Im thinking about applying to only one New York college and i’m leaning towards Syracuse. I’ve never visited any of these three schools. I plan on majoring in public policy/political science. Nonetheless I’m looking for a school that’s catholic (It doesn’t really have to be), in a safe and fun city; great academics, great sports, good school spirit, and most important of all great people. Which college would you make the best case for and why?
IMO Fordham is the superior academic school as compared to St. Johns. You should be able to look at the statistics for the two schools online and compare for yourself (for full disclosure my S went to Fordham and loved it).
Syracuse is a different type of school (not better or worse) – much larger, no affiliation with the Catholic church, big-time sports, upstate instead of NYC etc.
I know Jamaica Estates very well as my wife’s family is from there. It is a very nice area filled with very expensive single family homes. It wouldnt be unsual for a small 3 bedroom home on a postage stamp lot to sell for well over $1 million. It is close to the eastside of Manhattan and the subway takes you into the east 60s so thats really good.
It is not as prestigious as Fordham nor is the campus as nice but the area is much better with the same or better access to Manhattan.
If you want a Catholic School with a national reputation in Political Science, St. Anselm in southern New Hampshire is well worth a look. It is unique in having a poltical institute on campus.
As for St. John’s it really wouldn’t be on my list. There are better Catholic options in NY, Conn and eastern PA. Upper New England and Middle Atlantic as well.