Fordham University

Date: Aug 21 2005
Major: Sociology (This Major's Salary over time)
I have spent four years at Fordham's Rose Hill campus and it has been an up and down battle. Going to college in the world's greatest city is unlike any other. Manhattan, and all it has to offer, is only a few minutes from campus via subway, The Metro-North railroad (which stops right outside of campus and has been a constant nuisance for students living in Alumni North and South), and the intercampus Ram Van. The campus is beautiful complete with rolling, tree-shaded lawns adorned with Collegiate Gothic buildings. The Walsh Library is one the most technologically advanced in the nation and the classes are small, so you get a chance to interact in a personal level with your professors and fellow classmates.

The social scene is amazing. The presence of students in the Bronx has created a small college town in the notorious borough. There are numerous bars and clubs which are in walking distance of the campus where as a student, you will know all of the bouncers, patrons, and bartenders. Although the immediate area can provide some dangerous aspects, if you are smart and use your common sense, then you will have no problem. The campus itself sits behind a high wrought-iron fence which creates a definte boundary between the ultra-wealthy conservative university and its working class surroundings. This tends to create strain between the two and as a student, you will definitely feel some resentment from "the locals," which is the term students use for Bronx residents.

The university strives to treat all students as individuals and stresses "cura personalis," or personal care. This is only true in the academic setting. Professors are helpful, patient and available when you need them. Warning: many who have been there for a while tend to become complacent and their curriculum remains the same. You will not find frindly or courteous individuals if you are dealing with Residence Life, the Bursar, the Registrar, and the Financial Aid office. In short, the staff in these offices do not care about your individual situation and are very rude and unhelpful.