<p>I felt pretty good about my daughter's chances of getting into Fordham, her stats are above average, high GPA, top 5% of her class (large suburban/urban school), decent ACT and SAT scores, awesome extra curriculars, geographically diverse (out of the tri-state area), etc., but then I chanced upon the Columbia forum (was accidental, did a search for "Fordham" on all forums and found Columbia's) and realized a lot of students who apply to Columbia are applying to Fordham as their safety. Columbia's EA letters were sent out this week, and looking at the thread with the acceptance info, many students with much higher SAT scores than D's were deferred. So now, I'm panicking, thinking, if all these students with much higher scores (I'm talking 1500's) were deferred, and if they also applied to Fordham as their safety schools, is Fordham accepting them, over students like my daughter, who would be a perfect fit for Fordham? If so, that would be so unfair, since Fordham is her #1 choice, whereas it is a safety choice for many of the Columbia seekers. I probably need to take a chill pill, but she so wants to go to Fordham (LC campus) and Fordham LC is a perfect match for her, and I'm going nuts (as she is) waiting until we get that letter hopefully next week. So, please reassure me! (or not, if not, we need to be prepared for that deferral). Thanks!</p>
<p>This happens every year. Fordham had 23,000 applications last year, they "accepted" 9,000 or so (about 40%) for an intended class of 1,700 incoming freshmen. That means Fordham expects a lot of students to be accepted but eventually to go elsewhere because of finances or to a "dream school" such as the Ivy League. Last year Fordham had MORE kids eventually accept the offer of admission than they had planned resulting in a scramble for dorm space. Fordham is building another dorm on Rose Hill as we speak, perhaps to increase enrollment in future years. What does that mean for you? If you are solid (and you appear solid) not to worry. A lot of kids deferred by Columbia (or NYU or Harvard etc) will eventually be accepted RD. So they may not come to Fordham anyway. Is it going to be tough at Fordham this year? Yes. Applications are up another 10% EA we hear (7,700 EA apps this year). Scores are on the rise. But its also demographics...and the bubble will taper off in coming years....though that doesnt help you this year. Further, financial considerations will prevent some kids from attending Fordham this year. I see that your daughter applied to Lincoln Center, and I dont know the stats there, as Fordham does not break them down between campuses that I know of, at least not publicly. They report them as a TOTAL Freshman class. And yes, LC is a smaller campus. If you selected the option on the application that said, "will you accept a place at another campus" that also increases the odds. </p>
<p>Its an anxious time. We know. Been there, done that. Relax, its in the hands of God and just think about other things next week until you are notified. But with stats like you suggest, I think your D will be fine. </p>
<p>I dont work for them so I really have no idea, but its just my hunch.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I know, I keep telling myself that, but the point is, she applied EA, so if all those Columbia wannabe's applied EA, too, wouldn't they take them first, since they have higher stats, and defer her to see if there is space? Or could they admit her EA, too, and hope that the wannabe's ultimately don't come so they haven't over-booked? I guess the question is, will all those safety apps hurt her chances of being accepted EA?</p>
<p>Deep breath time Mom ... and everyone else ... the initial wait will soon be over.</p>
<p>I think your reading way too much into the Columbia story, I suspect this is the same every year. While it seems to be universally accepted that Fordham is a rising star of higher education, I'm fairly sure the accepted student profile will not differ wildly this year over last. So if your DD is above average for FU she's still a good candidate.</p>
<p>Now, that said ... I've seen a number of EA/ED accepted posts where stats have wide ranges. I think this speaks to the holistic nature of acceptanc. So, I hope your DD wrote a great essay and made a compelling case for herself. </p>
<p>I also have to think that the admissions folks at FU (and others) are real pros, they smell the stink of a safety application a mile away.</p>
<p>Notifications go out Monday, in the meantime go do some Christmas shopping, the economy is depending on you!</p>