How to get into Fordham University
How to get into Fordham: Jesuit identity, the NYC location supplement, and ED1/ED2 leverage
59.3%
Acceptance rate
$64,915
In-state cost
What makes Fordham University admissions different
Fordham University is a Jesuit Catholic university with three NYC-area campuses (Rose Hill in the Bronx, Lincoln Center in Manhattan, Westchester). Acceptance rate around 59%. Fordham admits to specific schools (Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, Gabelli School of Business) and the choice between Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses is real. The Gabelli School is more competitive than the FCRH/FCLC liberal arts colleges. Fordham has ED1, ED2, and EA rounds, and the binding ED bump is meaningful.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App by Early Decision I (November 1), Early Action (November 1), Early Decision II (January 1), or Regular Decision (January 1).
- 2.
Pick your school and campus carefully. Fordham College at Rose Hill (Bronx, traditional residential), Fordham College at Lincoln Center (Manhattan, more urban), and the Gabelli School of Business each have their own admissions and culture.
- 3.
Submit the Fordham supplement. Engage with Jesuit values, NYC location, and your specific school choice. Generic 'I want New York' essays underperform.
- 4.
Fordham is test-optional. Submit SAT/ACT only if they strengthen your application.
- 5.
Apply for the Cunniffe Presidential Scholarship and Loyola Scholarship (top competitive merit awards). These require separate applications by the December deadline.
- 6.
File the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the priority date. Fordham uses both for need-based institutional aid.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Treating ED as cosmetic. Fordham's binding ED bump is meaningful for borderline candidates.
- ✕
Picking the wrong school within Fordham. Gabelli reads as a business school; FCLC reads as urban arts/liberal arts; FCRH reads as traditional residential liberal arts. Match your essay to your school.
- ✕
Ignoring Jesuit identity in the supplement. Non-Catholic applicants are welcome but the supplement reads for engagement with values and formation.
- ✕
Missing the December competitive scholarship deadline. The top merit awards close before regular decision.
The specifics for Fordham University
Application deadlines
- Early ActionNovember 1, 2025Non-binding
- Early Decision INovember 1, 2025Binding
- Early Decision IIJanuary 1, 2026Binding
- Regular DecisionJanuary 1, 2026
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Three campuses
Rose Hill (Bronx, traditional residential), Lincoln Center (Manhattan, more urban), and Westchester. Applicants choose a campus and admission school. Rose Hill and Lincoln Center have meaningfully different cultures.
Gabelli School of Business
Separate school within Fordham with its own admissions reading. Meaningfully more competitive than the Fordham College admissions.
Notable scholarships at Fordham University
Cunniffe Presidential Scholarship and Loyola Scholarship
Top competitive merit awards with separate application requirements.
What graduates actually do
Fordham is a Jesuit Catholic research university in New York City whose alumni dominate New York-area law, finance, journalism, and Catholic Church leadership. The Gabelli School of Business is a major Wall Street feeder, and the Fordham Law School is one of the largest producers of New York attorneys. Alumni include numerous federal judges, CEOs, and broadcast journalists. The university maintains close ties to the NYC legal and financial establishment.
Notable alumni
- Denzel Washington — Actor
- Vince Lombardi — Football coach
- Alan Alda — Actor
- Geraldine Ferraro — First female VP candidate (major party)
- Charles Osgood — Broadcast journalist
- Donna Hanover — Journalist
Transfer pathway
55% transfer acceptance rate
Fordham accepts transfers for fall and spring through rolling admissions. The university has articulation agreements with several CUNY community colleges and NJ community colleges, particularly for the Bronx and Westchester regions. Minimum 3.0 GPA typically required; competitive applicants for Gabelli School of Business present 3.3+. Up to 60 credits transfer from two-year institutions. Transfer Phi Theta Kappa members receive a dedicated scholarship.
Articulation partners
Westchester Community College · Bronx Community College · Borough of Manhattan Community College · Bergen Community College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
Fordham is a target for applicants in the 3.5+ GPA range who want a Jesuit private with an NYC location. ED1 is the highest-leverage move for committed candidates. Gabelli direct admit is meaningfully tighter — write the supplement specifically for business.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.