<p>Like several other posters I thought of GW when I read your post; it has a positive buzz these days and seems to be on the rise. It might be a little bit of a reach for your D because of her scores, but her class rank and grades are good so it certainly is not unreasonable. I also wonder about the University of Richmond; I'm not sure how large the Jewish population is, but it seems to be another place trying very hard to do well by its students (as well as for itself). Also, and this probably is reach becuase of the present test scores, but what about Brandeis? It is small enough to avoid impersonality but large enough to have a llittle more variety than an LAC.</p>
<p>list of northeastern/middle atlantic schools with strong jewish presence (many have been mentioned) that would be reasonable for your daughter: northeastern, binghamton, uconn, uhartford, bu, gw, maryland, american, hofstra, muhlenberg, delaware, umass, penn st, temple, rutgers, adelphi, ithaca, syracuse, drexel, towson</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eire/new_freshmen.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.gwu.edu/~ire/new_freshmen.htm</a></p>
<p>simcha...how many times has your D taken the SAT? She is a good match for the schools listed except for the SAT score. Some of the schools listed are 60% female--which means that it is tougher for girls to get in. </p>
<p>Your D might want to investigate SAT prep courses, tutoring, independent prepping.</p>
<p>I have a relative at Hofstra, who lives on campus, that absolutely loves it. He does not consider it a suit case school at all. NY internships are plentiful.</p>
<p>Perhaps a little small, but Ursinus might work very well. Large Hillel (headed by my step-sister-in-law, who is also Dean of the college.) Very good theater and communications department (and extraordinary pre-med, rivalling or better than any of the Ivies).</p>
<p>What about Brandeis? It seems to fill the bill. Your D's SATs are lower than the posted average for the school, but like any school, students represent a range of scores. And a campus visit/interview would help, as well. (One of those "not required, but recommended" situations). My son did a tour/info session/interview there this past summer and was favorably impressed.</p>
<p>First, I just cannot thank all of you enough for taking the time and effort to help me in this process. Like someone else in this forum, I am the Queen Researcher in our family and have also been dubbed by my husband as the family education czar. I've always helped my kids through school stuff. Now, the presure is on. Like all of you, I just want to help my daughter make the best decisions possible. After that, it's up to her. I'm sure there are many places she could be happy. </p>
<p>For all those who suggested the Hillel site, just to let you know that I did find that site fairly on and it was very helpful as you have all said. </p>
<p>My daughter's academic interests are in the humanities, definitely not math and science. She is strong in english and languages, and is looking forward to exploring sociology, anthropology, communications etc., but is undecided as to a major. She is also a "foodie" and wouldn't mind (tho' not dedicated to) combining that interest with a profession but does not want to become a chef or open her own restaurant. </p>
<p>She has taken the SAT I twice already; her posted scores were an improvement over the original. She is reviewing the math with a tutor in preparation for the third test, so we have our fingers crossed. She got 640 on the writing, but I know most schools aren't looking at that score for next year. </p>
<p>It was helpful to get advice from all of you that gave me different ways of thinking of things. I hadn't thought about the pressure of fitting into a niche at a small school - had only considered the nuturing nature. Similarly, I hadn't thought about the social opportunities involved in being at a small school like Goucher that is in an area close to a city and near many other schools around. I hadn't thought about the possibility of socializing with students from other schools.</p>
<p>Some of the schools suggested by people were ones I had thought of but not seriously considered for one reason or another. Temple - I heard there were serious housing issues, a big commuter population, and the jewish community, only 4%, didn't seem that vibrant; Penn State - I simply assumed was too huge and too greek (although I appreciate the suggestion that a big greek presence is less important at a very big school); Adelphi and Hofstra - I'd heard that both were suit case schools with kids going home on the weekends; Brandeis - simply seemed way too out of reach. I'm sure my daughter can deal with a rejection from a reach school, but I was thinking that Brandeis was a "why bother" school given her stats, same for Tufts. UConn - tried, but couldn't squeeze in a visit this summer, had been impressed by what I read about it on its website, but heard it was unattractive and in the middle of nowhere and no one around my area to whom I mentioned it seemed to know anything about it. </p>
<p>Again, just want to let you know how much I appreciate all the input.</p>
<p>It's not the area you are looking but how about Tulane? Vibrant Jewish community. lots of food. And possible more of an option then a year ago. And the chance to help rebuild a community.</p>
<p>Communications.....have you considered or explored Emerson in Boston?
<a href="http://www.emerson.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.emerson.edu/</a></p>
<p>A fair # of students at Hofstra go greek. It is somewhat of a suitcase school although I have noted a fair # of students from New England there (esp. from Ma.)-just my observation, I have no statistics. They must be staying there for the week-ends. Ithaca, NE, and Syracuse have been mentioned and they are some good possibilities. Many female students do not care for Goucher bcs there are still less male students at that school (about one third are male). You may want to consider some SUNY schools (ie: Suny Albany, Buffalo). University of Delaware and UMD-College Park are tough to get into with those sat scores, but UMD-Baltimore County will be easier ( I just noted that you are applying there).</p>
<p>Do not overlook mom60's advice. Her chance of getting into Tulane may have increased. And if they have been generous with merit money in the past, who knows what next year will bring. Anyway my husbands aunt lives in Metaire (suburb of New Orleans with sizeable Jewish population) Do not ask but she is now in Wisconsin. (She traveled with friends to Wisconsin as they have family there) They went to Texas after the storm but it was too overcrowded etc- so they travelled north. My husband just spoke to the aunt's living assisted residence and they are hoping to re-open within the next 2 to 3 weeks. So New Orleans may be in pretty good shape by next September. Think about it!! PS. My neice goes to UConn (she is also from Long Island) She was rejected by U Delaware (1st choice) also was accepted to Towson-Penn State and I can't remember where else. UConn is a nice campus. It is around 1/2 hour from Hartford but I do not know how easy it is to get to Hartford from Storrs. I don't think there is much doing in Storrs except the college.</p>
<p>Once you navigate two-lanes from Storrs to 84 West, Hartford is a straight shot on 84 West.</p>
<p>Has your daughter considered taking the ACT? It's late, but there might still be time to register for the October test. Many students do better with the ACT than the SAT.</p>
<p>Simcha
We did a UConn visit last spring..I was more impressed than I expected to be.Great overhaul of facilities..lots of money invested in the physical plant.Its big but manageable,all academic buildings are in a core area with dorms radiating outwards. Lotsof schoolspirit. We werent looking for a Jewish presence but noticed the Hillel building. We are from Long Island and the trip was a snap, we took a ferry partway.Only drawback we could see was the distinct lack of a town,there's a little row of stores that are walkable but really,it seems like a car would be a nesessity.S is looking for a specific major and atheletic opportunities so it fits his bill in that respect.
Living on LI and having been (formerly) an employee of Hofstra U I can tell you its come a long way but still,no matter how many students its now housing on campus,does have that suitcase feel to it.Simply put, a great majority of its students are regional and do "go home" alot.
We know many kids at Deleware who are having a great experience. Unfortunately, since its popularity has soared,admissions has become harder.</p>
<p>Simcha -- You mention the "pressure to fit into a niche at a small school." I think you and your D are right to think about that when deciding whether your D prefers a Jewish community at a small v. a large school Although the percentage of Jewish kids at a school the size of say, Skidmore, may be roughly the same as the percentage at a school the size of say, Rutgers, at some point absolute numbers may make a difference to some kids. At a small school, the Jewish population, however active, will still be part of a broader population with a distinct social culture. Your daughter needs to be sure she is comfortable with that culture (and obviously, both Jewish and non-Jewish kids can have that comfort level). And even if she's not comfortable with the dominant culture, she may be someone who enjoys being part of a subculture that is outside the norm. That's a decision she needs to make, and I think it's an important one. At a bigger school, dominant culture plays a much smaller role, and it probably plays very little role at a huge state flagship with enrollment of 20,000 or more; any school that size is probably going to be diverse.</p>
<p>simcha - also are you aware of the SAT/ACT optional schools? I haven't cross-referenced that list with the suggestions here re vibrant Jewish presence/size/urban - but here is the link <a href="http://www.fairtest.org%5B/url%5D">www.fairtest.org</a>. Your D's GPA/rank etc. are so strong, it's a shame that the SAT's might hold her options down.</p>
<p>Well, the cross between the fairtest schools and the ones we have mentioned here was a bit underwhelming unfortunately. But still worth a look-see, I think. Muhlenberg is on it. A couple that did show up, but I don't know Jewish population: Wheaton (Ma), Sarah Lawrence.</p>
<p>Thinking re her desire for medium/large - has she visited yet? Sometimes kids change their thinking as the months roll along between Sept and April, so she <em>may</em> want to apply to some where she will be strong, even if they don't fit all of her criteria, and see how she feels when her choices are laid out before her in April.</p>
<p>I don't know whether it fits her interests, but Sarah Lawrence is now test optional, has a very substantial Jewish presence, and is near-urban (short ride into NYC). Maybe too small for her tastes, but you might want to check it out.</p>
<p>Hi, Simcha ~</p>
<p>I want to weigh in again about your daughter. </p>
<p>My son has ADD, which significantly impacts his timed test-taking (College Board wouldn't grant time extension). A practice test given in a test setting by an educational consultant -- with no or at most a 25% time accommodation on some sections -- yielded a 1250. The real thing -- with no accommodation -- yielded a 1040. Big difference! My son's GPA is a 3.6+ with great ECs and athletics.</p>
<p>I never let my son's SAT scores discourage him or me. I encouraged him to take the SATs twice, just to see.... Both sets of scores were very consistent. A number of my friends and acquaintances urged me to have him pound away at the test, and take the ACT. I could see my son becoming disheartened by the effort, and I could see him seeing himself as an ever-increasing "failure". That hurt. So, I decided to have him cut and run. I never felt that his scores would limit his options. In fact, I looked at his artificially low scores as a hidden asset. Let me explain. </p>
<p>There are plenty of great colleges and universities out there. Some are big name, others not. Many of the more humble institutions (not big name, not top tier, not highly selective -- and selectivity doesn't always equate with quality and personal attention) offer an outstanding education, lots of college culture, lots of high touch, lots of opportunities. We figured that if we built his "list" carefully, we could position him in a fine school with a great fit in such a way that his abilities (hidden by his SAT scores) could shine through. And, we felt strongly that his work-ethic, not his SAT score, would be the most important factor. Several schools were interested in my son, but he ultimately chose a small LAC in NC, and was awarded significant academic money for the fall 2006.</p>
<p>I encourage you and your daughter to never feel held back by arbitrary test scores. The right school will see your D in the proper light...as a gift to the campus...and a special individual, to be respected, developed, and nurtured. Life isn't an SAT, it's a GPA. It's what you bring to your work that counts. Ability (as measured in the SAT) is just that, ability...and often times unfulfilled ability at that. Your D has a bright future ahead of her. Don't let her SAT score hold her or you back emotionally from reaching for that future. ~OB</p>
<p>Wow reading your post, you sounded like you copied my posts last year. I have a daughter (jewish) who just started Penn State with very similar stats as your daughters. Her top choices were Univ of Delaware (she was waitlisted and offered Jan admission), Univ of Maryland (waitlisted), Muhlenberg (waitlisted), admitted into Penn State, Pitt, Syracuse, Ithaca and Binghamton. Believe me, noone at the colleges are bending over backwards to accept a jewish female. </p>
<p>Her high school is very small, with a large concentration of jewish kids. When she decided to go to Penn State, I was alittle worried. It was so big, and I really wanted her in a smaller school with a larger % of jewish kids. I loved Muhlenberg, but my daughter thought it was so small. </p>
<p>But she couldnt be happier at Penn State main campus. She is on a floor that is a living community, which is a big thing now at all the schools. She has three classes which only comprise of kids from her floor. She has tons of friends, has gone to a couple of activities with the Hillel. She is now pledging for a jewish sorority. It really worked out for her. Try not to drive yourself crazy over it all. My advice is have her apply to 10 schools at least, see where she gets in and make the decision then.</p>