<p>My D15 is thinking about Fordham. She plans to go to medical school, but recently has developed an interest in theater such that she would like to participate in college. She is not heading to Broadway, but she loves theater and wants to take some classes and participate in plays. Is there room for casual theater students at Fordham or is it cut throat competition for even the smallest roles?</p>
<p>It really depends on what campus she chooses. Because the Theatre majors are at LC and only majors and minors can participate in MainStage shows. There are a lot of studio shows as well run by Directing or Playwriting students and I’m not 100% sure but she might be able to participate in those…she would be up against Theatre students for roles though, so yes, there would be some serious but friendly competition.</p>
<p>I understand that there are quite a few productions at Rose Hill and they are open to non-majors only. I have heard that the performers are quite good but just participate for fun which sounds like what your D is looking for.</p>
<p>As for classes, she can take Invitation to Theatre at either campus and that will count towards the core curriculum. And there are some other classes that are open to non-majors as well but they are only at LC. One of my S’s favorite classes was Song As Scene taught by two time Tony nominee Alison Fraser. Several kids from RH came in for that one. </p>
<p>My daughter took Song As Scene and loved it too.</p>
<p>That actually sounds just her speed. Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>The multiple activities at Rose Hill like Orchestra, Band, Chorus, A Capelli, Theater productions (student plays) and many clubs are a wonderful way to get rid of stress and meet other students. Plus there are football and basketball games as well. Soccer, baseball, softball. Lots of kids workout and swim in the Lombardi Center. Campus Ministry sponsors several weekend retreats as well about an hour away in a wonderful bucolic setting. Its really good for freshmen to take advantage of that. Its not bible thumping. Its about being holistic and healthy. My kid went to all of them and they were truly exceptional and helpful in dealing with dorm drama and just being away from home. </p>
<p>Pre med is really tough. Really high energy and lots of work. So finding an outlet to relieve stress is fabulous.</p>
<p>@sovereigndebt and @sandkmom Just thought I would update after our visit to Fordham. Our student guide at Rose Hill was an English major who was also heavily involved in chorus, comedy and theater at Rose Hill, while occasionally taking a class for fun at Lincoln Center. We learned that Rose Hill has an abundance of talented non-theater majors who put on 3 productions a semester at Rose Hill campus, have Choral, Improv and Comedy groups, and stage productions in Manhattan at things like the NYC Fringe Festival. Neighborhood was a little daunting but we all came away VERY impressed. Fordham is in D’s top 3 now!</p>
<p>I understand that the neighborhood can look “daunting” but as a student here, I wanted to chime and to say that IMO the area surrounding the RH campus is a great asset to the college overall. There are places to go out nearby (ex. Arthur Avenue has an abundance of reasonably priced restaurants, bars (for those who want) etc.), there is very easy access to Manhattan (through the subway, MetroNorth, or the RamVan- a Fordham operated van which goes from RH to LC). I’ve also done some very fulfilling community service work close to campus. And where else can you go for a run in the Botanical Garden? Students quickly learn how to be a bit street-wise, but in general the area right around the school is safe as long as caution is exercised (ex. don’t walk around at 2AM alone waving your iPhone around). Personally, I love the mix of having a traditional campus in an urban environment…but I absolutely do understand that it isn’t for everyone. It is something you and your D have to all be comfortable with before coming to Fordham (My parents and I visited the campus more than once in order to gain this level of comfort). Best of luck wherever she chooses to go.</p>
<p>Vista! Congrats and so glad you enjoyed the visit and campus. People learn to embrace the Bronx. No, its not white bread suburbia. Its not Villanova. Most Jesuit colleges, in fact, around the country were all built inner city because in those days, the irish italian and german immigrants all lived in the city and colleges were primarily for educating catholic kids, because the Ivy League and other protestant private schools wouldnt admit catholics! Fact. Those days are long gone, thank goodness and now Catholics are admitted to every college in the nation without regard to religious beliefs.</p>
<p>Many students at Rose Hill take internships in the Bronx to “give back”. There are also places to visit in the Bronx that people forget about which are stunning: City Island, near Pelham Park, on Long Island Sound. The food on Arthur Avenue two - three blocks from Fordham Road is also fabulous. And there are restaurants in nearby neighborhoods on the other side of Fordham which are very good. And of course the Botanical Gardens are world famous, as is the Bronx Zoo, the largest urban zoo in the United States. Kids can kayak and canoe on the Bronx River which is being restored to its previous natural beauty. </p>
<p>Fordham’s campus is very, very safe. Truly. As spirit indicated, you have to be smart off campus, not wander around alone particularly if you have been drinking, on Fordham Road or other places, at night. But my kid did an internship in the South Bronx and walked alone for months, several times a week, in winter, at 500pm or so…and was never bothered…in fact, some residents would sit on the sidewalk in little wooden chairs and scold her if she was late! She tutored their kids, they loved her! And she loved them! </p>
<p>The real “beauty” of Fordham is its being urban, while being a classic gothic leafy green college campus. The best of both worlds. And you develop independence and city smarts along with your diploma. Its all good.</p>
<p>Fordham students are by a significant majority all suburban kids…either from the TriState area, or from some other location around the country. Very few are inner city kids…so your kid wont be the only wide eyed wonder on campus! They socialize together and they go into Manhattan together. Embrace the Bronx. </p>
<p>Also Riverdale is a fabulous neighborhood in the Bronx, home to Manhattan College, Mount Saint Vincent College, Lehman College. We always entered Fordham that way, crossing the GW Bridge, taking route 9 Henry Hudson Parkway, then turning in at Van Cortland Park on Mosulu Parkway, down to the Botanical Gardens and into Fordham. Lovely. We avoided the Cross Bronx I-95 like the plague. </p>
<p>Fordham kids get good jobs if they have good grades. They are prized by employers for their work ethic, their personal ethics and their broad perspective. I have seen this over and over for years. Whether they stay in NYC or whether they return “home”. Or work in another city. Fordham kids get internships…and routinely beat out some big name schools. I know this because my kid did…twice! </p>
<p>Professors at Fordham pick out the rising stars early and often load them up with more work…to prepare them for graduate school. Fordham kids get into prestigious graduate schools and professional schools. Often with big scholarships. </p>
<p>For us, it was a matter of taking the road less traveled so to speak. NOT following high school friends and cliques to the local state flagship (which btw is a top ten school.), or the favorite private schools locally. It was a leap of faith. It was scary, to be honest. But it was worth it. Four fabulous years at Fordham. I cannot tell you the pride we felt on graduation day. Hearing our kid’s name being called, with the regalia of honors, and then the big hugs from four fabulous Deans and that wonderful tear filled photograph one last time with them…priceless! Along the way was a lot of stress, ups and downs, anxiety, success, disappointment, relationships and other good things. Much of this will be experienced at any college you might select. But at Fordham it is special because Fordham is special…and you have to be there to understand this. </p>
<p>Best of luck in the college admissions process and I sincerely hope that Fordham is on your list and you select it. Fordham was our number 3 or 4…until we went to the Accepted Student Orientation in April and met/spoke with Fr. McShane…he closed the sale. In spades. And then delivered on his promise! </p>
<p>God Bless.</p>