Fordham University is a private Jesuit university in New York City, with campuses in the Bronx (Rose Hill) and Manhattan (Lincoln Center). These locations create opportunities for internships in finance, media, law, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and more.
Fordham was founded in 1841 and emphasizes the Jesuit tradition of educating the “whole person” through intellectual, ethical, and social development. These Jesuit values tend to show up more in service, ethics, and social justice than in strict religious requirements. So, while Fordham is a Catholic and Jesuit institution, students from many religious and cultural backgrounds attend.
Academics
Fordham University combines strong academics with direct access to internships, networking, and career opportunities in one of the world’s largest cities. The university reports a 14:1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio. Small class sizes mean more interaction with professors than at many large public universities. Fordham offers programs across more than 60 disciplines and is particularly well known for liberal arts, communications, psychology, political science, humanities, law, and business. The Gabelli School of Business is one of Fordham’s most recognized schools and attracts students interested in finance, accounting, marketing, and management.
Campus
Ironically, many students and visitors consider the same features that seem spooky to be some of Fordham’s most beautiful qualities.
The old stone buildings with tall towers and arched windows are reminiscent of the same style associated with castles, cathedrals, and classic horror settings. At night the Gothic architecture can make it feel like the site of a classic ghost story.
During the day, the campus is often described as picturesque, having extensive tree-lined paths. In autumn, winter, or foggy weather, the combination of bare branches and historic buildings can feel especially spooky.
The old Rose Hill campus is actually known as one of the most haunted campuses in America, with a number of ghost stories to back it up.
Hauntings include a blonde ghost in the Keating Hall showers and phantom hands in Finlay Hall, which once housed an operating theater and morgue where cadavers were stored for dissection. Students and former residents have reported feeling watched, cold hands on their necks, or being pulled as if they were a cadaver. Some claim to have seen ghostly figures peering down on them from the loft.
The filming of The Exorcist scene, in which Father Karras reviews the audio evidence of Regan’s possession, adds to the eerie reputation of Fordham’s Rose Hill campus. The filming of the scene took place in the basement of Keating Hall.
Student Life
Fordham University’s student body includes various age groups, ethnic backgrounds, and residency statuses. The university offers a variety of student groups and associations designed to enhance campus life and provide leadership opportunities. Fordham also supports a strong athletics program, competing at the NCAA Division I level. Prospective students can expect a supportive network that encourages both educational and extracurricular achievement.
Homeschool Applicants
Fordham University explicitly accepts homeschooled students, and treats their application process much like that of traditional high school applicants. Homeschoolers can apply through the same channels and requirements as any other applicant, with some additional guidance to help present their homeschool background effectively.
Fordham’s official guidance states that homeschooled students may apply through any of its standard application plans — Early Action, Early Decision I, Regular Decision, or Early Decision II (with Early Action required for Dance and Theatre majors). The admission requirements are essentially the same as for other applicants, with some tailored elements for homeschoolers.
Required Application Components
- Common Application (including an essay)
- School Report in the Common App, completed by a primary instructor/counselor, describing the homeschool environment, educational philosophy, and motivation for homeschooling
- Transcript of the high school curriculum and grades (can be prepared by a parent, teacher/counselor, or homeschool organization; if the student attended a traditional school, an official transcript must come from that school)
- Letter of recommendation from a non‑family member
- Official college transcript if any college courses were taken during high school
- Optional: SAT/ACT scores (with Fordham’s test codes), short optional responses
Financial Aid & State Aid (NY Residents)
Homeschooled students are eligible for all merit awards and financial aid. New York State residents must show a high school diploma or equivalent, or pass an approved ability‑to‑benefit test, to qualify for state aid.
Key Points
- No special “homeschool track” — the process is integrated into Fordham’s standard admissions system.
- Equal consideration — homeschooled applicants are evaluated on the same holistic criteria as other students.
- Support for homeschoolers — Fordham provides specific guidance on documenting the homeschool experience in application materials.
Learn more at https://www.fordham.edu/undergraduate-admission/apply/homeschooled-students
