<p>BU is less selective. According to U.S. News data, BU has a 58% acceptance rate, 53% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school classes, and mid-50% SATs were 1180-1370. Compare NYU, which has a 36% acceptance rate, 67% of freshmen in top 10%, and mid-50% SATs of 1210-1410.</p>
<p>Not all schools at NYU are equally selective. Steinhardt is much easier to get into than Arts and Sciences, and of course, Stern is even more selective.</p>
<p>The figures given above are an average for all the schools of NYU. Steinhardt's would be significantly lower. NYU also has a "trainer" school -- two years of general studies, than onto the "big school." I think to be considered there you probably need to be full freight.</p>
<p>I have known awesome Hillel directors at Stony Brook in the past. There were Fri, Sat, and High Holy Day Services. Don't know the situation now. There are very active Jewish communities in the area as well.</p>
<p>Thank you mythmom, I just looked up the GSP program; looks like you can't actually apply to it but they offer it to some...and she would want to apply to Steinhardt anyway...so maybe she can hope! Then I would have to figure out how to pay...but that's another thread.</p>
<p>Muffy, Boston U. also offers a College of General Studies.
<a href="http://www.bu.edu/academics/schools-colleges/cgs/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.bu.edu/academics/schools-colleges/cgs/index.html</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bu.edu/cgs/about/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.bu.edu/cgs/about/index.html</a></p>
<p>Some Hillels are strictly "Reform" while others have a variety of services under the same roof, generally an indicator of an active Jewish student community.</p>
<p>Don't know what schools you are considering, but when older s looked at schools in the NE, I recall Brown and Tufts had active Hillels.</p>
<p>I go to BU and am an antive member of the Hillel. All I can say is, the experience is absolutely wonderful. The building itself is as nice as they come. Three floors, full kosher dining hall (with some of the best food on campus), large recreational areas for jewish students to socialize and have fun events, seperate areas for orthodox/conservative/reform services, a cafe downstairs, and a wonderful staff that is friendly and organizes great events. They have small informal classes to learn hebrew, understand a little more of the Torah, and this upcoming week is the annual question and answer with Professor Elie Weisel, which is always interesting. If a Hillel House is important in your decision on which colleges to look at, definitely come check out BU. It is a little easier to get into than NYU, but offers just as much.</p>
<p>Thank you Devilsrule. I guess the price issue surfaces with BU as with NYU, but we're willing to check it out.</p>
<p>D attends Tufts which is about 28% Jewish, with a brand new Hillel building and very active group, including an all-Jewish a cappella group. Last winter D went on a Birthright trip and there were 2 full busloads from Tufts alone. Also, president of the university is Jewish............ Hillel has services for Reform, Conservative and Orthodox. Nice Shabbat dinners (attended by the U president, his wife and MIL quite often). However, it is a private school.</p>
<p>GW has a very active Hillel. However, it leans more toward Conservative than Reform.</p>
<p>I second (third? fourth?) the University of Maryland. I'm a Jewish student there and although I am not actively involved in Hillel, I know a TON of people who are. I'm on the email listserves for both Hillel and Chabad, and there are events a few days each week. And even not being involved with Hillel, I know that I'd always be welcome at Shabbat or high holiday services or a random activity.</p>
<p>mythmom,
I was just wondering where would Tisch be in the mix if you're saying that it's easier to get into Steinhardt than Arts and Sciences. I have never heard that before. The Bronfman Center at NYU is amazing - they have so many wonderful programs, too numerous to mention, but there is certainly something for everyone.</p>
<p>Another option is Muhlenberg College in PA. Private, but a bit cheaper than most others, and very generous with merit aid for those who qualify. Extremely active Jewish community (about 30% of student body self-identifies as Jewish). One of the campus's biggest events is the Sunday bagel brunch thrown by Hillel; even the priests attend following Mass.</p>
<p>Muffy- I hope you don't take offense to this, but I have to chuckle when I see your user name inquiring about Hillel! I don't believe there are many Muffy's at my synagogue. Sorry, I just can't get the stereotype out of my head. </p>
<p>Not a state school, but I understand Georgetown has a wonderful and active Hillel. Not a school where you would expect that, but maybe that is why they are so active. I think there is also some sort of sorority, but not a sorority like we are familiar with for jewish girls.</p>
<p>Could any one comment on the Jewish/Hillel scene at Lafayette, Dickinson, Franklin and Marshall, Bucknell and/or Lehigh?</p>
<p>Snowball - I'm actually not Jewish, but my daughter is Jewish and very involved with Jewish issues! So I had no experience with Hillel when I went to college, but I think it will be important to her since she is so involved with temple youth group now.</p>
<p>*** sorry - duplicate post</p>
<p>HTH</p>
<p>BOYSX3 - we visited Lehigh during Rosh Hashanah and attended morning services 1st day; attendance was slim and many left as the morning proceeded. We later found out that many had attended services the prior nite, not wanting the miss class. The space was unattractive, and, truthfully, the rabbi/cantor annoyed all of us.... (sorry!)</p>
<p>MUFFY333: We live near Univ of Rochester and attended Hillel services during fall 2006, and Yom Kippur during Fall 2007. We like their service, they get a decent turnout, and it's an attractive space.</p>
<p>HTH</p>
<p>in addition to hillel.org, some of the denominations have websites with college info, sometimes including contact info for that denomination on campuses.
since you mention your d is active in a reform synagogue -- here is the link for kesher -- the reform student org -- <a href="http://keshercollege.org/index.cfm?%5B/url%5D">http://keshercollege.org/index.cfm?</a></p>
<p>conservative students might want to look at <a href="http://www.koach.org%5B/url%5D">www.koach.org</a>
orthodox students might want to look at jewish learning initiative schools -- <a href="http://www.jliconline.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.jliconline.org/</a>
while many people think of chabad as orthodox, they do a lot of outreach and many non-orthodox students often feel comfortable with what chabad has to offer - <a href="http://www.chabad.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.chabad.edu/</a></p>
<p>F&M has a pretty nice Hillel and scene from what I know. I know a good amount of people who are pretty active there.</p>