<p>I want to commute to Fordham this spring and I was intrigued by the RamVan but had a couple questions.
I would be commuting from Long Island so from Penn Station to 59th street by way of subway and over to Lincoln Center to catch the inter-campus transportation. I read it leaves every half hour, but how many vans? In other words is it reliable?, can i count on getting a seat each morning or are there so many students that it is first come, first serve.
I know the subway is another option but the RamVan seems pretty convenient so I figured I would explore all options.
any comments on experience with the transportation service are greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>There are several vans. You should have no problem finding a seat. Besides, it leaves every half an hour, and you get to sign your name on a list (which should be in the main lobby).</p>
<p>I believe the RamVan is $3 each way ($6 round trip) if that matters to you.</p>
<p>Most kids from Long Island, I am told, take the LIRR into PennStation, then take the subway to Grand Central, walk to Grand Central on a nice day or bus or taxi, then take the Metro North to Fordham’s gate on Fordham Road. Its faster, more reliable and less of a hassle. </p>
<p>Conversely you can take the 1 train subway from PennStation and ride it all the way up to 59th street/Columbus Circle (one stop before Lincoln Center), switch to the D train and ride it up to the Grand Concourse at Fordham Road and walk down Fordham Road a stretch to the gate. Or take the 4 train up to 161st street and then take the D to Fordham Road. (4 goes further up Fordham Road and its a longer walk) <a href=“http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm[/url]”>http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm</a> </p>
<p>Of course, if you have a vehicle you can drive over the Throgs Neck Bridge and into the Bronx. But parking becomes an issue. </p>
<p>Ram Van is fine, but its primarily a transport between the campuses and depending on the time of day, and traffic, it can add significant time to your travels. I don’t recommend it unless you are already up at Lincoln Center for another reason.</p>
<p>Are you certain to be attending at Rose Hill? Or Lincoln Center?</p>
<p>the metro north sounds great but it would be an additional $175 or so a month on top of the over $250 a month for the LIRR, so commuting all the sudden is becoming incredibly pricey. I have taken the D train and the walk from the subway to campus is not fun, its a good 15-20 minutes downhill/uphill and in bad weather or if i am pressed for time its gonna be a hassle.
I’m considering taking a subway from penn to 59th/columbus circle than a couple blocks walk to Lincoln Center to take the ram van over to Rose Hill. its a bit cheaper than metro north, cuts that 20 minute walk after the D train, but im not sure how reliable or practical this is…guess im just trying to weigh all the pros and cons of each route</p>
<p>It depends on what part of Long Island you are from and such. </p>
<p>I really dont recommend the RamVan in your case because it can take up to 45 minutes to get to Rose Hill from there in bad traffic and also you have to time your arrival at Lincoln Center perfectly and also get on the list of regular passengers. They don’t take people willy nilly who just show up. </p>
<p>You are far better taking the D. Very few kids commute to Rose Hill from your area. Most commuters come from Westchester and the Bronx. Lincoln Center has more commuters than Rose Hill. </p>
<p>Not sure what your situation is and why they didnt offer you housing on campus. Have you considered off campus apartments as well? </p>
<p>Where are you transfering from? And why going to Fordham which is very expensive?</p>
<p>I think they give commuters something like a $6,000 break on the tuition to cover communting costs. Make sure you check into that.</p>
<p>im considering this rather long/inconvenient commute from Nassau County for this spring (i was told there was almost no chance i would get housing this semester as a transfer) in hopes of getting either housing or an off campus apartment for the fall '12, although not knowing any Fordham students makes that difficult.
I think you are correct, if i dont time the RamVan perfectly than it is not worth it; maybe spending that extra 178 a month for the metronorth is worth it in the longrun
As per the scholarship, i was excited when i read that on Fordhams website a couple months back but after some investigation they only give you that if you do not receive an academic scholarship at equal or higher value. I’m hoping to get some sort of scholarship which would make me ineligible for the commuter scholarship since it is one or the other.</p>
<p>You have to do all the considerations when you find out the final package. Sometimes Spring transfers also hear sort of late…so don’t panic if you haven’t heard anything in mid december. </p>
<p>Finally on housing, don’t distress completely. Some kids drop out after Fall Semester…bad grades, no money, personal issues, health, transfer up the ladder or to cheaper schools. Fordham won’t know that outcome until late as well…and where there might be space to add you. Make certain you tell them you are requesting housing and you might be surprised (assuming you get in.)</p>
<p>Fordham is very expensive. Student loans are a fact of life at Fordham. Make sure you can handle this and your family can handle this. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Second semester last year there were a number of openings in upperclass dorms as people went abroad for a semester etc. I’m not sure they would put a freshman in an upperclass dorm, but it may be worth asking about given your commute.</p>
<p>i can live with some student loans, but of course I am not going to go overboard so I am also applying to some state schools if i dont receive a financial aid package i am comfortable with.
keeping my fingers crossed about housing! it would be great to get an offer of housing in addition to admission, i am a little surprised about how late the decision comes out but nothing i can do abut that</p>
<p>got an email today from an admissions rep at fordham saying there is no housing for transfers this spring at rose hill…sort of a bummer</p>
<p>As you have probably figured out, Admissions is extremely busy and overworked and understaffed and sometimes its just a bureaucracy. They say that every year to all spring transfers. Sometimes there is room and sometimes there isnt. Sometimes rooms open up after they make offers of admission. Further, Admissions and ResLife are different departments. </p>
<p>Not promising…as I dont work there. Just saying. So don’t count on it, but just wait and see what happens.</p>
<p>Its very wise of you to apply to many schools and see which is the best fit for you and what the offers are. </p>
<p>Fordham is a wonderful school, but its not cheap. Best of luck to you.</p>