Rutgers Business VS. Fordham Gabelli Lincoln Center

I have to make a pretty tough decision. I have to choose between these two schools for undergrad and I'm really in a rut at the moment. Rutgers will basically be free, up to 10k in loans max. Gabelli, will leave me in a position where I may end up putting a heavy financial burden (60k) on my parents, and leave with about 10-20k in debt. I intend to go into IB out of undergrad, what should I do? If possible, if you leave your opinion, can you further elaborate on why you think ____ is a better option? Thanks ahead of time!

 

To put it mildly, Fordham is the unwanted stepchild of NYU. It still is slightly better than Rutgers, but considering how much you would have to pay to go there, it is not that much better than Rutgers to justify the massive amount of money you'll have to pay.

Don't despair, however. Keep hustling, try transferring in a year or two. If you maintain a 3.8-4.0 GPA at Rutgers, which is very doable, and find internships in PWM, you have a very good chance of transferring to a better school.

 

I appealed my financial aid at fordham and was actually able to bring it down to about 40k in total for four years, assuming I commute. So, I'm planning on going to Fordham. I dont quite understand why Fordham would be considered NYU's ugly stepchild though. I was accepted to Gabelli LC which just started last year. They were pretty selective this year ( around 25%) and I believe that it has a lot of potential. Gabelli LC is supposed to be very very different than Rose Hill in its "global business" concentrations.

 
Best Response
BrooklynSachs:

I appealed my financial aid at fordham and was actually able to bring it down to about 40k in total for four years, assuming I commute. So, I'm planning on going to Fordham. I dont quite understand why Fordham would be considered NYU's ugly stepchild though. I was accepted to Gabelli LC which just started last year. They were pretty selective this year ( around 25%) and I believe that it has a lot of potential. Gabelli LC is supposed to be very very different than Rose Hill in its "global business" concentrations.

I'll chime in: the Gabelli LC program just launched and its focus is on Global Business, which doesn't mean much. Most Gabelli classes are at the Rose Hill (Bronx) campus and you'll definitely have to take your core classes there. I really wouldn't place too much stock in the new LC program. Also, LC caters mostly to the art majors with the occasional night classes for Gabelli students.

In my opinion, this is an area where Fordham truly lacks in comparison to Columbia/NYU. They have the means to make a bigger LC campus, which would in turn attract folks to do internships in the city. What does that ultimately do? It gets Fordham folks out there, building the network, and ultimately creating a stronger alumni network. I also want to put it out there that the commuters are essentially sectioned off at Rose Hill and ironically enough, by the time they get to junior year, they're mostly the ones who are pursuing internships while taking night classes, etc.

At Fordham, provided you don't get any aid, you're essentially paying premium money for a much lesser name. At the end of the day, it depends on whether you're willing to fork over the money. Good luck.

 

if you have Rutgers vs. UPenn wharton, it is fairly easy to say take the Wharton debt.

If you have Harvard vs. Wharton, I'd say ---go with the one with more financial aid. debt-free is a very important option.

Similarly, since Rutgers and Fordham are both not that super-target, I'd suggest to go with less debt. It'll help with your GPA as well.

 

If you are motivated from day 1 you can get leave with BB offer from either Rutgers or Fordham. Fordham's location is what really differentiates it in the fact that you can intern at some great financial firms while still taking classes. Forhdam's investment banking scene has also gotten significantly stronger literally in the last two years.

Fordham alum, PM me if you want more details.

 

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