<p>Thanks for sharing sunday1x!</p>
<p>“I want to be a better person and someone who will make an impact in my community.” I am hopeful and even willing to bet that most Fordham students think like you! 
</p>
<p>I, too, have appreciated ghostbuster’s perspective and knowledge about Fordham. I think ghostbuster has used the word “transformational” in terms of Fordham’s college experience in several posts and Fr. McShane did as well in his speech. As a parent, I know that the college years are indeed transforming as you all transition from child (you may be 18 but you’re still a kid!) to adult. I love that Fordham cares about personal transformation and I believe in their motto of caring for the whole person. It is likely to be of most value in the end. Great education, great programs, great internships and great study abroad…great, but can be found at other institutions as well. I really feel in my heart that my S and all of the Fordham students will come to realize who they are, what their place is in the world, who they want to be and what they need to do to get there. And I am not talking careerwise, as important as that may be. I believe this personal transformation will come through the caring of the Fordham community and THAT is what I don’t think is necessarily offered at other schools. </p>
<p>I have to admit that H & I did want my S to attend Fordham and knew it was the right choice for him but it was very important that he make up his own mind and we did not want to influence that in any way. He, too, was deciding between Fordham and NYU, a very different school and community but one that I also believe he could thrive in. We expected to attend both accepted student day programs (which of course conflicted) and we were surprised at how quickly he came to a decision. He really only paused for a minute when he learned of his NYU acceptance and he was set on Fordham weeks before the President’s Preview. Fordham had been his top choice going into the application process although NYU had been the only school he was interested in up until summer before Junior year when his father “forced” him to open up the search. </p>
<p>S will be coming in as a Theatre major and was accepted into Fordham’s BA program, considered one of the BEST and most prestigious by people in the know yet seriously underrated by most. NYU, of course, being largely considered one of the crown jewels but a VERY different BFA program. It still irks me that he almost has to justify his decision to people who don’t know any better and who think that rankings and name are so important but I hope that will end with HS graduation when the “Where are you going?” questions end. Anyone who REALLY knows my S knows he made the right choice FOR HIM. Fordham’s BA program and the large core will give him the well rounded education he desires which he believes will make him a better actor in the long run and will serve him well because he wants to do so much more than act. The Jesuit identity strongly appeals to him as well because he shares those values and we happen to belong to a Jesuit parish! In fact, he made up his mind after performing in a Lenten Stations of the Cross in March. He knew that Fordham was where he was meant to be and he has never looked back!</p>
<p>S is the oldest of two so this was my first time through the process and I am still getting over it! My brain is on college information overload, it’s a very difficult application process for performing arts programs, and I’m kind of lost now that the deposit is in and there is nothing left to do! I’m looking forward to Memorial Day weekend when the beach club opens and don’t think I’ll be on CC nearly as much as I have been…at least for the summer! It’s been a pleasure “getting to know” so many people on this forum and their different perspectives…parental, prospective and current Fordham students. </p>
<p>sunday1x, caseymom’s D and the rest of the Class of 2014: I wish you the best of luck at Fordham! I hope that you make the most out of all the academic opportunities and that you have a truly transformational 4 years!!! :)</p>