a study in contrasts. Bellevue is new, near pristine, and is very wealthy. I would agree with those that find the Bronx, which is true urban, is “gritty.” Fordham, itself, is as pretty a campus as you’ll find, and the campus itself is very safe. Within the Bronx, crime rates differ from area to area, just as in Seattle and environs.</p>

<p>On one of our visits to the Bronx, we asked some passing police officers about safety. They told us that the Fordham/botanical garden/zoo area is just fine during the day. At night, however, smart people observe big-city precautions - stay alert, travel in groups, don’t wander off the beaten path, don’t display jewelry or cell phones, and don’t drink so much as to impair your judgment, reactions, or perceptions. Use the Fordham shuttle or other safe transportation, when prudent. Fordham has excellent relations with the police, and there is a strong presence in the area.</p>

<p>If you look through last year’s acceptance thread, if memory serves, you’ll find some discussion about this topic. Here’s a specific thread, from a couple years ago:<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/fordham-university/1115829-bronx-dangerous.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/fordham-university/1115829-bronx-dangerous.html&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Perhaps a visit is in order, as, no matter what anyone tells you, only you will know whether you will feel comfortable there.</p>

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<p>kvo, well stated. </p>

<p>I might add a couple of points. The Jesuits are educators and were historically educators of the immigrants in urban cities. The 28 Jesuit colleges in the United States are almost all urban schools. While all their campuses are beautiful, some of their surroundings are not. That includes Seattle University. </p>

<p>People choose Fordham for many reasons. Its New York. Its Jesuit. Its academic reputation is stellar. Its business connections unparalleled. But its also deeply involved in the Jesuit mission of helping the underprivileged, and this happens with internships in the Bronx, as well as some major highly respected graduate programs in social work, social justice etc. </p>

<p>We are not New Yorkers. Fr. McShane tells parents and students Fordham is transformational. He is not bluffing. It is. </p>

<p>People can expect to be changed by Fordham…for the better. Coming from a privileged suburban setting is common at Fordham. Its students are from high income areas of Northern New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco-Bay Area, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte NC, Suburban DC…and some of them are minorities and some are caucasian. </p>

<p>The Bronx is eclectic and can be and should be embraced. Culture shock can be expected, and you power through that by reaching out, making friends, and learning that change is a good thing, even if its uncomfortable.</p>

<p>If you are not adventurous, prone to homesickness and shy, and dont like large cities and urban realities, then Fordham may not be for you. (Though some people in this category will be counter intuitive and force themselves to change…and grow…my kid was somewhat in this category…)</p>

<p>Freshman year is a year of extreme change at any university. Independence is a slap in the face and you either sink or swim…the workload, the dorm dramas, the cafeteria food, the multitude of personalities, huge school in comparison to your high school. Fordham does that on steroids. Its a VERY academic school…and very competitive. Not cutthroat and vicious…but the kids are not there to be mediocre because they know that only the best students get the best opportunities. </p>

<p>We went through a bunch of emotions and experiences Freshman year. Almost a crash and withdraw/transfer…homesick, health issues, dorm drama, boyfriend issues and all sorts of culture shock. We (parents and kid) worked through it, faced the music, found a path to success and come March it was blue sky and we (she) never looked back. A transformation occurred.</p>

<p>I strongly encourage your application if you are up to the challenges and being so far from home and have the credentials to be admitted. Its a stellar school…perhaps one of the hidden diamonds in private education in the United States. An AMAZING place. No school is perfect. No school is a panacea for everyone. </p>

<p>Yes, a visit is important, particularly if you are admitted and go to the admitted student weekend/reception.</p>

<p>Fordham is near and dear to our hearts. It is distinct from Holy Cross, Georgetown and Boston College. (Or Fairfield for that matter). </p>

<p>If you want to become a truly independent and self confident and self motivated person, and embrace the Bronx…and all it offers…then Fordham welcomes you. </p>

<p>It IS a safe campus. Fordham Road and Little Italy (Arthur Avenue) are safe if you are smart…go in groups, dont get drunk, and dont loiter in places. Around the main restaurants on Arthur Ave, there is really nothing to fear. They depend on Fordham students, faculty and families for a lot of their business.</p>

<p>Urban campuses are like this: Saint Louis University, Marquette, Seattle University, Providence College (Dominicans), Saint Josephs, Loyola Md., Loyola Chicago, Loyola New Orleans, Loyola Marymount.</p>

<p>If you want a bucolic suburban setting, there are other choices for you. </p>

<p>52% of Fordham students are women, and a very very high percentage of them come from suburban settings. You will be fine. Come ready to work very hard and be transformed.</p>

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<p>I agree that the Bronx is a far cry from your home town just as it is very different from the suburb that I grew up in. But I love the area and find that if you are smart, it is safe. The campus itself is gated so that is very secure. But a big part of the Fordham experience is venturing off campus into the Bronx and Manhattan. Areas adjoining campus are safe but again you must be smart – meaning don’t go walking around at 2AM drunk and waving your iPhone around – go out in groups at night and keep your wits about you. I do volunteer work in the Bronx during the week and feel comfortable walking there alone during the day. The same advice is true for going into Manhattan. Depending where we go, we often take the subway into Manhattan (and if you come back late by subway there is a van picking up students at the stop) but you can also go in by a Fordham Van (the RamVan) to the Lincoln Center campus or Metro North commuter RR to Grand Central Station. </p>

<p>I suggest that you visit before you make the decision to come to Fordham to be sure you feel comfortable. I love the location of the school and feel that the combination of a gorgeous campus and access to NYC make it the best of both worlds for me.</p>

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<p>I second the motion that you should, if at all possible, visit the school before you accept admission. Sounds like you’ve traveled alot, which is great! If your idea of diversity is based on a neighborhood consisting of 2% brown-skinned folks, you can figure on reversing those %s for the general (non student) population around Fordham. I’m not a student but was born and now live very close by. You’re a subway ride away from Manhattan and all that it offers. Bronx’s “little Italy” is blocks away with a terrific culture and community. The campus is beautiful, but outside the gates does not offer a “traditional” college town…so if that’s what you’re looking for it might not be a great match. Such a great school, just be clear on what you’re looking for as far as college experience.</p>