Fordham vs Rutgers Forum

[rvsf]

I got accepted to both schools, however, I am not sure which one I want to attend. I visited Fordham and Rutgers once already to get a feel for the campus.

An important thing to note is that I would be able to commute to Rutgers Newark, while I would have to find a place to move to closer to Fordham (maybe the school dorms). For Fordham I did not get any money. Rutgers Newark gave me $30000 ($10000 the first year and it's renewable the second and third year as long as I have a cumulative 3.0 gpa).

Any advice would be appreciated

[James Bond]

Be VERY weary of GPA requirements. Often they're not what they seem, and schools have been known to stack the decks against you. It really comes down to finances. Fordham's a better school and it's not in New Jersey, but if the money matters to you...

[baboon309]

You'll be able to qualify for in-state in the first here if you sign up a 12 month lease in NJ.
In that case, you'll pay around 10-11k a year.
I don't know. It's a tough call. I'll probably go for Fordham

[TTH]

What are your career goals? If you're BigLaw or bust, Fordham's going to do a little better for you, but I would still lean toward Rutgers because Fordham is hellaciously expensive w/ COL.

Also, IBOS

[oberlin08]

You'll be able to qualify for in-state in the first here if you sign up a 12 month lease in NJ.
In that case, you'll pay around 10-11k a year.
I don't know. It's a tough call. I'll probably go for Fordham

It sounds like the OP is already from NJ..

[king3780]

Where do you live that you can commute to Rutgers, but not Fordham?

Also, I'm assuming you've looked into this, but I thought it was worth mentioning that 3.0 is Rutgers' median, so it's not like you have to finish Top 25% to keep your scholly.

[OperaSoprano]

Scholarships with GPA requirements of any kind are bad news. You would be shocked if you knew how many smart people finish just below the median. Rutgers is a really good value for what it provides, but I would caution you to take it only if you could handle losing the scholarship.

I am paying sticker here at Fordham, and it is expensive, but if I have to pay this off for the next 20 years I won't regret it for a moment. This isn't a decision anyone can make for you, though of course I love my school and tell everyone to come here.

[oberlin08]

Where do you live that you can commute to Rutgers, but not Fordham?

Also, I'm assuming you've looked into this, but I thought it was worth mentioning that 3.0 is Rutgers' median, so it's not like you have to finish Top 25% to keep your scholly.

Maybe he lives within driving (but not train) distance of Rutgers.

[king3780]

Scholarships with GPA requirements of any kind are bad news. You would be shocked if you knew how many smart people finish just below the median. Rutgers is a really good value for what it provides, but I would caution you to take it only if you could handle losing the scholarship.

I am paying sticker here at Fordham, and it is expensive, but if I have to pay this off for the next 20 years I won't regret it for a moment. This isn't a decision anyone can make for you, though of course I love my school and tell everyone to come here.

Are you saying if you pay it off in 20 years because it might actually take you 30 years?

[timertimer61]

between these two, i would think fordham, no brainer.

[OperaSoprano]

Scholarships with GPA requirements of any kind are bad news. You would be shocked if you knew how many smart people finish just below the median. Rutgers is a really good value for what it provides, but I would caution you to take it only if you could handle losing the scholarship.

I am paying sticker here at Fordham, and it is expensive, but if I have to pay this off for the next 20 years I won't regret it for a moment. This isn't a decision anyone can make for you, though of course I love my school and tell everyone to come here.

Are you saying if you pay it off in 20 years because it might actually take you 30 years?

Changes to IBR, my friend. It's looking like even non PI people will have their debt forgiven in 20 years.

[king3780]

Scholarships with GPA requirements of any kind are bad news. You would be shocked if you knew how many smart people finish just below the median. Rutgers is a really good value for what it provides, but I would caution you to take it only if you could handle losing the scholarship.

I am paying sticker here at Fordham, and it is expensive, but if I have to pay this off for the next 20 years I won't regret it for a moment. This isn't a decision anyone can make for you, though of course I love my school and tell everyone to come here.

Are you saying if you pay it off in 20 years because it might actually take you 30 years?

Changes to IBR, my friend. It's looking like even non PI people will have their debt forgiven in 20 years.

Looking like? A month ago it was looking like we would have a national health care program. Until the ink is dry on IBR changes, I wouldn't bank on it.

[OperaSoprano]

Scholarships with GPA requirements of any kind are bad news. You would be shocked if you knew how many smart people finish just below the median. Rutgers is a really good value for what it provides, but I would caution you to take it only if you could handle losing the scholarship.

I am paying sticker here at Fordham, and it is expensive, but if I have to pay this off for the next 20 years I won't regret it for a moment. This isn't a decision anyone can make for you, though of course I love my school and tell everyone to come here.

Are you saying if you pay it off in 20 years because it might actually take you 30 years?

Changes to IBR, my friend. It's looking like even non PI people will have their debt forgiven in 20 years.

Looking like? A month ago it was looking like we would have a national health care program. Until the ink is dry on IBR changes, I wouldn't bank on it.

It's generous even as is. 10 years for PI, 25 for everyone else.

[Cole S. Law]

This would have been a great football game in the 1940s.