As my title says, this is a subjective question, but would like input.
My oldest thought she really wanted to go to Fordham, but when we visited (Rose Hill), she said it felt to preppy/sporty to her. Her Dad and I liked a lot about this school, but kid #1 didn’t apply.
Well, now it is time for the next kid to start looking at schools. It checks off a lot of his boxes (except it being Jesuit. This was a pro for kid #1, but a con for kid #2!) However, he is the most geeky, non-athletic, and non-school spirit type of guy you could ever imagine. What are your thoughts on him feeling comfortable there?
I admit that I am a bit nervous because a high achieving kid from our high school got a great scholarship to Fordham, but came back after a semester to attend a SUNY school because he said he couldn’t relate to students at Fordham - that many came from wealthy families. Thoughts?
I am interested in this is well. My S received a great merit offer from Fordham, but I’m concerned about him fitting in with the student body as well. Not sure if it will be too stereotypically Northeast: brash, aggressive, etc. May be a bit much for my low-key rural S. Some of that would be good, being outside of his easy comfort range. And access to basically the entire coastal Northeast to Mid-Atlantic by train is a huge plus.
@UNYMom Do you know what about the “wealthy” students at Fordham was offputting to the student from your school? Was it that they could do a lot of expensive activities in NYC that he/she could not afford? Travel? Clothing?
@appalachymom@UNYMom Im a current freshman at Fordham so hopefully I can help with this as it was a concern I had coming to Fordham. I’m definitely not wealthy by any means, and was really worried about fitting in with the kids here.
It is true - Fordham is full of wealthy students. Sometimes it shocks me at how rich people are here, because I’ve never been around people like this in my life. Many of my friends parents are doctors, lawyers, work on wall street, etc, which is not a background I come from. However, everyone is extremely nice and friendly, and it does not affect the school greatly. Of course people dress nicer and maybe do more lavish things on breaks and stuff, but in the end we are all college students and experience the same “broke college student” lifestyle for the most part.
Sometimes my friends want to do stuff like see broadway shows or go out to eat a few times a week, so that is hard when I know it would be best not to since i cant afford to go out all the time like that. But, there are a ton of other kids here on big scholarships and loans. You wont be the only kid who’s parents dont make 7 figures or something like that. Its not really something people discuss but rather something people pick up on.
There are times when I feel I dont fit in here and maybe should of gone to a state school where I’m more similar to people. But the people Ive met and the experiences I have had in new york are way better than feeling uncomfortable over something so minimal. I think your students will be fine, it just takes some getting used to and a sense of humor.
I’m a sophomore at Fordham Lincoln Center and I think it strongly depends on what campus you attend. But, from your description of your son, I think he’ll fit in fine at Fordham.
Lincoln Center students tend to be more standoffish and quieter than students at Rose Hill. I think it has to do with the general artsy scene that every NYC school seems to have. Rose Hill students are generally more outgoing and welcoming. While most students are from the Northeast, there’s a lot of students from Florida and California.
Since Fordham is expensive and in NYC, of course there’s a ton of wealthy students. It’s normal to see people walking around only wearing designer clothing. You’ll even see some people shop for $500 shoes in the middle of class. On the other hand, most of the students receive some sort of financial aid and work. Even the super wealthy students are pretty down to earth. So, I wouldn’t worry about not fitting in because of wealth.
Just my opinion but I know two girls from my daughter’s HS who are freshmen and we know two more going next year. All four are lovely, warm, smart, sweet girls, not rich but not poor, and those there are happy.
My daughter got in with some merit aid but we are by no means rich and she is a total sweatpants/netflicks kind of girl. I worry about her getting out and meeting people, having fun and feeling comfortable…I don’t want her staying in her dorm studying every night but that would be her tendency!
Are there lots of fun activities on campus, lots of clubs and organizations like other schools? I think it would be fun to be near the city but also expensive and perhaps overwhelming for mine. But to circle back to the original question…I bet you wouldn’t know most of the rich kids from the rest. I think it’s a great school with many opportunities so I don’t want to discount it!
@appalachymom - I think the student I know did feel out of place when others would go out, and he couldn’t go. After reading the students’ comments above, I am less concerned about my own son. The student I know that transferred was not at all from a wealthy family, and he is also quite an activist for low income people, even when he was in high school. I think he was frustrated that students at Fordham, while nice and friendly, are for the most part clueless about the way the world is stacked against poor people. The more I think about it, the more I think this would be an issue at any private school and many publics. The school he transferred to has a student body of almost half first generation college students, so a very different dynamic. For most high school students, who haven’t yet reached the level of awareness that this kid had, it sounds like Fordham would be a fine place.