I recently visited Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan, where I toured campus and spoke with the admissions office about the latest trends in admissions. Here are some takeaways from my visit:

· Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus, located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, offers a truly big city college experience to roughly 3,000 undergraduates. The tiny two-block campus, made up of only a few academic and residential buildings, features one central elevated green space that connects the campus’s two main academic buildings. The emphasis here is clearly on the prime New York location, though, rather than the campus itself.

· Although students can ride the “Ram Van” to Fordham’s more traditional Rose Hill campus in the Bronx (and some do for occasional classes and to catch sports games), Lincoln Center students spend most of their time in Manhattan and have everything they need–from libraries, dining halls, a gym and health services to extensive student organizations (including a Lincoln Center campus newspaper)–for a full college experience right where they are.

· Housing is guaranteed all four years. 80% of freshmen live on campus, and roughly half of students remain on campus through senior year. Underground tunnels connect the various buildings.

· The Lincoln Center campus lacks the Greek life and sports experience available on the Bronx campus. While there are activities on campus for students on the weekend, many students here take advantage of the Manhattan location to get out and experience all the city has to offer.

· For business students, the Lincoln Center campus offers three majors: Digital Media and Technology, Finance and Marketing.

· Fordham’s dance and theatre programs are located exclusively at the Lincoln Center campus. The dance program offers a BFA in partnership with the neighboring Ailey School.

· At Lincoln Center, the average class size is 22, and classes are capped at around 30 students. The curriculum is primarily discussion-based.

· Although a Catholic institution, students from all backgrounds–including atheist, Jewish and Muslim–report feeling welcome. There is a rabbi and imam on campus, and there are also Jewish and Muslim pride rooms and campus celebrations.