<p>I am deciding between Fordham University and Hofstra Honors College for mechanical engineering. I plan to master in aerospace engineering (hopefully at Penn State or RPI) after obtaining my bachelor's degree, so Hofstra seems more attractive since they have a subsonic wind tunnel. Attending Hofstra will be free while I have to pay around 10,000 for Fordham. Any advice will be greatly appreciated! </p>
<p>I don’t know anything about Hofstra, but I know for a fact Fordham is a little weak and unknown in Engineering stuff. I mean, I don’t even know if it has more than 2 engineering majors (Engineering and Engineering Physics). Fordham excels in liberal arts and finance, so I’d go to Hofstra.</p>
<p>UNLESS you work your butt off and do the 3-2 program (3 years at Fordham, 2 at Columbia, 2 BSs degrees). But let me tell you it’s not easy. I am not in it but I know tons of friends who dropped out of it since you have strict rules on your grades, have to take a lot of classes, AND still have a ridiculously huge core curriculum. It’s doable, however.</p>
<p>Well, Hofstra does have a school of engineering and Fordham does not, so that is a plus for Hofstra. </p>
<p>Hofstra is free, Fordham is 10K. That is a big plus for Hofstra.</p>
<p>Fordham does have the 3/2 program with Columbia Engineering, which is a top 15 school of engineering (14th in mechanical engineering -5th in research); you can’t compare Hofstra engineering as it is in a whole other league, so while it is a demanding and difficult program, it you get through it it will be a more valuable engineering degree and you will get TWO BS degrees from 2 top schools. That is a plus for Fordham. You could also look into the engineering physics degree at Fordham which has a growing reputation in the filed.</p>
<p>Comparing the two schools in general, for 2014 in USN&WR Hofstra is ranked 135th while Fordham is 57th. A plus for Fordham.</p>
<p>So, a tough decision, but it sort of boils down to this: You can get a free engineering education from a fair program that won’t be too demanding (compared to Columbia engineering)…or you can pay $10K for a shot at getting into a top engineering school (Columbia) and work really hard to get 2 BS degrees from 2 top schools, one is Ivy league.</p>
<p>Whatever you decide, where ever you wind up, in the end it is you who makes an education work</p>
<p>I found this on the Hofstra site and offer it only as a point of reference: "Ranked #397 engineering school in USA "</p>
<p>I have to agree with RamRay that a shot at 3-2 is worth it. It requires that you keep a 3.0 (B) average in your math and science classes AND as an overall GPA. Might seem easy but I know people who got kicked out of the program because of a couple of bad test scores. Don’t be afraid though, if you work really hard you can do it.</p>
<p>But the decision is up to you. With Fordham you are paying 10k for a shot at Columbia. At Hofstra you’re going for free, so it’s the safe option. Either way you will be successful if you work hard!</p>
<p>Thanks guys for replies, I am leaning towards Hofstra because it’s kind of guaranteed while Fordham will require taking a risk. However, getting a degree from Columbia University is really tempting. I was reading somewhere that only about 25 students from each engineering class at Fordham actually make it to Columbia, so that worries me a bit. </p>
<p>A bird in the hand…wise choice kc; if you are going to grad school, it’s good not to carry debt with you. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yup, if you excel at Hofstra you could end up in Columbia as well!</p>
Hi,
How did you get the full ride to Hofstra? Where did you apply for the scholarship? I’m too really attracted to Hofstra but I don’t think its worth 47K with my credentials.