Fordham University

Fordham University's strong Jesuit mission is focused on "creating the next generation of honorable, caring, and curious people." The New York City setting (divided between midtown Manhattan and the Bronx) offers "access to internships and other educational opportunities" and "a great way to network with other people outside of the school environment," as well as "resources of deeper academic inquiry through various graduate schools, institutes, and centers." Ensuring that students make the most of it is, at heart, "a very strong and interesting liberal arts core curriculum that emphasizes the development of reading, writing, and speaking skills," along with "frequent Socratic seminars [and] opportunities to learn outside of the classroom" that are described as "very interdisciplinary" and feature things like "school-sanctioned field trips."

Whether in a formal classroom or not, professors "truly know how to capture students' attention and engage students' ideas within the lessons." They "have impressive backgrounds in their fields, and make sure that all of their class content is backed up with reputable research." And while the faculty emphasis is on academics, "they also focus on soft skills and developing you as a person by...widening your horizons." A student says: "I've enjoyed being able to take many classes that count for my major while learning about other skills and areas."

Students at Fordham tend to be "largely wealthy, middle class or higher," and, since "lots of people are from New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut," there's a concentration of commuters. On the whole, everyone "has deep respect and admiration for New York City and wants to take advantage of all of the amazing things the city has to offer," and if you fall into that group, "it's quite easy to make friends." That's not just in terms of entertainmentFordham "applies its Jesuit tradition well in providing opportunities for students to engage in many social justice fights," and students are "passionate about sparking change and collaborating for positive results." Those interested in giving back or bonding through community service will find activities from "volunteering to set up campus as a trick-or-treating space for Bronx residents and their children [to] assisting at the local soup kitchen." It's a collaborative space in and out of class, such as "helping each other find internship placements." Those looking for "friendly, interesting, open-minded, intelligent" peers will be fulfilled by the Fordham experience. The "community is close-knit and integrated, [and] there is always a friendly face to see on the walk to class or in the cafeteria."

As one student puts it, "My school challenges me to think creatively and has encouraged me to regularly explore the city and all it has to offer." With Manhattan just "a twentyminute train ride away," from the Bronx location, that's a feeling shared by others who take the school up on the plentiful "excursions and cultural engagement (Broadway shows, tours of NYC, etc.) opportunities provided by clubs." These organizations are not only "very rich in their activities and breadth" but also feature professional services that "help students learn and build more connections." Athletics are also fairly popular, especially basketball (though there's also a football team that gets "decent turnouts"). There's no Greek life at Fordham, but the school itself hosts "frequent pop-up events where free food is given, such as coffee and cookies with the deans," and "events organized at school always seem to bring people together."

Proximity to Manhattan, an extensive alumni network, and “top-notch internship placement” are some of Fordham’s greatest assets for career-minded students. It’s no surprise that the school’s vast internship program is one of the most popular opportunities, with its access to more than 3,500 organizations in New York and beyond (81 percent of undergrads complete at least one). “Almost every upperclassman I know has a job or internship, and many have multiple at the same time,” one student says. Business majors especially find that the Gabelli Personal and Professional Development office “does a tremendous job at preparing and polishing students as they navigate the various steps necessary for securing employment.” The central Career Center offers help with everything from resumes and cover letters to interview prep, and tailors career planning to the individual through its Fordham Futures program, which aligns career fairs, workshops, and seminars with each student’s academic pursuits. Fordham’s Alumni Mentoring Program helps current enrollees connect with alumni for informational interviews and professional networking, and alumni are “frequently on campus to help with recruiting.” For undergrads still unsure about their futures, career and volunteer fairs allow them to explore their options. And many professors “incorporate their career experiences into their teachings,” sharing “a lot of real-world experience and knowledge” with their students. Payscale.com reports that Fordham graduates earn a median starting salary of $70,400.