Why I Chose Fordham

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as I give tours on campus is, "Why did YOU choose Fordham?"  As the decision deadline approaches rapidly, the answer to that question becomes especially important.  I'd like to share with you my honest answer to that question, which I share with all of my tour groups as well.

First of all, I should admit that I am from nearby Long Island and couldn't wait to move away from the suburbs I've known my entire life.  The thought of going to school somewhere brand new to me like Boston or Washington, D.C. was exciting.  I applied to Fordham mostly to appease my mom, who didn't want to see me flee so far away.  She was more excited that I was when I received my acceptance letter.

The famed Keating Hall in fall at Rose Hill!

I finally visited Fordham barely two weeks before the decision deadline--right about now, three years ago!  It was miserably rainy outside: we were quite literally trekking through torrential downpour as we toured campus.  Despite getting soaked from my hair down to my socks, I left campus with the biggest smile on my face.

I felt something at Fordham I hadn't felt at any other college I had visited.  I met some of the nicest people that day and felt welcomed with open arms.  There was a positive atmosphere and a strong sense of community on Fordham's campus that I hadn't noticed at any of the many other schools I visited.  From spending one rainy day at Fordham, I was able to picture myself there for the next four years.

A snapshot from Columbus Circle, minutes from our Lincoln Center Campus

Three years later, I still absolutely love living on this sprawling green campus at Rose Hill in a community that is so welcoming and supportive.  Though New York was not a new city to me, it has been incredibly eye-opening to continuing exploring and discovering all that NYC has to offer.  I've worked two internships in Manhattan, visited museums, attended the ballet, and seen Broadway shows. As Fordham students, we are so lucky to have the best of both worlds here--a classic college campus in one of the greatest cities in the world.

As I finish my junior year at Fordham, I am so thankful for that fateful rainy day three years ago.  Now I couldn't picture my life any other way.

I love the community at Fordham and being a member of Rose Hill's classical ballet group The Jetés.  Here we are posing outside the Metropolitan Opera in NYC!

The Concourse Group: Fordham's Student-Run Consulting Firm

If you are looking for a hands-on way to get more involved in the local Bronx community, while also gaining real world experience towards your major, look no further than The Concourse Consulting Group. Run completely by Fordham students, The Concourse Consulting Group is staffed with approximately twenty consultants working with five local businesses. As a current member of Concourse, the experience I have gained through the group has been invaluable (and not to mention a great resume builder). Concourse is centered around developing and enhancing the common good in the direct community. When working these local businesses, we seek to help them develop their entrepreneurial ventures by providing pro bono consulting and microloans. Some of the responsibilities of Concourse consultants include developing in-depth business plans, conducting competitor and market analyses, examining the financials of the company, and creating a web/social media presence for our clients. 

Working for Concourse not only allows you to “get your feet wet,” gaining experience with a real company; it also has a social good aspect, making your contributions even more meaningful. Consultants are often working with small fledgling start-ups;their survival may depend on the strategy work that Concourse does for them. As consultants, we strive to provide the businesses owners with the necessary tools to propel their business into success. The Concourse Group is not simply a consulting firm in the Bronx; we are a part of the Bronx. We explore the neighborhood and truly seek to get involved with the diverse, entrepreneurial individuals who live in our area. As we help out these local entrepreneurs, in turn, we receive knowledgeable insight into the struggles and triumphs of developing a business venture.

So whether you are a finance, marketing, accounting, or even a philosophy major, The Concourse Group has a place for you. The relationship that a Concourse consultant develops is one of reciprocity; in your time as a consultant, you will not only share your knowledge with clients but also cultivate a deeper understanding of the startup world and the Bronx community. 

For more information about Concourse click here.