Hey everyone! So I’m trying to decide where I should go to college and, like everyone else, I’ve got until May 1st to choose. My two choices I’ve narrowed it down to are Fordham (full tuition) and Alabama (full ride+), but I can’t decide where I want to go. Because of my AP credits and likelihood of redshirting to play baseball, I’m also taking into account getting an MBA or JD from one of these schools. Anyways, here is my list of pros and cons for each school. Maybe you all could help me decide which one I should choose!
Pros of Fordham:
In NYC
Internship opportunities
School in London to study abroad
Will be able to play baseball there
Smaller class sizes
Considered a better school overall academically
I actually like the idea of the core classes
Campus is beautiful
5 year BA/MBA program or 6 year BA/JD program (plus they take AP’s)
Bar scene and NYC run social life
Cool Manresa/Honors programs I can take part in
Cons of Fordham:
Sports are not a focus
No Greek life
Limited parties (especially big ones)
Core curriculum does take a while
$15k a year for room/board
NYC is expensive
Law school and MBA is expensive, so it’d be nice to not have to spend $60k in undergrad
Cold winters (minor drawback, I like the cold but it makes playing sports harder)
Pros of Alabama:
Treated like a king because of NMF
Completely full ride plus a $3500 stipend each year
Greek life
Focus on sports (tradition, especially football)
Baseball would be big time (SEC)
College town (cool atomosphere)
No pressure to rush because of scholarships
Could spend five years and still be covered by the scholarship (even for grad school)
Honors college (although I know at some schools people think it’s just extra classes… I don’t think so but I’m not sure)
Cons of Alabama:
Considered a slightly lesser school academically
Larger class sizes
Worried that there are many people who could potentially distract me, pull me down
Could get boring not being in a huge city (although Birmingham is close)
Not a huge fan of stereotypical southern culture, but I recognize that Alabama is probably more diverse than I’m giving them credit for
I’m worried about job prospects
Fewer internships compared to Fordham
Might be harder to get a job somewhere else, whereas in NYC it might be easier to network
Will be harder to play baseball, and there will be an even larger time commitment (I still think it will be worth it)
Not sure if academic culture is the same as it is at Fordham
Worried about the value of an MBA from here (law school is supposed to be pretty good)
So there you have it! That’s my semi-definitive list of my pros and cons for each school, and I’d love to hear what you all think. They’re two completely different schools, and each one satisfies part of what I want from a college experience. Still, the key things that it really comes down to are: Academics, Social Life, Cost, and Value of the Degree. Based on that general criteria and my list, which school do you think I should choose? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
I think the biggest thing to consider is your parents’ financial position. Do they have $60K set aside for your college or would that be a struggle for them? Do they have other children to educate or is it just you?
And how do you see yourself in 10 years? You are obviously very bright. Do you want to be a big-city lawyer? If so, Fordham gives you a foothold in NYC. Or do you want a more laidback life with lots of fun? Alabama probably only gives you entrance into … Alabama, but that might be just fine with you. Very different schools! Good luck!
@prezbucky I think you’re right on the money with that breakdown. That helps me see the big picture more clearly. And to answer your second question: I’m not quite sure. On the one hand, I recognize that part of the Alabama experience (especially things like tailgating, frat parties, etc.) is something I might not ever be able to do again in my life. That part appeals to me because I don’t ever want to feel like I missed out on something when I’m older. The same could be said for playing baseball though, because I know many people in their 40’s just wishing they could play one more game. I think if I choose Alabama I’m really going to have to commit to baseball; that way I’ll have no regrets.
@Tinymom this goes with what @prezbucky had mentioned as well. We do have the ability to pay $60k, but if I go to grad school then it changes everything (and as of now I’m likely to go). The amazing thing about Alabama is that I could graduate in 5 years with an MBA and have spent no money. That is unreal to think about! Whereas at Fordham, 5 years would cost around $100k (because the 5th year would be the cost of graduate school).
Especially if I’m hoping to go to law school, I’d rather be able to save my parents some money and possibly do some cool things with it instead (travel, study abroad, etc.). So to answer your question, yes we have the money to pay for Fordham thanks to their generous scholarship, but I do not want my parents (or myself) to face the financial burden of grad school after spending a decent amount on undergrad.
Also, I just talked to my dad about this decision, and one thing we decided was that I don’t have to sacrifice the big-city life just because I don’t go to school in one for undergrad. If I do well enough at Alabama and crush my LSAT, then I could very well go to a top law school on the east coast (maybe even end up at Fordham haha) and still find myself working in a big city. On the other hand, I can’t do the opposite. I can’t go to Fordham and then try to party with a fraternity and play big time baseball at 22 in Alabama!
So wow, I’m definitely leaning toward Alabama now; this is pretty unprecedented for me, because for the longest time I was super concerned with college rankings and status. Now I’ve realized that fit is even more important for a decision that is really contingent on your happiness rather than what some website says is better. And with my path I want to be on in life, my undergrad ranking could end up being the least important thing I’ve ever worried about!
Still, do I have a right to be concerned with University of Alabama academics? Will I be challenged? Will I be bored? That’s my one big fear… other than that I’m pretty much sold, even though I’ll have to think on it for a lot longer. Thank you both!
If you live in or near NYC, you need to try somewhere else and decide what kind of place you want to live. At Alabama, you have a free ride to a very good education. School reputation is interesting and Jesuits are terrific, but the differences in education are not as different as you and others might think. You can fly to London probably through Atlanta because of the volume of national and international flights. Alabama is within driving distance to Florida, coastal Georgia, Nashville and Smokey Mountains…There is lots to see and do in the South and some clear cultural, political and religious differences too. There are opportunities for internships in the South. An education in the South is not second class unless you don’t apply yourself academically or spend too much time socializing. Football in the South is competitive and fun.
Finally, I can’t imagine asking my parents to spend $60000 tuition. What are you willing to let parents and siblings give up because of your tuition? Finally, a free ride is a luxury that allows you to travel, study, invest in your education, and sort out your adult life. There is serenity and satisfaction earning an education without worrying about money. Try the South. It is an opprtunity, not a prison sentence.
@zannah you’re exactly right. I didn’t mean to come off that way; I’ve actually lived in Kentucky for a few years in the past and I really enjoyed it. I think it’s something I will enjoy again in college.
I was just worried about how it would mainly impact the education/career part of my experience, but from what you’ve said it doesn’t seem like a huge deal. As for the money part, the more I think about it, the more I realize how much money $60,000 really is… especially when compared side by side to $00000!!!
I think I’m going to end up at Alabama…
I’m not 100% sure yet but I’m getting close to deciding; thank you.
@Publisher football is one of the main reasons I’m actually drawn to the school! I love the idea of living in a college town for a portion of my life, and you can’t really beat Alabama football.
@gearmom ok awesome! Thank you! The honors college and hundreds of NMF are very encouraging.
Don’t undersell the academics at Alabama. Might be more challenging than you think…and you’re going to be surrounded by kids like you, who are chasing the merit money. Smart kids, engaged kids!
I lived in NYC for a long time, and then moved to Alabama. It was a rough transition, but I wasn’t on a college campus. There are TONS of out-of-state students at Alabama these days.
The $60K is the winning argument, however. That is a lot of money to be saving…and sets you up nicely for grad school.
I think as far as the academics go, the 75th percentile at Fordham is about a 680-690 for math and English.
So 75% of students will be lower than that.
While the 75% percentile is a bit lower for the whole UA student body, the honors and the NMF students that you will be taking classes with will have higher stats than that.
You now need a 1480 plus SAT for the Presidential scholarship I think.
In NY housing on or off campus will be very pricey.
Take the money at UA and take advantage of all the opportunities it awards you.
The money your parents save can be used for law school.
@STF4717 wow! I’m sure that was a huge change, but it’s nice to know it can be done. Luckily I’ve lived in almost every part of the US up to this point so I know what I’m getting myself into, but I think you’re right that being in college will help make the transition even easier! I also think you’re right about the smart kids… especially with the honors college experience.
@mommdc I was actually surprised to see the top 25% of Alabama students have a 31 or higher on the ACT. I’m sure a lot of those students are in the honors college too so I think you’re right in saying that group will be overall “smarter” than the general student at Fordham (at least based on test scores).
I agree with both of you that the $60k would be better used toward graduate school. That’s more than a year of law school paid for right there!
How many AP credits will you have? If you are thinking law school, If you can finish your undergraduate degree in three years, you could be 2/3 of the way through law school under scholarship. Also, don’t forget about the other $18k BAMA gives you for stipend, books, and research/international study.
I would NOT pick either one based on the possibility of getting a MBA from these schools later on. Why limit your grad school to just these two? MBA programs from these two aren’t that that spectacular anyway so you should expand your options.
@WildestDream: OP is thinking about the MBA from Alabama because he has a 4 year full ride scholarship, yet plans to finish his BA/BS in three years due to AP credits = my understanding.
@WildestDream@Publisher it’s not that I’m limiting myself necessarily; it’s more that if I can do it for free, then why wouldn’t I? Alabama is also 5 years full ride for tuition so I could potentially get my MBA for free and then go somewhere more prestigious for law school (although Alabama’s law school is actually pretty great). So maybe I do law school at Alabama and then get my MBA somewhere else… I’m not entirely sure just yet!
Ultimately I think I want to end up on the east coast so that’s why I’m thinking grad school will be my end game. Lots of options and MBA or JD from these schools is just one of them. I do think you’re right though that I should expand my horizons when it comes to grad school, but I don’t want to throw away free money/degrees!!
