Fordham University (Fordham)

Fordham University “[takes] pride in caring for the whole person” and reinforces the value of an education through its “dedication to making as many opportunities available to students as possible.” Students appreciate that the curriculum helps them “think critically and sets up a good base for a liberal arts education,” and many highlight how “required core classes such as theology and philosophy” mean that “students have to at least dip their toes in” a variety of disciplines. Professional development resources are plentiful, with “many opportunities for internships and mentorship,” as well as “a great Career Center that helps students with résumés, provides free headshots, and oftentimes will include free professional clothing.” It also helps that Fordham “has one of the strongest alumni networks, the connections made through this network are unmatched.” Class formats vary across departments and professors, and “[include] several learning approaches that go beyond traditional lectures,” such as “field trips meant to make us explore and respect [others],” like visiting a Buddhist temple. Many classes are “small and discussion-based, which creates an environment where students feel comfortable sharing ideas and engaging with different perspectives.” Across disciplines, faculty consistently “bring insight from their career and own experience…and just want to see you succeed.” One student concludes, “After four years I feel as though my education was as well-rounded as it could possibly be.”

The cosmopolitan campuses of Fordham house a “fashionable, fast-paced and focused” student body from all over the world, including “a mixture of resident and commuting students.” There is “a strong intellectual community” to be found among this group, which is “hard-working and driven, striving to excel in [their] careers after graduation.” This goal-minded set is also “open to collaboration and conversation.” People “aren’t here to just sit down and take classes, but to explore their future and push themselves,” and “you’ll see students who are focused on business or law alongside artists, activists, and people still figuring things out.” Creativity is also prized and “people are allowed and encouraged to shine.” While there is a wide range of backgrounds and interests, and the “population of students can be quite different between the two campuses,” most agree that Fordham students are “welcoming and outgoing,” and there’s “a keen sense of wanting to be in New York City and [a] focus on getting the most out of lived experiences.”

Days at Fordham “are busy but not frantic: classes, study groups, club meetings, part-time jobs, and practices for sports or intramurals.” The two main campuses are located in Manhattan and the Bronx, which “makes for the perfect university setting since there are many ‘third spaces’ available for students.” In addition, the Ram Van campus shuttle allows all to “really get the best of both worlds…there’s always something new to explore either on or off campus.” The Bronx campus is “located right by the NYBG [New York Botanical Garden] and Bronx Zoo.” Given the ease of public transportation, people “spend a lot of free time exploring the city,” including “shopping, visiting Central Park, going out to eat, going to Broadway shows or movies, and more.” The school demonstrates a “commitment to generous funding for clubs and extracurriculars,” and the Campus Activities Board “often has free, fun events to attend” like the popular monthly bingo game. Overall, campus life is “active, engaging, and career-focused,” and “days bounce between classes, internships, and long library grinds, with coffee runs and campus hangs in between.” One student sums up the overall Fordham experience: “Gated Gothic campus, familiar faces, traditions that repeat. That sense of intimacy is real and durable.”

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.