Can anyone speak to the social life on these campuses/student satisfaction? If you or your kids attended, were they happy with their choice? Thanks!
Great options – I know kids who have thrived at all of the schools you mentioned. My S graduated from Fordham (Rose Hill campus) a number of years ago and absolutely loved it. He was looking for an urban campus so it was a great fit.
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Thank you! That’s great to hear.
Regarding Fordham, would you say a lot of the social life involves taking the train to Manhattan on the weekend or are there a lot of activities happening on the Rose Hill campus?
We have a Holy Cross grad (successfully launched and working in a rewarding, meaningful career) and a current student so I can speak to not only their excellent academic experience there but also their positive campus life and overall satisfaction, which is high. Different personalities but both found lots of on campus activities, clubs and groups to join. One was heavily involved in college choir and foreign language groups and the other is more athletic with club sports (easy to join) and social justice programs. The city of Worcester has lots of restaurants and shopping and green space in neighboring areas to explore, a very nice art museum (WAM) and a small ski mountain nearby for the winter activities plus a couple of music and sport venues that always have games going on. Most recently a Red Sox affiliate baseball team moved to a brand new baseball complex which has been a lot of fun. Uber rides are easy to get and kids get off campus when ever they need. (Good hospitals and medical services are in town for emergencies). There are parties/darties on weekends, and the police/campus safety keep things from getting out of hand. WPI and Clark U are in the city and there are always college kids around so it never feels isolated or stifling. Students are generally very nice and not cliquey and our kids have enjoyed their time there. Academics are quite rigorous, so the “work hard, play hard” thing is real. There is rail service to Boston, and many go for day trips on the weekend. Lots to do at Holy Cross. Worcester is not NYC or Boston, but very cool in its own right.
We also liked both Fairfield and Fordham but HC just won both kids over with the quality of campus amenities (dining halls, brand new student campus rec center, state of the art science complex, gorgeous performing arts center, guaranteed 4 year housing), beautiful setting and location, successful sports teams to cheer for and tailgate and the academics are top notch. Can’t go wrong with any of your schools.
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It seemed like he enjoyed a combination of on-campus activities, going out near campus (ex. Arthur Ave), and trips into Manhattan.
Again, you have three great choices. Pick the one that feels right to you. If it is possible, consider visiting the schools again.
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It depends on the kid. But they don’t have to take the train. The Ram Van runs to Lincoln Center even in weekends. Students can then access different parts of Manhattan from there.
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This is excellent! My S25 is heading to Holy Cross. We’re in the Bay Area so some of the things you mention are helpful to this mom about to send her first born off to college 
He also had acceptances to Fordham and Santa Clara but ultimately chose HC. He’s very much into social justice causes. Glad to hear your family has had such great experiences at HC.
Any cons for HC? Or just all pros? We’ve heard if you’re not white, athletic and wealthy it’s easy to feel out of place at Holy Cross.
Well, isn’t that the stereotype, albeit an outdated one, of all New England LAC’s? Sure, there are lots of wealthy kids but the administration has put in place resources and support systems for first gen , BIPOC and other non traditional students. The admitted student day schedule has specific sessions directed to those kids along with other info sessions to help everyone feel included. I think Holy Cross matched with 52 Questbridge scholars, so I think it’s making progress in changing assumptions. But there’s always work to be done to improve the college. The new President, Vincent Rougeau (happens to be the former Dean of BC Law and is the first lay and first Black president at HC) is fantastic is moving the college to greater diversity and excellence.
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Well there has been some improvement. There was an increase in African Americans from 4% school wide to 6% in last year’s freshman class and in Latinos from 12% overall to 14% in last year’s freshman class.
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When comparing Fairfield to anyone else, I think it’s important to note that it’s a hot school. Applications and as a result the acceptance rate has dropped over the last four freshman classes from 52% to 25%. 
At the same time, Holy Cross has also seen its acceptance rate cut in half over the same 4 years from 36% to 17%.
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College Navigator - College of the Holy Cross indicates that College of the Holy Cross enrollment is 71% White and 13% Pell grant.
For comparison, Fordham is 47% White and 23% Pell grant, while Fairfield is 81% White and 6% Pell grant. (Hispanic/Latino is the second largest ethnic group at all three schools.)
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Points made about diversity. Please move back to responding to the OP. TIA.
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Per the 2023-24 CDS (the latest available), section H2, 56% of undergrads don’t qualify for need based aid, so they are full pay based on family resources. Note some students who have no financial need received merit aid so they aren’t actually paying full COA (also in the CDS). https://www.holycross.edu/document/common-data-set-20232024
Fairfield’s acceptance dropped from 33% in 2023 ro 24.9% in 2024.
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Wow - we are nearly identical. Two Holy Cross kids (D23, S25). D is a biglaw paralegal planning on law school, although that may change based on some family friends enjoying consumer product marketing.
S graduates & commissions next month. He then goes to his Army BOLC a few days later in sunny Oklahoma.
My kids looked at Trinity (CT), Fordham, Fairfield, BC, Conn College, UVM. D strongly considered Trinity. S Fordham and UVM (the latter due to skiing). All are great choices. As a side note, I was pleasantly surprised by Conn; the buildings are very well maintained and many recently renovated.
HC was the right choice for both. Rigorous academics but not harshly competitive. Lots of public service opportunities.
I do think the HC - BC distinction is important since many kids apply to both. The obvious differences are size, range of majors, and grad school. BC kids seem much more focused on building good resumes. It has a “pre-professional” vibe. HC kids focus on public service with a more intellectual vibe. Before BC people get in a tiff, I realize there is a great deal of variation in these factors.
Regarding social life:
- Decent sports - football had an undefeated regular season in 2023.
- No Greek life but many parties in the houses on Caro St and College Ave. Standard amount of drinking but no mention of drugs.
- As a Jesuit institution true to the mission, the local charity programs are also a key part of social life.
- My S and his friend group did a good amount of intramural sports.
- D did choir and pushed her comfort zone with dance. Her final Bali dance event was something to behold, especially for a family not known for it’s rhythm.
- The student population leans upper middle class but not overtly so. Plenty of kids from all kinds of socioeconomic backgrounds.
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Worcester is a city on the rebound. Lots of good things happening there these days.
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Hopefully the OP will return with the choice. All great options to pick from!
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Thanks for the help, everyone!
It was a really tough decision, but she just joined the Fairfield Class of 2029!
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