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First all, here are my stats:
SATI 1100
Verbal - 600
Math - 500
Race: Black Male
I just took the SATII (I feel just okay about it)
GPA: 3.00
I will be starting college in the fall of 2004:

I know I could not get into a school like NYU or Columbia, but I want to go to school in Manhattan...What are some good schools in Manhattan???

Thanks

By Mike212 (Mike212) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 12:21 am: Edit

Anyone??? Any info would be much appreciated!

By Selmer (Selmer) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 12:47 am: Edit

You could possibly try for Fordham, but I suggest you raise your scores because even Fordham might be a reach for you.

Do you live in NY, if so you could try the CUNY schools (I think there is one in manhattan).

By Leia (Leia) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 11:31 am: Edit

In addition to the CUNY schools Selmer suggested(Hunter, Brooklyn, etc), Pace University is also a possibility for City-bound students. The New School, which i think is affiliated with NYU is another option - and you may even want to apply to NYU's Gallatin school, as you may have a shot there. What do your ec's include?

By Anotherdad (Anotherdad) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 01:53 pm: Edit

New School is not part of NYU. But it is in the same neighborhood.
New School has a liberal arts orientation, so the 600 verbal counts more than the 500 math. You are in the range for NS.
You should work hard to get your GPA up to 3.5 or higher during the first 2 reporting periods of your senior year. It will help a lot.

By Mike212 (Mike212) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 03:49 pm: Edit

Thank you all so much for the info. Selmer - I do not live in New York, I live in a small town in California called Banning. LEIA - I was researching Gallatin @ NYU, and I liked it for 2 main reasons- one being that it's not too competitive. The other being that it is part of a really GREAT school...I have a few EC's I was on NHS for three years (just as a member though), I played basketball as well as football, and I will do both of these for my senior year. Anotherdad - I will try to get my GPA about 3.0 - thanks all for the info, it helped a lot!

By Mike212 (Mike212) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 04:06 pm: Edit

ALSO Another quick question -

If I wanted to attend a CUNY school, but did not live in NYC ever, or go to secondary school in NYC - does that mean I can't go to a CUNY school?!?!?

By Anotherdad (Anotherdad) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 05:21 pm: Edit

You can go to a CUNY school.

Gallatin is harder to get into than NYU generally. Sports will not be a big draw for NYU, which has very little interest in them. However, it does have a basketball team and if you have the talent, it could be a hook.
Geographic diversity is a plus for you at any NYC school.
Good luck.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 06:25 pm: Edit

Would you be willing to consider a school just outside of Manhattan? If so, these schools would be a possible fit with your stats. They're all decent schools within a quick train ride (or in Wagner's case, a ferry ride from Staten Island) to Manhattan.
Adelphi U.
Drew University
Manhattanville College
Wagner College

By Optimystic (Optimystic) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 06:55 pm: Edit

Mike212,

I would suggest that you continue to thoroughly research all you can about the schools that interest you and determine what ECs those schools find favorable. Is a NYC location most important to you or is NYC where you need to be because of your major? Also, research how much out-of-pocket expenses you and your family can afford. I hesitate to suggest that if you can't raise your scores, you may not obtain admission and/or scholarships from elite institutions. More and more, minority status is becoming less a factor in admissions. Elite schools are trying to attract the brightest minds from a diverse group of people who come from all across the country. My daughter is a very strong African American student, yet we are still faced with sizeable out-of-pocket expenses for her to attend NYU even though she did get a "great merit package" from NYU. The NYC location was a very important factor for her. I mention this only to let you know your "potential" for scholarships at institutions such as NYU. Also, financial aid is non-existent if you are not poor. So, I'm here to tell you what has been our experience. It sounds like the other schools in NYC may be worth further investigation. However, if you are interested in NYU, by all means, please apply. You may have what they are looking for. Select schools that are a good match for you. Best Wishes to You!

By Mike212 (Mike212) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 06:57 pm: Edit

Well, I have been thinking about other borough(s), but I am really scared to NOT live in Manhattan. You might be thinking 'why be scared?' The reasons I am scared to live outside of Manhattan are:
1) No car, at least Manhattan is compact in size, and I can take a cab, bus, or subway where ever.
-I think it might be harder to to that in other boroughs.
2) I have 2 friends in Manhattan, ZERO friends every where else.
3) I traveled to NY last summer and instantly fell in love with Manhattan. I didn't go to any other boroughs, but I don't feel as though the other 4 can compair to Manhattan.... So thanks for the schools, but I have my heart set on the big city and the big borough:-)

By Arthurd (Arthurd) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 09:36 pm: Edit

Mike, I'd say you can shoot for Fordham.... if not on regular admission, then by HEOP.

By Hollaratme (Hollaratme) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 10:05 pm: Edit

mike y dont u stay in cali

By Mike212 (Mike212) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 11:39 pm: Edit

Well I have been looking at Fordham, but isn't that school in the Bronx? What is HEOP??
The main reason I don't want to stay in CA is because I hate it here (and I don't use the word 'hate' lightly). The community I am living in now is not diverse at all. I am one of 3 black students at my high school. Before living in Banning, I lived in Orange County - though I feel it's a really nice place to live, the people are so shallow. I might not have the best SAT score or GPA, but I think I have at least some intelligence. I won't mid the cold winters, and I won't mind the humid summers - I WILL MIND staying here in the horrible city!

By Bebeblue (Bebeblue) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 11:59 pm: Edit

Fordham is in Bronx. Both Columbia and NYU would be reach for you but I think you have a good shot at CUNY colleges such as Baruch and Hunter. Both are in Manhattan. There are a couple more in Brooklyn. Pace University is a good choice too. Yeshiva University is in Manhattan too but I have no idea how competitive it is. You should look into schools in Brooklyn too. It is not that far if you take subway. One thing I would like to tell you about the city as a New Yorker is that it is pretty damn expensive to live in the city. If you are not living in a dorm you gotta be willing to pay some fortune. CUNY schools are not the best with financial aid but they are cheaper than others. Good luck!

By Selmer (Selmer) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 12:01 am: Edit

Hey Mike, if you really hate Socal, why don't you come up north here near SF. Let me tell you that the environment here is completely different than SoCal, especially Orange County. The Bay area is generally more liberal, very diverse and there are tons of things to do. We also have BART and you can get to places fairly easy. You are a shoe-in at SF state, CSU-Hayward, and San Jose state and you could also look into USF if you don't mind paying more.

But if you really want Manhattan, I can understand. I went there my freshman year in highschool for Macy's Thankgiving day parade and I loved it there. I wanted to go to school there too but I figured I couldn't afford it anyway so I didn't even apply(NYU gives horrible fin. aid and I didn't know anything about Fordham)

Closing advice, give CA a chance, theres much more than shallow orange county, there is a whole other side (northern california) I suggest you should at least visit here (6 hour drive) than go away to NYC (5 hour flight)

By Selmer (Selmer) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 12:03 am: Edit

Oh yeah, and Fordham has two campuses, one in the Bronx (rose hill) and one in Manhattan (lincoln center) My friend was about to go to Fordham and I saw pictures of Rose Hill campus, its really nice (gothic buildings, wide green lawns, etc.)

By Mike212 (Mike212) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 02:03 am: Edit

I am SO glad I came across this website. The info is GREAT! I just saw pics the Rose Hill campus too, I really like it. Fordham is a def. possibility.
As for Northern CA, I don't know...I know that there's a different atmosphere up North, but with all my experiences in CA, I just kinda want to put it all behind me. Maybe going to NY will be beneficial; and maybe the West coast is just not for me.

By Hollaratme (Hollaratme) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 10:47 am: Edit

fordhamn is a good school the rose hill campus is the main campuss. it really nice but once u leave the campus its ghetto. Pace is another school
its not bad it very diverse but fordham is better.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 12:44 pm: Edit

Mike,
Two things: first, don't be afraid of going to a school just outside of NYC or in a different borough - you will meet people at college - that's what college is all about. That said, why not consider some schools in other big cities as well - New Orleans, for instance? Or Atlanta? or even Portland, Oregon? You'll find that schools in the Northeast, in general, are going to be much more expensive and harder to get into than in other parts of the country. Cast your net as wide as possible if you really want to get out of Banning (and I can't say I blame you for wanting out of Banning!!!!)

But, getting back to New York...you're going to have to be realistic. With your stats, you won't have many choices right in downtown Manhattan. Columbia is out. NYU is a long shot. That leaves the CUNY system or schools in outlying boroughs or schools just outside the city. Only you, of course, can decide if that's close enough to New York City (and far enough from So. Cal) for you. Think long term: do you want to eventually have a career in NYC or just live there while going to college? If your goal is to live and work in NYC, it might be better long term to find the best school you can get into even if its not located in the center of Manhattan, get the best education you can afford, and then try to get a job in Manhattan after graduation. (Schools in the greater NY-NJ-CT area usually have great internship programs in NYC).

The major problem with any of the CUNY schools will be housing. They are all 100 percent commuter schools. They do not have dorms. Finding an apartment in Manhattan is impossible and even if you can find one, it's likely to be impossibly expensive. You may go to school in Manhattan but you probably won't be able to afford to live there. Or, perhaps you can live with your friends?

The main Fordham campus IS in the Bronx, not Manhattan, but it's easy to get from there to midtown using subways and Fordham has a van service between its two campuses. The lincoln center campus of Fordham has very limited majors, I believe it only concentrates on theater and art, so if Fordham interests you, you'll be at the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx. It's a very good school, with an excellent reputation in the New York area. Here's some summary from Kaplan guidebook: "Fordham College at Lincoln Center is known mainly for its arts programs, especially theater. Fordham Colege at Rose Hill in the Bronx, Fordham's largest undergrauate school - offers traditional liberal arts and sciences. Full time undergrads 6,100. Not all majors are available at both campuses. All undergrads take an extensive core curriculum, approximately 18 courses in philosophy, theology (Fordham is a Catholic school), history, literature and other liberal arts and sciences. Many liberal arts classes are taught by JEsuit priests, most of whom live on campus. Fordham's strength lies in its diversity. Three quarters of Fordham's student body lives on campus. Rose Hill campus is considered "extremely safe" and there is a van shuttle between the two campuses. The overall atmosphere on campus is very cliquey says one Rose Hill student. Most students are from New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, and many head home on weekends. The jesuit influence is definitely more apparent at Rose Hill, where students are generally more conservative than their Linocln Center counterparts. Sunday night Mass is practically considered a social event at Rose Hill; NonCatholic students who enjoy the feeling of community often accompany their catholic friends. For parents who are reluctant to turn their kids loose in the wilds of New York City, Fordham may be the perfect compromise. Students benefit from the exposure to New York's culture and excitement, but they are still sheltered by Fordham's pervasive Jesuit presence and safe campuses. As a recent grad points out, "At Fordham, you've got the benefits of a tight campus community when you're starting out, and the benefits of Manhattan when you get sick of campus activities and seeing the same faces by senior year." SAT ranges: : verbal 530-630, math 520-620, Av. HS GPA 3.5, 8900 students applied, 5600 accepted. Fordham will be something of a reach for you but a do-able reach.

If you're going to consider the Bronx and Fordham, do take a look at Wagner as a possible match for you - www.wagner.edu. It's on Staten Island - a 15 minute trip on the Staten Island Ferry to downtown. They film the Soprano's on campus. Your stats are a good fit. It's a good school, strong internships in Manhattan. Great dorms. Here's some excerpts from the Kaplan guidebook describing Wagner: " With an undergraduate population of under 2,000 students, Wagner offers a cozy intimate setting. Professors are usually extremely accessible and willing to help in any way. The programs are experiential in nature and serve to teach both through conventional and more contemporary strategies. This may take the form of field trips, independent study, internships, volunteer work, community research, etc. and opportunities for such activities are obviously abundant in New York City. The 105-acre campus has sweeping views of the New York Harbor and older, refined buildings. The majority of students opt to remain in the dorms on campus throughout all four years. Wagner College is in the grymes Hill section of Staten Island, an area that was at one time the stomping ground of some of the area's most influential and wealthy families, including the Vanderbilts and the Cunards. The neighborhood has its fair share of bars, restaurants, clubs, movie theaters, and a mall nearby. While many students do have cars on campus, having a car is not a necessity to get around. Wagner provides a shuttle bus and van services that transport students between the school and the mall and the Ferry and there's always the extensive New York City public transportation service. Though the school is relatively small, most students feel this offers a best-of-both-worlds type of scenario with the thriving heartof Manhattan only a Ferry trip away. Wagner welcomes students from over 30 states and 20 countries." SATs: 520-600 verbal, 530-600 math, average hs gpa: 3.0 Students applied: 2400, accepted 1600 They have a great basketball team there - basketball might be a hook for you.

Pace University is worth looking into as well. I took some graduate classes there. However, the focus at Pace is on business education and I'm not sure if their Manhattan campus has housing. Their campuses in Westchester county, just north of the City, a short train ride to Manhattan, do have dorms available, and also have liberal arts programs available.

Another possibility to investigate right in Manhattan would be the Eugene Lang College - www.newschool.edu. This is the undergraduate school of the New School which is an unusual graduate school. Here's what Kaplan says about it: "Although Eugene Lang College has an undergraduate enrollment of fewer than 600, its connection to other instiutions makes it seem much larger. Lang is the undergraduate college of the prestigious New School University. After their first year, Lang students are able to enroll in courses at the New School's grauate facility, which attracts a faculty of international reknown. PLocated in Greenwich Village, one of New York City's most interesting neighborhoods, Eugene Lang offers students a campus of infinite opportunities - New York City itself. The village is the home of New York's funkier shops, restaurants, bars, and night spots, and is a playground for young people from all parts. Lacking a central campus, the New School has buildings clustered around brownstones and busy city avenues. Most Lang classes are located in a building on West 11th street and students share housing with nonuniversity tenants in many buildings. Loeb hall is the only residence for students only, housing undergraduates form all divisions of the university. Programs in political and social sciences are strong at Lang, as are urban studies and education. Unlike traditional college majors, you don't have to take a large number of required courses in a single academic discipline. The Advising System permits students to create the curriculum that best fits their educational goals. Most classes have fewer than 15 students, creating an open intellectual atmosphere. Some students thrive on the intellectual independence and the opportuntities to think outside the box. Others wonder about the ultimate value of their unorthodox degree in the eyes of more traditional graduate school admissions committees." SATs verbal 570-685, math 500-620m average gpa 3,09, number of students applied 686, accepted 443.

Good luck - let us know how it goes!

By Selmer (Selmer) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 02:29 pm: Edit

I'm not mike, but wow Carolyn, you're certainly helpful.

Great Info

By Mike212 (Mike212) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 03:12 pm: Edit

Oh my GOD CAROLYN - thank you! You have been more helpful to me then my own high school counselor! I love Fordham, but it is really expensive! I am gong to check out some of the other schools you mentioned! I really appreciate all the valuable info

By Mattymatt (Mattymatt) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 03:47 pm: Edit

Mike, as a resident right outside of nyc this is what i reccomend:

NYU and Columbia are great but they are stretches for you but you never know you have nothing to lose by applying.. try studying a little for the sat this summer.. a high sat score with minority status is always impressive

Other Schools to look into----

Definatly check out Fordham.. all though im not sure what classes are offered at the lincoln center campus.. i know its more theatre derivated... rose hill is not far at all from manhataan and is really nice.. plus you are getting a good education there

I also think you should look into St.Johns (queens--right outside the city..the basketball team plays a lot of their games at madison square garden)

and hofstra(long island right outside queens probaly 15min from manhattan.. plus you can always take the train)

By Mattymatt (Mattymatt) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 03:57 pm: Edit

heres stats for hofstra and st.johns

HOFSTRA---

verbal range: 510-600
math range: 520-610
average gpa: 2.92

ST.JOHNS--
verbal range: 460-560
math range: 480-580
average gpa: 3.0

I woudl only use these two schools as fall back schools though in case you do not get into your top choices.

If you are willing to stretch a little beyond manhattan.. check out Rutgers and the College of New Jersey... both good schools in new jersey not too far from manhatan rutgers is 40min and CNJ is like an hour

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 07:56 pm: Edit

Great suggestions Mattymatt - St. Johns would be a great safety or match school. Neither St. Johns or Hofstra is listed in Kaplan's but here's what I know and was able to glean from other places in addition to what Mattymatt already told you Mike.

St. John's is another Catholic school, much larger than Fordham. St. John's doesn't have quite as pervasive a religous atmosphere as Fordham's (you don't have jesuit priests living on campus at St. John's for instance) St. John's has an excellent rep in the New York area (actually the governor of New York State is an alumnus) While the main campus and dorms are in Queens they also have a building in manhattan with some limited housing available there. From the Queens campus it's a quick and easy subway trip to midtown. The school has about 14,700 undergrads. Strongest programs are in business. Tuition right now is just below $20,000 a year, room and board at the lowest price room is about $6500. Looks like decent financial aid packages are available. New program starting this fall: every freshman will get a new laptop included with their tuition. They received 12,274 applications last year - don't know how many were accepted but they obviously have a relatively large freshman class so chances are their acceptance level isnt impossibly competitive. Their web site is www.stjohns.edu. This would be an excellent match or safety choice Mike.


Hofstra would probably not be high on my list but I'm biased as I had a close friend who went there many moons ago and hated it so much he transferred. It is on Long Island, about 25 miles east of New York City. There is a long island railroad station within walking distance of campus that you can take into Manhattan. This is a private, nonsectarian school. It has about 8500 undergrads focusing on business and liberal arts. About half of the students live on campus but most commute from homes in the Long Island area. Maybe I am stereotyping but the reputation Hofstra had when I was in college many years ago was a school for rich lazy kids from long island who weren't smart enough to get into good schools. Maybe it's changed since then but it currently ranks 14th on the Princeton Review's list of schools with "least happy students." SAT average is 1120. Tuition is $24,000 a year plus room, board and fees. Again, as MattyMatt suggested, this could be a backup school.

And again, also check out Drew University in New Jersey. Both Kaplan and the Fiske guide call it a hidden treasure. It's a suburban school with a well-rounded academic program. Here's some excerpts from Kapalan: "Drew U was the first liberal arts college in the country to provide personal computers to all of its students as part of tuition, showing itself to be dedicted to helping its students to develop skills for the post-graduation "real" world." Guidance counselors praise scholarships that help ease the tuition burden. Drew students can take full academic advantage of the school's proximity to New York City, just 30 miles away, by enrolling in special semester-long programs. The Wall Street Semester brings students to the financial district to develop a deeper understanding for the role of Wall street and the economy. During the Semester on the United Nations, students get the oppoprtunity to spend two days a week in New York at the UN, attending presentations and conducting research. There is also a the yearlong Drew International Seminars program, where students combine on-campus classwork with three- or four-week seminars in international locations. Drew foots the bill for travel, room and board, and the student pays for tuition and incidentals. Professors are very active in Drew life. Most undergraduates live on campus. There are on campus concerts by the likes of Jewel, Dave Chappelle, the Roots, Blues Traveler, and Bob Dylan, plus the New Jersey Shakespeare FEstival. There have also been recent presentations by notables such as President Bush, Shimon Perez, and Colin Powell. People are very friendly but some students might want a larger school." 1500 undergrads, 90 percent live on campus, 2500 applied, 1800 admitted, SAT verbal 550-670, math 530-650, Tuition in 2001 $25,000, room and board $7000, 52% get aide average amount of aid $18,000.

I think with all of these choices, you now have a reach (NYU), a high match (Fordham) and a few good matches/safeties to mull over. Now, go to their web sites and dig into the information each school provides about their financial aid. Look at how they structure their financial aid packages and what you might qualify for in terms of grants, work-study, loans, and possibly some merit aid from some of the safety schools on the list. You never know what will pan out. However, just to be on the totally safe side, I'd also recommend that you still consider looking at a few good schools in other metropolitan areas where you might be just as happy and also be able to get a good financial package. I know your heart is set on New York, but just in case, it can't hurt to see what else is available in places like D.C., Atlanta, New Orleans, even Chicago. The main goal is to get you out of Banning and to do that you have to be able to afford to go!

By Hollaratme (Hollaratme) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 08:30 pm: Edit

hofstra and rutgers are state skools dont bother tho they are diverse... St John is vvery diverse good school and if u do well u can transfer to nyu or columbia

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 09:33 pm: Edit

Hofstra is NOT a state school. It's a private (and expensive) school. Maybe you are thinking about Hunter? I do agree with you about St. John's however - if Mike did well there, or at Wagner, he could potentially transfer to NYU after a year or two, perhaps with some merit money.

By Mike212 (Mike212) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 01:00 am: Edit

From all the info I have gathered, I think that I have a pretty good list if schools; and from what I have read, I feel better about going to school in other boroughs
I think this is almost final.
*Reach* school: NYU
*Good match* schools: Fordham, Hunter (only if I can get a dorm), St. John's, and Pace.
*Safety* Schools: Wagner, maybe New School.

My good match schools and both my safety schools are pretty much the same; I don’t think there is a definitive line.
As for living in other cities – sorry, but New York will be my home. I will get a job in NYC after I graduate, I know it will be the place where I stay.
Thank you all!

By Hollaratme (Hollaratme) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 09:45 am: Edit

pace and ST johns are safeties forr u i kno pppl with 950 that got in same with st JOHNs and i dont kno anythinb bout hunter

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 01:25 pm: Edit

Good luck Mike --- let us know what happens!
And now, start looking for some scholarship money beyond just what the schools offer. You could use the time over the summer to begin researching scholarships and even sending out applications for them. There are several sites on the Internet that list scholarships. It may take some work to pull it all together but you sound like you have a great head on your shoulders.

By Selmer (Selmer) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 02:48 pm: Edit

I wish you the best of luck

By Amrcaneagle25 (Amrcaneagle25) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 08:21 pm: Edit

I know its a little late to jump in on this conversation but I too am a senior from a rural town in Colorado looking to go to college in New York City. I've been researching the city and the schools in the area for about year now. My top choices are as follows:

Reach: NYU, Columbia
Match: Fordham-Lincoln Center, Wagner, Pratt
Safety: Hunter, Pace, Marymount Manhattan

Stats:
3.65 GPA
SAT Math 540
SAT Verbal 680
ACT 28

Fordham-LC is my dream school. I'm confident I would be admitted but as far as financial aid goes, I'm not so sure. Fordham-LC has everything I'm looking for in a college: an Urban Studies major, prestige, *excellent* location on Upper West Side of Manhattan, dorms and a diverse/liberal student body. NYU offers all this but with a higher price tag and much less chance of receiving financial aid. If anyone has any information or experiences with Fordham-LC, please let me know. Also, a family friend is pressuring me to apply to Columbia U, her alma mater. Because of my relatively low GPA and test scores, I neglected to research the school. Does anyone think I should waste the time (and $50) to apply? And Mike, one school not yet mentioned here is Marymount Manhattan College on Manhattan's posh Upper East Side. It offers dorms and a small, diverse student body and is slightly less expensive than either NYU or Fordham. And also, Hunter College DOES have a VERY limited number of dorm rooms, I belive about 650 but they are on E25th St downtown and are extremely hard to get. Mostly reserved for Honors College students I believe. Good luck

By Eileen (Eileen) on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 01:15 am: Edit

Mike,

I am a Professor at NYU. You should apply for the schools that you really want to attend. Do not base your decision just on your scores. Of course, many schools require minimums and if you reach those then apply if you really want to go.

Many colleges look at various factors such as community service (so make sure you get some of that), leadership abilities, and being a well-rounded individual counts. So, that's my input!