Fordham University

Having lived on the west coast in the suburbs my whole life, it was quite a change coming to new york city. But if you love new york, its definitely worth spending four years here, and the dorms are nicer than any apartment youll find in the city (you have a kitchen and a living room).

The social scene sucks, not only are half the kids commuters, but most of the kids who dorm are from jersey so they go home every weekend leaving the school literally deserted.

There are alot of “hipster kids here who care more about looking artsy than actually possessing any talent. There are also a fair share of rich trust fund babies who want to go out and hit the bars every night because its the first time theyve been away from mommy and daddy. Though its hard to make friends with commuters at first (because theyre always gone) youll find they are some of the nicest most down to earth people here. Res life is highly overrated, and many students who dorm for the first year or so end up moving off campus. The fact that anyone would be willing to give up a nice spacious dorm for a crappy apartment in harlem or queens shows you how annoyingly strict the rules are. Generally you are better off just finding an apartment and commuting like most people do anyway, if not, prepare to have your freedom and privacy invaded.

The faculty is mostly helpful, with a few notable exceptions. Ask someone about a professor before you take a class so you know what youre getting into.

If you get into the honors program go for it. Youll work your ass off, but youll get a good education and it makes core alot easier to finish, as youre pre-registered for classes.

Clubs are for the most part pretty lame, as the administration is too strict to let anything fun happen, and most people dont stay around on campus. Also, alot of the clubs are for a set niche of kids, for example it only took one SOL (students of latino origin) meeting to figure out I was unwelcome because I came from a middle class background and didnt grow up in the projects listening to hip hop.

The worst things about the school: dead socially, ridiculous CORE (two years of classes you dont choose) and a suck ass cafeteria.

The best things: New york city.

Basically, dont come here if youre looking for the typical college experience. If youre not from the tri-state area know what youre getting into before you come to the city. Youll have a lot more responsibilities than most college students (buying your own food, being street smart, dodging homeless men) but a lot more freedom (if you want to go anyway you need your feet and a metro card, unlike most students who are stuck on a rural campus if they dont own a car). Prepare to learn how to be an adult and do things for yourself, because if you want the support group atmosphere of most college social scenes you can forget it. If youre coming from far way (like I did) you better be independent and mature because no ones going to hold your hand ie new yorkers have a reputation for being tough for a reason. Overall its a good experience, I feel like Ive become a stronger person academically and emotionally. Its like they say, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere, If New York City doesnt kick your ass nowhere will.