<p>I'm a Fordham student so I may be biased. But does anyone think that it is reasonable that within the next decade Fordham will overtake NYU in the overall US News Ranking? NYU has been stagnant in the low thirties which is prestigious, but Fordham is ranked 53rd, a huge improvement from where it was and not everything in its Excelsior Ever Upward Campaign has been completed, not even half, only the new dorms at Rose Hill, and still to be completed is the $250 million Law School/Dorms at LC, the new Gabelli Building and they haven't even broken ground on the New Campus and Recreation Center at Rose Hill.</p>
<p>I understand your rhetorical question. USNWR is a magazine in the business of selling magazines. Its now a cottage industry to guesstimate on rankings. None of which has anything to do with the academic rigor of schools or the quality of faculty, really. There are many, many fine colleges and universities which are not blessed with top 50 rankings…some even in Tier 3. </p>
<p>However, Fordham is delighted at its improved profile and footprint which attracts even higher quality applicants every year. 10 years ago an 1150 SAT got you into Fordham no problem. Today its a serious problem. The mean SAT at Fordham is now 1267. And rising. We will definitely reach the magical 1300 mean within 5 years and that puts us in a very lofty group of peer schools. </p>
<p>Facilities and pretty buildings also help rankings. And the ubiquitous “vibe” or “feel” of a school which is acknowledged and felt by our peer schools who have a say in the matter of rankings. </p>
<p>Fordham has sent brilliant students into professional schools and graduate programs and that alone has helped raise our profile. </p>
<p>Fordham’s biggest enemy in rankings has always been its insular m.o…loyal employees and local mindset. Why? Because so many outstanding catholic schools were in the metropolitan area and would send 25 or more kids to Fordham every year. Fordham is now a National University and is looking (in Admissions) to the four corners of the nation. But old habits die hard, it seems to me. More work to do. </p>
<p>Where will we be this year? There is a reasonable chance we break the top50 at 49-50. I think we get stuck there and hold on for dear life for some time, as other schools are not sitting still either. Will we break the top40? Doubtful in my view. I know the 2016 plan approved by the Board and Fr. McShane almost 10 years ago set very high standards and goals, including a top30 ranking. Will we get there? Not sure we do…BC is also not standing still, and pouring money into new buildings and facilities and programs/faculty. </p>
<p>I am proud of Fordham. Breaking top50 will be huge and we can all celebrate. That will get the attention of thousands upon thousands of high school counselors and collegiate admissions counselors helping kids apply to schools. </p>
<p>Come to Fordham, work your behind off and prove yourself…and then go out into the world and show them what kind of graduates Fordham produces! Good luck.</p>
<p>n.b. NYU’s President is a Fordham alumnus!</p>
<p>I also am very proud of how far Fordham as come, but it will be harder and harder to creep above 50th. Keep in mind that for us to move up, some really good schools have to be displaced and move down (i.e. at one time Syracuse was well above us in the rankings, they are now 63rd after losing AAU membership and will not be content to stay there). One of the factors in the National Research category we are in is the amount of research being done. Without a medical, engineering or tech school/programs, we are limited in the amount of research we do. A few years ago, financially strapped NY Medical College came to us looking for a merger/association and we passed. That would have done wonders for the academic growth but might have been a white elephant for Fordham. NYU is one of the largest private universities in the US with some 30,000 students, has some 18 schools and institutes, many of them highly ranked with major scientific research and well over 2 billion dollars in endowment and a member of the AAU. It will take some doing to beat that as good as we are.</p>
<p>Now, while I have a grad degree from NYU, I will say my Fordham degree means more and I felt I got a better education. The point is well made that while NYU has stayed in the 30s, we have been moving up every year. We may never break into the 30s as some of the really top schools in the nation are in that group…but if we can get to 39th, I, for one, will be very happy as ALL schools are looking to move ahead .we are a school on the move and I expect to see a 50th ranking next year!</p>