<p>What does Fordham look for most in their applicants? I know the use a " holistic approach", but surely some things carry more weight than others. Any insight would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I have heard that SAT scores are a heavy consideration at Fordham, more so even than grades, if the scores are at least 2000 (what I’ve heard, not sure if that’s true) Having a relative who attended is helpful ( out of 8 applications my daughter completed, Fordham was the only one who asked if there were any family members – even cousins – who were Fordham grads.) Being an involved Catholic perhaps would help, or having gone to Catholic school. Not so sure about the essay, because my daughter was solicited by Fordham to fill out a free application (I think because her SAT scores were high), and I don’t think an essay was even required on that app. Talk to your guidance counselor about the kids from your school who’ve gotten into Foprdham and find out if your stats are in line with theirs.</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>Why are you asking? </p>
<p>All colleges consider SAT as a primary indicator of success in school. Its not the exclusive indicator. Indeed, rigor of courses, particularly AP courses, are considered an even stronger primary factor. </p>
<p>However, with so many students applying for limited spots, and so many come in with high gpa’s and many AP credits, the only objective standard that colleges have is the SAT.</p>
<p>I am not a fan of standardized testing. But it is all they have.</p>
<p>Fordham will receive more than 35,000 applications this year for 1800 or so spots in the incoming freshmen class. Of course they admit 42% or so and recognize their yield is much lower with many opting out for financial reasons, going to a state school, going to a higher ranking school, staying closer to home etc. </p>
<p>Nobody here knows the precise matrix that Fordham admissions uses. We only have anecdotal information. </p>
<p>The SAT is very important at Fordham. The higher it is (upper 50th percentile or better) the better off you will be, and the lower you are in the SAT percentile (bottom half or quartile) the worse off you will be. Meaning, if you have a score in the upper 50th percentile, then your gpa, class rank and such will also help you. If you are in the lower half or 25th percentile, then your SAT sticks out like sore thumb…and while Fordham reviews your gpa, class rank and rigor of courses, the SAT is problematic for them…not on a personal level…but on consideration of your peers also applying to Fordham. If they admit someone with a low SAT, how do they tell someone in the 50th percentile no? </p>
<p>The best posture is to apply to 3 reach schools. 5 matches. 3 safeties. Hope for the reaches but dont count on them. Focus on the matches and safeties. </p>
<p>Also, some schools are smaller than others and that makes for fewer spots. A larger school, such as BU, can admit kids with lower SAT’s (but high gpas) because they dont gravely affect the overall process, and they dont make the school avg look bad. </p>
<p>Fordham is constrained by its relative small size for undergraduate studies, relative to some of its peer schools and many state universities. </p>
<p>Fordham is holistic. But its an inexact science. And I love to tell the story of a friend who was rejected at Dartmouth. Outright rejected. But accepted to Princeton and then graduated magna cum laude. Go figure.</p>
<p>Admissions is quirky. Its the first foray into the adult world where you decide what you want to do, and sometimes have someone say no, and sometimes its unjust.</p>
<p>I wish you the best.</p>
<p>I would definitely say SAT. I’m currently a freshman trying to transfer to Fordham, but I was accepted last year as in incoming freshman. Despite the fact that I had a 3.46, I got generous aid because of my 1990 SAT score, so I believe they consider that heavily. Try to be at or close to 2000 and you’ll be solid</p>
<p>I’m with sovereigndebt on this one. Why, indeed, does it matter? You want to do as well as you can on standardized tests, GPA, and “soft qualities” no matter how much a given university weights each. And if you want to go to Fordham, you should apply, regardless of how well you think you stack up in each of those categories.</p>
<p>Don’t be one of those CC people who overanalyze the application process.</p>
<p>I think OP is concerned that with a 2.6 weighted GPA (she mentioned that on another thread, if not this one), her chances of getting into Fordham rest on other factors, and she wants to know what those factors might be (legacy, ECs, religion, etc.), and the relevant criteria (lots of leadership in ECs, etc.)</p>
<p>Correct and I’m a guy.</p>
<p>So sorry – guess because I’m a female, I think everyone is! :D</p>
<p>No problem, I often make the same mistake.</p>