Fordham University: Off the Record - College Prowler

Introduction from the Author

There is no place in the world like New York City—too clichéd? Let me rephrase: there is nothing in the world like spending your college years in New York City. Perhaps that, too, is redundant. Those four years between high school and what you will know and fear as “the real world” will be unforgettable no matter where you mail your college transcript. But admit it: you’ve wanted to take a bite out of the Big Apple for quite some time now, haven’t you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have picked up this book. Unless, of course, you were unaware that Fordham College was located in New York City. How naïve!

During my college search, I longed for New York City. So, I decided to take the easy way out: I applied to NYU. I applied to a few other schools, but nothing stuck out at first, least of all the Jesuit-run Fordham University. I had about as little interest in Catholicism as I did in becoming a subway mechanic. Besides, what was so special about Fordham? How was I supposed to feel about a religious school whose initials were F-U?

When you ask most New Yorkers what they know about Fordham University, they will most likely respond, “That’s the one in the Bronx?” Or perhaps they’ll simply reply, “Yeah, the Jesuit school?” And maybe even, “The football college?” While all these responses vaguely describe aspects of Fordham, no one person (Fordham-affiliated or not) can sum up the entirety of the Fordham experience in one line. Fordham is divided into three undergraduate campuses: the largest, Rose Hill, is a self-contained array of gothic buildings located in the Bronx. The next, Lincoln Center, is a slightly more modern building filled with sterling academic and arts programs in the heart of New York City. Rose Hill and Lincoln Center offer a combination of 65 majors, ranging from nautical mathematics to visual arts. Between the two campuses, FU has everything that makes a university a top-notch institution.

If this book is in your hands, then you must be asking yourself, “Is FU for me?” As you will soon learn from the horse’s mouth (the FU student body), Fordham is a unique institution that deserves its respected reputation. But is this small, NYC school your true destination? Read on and find out for yourself. Just don’t forget to pay close attention to the differences between Rose Hill and Lincoln Center. While a Fordham student is free to utilize both campuses, any graduate will tell you that only one can truly be your home.

Emily Intravia
Fordham College at Lincoln Center