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!

Club Spotlight: Fordham Jetés

Do you know what 5th position is?  Have you ever performed in or attended a production of The Nutcracker?  Can you call yourself a bonafide bunhead?  If you answered yes to all three of these questions, then The Jetés is the club for you at Fordham!

We are Fordham’s student-run classical ballet company.  The Jetés were established as a club at the Rose Hill campus almost exactly a year ago.  Since then, we have performed selections of Swan Lake at various campus events, danced variations from The Sleeping Beauty at Maroon Mainstage during family weekend, and even presented our own version of The Nutcracker in December!

We have exciting things coming up for this semester as well.  We have outreach performances scheduled for local Bronx public school students as well as for the retired Jesuit community at Murray-Weigel Hall just off campus.  Our executive board members are in the midst of casting and choreographing for our full-length production of The Sleeping Beauty ballet, which will take to the stage in Collins Auditorium on April 21st and 22nd.
If you danced throughout high school, there’s no reason to give it up in college!  We hold auditions twice a year, once at the beginning of fall semester and again at the beginning of spring semester.  Pointe experience is not necessary, but certainly a plus as most of our featured roles are danced en pointe.

We’d love to hear from you!  Search us on Youtube to see previous performances and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@fordhamjetes) to get a behind-the-scenes look at our rehearsals and shows!

Club Spotlight: Sláinte: Fordham Irish Dance

Sláinte (slahn-che)

From Old Irish

interjection

1. Cheers

Are you a prospective Ram looking for an easy way to join the Fordham community? Look no further than the many unique clubs that our school has to offer! From acapella groups, to business societies, to dance teams, Sláinte is just one of your options -- and, in my humble opinion, it's the best one!

Sláinte is Fordham's one and only Irish dance club. We finally became an officially recognized club this year, which means we have the opportunity to compete as a real Irish dance team! Some experience as an Irish dancer is required to audition; however, there is no need to be currently competing! When I visited Fordham on Accepted Student's Day two years ago, I instantly found Sláinte's table and was so happy to see that I could continue doing something I love at a place that I love! As a student athlete, I have a rigorous practice schedule -- I swim for almost 20 hours a week -- but I can assure you that it is very possible to be involved in anything that Fordham has to offer!

Sláinte Members 2016-2017!

Sláinte has made their presence known on campus through many performances. We have participated as an act in ASILI's "Taste the World" event; opened for The B-Side's, one of Fordham's many talented acapella groups; helped raise money for pediatric cancer research by performing at Fordham Dance Marathon; partnered with Gaelic Society to create the first annual Irish Night, a night devoted to celebrating Irish culture through live music by The Narrowbacks, food and baked goods provided by members of Sláinte and Gaelic Society, and, of course, Irish dancing! Now that we are an official club with a very official budget, Sláinte will travel to Villanova University in just a few weeks to compete in the Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival!

Sláinte is a group of people who are proud of their Irish heritage, and we hope we can share our culture through dancing with the rest of the Fordham community for years to come! If you are interested in learning more about Sláinte, feel free to like our page on Facebook. Go Rams, and, in true Irish fashion, "sláinte!"