Hi, I’m having a tough time narrowing down my decision as to whether I would like to attend Fordham (Rose Hill), University of Maryland College Park, or Bucknell. I live in Maryland and applied as a Political Science major to Bucknell and UMD but as a business major to Fordham. I am thinking of changing my major to business wherever I go. Please offer any insight you may have as to which school offers the best opportunities for both academics and social experiences. Thank you!
Very different environments at each of these three. I would think after a visit it would be fairly clear which you would prefer—being at Fordham in NYC, or at a fairly large state flagship with big time sports, or at a fairly small liberal arts university in the middle of a pretty rural area. Also please know that at Bucknell it’s very difficult to switch into the College of Management if you were not admitted as a first year. Not impossible but nowhere near guaranteed even if you have excellent grades. Someone else would have to drop out to make space. Bucknell is also very Greek dominated social life so make sure you are up for that (at least if you wish to be part of the mainstream social experience there.)
Are all affordable without loans?
Did you get into the honors college at Fordham and/or UMD?
Would you rather participate in sports or watch sports?
At UMD, changing into the business major requires a 3.8 college GPA or competitive admission if you have a 3.0-3.799 college GPA: https://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/programs/undergraduate-programs/admissions/non-smith