Fordham  /  How to get in

How to Get Into Fordham

Fordham admits a little under 6 in 10 applicants, but that headline number hides how much the read rewards fit. The supplement is optional, yet for a school this focused on Jesuit mission and its New York City identity, a sharp 300-word answer is one of the clearest ways to show you actually want Fordham and not just a selective school in a great city. Treat "optional" as "strongly recommended." Here is the academic profile that keeps you in the running, what Fordham weighs most, and where to put your energy.

3.4-3.8
GPA (middle 50%)
1350-1480
SAT (middle 50%)
What Fordham weighs most

Every college publishes how heavily it weighs each part of your application in its Common Data Set. Here is how Fordham reads applicants, most important first.

Very important
  • Course rigor
  • Grades (GPA)
  • Character and personal qualities
Important
  • The application essay
  • Recommendation letters
  • Extracurricular activities
Considered
  • Class rank
  • Test scores
  • Talent or ability
  • First-generation status
  • Legacy relation
  • Geographic origin
  • Demonstrated interest
Test scores

Fordham is test-optional, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, though a strong score can still help.

Deadlines

Early Action / Early Decision I November 1 · Regular Decision January 3 · Early Decision II January (mid-cycle; confirm current date) · EA / ED I decisions by December 20. Applying early (Early Action or Early Decision, where offered) can modestly improve your odds and signals commitment.

Where to focus

Your grades and course rigor are mostly set by now. The highest-leverage things left are your essays and how you frame your activities. Fordham reads holistically, so a specific, well-told essay is where you separate yourself from other qualified applicants.

How to get into Fordham: FAQ

Is Fordham hard to get into?

Fordham admits a little under 6 in 10 applicants, but that headline number hides how much the read rewards fit. The supplement is optional, yet for a school this focused on Jesuit mission and its New York City identity, a sharp 300-word answer is one of the clearest ways to show you actually want Fordham and not just a selective school in a great city. Treat "optional" as "strongly recommended.". At Fordham, applicants clear a high academic bar first, then stand out through essays, activities, and character.

What GPA do you need to get into Fordham?

Admitted students at Fordham typically have a GPA around 3.4-3.8 (middle 50 percent). A strong GPA in demanding courses is the foundation, though it never guarantees admission.

What SAT score do you need for Fordham?

The middle 50 percent of admitted students at Fordham score about 1350-1480 on the SAT. Scores in or above that range keep you competitive.

What does Fordham look for in applicants?

Fordham weighs course rigor, grades (gpa), and character and personal qualities most heavily, alongside a strong academic record. The parts you most control late in the process are your essays and how you present your activities.

See your real chances at Fordham and every school.

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