Mackenzie on the Move to Fordham University

When I say Bronx you say….Fordham University?

Bulging out from the streets of Bronx, New York, Fordham University is a private four-year institution just a short distance from the heart of New York City. The university has a solid reputation for both its’ academics and social scene. The sports teams have a less than enthusiastic fan base, but that changes depending on the success of the team and on whether you know someone on the team or not. 

I have actually been to the campus twice. My first time visiting the school I got there via a combination of someone driving me and the subway system. The second time I drove, and that was pretty nerve-wrecking. I was tense and a little terrified because I had no idea where I was going. Turned out completely fine though, and parking was easy. Though its’ location in the Bronx is a bit off putting, especially when driving through it alone like I did, the campus and surrounding area of Fordham is a comfortable setting. My friends, as well as their friends, were always very confident in where they were going, so there was no wandering or confusion. 

That was probably one of the biggest things I noticed about the students at Fordham. Every student seemed confident in what they were doing, where they were going, and who they were talking too. If, in reality, they lacked that apparent confidence, they fooled me. This was not to say they were stuck up or too proud. Quite the opposite in fact. I met a fairly large assortment of people, majority of whom were introduced to me through the friends I was visiting, and each one added to my experience there. In summary, it would not be correct to describe them as nice people. More accurately, it was that they were comfortable enough to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, which is great when that stranger is you. They all know they are pretty cool, but that does not make them any less friendly or fun. Also, everyone wears a lot of black. Must be a cool kid thing. 

It is mostly a bar school, but apparently upperclassmen go to the bar less often than underclassmen. The bars are usually 18 to enter, 21 to drink. Some require covers, but many, including the friend I was with, have learned the art of talking their way in sans payment. Honestly, the less crowded bars were the more entertaining ones. Although the bars are a reasonable distance from campus, bar hopping is inevitable. In the colder months, most students choose to stay in or go to a friends apartment so they do not have to make the trek between bars. Their also big on going out on Tuesdays, which is a weird concept for me to wrap my head around but I guess its a nice way to break up a stressful week. I have heard the day drinks are a pretty good time as well, though I have not had the pleasure of attending one. Maybe next time.  

It’s a great school if you want to get involved with an array of activities and meet people from all over. Minnesota, Texas…kids are from everywhere. The types of friend groups at Fordham are distinct, but the lines between them are blurry in that everyone knows and hangs out with someone from another group. They seem to blend together quite regularly. It has 8,000 plus undergraduate students, so it has a fairly decent array of people.

My impressions of Fordham are based entirely off of what I saw and experienced, as well as who I met and hung out with while there. In all, I really enjoy visiting Fordham. Its easy to get to and has a lot to do. The personalities have a large range so I can not imagine not finding a friend or ten while attending this school. 8 and a half out of ten would recommend to a friend.