<p>Well, I dont do essay evaluations. The reason is that while I am a decent writer and enjoy reading good books, I am not qualified to know precisely what any college admissions team is looking for on any given day. It is highly subjective. I once went to an admissions seminar at UVa with my oldest D. The admissions counselor read some notable essays, those that were excellent, those that were blause, those that were awful. I agreed with most of his opinions, but not all of them. My view (which is entirely personal) is that an essay is best utilized for those on the bubble....to see if they can get you over the hump. While content is important (a cute story, a funny story, a clever presentation) the real deal sealer would be an exceptionally well organized, succinct, clearly written essay. On the other hand, admissions officers know that many times there are professional "counselors" who help "construct" essays and package kids. This is very much the case with Ivy League applications. Which nauseates me. If you have done your best, thought about what you are saying and how you are saying it, presented it honestly, then your personality will shine through. </p>
<p>I am not saying you wont be admitted. Nor that you will be waitlisted in RD. I am only saying that Fordham's selectivity rating is rising rapidly, its avg scores are rising and the pool of applicants is becoming more competitive. They do reach down the ladder a bit, from anecdotal reports, from time to time and that may have to do with their mission to serve underprivileged families as well. While they do their best, its an enormous process with over 23,000 applications (times the number of pieces of paper...you get the picture), and they have to make decisions sometimes that are heart wrenching. Its a thankless job frankly. </p>
<p>Every college also works not only individually, but also communally, meaning they are constructing a "freshman class", which means they are seeking diversity in race, creed, academic acumen, skillsets, athletes, musicians, legacy, socio-economic class, geographic areas etc. Schools in the tri-state area, notably the very competitive and highly respected Catholic high schools, that traditionally fed into Fordham are even seeing that kids who would have been admitted even 5 years ago are not getting in now. That is because Fordham is becoming a national name. </p>
<p>In every class there will be anomalies. Kids where you say, "what are YOU doing here (and not at Yale?)" and kids where you say, "how in the heck did they let you in here with those grades and scores?" But that happens at EVERY college. I have seen it time and time again. My own D got completely HOSED by a prominent southern LAC for no apparent reason (she clearly had the scores and absolutely superb recommendations...in fact so good that another school wrote back to her high school to thank them for writing such well organized and informative recommendations), while someone with lower scores (but whose family makes a lot of money) got in. I mean if it comes down to "zip code" then it really stinks. And in hindsight, we have concluded that we really don't want to be part of a snob society. Period. (And talking to some alumni from THAT school, they are dripping with arrogance.) Fordham is NOT like that. Its has its own panache and prestige, but its student body and faculty are not walking around like someone needs to "kiss their ring" or "defer to their superiority" as you sometimes find in people from elite colleges. That is what makes Fordham graduates such "prizes" for employers. They are hard working, ethical, solid kids. </p>
<p>So if you make the grade and get admitted I congratulate you, welcome you and ADVISE you: come here to work hard and prove yourself, come to grow and learn and be open minded. Don't come to party or blow the opportunity. Come to be a Fordham Ram!</p>