Questions for Current Students at LC

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
1

<p>I'm strongly considering attending the LC campus in the Fall (choosing between it and one other school). I'm visiting during my spring break in a couple of weeks, but I want to have a pretty good idea of what school I want to matriculate to before then. I have some questions about the college in general, and I'd really appreciate a response to any of them. I plan on asking them when I visit, but it never hurts to have more than one opinion :)</p>

<ol>
<li>Does the large amount of commuters negatively affect social life?</li>
<li>Do most people (who start out there) live on campus for all for all four years, or do they move off after the first year or two?</li>
<li>Is it difficult to get into classes, or is it pretty common to end up with the schedule you want?</li>
<li>I've heard that the food is really bad. What's so bad about it, and what are some alternative places to eat?</li>
<li>What's the best and worst part of Fordham/the LC campus?</li>
<li>What's the relationship like between the two campuses?</li>
<li>What kind of clubs are you involved in?</li>
<li>Do you go out into the city a lot? What do you do when you do go out?</li>
<li>If you could go back, would you choose Fordham again? Why or why not?</li>
<li>What are the professors/classes/general attitude of the classrooms like? </li>
</ol>

<p>And does anybody know anything about the new dorm? I emailed reslife about it but they only said that they'd be sending out information "in the next couple of months," which is pretty useless since I have to make my decision before May 1st...</p>

<p>Thank you! </p>

2

<p>I’m a parent of a junior at LC, so I can’t answer all of your questions, but I can tell you what I know because not many students come on here to answer questions.
1- having a large amount of commuters doesn’t seem to have any affect on my daughter. There are so many residents to hang out with.
2- my daughter is staying on campus for her senior year, but a lot of people she knows have gotten apartments this year or will move for their senior year. Not everyone does, but many do. Some people can’t deal with the rules about drinking or overnight guests and want more freedom.
3- there have been only a couple of classes my daughter couldn’t get into when she wanted, but she’ll just try again the next semester.
4- there is only one place to eat and the food isn’t great. I think a new place will be opening in the new building, so there may be more choices. The thing that my daughter doesn’t like is that they keep the food hot under red hot lights, so the food looks red. it’s hard to tell what things are or what they really look like until it’s on your plate. My daughter has always been a picky eater and there are only a few things there that she will eat. Having said that, everyone (in McMahon anyway) has access to a kitchen so you can cook when you have the time. Or, you are in NYC and can walk a block or two and have tons of choices. Everyone learns where the one dollar pizza place is.
6- my daughter has little to do with RH campus. When she was in choir, she used to have to go there for rehearsals once a week and she’d eat dinner there (lots more choices). But she’s not into sports and really has no reason to ever go to RH.
8- my daughter really lives in the city. She learned the subway system right away (made a few mistakes but always managed to find her way). She loves NY and theater and is always on the go. </p>

<p>She told me the new building will be two to a room, several rooms to a bathroom and a kitchen for every so many rooms. Not much detail, but that’s what she has heard so far. it will be new and fresh, you can’t go wrong with that!</p>

<p>LC was the exact right place for my daughter to go to college. She would choose Fordham again in a heartbeat. She has had some great people teach her classes. Like, her stage management class is taught by someone who actually works in stage management, not someone who studied it in college and is now teaching it. She has been taught by working professionals in the classes in her major and minor. My daughter has a friend who is interested in working in advertising for Broadway. He goes to school in PA, far from NYC. He was so jealous when he heard that my daughter’s class was being taught by someone who works for the big Broadway advertising agency and that they would be touring the agency. When he graduates, he will be a name on an application that comes into their offices. If my daughter wanted to apply there, she could mention the class and the tour and it gives her an ‘in’, I think, anyway. </p>

<p>Hope that helps.</p>

3

<p>That’s extremely helpful. Thank you so much! :)</p>

4

<p>Excellent thread. My daughter is seriously considering LC and had the same questions. Thank you. However, your #7 is the one she is concerned about. Perhaps someone else can help?</p>

5

<p>Hey, I am current freshman at LC campus and I can answer some of your questions!</p>

<ol>
<li><p>To be honest, I’m not quite sure what your connotation is behind this. And the answer is no. There really is no differentiation between commuters and residents, most of the time, except when it comes to one of the clubs. It is mainly assumed by professors that a majority of students in their class are residents. Also, I’m a commuter and find your coment a little offensive. Many of the commuters try to get involved in the social life, but it’s hard since we cannot go back to dorms late at night. The residents get plenty of attention and a lot of the time commuters feel left out. </p></li>
<li><p>From what I’ve heard, it’s a mix. Many do stay at McMahon all four years and love living there. However, there are some who do move out and find an apartment in their second or third year. This is usually because they don’t like the conditions in McMahon and can’t stand their roommates, or don’t like the regulations and all that. One of my friends who’s a freshman moved out recently and started commuting. Also, it could be because they find it cheaper.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s hit and miss when it comes to scheduling. Some kids get what they want, others don’t, and some are able to get a mix. It’s always advised that you have a alternative schedule in case your first picks are closed. When refit rating for this semester, I got three out of the five classes I wanted, which isn’t bad. Also, it was the first time RH and LC registered together, so there were a lot of technical problems. The best thing to do is make sure you’re registering once the site opens.</p></li>
<li><p>I haven’t had the food much at LC, but I heard the same thing. Honestly I thought the food okay. Then again, I’m not a picky person in general, so people would probably tell you different. There are plenty of alternatives though. LC is located right near a long strip of restaurants on 9th avenue. Fordham even has discounts for some of them.</p></li>
<li><p>The best part of the LC campus is that it’s small, so chances are you’ll always run into people you know or at least reconize. The worst part? Hmm. I would have to say that a lot of events are geared toward residents, so it’s hard for commuters to get involved sometimes, since there are a lot of events late at night.</p></li>
<li><p>There’s not much of a relationship, to be honest. Some RH kids do come down to take classes at LC, but that’s about it. You’re always welcome to go up to RH using the ram van, but yeah, the relationship is sparse. There’s sort of a friendly rivalry going on between the two, but some are really mean about it. Also, LC restricts most of its activities to LC students only, so it’s hard to form a relationship with RH that way.</p></li>
<li><p>So far, I am involved In The Pre-law society and the Campus Activities board. I also write for the The Observer, which is the school paper. I know it doesn’t seem like a lot, but I just wanted to dip my toe in since I’m only a freshman. I plan on joining more clubs next year.</p></li>
<li><p>I go to the city sometimes, even if it’s just to roam around. CAB has a lot of outings in the city and I’ve been to most of them. You can go to the movies, restaurants, etc. the commuter stud et association also has some great outings too. They went to see Matilda a few weeks ago. There’s plenty to do In the city, so you shouldn’t have a problem going out.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, I would definitely choose Fordham again! I love the school and everyone is very friendly. I enjoy most of my classes and I do feel welcome there. Is there stuff that could be improved on? Yes. But overall I love it.</p></li>
<li><p>the general attitude of professors and students is pretty good. The students are really nice and tge ipperclassmen are helpful toward the freshman. The professors actually care if you pass their class and are avaiable in their offices if you need to meet with them.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>From what I’ve heard about the new dorms, it’s basically like a normal dorm and not the apartments Mcmahon has now.</p>

<p>Hope this helps and good luck! :)</p>

6

<p>Re #7 My daughter is a theater double major so she doesn’t have a lot of time for clubs. But as a Freshman, she went to a sort of fair they had for ec clubs and there were many she would have joined if she had the time. The one that she has made an effort to stick with is the Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.fordham.edu/mission/mission_and_ministry/dorothy_day_center_f/”>http://www.fordham.edu/mission/mission_and_ministry/dorothy_day_center_f/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>as for your other questions: </p>

<ol>
<li>Not at all.</li>
<li>She lived in the dorms first two years. She is preparing to move into an apartment with friends for junior year.</li>
<li>My daughter was closed out of one class she wanted, but was happy with the one she took instead. Her advisers help a lot with her scheduling.</li>
<li>My daughter almost never eats the food in the cafeteria. She’s a vegetarian and prepares most of her food in her dorm kitchen.</li>
<li>The location is terrific. I don’t have a “worst thing” to report.</li>
<li>She doesn’t go to the Bronx much because her major is so intense.</li>
<li>see above.</li>
<li>Fordham LC is already <em>in</em> the city. :D<br></li>
<li>Yes, Fordham was her first choice and she loves it.</li>
<li>My daughter’s in the theater program. @LeftyLou’s response pretty much sums it up. ^^</li>
</ol>

<p>I heard the new dorm is supposed to open in the fall. The old dorm isn’t so bad–a little careworn, perhaps.</p>

7

<p>As I mentioned above, my daughter is likely headed to Fordham LC. One question she has which is not addressed above has to do with gender breakout at LC. Does anyone know the male/female ratio at LC? The overall number is roughly 40/60. She wants to know her odds of meeting a straight guy to date…</p>

8

<p>My daughter did. :wink: </p>

9

<p>@Reader13 I’m sorry I offended you. I just don’t want to go to a school where campus is dead at night once all the commuters have gone home.</p>

<p>Thanks to all who answered- this is very helpful! If financial aid works out, I’ll probably be attending! :)</p>

10

<p>No problem. And trust me, the campus is definitely not dead. :slight_smile: Hope everything goes well and you become a Fordham student.</p>

11

<p>

</p>

<p>It’s a good question to ask. Schools that have a high percentage of commuters…some call them “suitcase schools”…can, and often do have a different tone in the evenings and weekends than peer schools where the majority of students live on campus or close by. </p>

12

<p>Thank you glassharmonica!</p>

13

<p>Thanks for this tread…we are touring both campuses in two weeks. Great to hear insight from both a student and parent. Two other questions for anyone…</p>

<p>If your child is NOT a theater/dance major, is there any value in even considering LC? You know how in the brochures hey can make it sound like one big happy family…you can take courses both places, etc? I think she likes the programs at RH, but the location of LC. Any feedback?</p>

<p>And…it’s my first time in NYC. Can’t believe I’m writing that. We’ll have plenty of time between school visits just to wander, etc, but as a newbie…what two or three things would you have a friend do if they came to visit? (NYC residents…you can stop laughing now 8-| ) </p>

14

<p>To Afg2014 -
Many students take courses at both schools – however, there are limits to what can be taken. The Core classes and most of the courses for majors have to be from the college you attend. That and the time involved in commuting limits dual-campus attendance for most students. There is little social interaction between the two campuses.</p>

<p>The Ram Van costs $3 from campus to campus. Subway is $2.75 (catch at Columbus Circle, get off at Fordham Road)<br>
While Fordham, spend some time in the garden at LC and on Eddie’s Parade at Fordham Rose Hill. Go into RH’s Keating Hall and the church to see these amazing buildings. See LC’s new Law Center building and art. See the museum collection at RH
In NYC – ride the subway. Walk Manhattan – see the bull! Walk from Columbia Circle (by LC) to the Rockefeller Center area. Go up the Empire State building (takes 2 to 3 hours-there’s always a line). Ride the Staten Island Ferry. Buy a delicious plate of schwarma at one of the sidewalk trucks. Try the $1 pizza.
Walk Central Park – see Strawberry Fields/the Alice in Wonderland Statues/the Lake. Go to the museums. Attend a play or musical on Broadway.<br>
(Check clubfreetime.com for ideas of what’s happening.) The NY Times has a good events calendar, too.
Good luck with your decision! </p>

15

<p>I’m a sophomore at LC here are my answers</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I’d say it made social life better. The commuters are much more down to earth and interesting. Residents are great too but it’s something I noticed. </p></li>
<li><p>Most people I know moved out junior or senior year. But probably around half stay. </p></li>
<li><p>My major (computer science) isn’t very well represented at LC so I take a lot of classes at RH. Every other major is fine.</p></li>
<li><p>The meal plan at LC is the biggest rip off. Food is mediocre and expensive. If you try to depend on it for most meals you’ll run out of money in half the semester. Go to trader joes or western beef</p></li>
<li><p>Best: location. Worst: food. Also not that many interesting clubs. Also bad for stem majors (but hey it’s a liberal arts school)</p></li>
<li><p>I go to RH often and it’s nice but idk if there’s a relationship. </p></li>
<li><p>Never been the club kind of person both in high school and in college. LC has a lot of “standard” clubs (based on ethnicity or major or cause) but most interest specific ones are in RH. </p></li>
<li><p>I go out almost every day. I go look at clothes, museums, parks, concerts, and interesting design stores. </p></li>
<li><p>It’s not perfect but I’m happy here. </p></li>
<li><p>Just like any other school. Some professors are good, some bad. Most of mine have been great though. I’ve been in classes where everyone is engaged and also ones where everyone is asleep or on their phones (usually really easy core classes). Just depends really</p></li>
</ol>