<p>Sat 1990/1380 (740 reading/640 writing/610 math) male,turn 20 on may 30 2013
Background-super orthodox Jewish family , we literately were not allowed to talk to girls.i was taught Non-Jews are ANIMALS /secular education is an obligation and frowned upon,the main focus of our education is Talmud.
9TH -12TH GRADE-struggle with doubting my faith throughout high school .Despite school hours being 7AM -11PM we only receive 3 hours of secular education daily ,and in 12th grade we receive no secular education at all.A+ student in Hebrew subjects Except a o B+ because of my growing atheistic tendency ,which i received at the end of 12th grade.Secular subjects are a joke and i am allowed to skip classes if i pass my regents,Something i did at the start of every year, allowing me to receive a passing grade and rarely attending class .</p>
<p>Like all boys in my culture i studied in a Jewish seminary for a year (beis medrash),and was expected do so for another 4 or 5 years .I however left and became and abandoned my faith at the end of slightly before the end of my first year.
I am now alienated and ostracized by my friends family and community ,i am an obligation ,a loved one now only worthy of pity and condescension .I spent this previous year at home doing nothing ,lamenting my alienation ,unsure how i am to enter secular society,scary and foreign as it is
Take sat and get 1990(2200 ON PRACTICE TESTS WAS NORM) .despite my complete absence of education i have done fairly well .
I DISCOVER BRANDEIS ,AFTER I AM TOLD IT WILL BE A ENVIRONMENT WELL SUITED FOR INTELLECTUAL INCLINATION .I FALL IN LOVE WITH IT.
I AM STARTING SUMMER CLASSES IN NYU IN 2 DAYS.</p>
<p>NOW I WILL LIST MY PROS AND CONS ,AND I HOPE YOU CAN ADVISE ME ON MID YEAR ADMISSION TO BRANDEIS .
PRO-
(1)1990 SAT AND 740 READING DESPITE HAVING MINIMAL SECULAR EDUCATION EXPOSURE
(2)FAMILY IS KNOWN TO GIVE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR ENDOWMENTS , ALTHOUGH I DOUBT THEY WOULD GIVE MONEY TO SECULAR INSTITUTION
(3)SKILLED AT REASONING FROM YEARS IN TALMUDIC SCHOOL ,WHERE I WAS THE NUMBER 1-2 GUY IN THE SCHOOL.BRIGHT ALL AROUND GUY.
(4) TEACHER WHO TRIED COAXING ME TO GO TO GOOD COLLEGE AND SKIP SEMINARY WILL GIVE AMAZING LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
(5) COMPELLING LIFE STORY ,MUCH I HAVE SKIPPED FOR BREVITY<br>
CONS
(1)SECULAR GPA OF 2.5
(2)MYOPIC ,SHELTERED LIFE
(3)MAJOR RISK
(4)WILL BE A JUNIOR AGED FRESHMAN</p>
<p>PLEASE SHED SOME INSIGHT ONTO MY SITUATION .</p>
<p>well none of my gpa is religious,that is not counted towards my gpa .I don’t want to go to brandies because it is jewish ,but because of its atmosphere ,I have no preference towards a jewish school. My question is if the school may be willing to overlook my gpa because of my unique situation , and because i did well on the sat despite all that was working against me?</p>
<p>Hi, just for the record I’m a modern Orthodox Jew, so I know of the background you’re coming from. First of all, would you need financial aid? That’s something to consider. Also, reach out to the Brandeis admissions office who can help you better than any of us on this site are able to. Just explain your situation and what you must do further. Call or email them. Or if you can make it to Brandeis that would be better. Just for you personally, you might want to acquaint yourself with the Hillel people (rabbi, etc.) which might make you feel more welcome at Brandeis, especially if you have never been in a secular institution.</p>
<p>elnamo first of all shalom .i think you probably do have a more refined understanding of my scenario due to your background. your right , i am going to talk to Brandeis ,and i appreciate your helping me understand the process</p>
<p>elnamo
ya i didn’t think of the nyu GPA so good insight ,also i don’t need aid ,
brandeis 50th percentile is 2000 i got 1990 ,but your right i may need to retake the sat just to overcompensate for my gpa.Last night i realized i can take it next week or wait 4 months so i am doing major sat cram sessions,problem is i will start nyu the week as i will be cramong for the sat…whats a boy to do?</p>
<p>Tough situation, Brandeis is known for its Jewish population (whether that is good or bad for you, only you know). As stated previously, try the SAT again and maybe the ACT, keep that NYU GPA nice and high, and make sure to get in contact with your admissions counselor to ask them the next steps. Good luck!</p>