<p>Hello all-
I was accepted to Purdue for engineering, but now I think I want to major in neurobiology and physiology and go to medical school. I know you can use engineering to get to medical school, but I've decided that I would rather do biology instead. I have been accepted to Fordham University, The University of Connecticut, Purdue University, and am still waiting to hear back from Marist College, Dickinson College, and The University of Michigan (<- will not get in there...). Anyways, from my list, do you think that Purdue would be a good choice for this? I know Fordham is mostly business, but I know some people who have gone there and done pre-med. Right now, I think it is between those two (Fordham and Purdue) as my all around favorite colleges. I really like Purdue for its traditional college experience and I kind of want to explore other parts of the country (I am from CT), but am I making a big mistake? Is it worth it to go all the way to IN for it? Is it mostly good for Management and Engineering and not much else? Will Purdue be good on my application for med school?
Does Fordham 'have connections' because it is in NYC?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Just took a tour w/S 2 weeks ago and I was really surprised when our tour guide informed us that 100% of students that applied to medical school this past round were accepted. Wow! I was also impressed with their labs. Take a close look before deciding.</p>
<p>Fordham is NOT just about Business. Gabelli represents about 1800 students (I think) on the Rose Hill campus. Its a great school, but Fordham College is the larger school. Within Fordham College there is a very rigorous and respected pre-med program. And yes, 100% of applicants got accepted into medical school, and many of them at very prestigious places like Columbia, Harvard, Penn, Cornell. (Ditto law school.)</p>
<p>its normal to change your mind on majors…even after enrolling. You have until end of sophomore year to declare a final answer! (Take that Regis! LOL.) </p>
<p>Its also noteworthy at Fordham that many students double major and often in apposite programs: Business and Theology, Pre-Med and Philosophy, Political Science and a minor in Finance. etc. One of Fordham’s strengths is that its graduates are hard working and well rounded and grounded. </p>
<p>You come to Fordham because of the panoply of opportunities in programs, internships, and experiences. </p>
<p>I never trash other schools or programs. Bad form. I dont really like to compare them. I will tell you that I know an admissions person in a prominent medical school east of the Mississippi. And he says they take people from all over, with diverse backgrounds, compelling reasons and a passion for medicine/helping others. That might be engineering, it might be a language major or Philosophy major (of course they have to have the requisite science courses and take the MCAT). There is no one path…there is a common Pre Med path…and the most likely to be successful. But there are many paths to Medicine,particularly depending on what kind of medicine you intend on practicing: Academic instruction? Clinical? Surgical? Specialty? Radiology? Medical instruments? Nuclear Medicine? etc. </p>
<p>If you come to Fordham you will be well prepared and have enormous opportunities. Yes there are connections…faculty ALWAYS serve as primary recommendations/mentors. Fordham is very good at that. </p>
<p>Congratulations on your admissions to date. Fordham is a fabulous place to attend college, whether its Lincoln Center or Rose Hill. We hope you choose Fordham! Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you all! That is very re-assuring. Would you consider Fordham a more traditional University? I feel like Purdue has a lot of tradition to offer (ofcourse, it is hard to compare the experience between schools with such different sizes), and I feel like there is a LOT of school spirit there (well, it is a Big 10 school). Anyways, I do not want to lose the ‘traditional’ college experience… is there a lot of school spirit/crazy traditions at Fordham? That is a big piece for me.
Many Thanks!</p>
<p>Fordham is a great school and has a ton to offer both academically and socially, but if you are looking for a big time rah-rah sports environment, it may not be the right place for you. I suggest re-visiting your top couple of choices and go to the school that is the best fit for you. Good luck whatever you decide.</p>
<p>Fordham is an academic school. But there are traditions of a different sort there…and some diehard sports fans…it is Division I. A10 in basketball, baseball, soccer and Patriot League in football. But athletic school spirit is not very big…there are some who do that…but not a large contingent. </p>
<p>Fordham is an urban campus in that it is inside New York City (the Bronx). But its a traditional campus with lovely gothic buildings and green lawns (Eddies!) and magnolia trees. Its about 90 acres. Gated. </p>
<p>Its a completely different experience than a Big10 Public University or any large state school. Purdue is VERY big. Frats, sororities and all that. Fordham has honor societies and such, and is very much a smallish-medium Liberal Arts College (about 5,000 undergrads at Rose Hill.) Lincoln Center campus is a mini NYU of about 1,800 students. </p>
<p>You have to decide what is more important to you. I don’t cast aspersions on any school or school choice, but will tell you that pre-med is very competitive and rigorous (I remember seeing pre-med kids at WashU StL, when we visited in 06 and they were frenetic and stressed and not too happy…but that school is highly competitive and they emphasize it there.) My point is that pre-med students work very hard. There is time for having fun, but they tend not to be heavy party types or they wash out. To some extent, for me…being surrounded by frats and sororities would be a distraction…I would have to hide in the library to get away from it. Pre-med kids at Fordham tend to live together as well…so they have more quiet time. </p>
<p>It depends on your level of maturity and level of self motivation and focus. Fordham offers a very traditional experience…but its the LAC experience more than the state school big time sports experience. We have athletics teams with a long tradition, going back to Vince Lombardi. Basketball also has a long tradition and they are working to restore its luster. We beat St. John’s at Rose Hill Gym last year. We beat Harvard and Georgia Tech at Rose Hill Gym this year. </p>
<p>We also had U2 on campus in March 09 for a free concert, courtesy of ABC Good Morning America. (its on google.) </p>
<p>Fordham ranks its students. I recommend it HIGHLY for pre-med students. Why? Because in addition to the pre-med part, you get the Jesuit ethics and ethos, the Bronx experience…which is insightful and enriching on many levels…(in addition to wonderful food!), and has opportunities for community service if that is part of your medical profession objective. At Fordham you will be known by name by faculty and administrators and REMEMBERED. There are guest lecturers in other faculties that can inspire you. Small classes…not sure that happens at Purdue. </p>
<p>So we are proud of Fordham for what it is, quirks and all. If that is what you want for your college experience and growth opportunity, then fabulous! If not, nobody is going to twist your arm or condemn you. We wish you the very best.</p>
<p>@squiggles - Make sure you understand what is behind the 100% med school acceptance rate. We just looked at a lot of schools for pre-med and found out that some schools only support candidate’s med school application’s from students who meet a certain GPA/MCAT target (and only count those students in their stats) while other schools support all of their candidate’s applications. This is an important distinction so just be sure how each school you visit creates their stats when comparing the information. But this should not take away from the fact that Fordham’s pre-med program is outstanding and people do get into excellent med schools.</p>