As Fordham University students, we are among the luckiest people in New York City. It’s a dream destination for tourists, or people who want to move and work here for the rest of their lives. With Rose Hill in the Bronx and Lincoln Center in Manhattan, you get the best of both worlds. So, which is better??
As a junior at Rose Hill, I chose it for several reasons. One reason was that the school has a college town vibe on campus. Where else are you going to find fields of grass, sports fields, beautiful leaves, flowers and snow all throughout the changing seasons? And best of all, that feeling of safety. Feeling safe in New York City is a treasure, let’s be real.
Beyond the amazing physical landscape Fordham has had since 1841, I personally think that the academics and clubs Rose Hill offers are simply unbeatable. As a loyal member of the Fordham Ram, as you can surely tell, as well as WFUV News, all of the journalism facilities I could ever need are within a few minutes of walking distance. Any extracurricular help I need from my professors is readily available, which helps me feel passionate about pursuing my chosen major of journalism. My fears of life after graduation have significantly decreased after spending a few semesters here at Rose Hill.
Marielle Marino, FCRH ’27, is a Fordham student who can tell you about the cultural life at both campuses. As a first-year, she began at Lincoln Center, which highlights living in the heart of Manhattan. She mentioned how the location was highly accessible and helpful when trying to explore new areas in the city. Transportation fees to destinations in Manhattan were significantly lower than living in the Bronx, and her professors were just as passionate and caring at Lincoln Center. However, what was missing that made her solidify her decision to transfer to the Rose Hill campus? “I prefer Rose Hill because it is a traditional college campus and I know that I will be able to live in New York City after college, so I appreciate having these four years be unique, spending my college life on campus and my free time in the city,” Marino said. “A balance between both worlds is what really is the New York City college experience.” She also noted the convenience of being part of the Jetés, a ballet group at Rose Hill, where all performances and practices are held.
Josie Whalen, GSB ’27, shared how blessed she feels living at Rose Hill. Whalen mentioned, “It’s just a much better community at Rose Hill. The business students at Rose Hill can build stronger and more extensive networking connections with the larger cohorts there compared to those at Lincoln Center, and where else are you going to wake up to the most serene view at Keating [Hall]?”
With both campuses located in such different parts of the city, Fordham culture is uniquely positioned to differ. I feel that Rose Hill has a more stereotypical sporty, going-out off campus vibe, with the community really connecting and interweaving with one another. While Lincoln Center students are exposed to one another, they are also provided with several opportunities to meet new people in the city. They’re literally in the middle of Manhattan. Can it get any better than that? Lincoln Center students are positioned in a different experience than Rose Hill students. So, who’s getting a better college lifestyle? Both campus cultures are great in their own ways.
Ultimately, I’m very grateful to have lived at Rose Hill, where I met these two lovely girls, who are now two of my closest friends here at Fordham. Even with my preference for Rose Hill, I still take classes at Lincoln Center twice a week and am forever thankful for our Ram Vans which transport us to and from class without any additional fees. Take that, Metro-North!
While I’m there, I enjoy hearing from my professors, meeting new students at Lincoln Center and getting to know my way around the Upper West Side. Additionally, it allows me to navigate my way around Columbus Circle, the West Village or the East Village, given my prime location. For all these reasons, I will forever be grateful for the endless opportunities that Fordham continues to offer us students at both campuses, but I would not change a single decision in choosing Rose Hill. Thank you, Fordham!
