Trouble Deciding on College: Fordham vs. Three Others

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fordham University
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<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>I am having the toughest time deciding where to attend college. I have recently been accepted to four nearly equally ranked schools (all in the 50’s or so on US News) which all gave me great financial aid and I don’t know which to choose. I am a Hispanic female from sunny Florida who is interested in double majoring in English and Journalism and eventually becoming a print journalist. </p>

<p>What I look for in a school includes strong programs in my chosen majors (English and Journalism), nice campus, suburban/urban location, medium to large university, balanced student body (regarding politics, diversity, etc), a focus on academics, and not an overwhelming party atmosphere ( I don’t mind partying, I just don’t want this to be focal point of campus life).</p>

<p>Here are the schools:
-Univeristy of Miami (visited) – good journalism program, beautiful campus, great weather/ possibly overwhelming party school atmosphere??
-Fordham University (not yet visited) – good English program, NYC Location, campus aesthetics
-Pepperdine University (not yet visited) – great English/Journalism programs, Malibu location, Christian affiliation (positive aspect b/c I’m Christian as well)/ perhaps overly conservative??
-Syracuse University (Newhouse School) (not yet visited) – highly ranked communications school, beautiful campus/ freezing cold, snowy weather! (could be major problem for me b/c I complain about Florida winters! LOL) </p>

<p>There you have it, a very tough decision for me to make. I have only visited the University of Miami so far (which I plan to visit once more because I’m still unsure) and I will be visiting Fordham and Syracuse in two weeks. Before I visit, I’d like to gain some insight into these schools, so please help me out with some advice! Thanks!</p>

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<p>hi mrly, I could probably shed some light on two of the schools you have on your list: Fordham, because I'm a student; UM, because I come from Miami and I'm very familiar with the college and the area of Coral Gables.</p>

<p>Not because I'm a student here, although I may indeed be a little bias, but everything you described to be looking for in a school is right here at Fordham. Everything minus the chilling winters, it does get freezing cold here too you know. As far as a party atmosphere, I suppose none of the Jesuit universities are really known for that, but it’s just like anywhere else you may go to, if you look for parties you WILL find them. I don’t really believe that a student’s determinism towards achieving his/her academic goals correlate with whether or not the university is known for wicked parties. If you’re not into that, I don’t see how it can affect you and your studies. </p>

<p>Fordham’s student life is extremely active. Just take a look for yourself at the website and check out the “Today at Fordham” section right on the home page to see a listing of all the activities going on for that particular day – it’s long. </p>

<p>On the other hand, UM is a superb school, and the campus is not only huge, but gorgeous, albeit I like Fordham’s better, lol. I think that a nice perk, if you attend UM, is that you’ll be much closer to home, and getting to see your family for the holidays will not only be easier, but cheaper.</p>

<p>Fordham’s academic requisite is pretty intense. I’m in the business school so the exact requirements may vary a little for you since you will most probably be in the College of Rose Hill if you do attend. All students must complete a total of 120 credits and a minimum of 40 classes which will consist of a liberal arts core and a major core in addition to a couple of free electives. Part of the liberal core will require that you take at least two classes in Philosophy; two in Theology; two in History; three in Economics (one of which will be statistics); three in English (two college level rhetoric and writing courses and one in literature); at least one Natural Science; and at least one advance math course, be it calculus, advanced statistics, computer science or if you’re brave, Finite Math (the business school requires that all students take this one). </p>

<p>I’m not familiar with the academic requirements for UM, but I’m pretty certain they don’t make you take philosophy and theology, although not 100%. UM is much more renowned in athletics than Fordham, so they get much more attention in the media nationwide. School spirit is also more noticeable at UM.</p>

<p>One of the greatest benefits of attending Fordham is that it’s well known amongst the top grad schools in the north east, so if you decide to do grad school at say Columbia’s School of Journalism, they’ll know were you’re coming from, and also know that you are surely a well rounded young adult. </p>

<p>FYI – Fordham places a high number of its undergrad’s into Columbia every year, just look up the stats. </p>

<p>Hope this helps and good luck in your decision.</p>

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<p>haha I applied to UM and I got waitlisted...kind of surprised, but it has become a great school. It was my top choice. I wouldn’t rule it out just because of the partying because you really get that at every school. The reputation seems to be shifting also. People really seem to love the school, and it is great educationally from what I have read and heard about. However...I know I DO NOT want to go to college in my home state. I want a change, but Florida is a lot different than where I am from, and I could understand not wanting to leave. This is totally up to you.</p>

<p>As far as Syracuse goes....haha I don't want to sway this but come on...upstate New York vs NYC...Honestly, I think going to a school right near a city provides more opportunities...just my opinion. If you are going to be in New York, you might as well be right next to one of the greatest cities in the world.</p>

<p>I don't much about Pepperdine, but I know it is a good school...I'd never want to be on the west coast though...haha.</p>

<p>Now, I'm still deciding between Fordham and a couple others. I went to Boston today for an accepted student reception, I heard Alumni talk about the school, along with an admissions director. I haven't seen the school yet, but I plan to on the 23rd at Rose Hill. I will say this…there is something that is very appealing about Jesuit schools. Even though UM was my top choice, visiting other schools I got into again, most being Jesuit, I found that I really really want to go to a Jesuit school. </p>

<p>I feel like these schools truly stress education, and help form a more well rounded student. Yes, there is a large core curriculum, however, this seems to be a positive thing. Also, I found that Jesuit schools seem VERY welcoming. To me, they separate themselves from other colleges; they have something other schools lack, which is their unique philosophies about religion and education, and life.</p>

<p>It seems like all these schools provide what you want for your major, so you need to look further than that now. Consider location, if you want a big core curriculum, if you want religious or not (I know I do now), what each school offers, such as activities you are interested in...and don't be scared of the cold haha, its not that bad...Also, VISIT, I cant wait to go see Fordham, because after that reception I am about 80% sure I want to go there now. Just from hearing people talk about it. Its like those Jesuit schools brainwash you or something haha...anyway GOOD LUCK!</p>

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<p>AMILkita and Maineiac, thank you both for your very helpful, detailed responses. I can't wait to visit all the schools and finally make a decision (scary b/c May 1st is coming up soon!), but its great to get some insider information and other opinions before I go. I'd have to say as of now, I am slightly leaning towards UMiami and Fordham, but we will see after the visits!</p>

<p>Anyone else have any helpful info they'd like to share?</p>

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<p>Where did you end up going? You are probably already working on your field. My son wants to study Journalism and has been invited to apply to Fordham. He says he prefers a public college like Mizzou, Arizona State, North Carolina Chapel Hill or OU, although we are Catholic :slight_smile: We are doing all the research and waiting to see what kind of scholarship offers he gets from the colleges. Would love to know more about your journey. Thanks!</p>

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<p>mariangelita;</p>

<p>Just an FYI: this string was started in 2006, so I think the person graduated already.</p>

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<p>I know :slight_smile: I was just hoping that by some chance the person would get an email notification about my post and would answer. I am very optimistic, hahaha…</p>

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<p>Mariangelita, my daughter is majoring in journalism at the LC campus. She is very happy there. Her professors are people who are out and working in the field. I’m not sure if you will find that in other places, as much as you can in NYC.</p>