<p>I know there are several threads on this already, but they haven't really helped me out a lot so I figured it wouldn't hurt too much to start another.</p>
<p>I'm looking to apply to Fordham in the fall but I'm very conflicted as to which campus I want to be at. A big part of the reason I'm looking at the school in the first place is to be in New York and be able to live in the city, so Lincoln Center is obviously a fitting choice. However, being able to be involved with the school's band and theatre programs is extremely important to me, and as I understand it those take place only at Rose Hill. While I really like LC, giving up my EC's isn't worth it and I feel like I would be able to enjoy RH if I ended up going there instead. (Note: I'm not planning on majoring in either music or theatre, so any curriculum differences in those major programs between campuses don't matter.)</p>
<p>Do a lot of LC students commute to RH for the extracurriculars? While I've read about the RamVan service, I'm concerned that the hour of round-trip commute several evenings a week would be too much of a hassle or that it would conflict with classes.</p>
<p>Also, the RamVan is not free. My DD, an entering freshman, had initially applied for LC, then rethought it after visiting LC. She switched the next week. She tells me she is happy that she is getting a more traditional campus, along with the NYC experience. She felt that LC would not be a good social fit for her. But, everyone is different. Visit both WHILE school is in session, like a Friday, and stay until the late afternoon to get an idea of social life. </p>
<p>My daughter was in choir and she used to travel from LC via the Ram Van once a week to RH. She used to go extra early and eat dinner at RH before choir, so she wouldn’t have to worry about being late if she took a later van. It wasn’t too much of hassle, but it did kind of kill her whole night. By the time she got back afterwards, it was kind of late. It would have been easier to just walk back to a dorm afterwards, rather than traveling back to the city.</p>
<p>RamVan is free if you take a class at Lincoln Center but are a resident at Rose Hill. Also if you have an internship in Manhattan. My kid did both. And truly enjoyed the experience. </p>
<p>Its a personal decision which campus. Lincoln Center has more commuters. Lincoln Center is a smaller undergraduate college, 1900 versus 5,000. Rose Hill has sports. The orchestra and band are at Rose Hill. Professional Level Theatre is at Lincoln Center (and generally requires an audition…its serious stuff there, really a conservatory.) There is a theatre group and chorus at Rose Hill for fun, extra curriculars…to help you meet people and find a healthy distraction from studying and dorm life. Both campuses have wonderful newspapers. I recommend them highly as an activity. </p>
<p>We are partial to Rose Hill. Our bias. Admitted. </p>
<p>But you can and SHOULD do both…such as how my kid did it…resident at Rose Hill and took courses (3 or 4?) as an upperclassman junior and senior years and also did an internship on the Upper West Side. In that manner she experienced new professors and new students and thrived. Wouldnt change a thing.</p>
<p>Lincoln Center has a new 250 million dollar campus buildings…new law school building and new dorms. Its gorgeous. State of the Art. But its more urban and artsy…generally. Rose Hill is a classic leafy gothic college campus, used by movie producers many times to film movies (and yes students can be unpaid extras in those movies sometimes). </p>
<p>Nothing to fear really in the Bronx. Its eclectic and diverse and all that…but embrace it. Its safe, gated and a beautiful campus, just a short train, subway or ramvan ride away from Mid Town or Lincoln Center. There is crime in every city in America. There is crime on or near bucolic rural campuses. You must be smart and NOT wander alone at night, particularly after drinking alcohol off campus. But the Rose Hill campus is safe. Little Italy is a lot of fun and wonderful food and frequented by families,. sports fans, students, faculty, administrators and tourists. </p>
<p>Rose Hill is the best of both worlds. Residential living (guaranteed on campus housing all four years unless you are a commuter), with an eclectic community (some fabulous restaurants…and access to Long Island Sound and City Island, e.g.) nearby, and then direct rail travel to Grand Central Terminal and mid town. Fall football games (a really really strong football team btw, nationally ranked) and then basketball games against some very big names in basketball.</p>
<p>I’ve had friends who commuted to RH from LC. It’s not that bad but it’s a sacrifice. I don’t know you but I would not say it’s worth not doing things you like. Just move to RH as it seems like it will make your life easier. The Bronx is not in another country, it doesn’t take that long to go to Manhattan if you want to.</p>