Colleges for the Jewish "B" student (Part 1)

Parents Forum
17881

<p>Chardo, thanks for the congrats and Happy Purim! We don’t belong to the same temple though. ;)</p>

<p>For a kid who never had a front-runner during this college process, it has been an interesting journey. She was very fortunate and was accepted to 8 schools, rejected at 1 (her major reach) and hasn’t heard from 2 others yet, but they are off the table. After visiting several schools she got a good feel for what she wanted, a campus school in or near a big town/city, one with a football team and lots of spirit and warm weather was almost non-negotiable for her.</p>

<p>While my husband and I loved Alabama when we visited, she did not feel comfortable as she felt it was too southern for her. We spent a full day there without meeting a single non-southern student. Even the interns at the Hillel were from the south and spoke with a lot of “Yes, ma’ams” which really threw her. I have mentioned this previously on the board, so to reiterate, we know that there are plenty of out of state and northern kids at Bama now, but my D just wasn’t feeling like it was a great fit for her. I do highly recommend that folks go visit there though. It was a quintessential university with so many great things to offer, not just their extremely generous scholarships.</p>

<p>We visited and she liked Tulane a lot but ultimately, it came off the list because the only majors she had any interest in were evening majors through the Continuing Ed school. The local rep led us to believe that they may change to daytime majors depending on student interest but when I called the department head he flat out said nothing is changing. They offered her a very generous scholarship and the Hillel was the best one we’ve seen, really quite impressive.</p>

<p>She was considering University of Arizona until very recently and was admitted into the BFA program for Visual Communications, something we were told not to expect as an incoming freshman. However, when we looked at the program more closely it was all art all the time with pretty much no chance to explore other areas of study. Switching majors there seemed like it was going to be a bit of a hassle. The tremendous commute from NY with no direct flights available was also a negative we looked at seriously. We visited twice and she wasn’t quite feeling it there.</p>

<p>Miami landed on her college list later than the others. We wanted an option that was similar to Tulane after she visited it and liked it in case she wasn’t admitted to Tulane. We visited Miami during an Open House before she was accepted and were very fortunate that a generous parent on CC reached out and offered his D to take mine to a football game while we were there. She had a great time and met a lot of friendly kids. We went back after she was admitted and met with the dean of the Communications school to discuss the program and her intended major. The small classes and emphasis on internships, along with all the other things she liked about the school made a big impact on her. She has also gone to a meet up in NYC and has been communicating with several kids who are planning to attend. Miami really seems to check off all the things and more on her list. Like one of their students said when we asked why she picked Miami, “There weren’t any negatives!” </p>

<p>After months of her not being excited about any school it is so great to see her face light up when we talk about Miami. Another parent on CC was kind enough to invite me in to the Miami parent group on Facebook so I am gathering great info there. The icing on it all has been this past week when 4 women I know who live in or near Miami offered to be my D’s home or Mom away from home! We are also happy that there are many flights and options from NY. I can’t believe she will be heading there in just 5 months! If anyone has links to threads on dorm rooms and shopping lists, please send them my way! :)</p>

17882

<p>As far as an Israel phone or not, we decided that if she needed to use her phone to call or text someone, to just turn on cellular service use the phone then turn off cellular service when done. I decided the cost of the Israel phone was enough that a few international calls or texts on our regular plan wouldn’t be a problem. </p>

<p>She never once needed to do that. I think all of her friends had the viber app and wifi is pretty much everywhere in Israel. Didn’t have a single extra charge on our plan. </p>

<p>Make sure that you have a copy of the passport and all credit cards and ID that he takes to Israel. </p>

17883

<p>RVM, I’m tagging along on your son’s birthright trip news. My Elon daughter applied for this summer but then changed her mind and will likely go next year.</p>

17884

<p>I really appreciate all of the tips. when time permits, I plan to consolidate them into one post, so that we will all have it to refer to.</p>

17885

<p>Thanks in advance RVM!</p>

17886

<p>NYMom, how has our common friend, the VP of Membership, not recruited you? :wink: </p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback. It will help us with Search #2, which is just getting started. Hadn’t really thought about Miami for DS2, but I will now. Do you (or anyone else) know how they are for business majors?</p>

17887

<p>Update: I posted back in December thanking you all for the schools with Jewish life that I never would have found otherwise.
My son was accepted at all 8 schools, and U of Denver was the front-runner… Until he visited Muhlenberg. From the great admissions people (Phil, especially ), to the 20,000 sq.ft. Hillel, to the 2 kosher stations inside the amazing dining selections, and all the very, very welcoming students… There was really no choice after that. He immediately changed his RD app to ED and was admitted with a scholarship and enough financial aid so that he can attend.</p>

<p>He will only be able to come home for the semester break, and I am hoping the estimates for books($1300) and personal expenses($1300) are high. He will have the work study opportunity($1800) for small expenses. What would be personal expenses beyond those? </p>

17888

<p>Chardo, We belong to the temple I grew up in along with my brother, sister, their families and my parents. It is also a Reform synagogue. My parents belonged to yours when I was small but parted ways a long time ago. </p>

<p>I don’t know too much about Miami’s business program except from what some folks have said on these boards, that it is quite well regarded. I would recommend visiting the school when they have an Open House if you can. In addition to a tour, you can meet with the individual departments and they have a student activities and school services fair. We found it very informative and worth the trip.</p>

<p>I am starting my S’s college search with him soon, but truth be told, Alabama is at the top of his list right now. He was so impressed with the Computer Science professor he met when we took him and our D to visit, not to mention the fantastic Honors dorms. The single room within a suite was very appealing to him as is the more laid back vibe of the kids there.</p>

17889

<p>Hi everyone! It has been a while but I just wanted to congratulate everyone on they DS/DD decisions so far. My nieces are going to the Birthright trip this May will the UMiami Hillel and my kids will follow probably next year. Had a wonderful time at AIPAC were they spoke a lot about BDS movement against Israel and the infiltration of J street in college campus. I will not go in details because you can search info in a AIPAC and the internet but the situation is more serious than I thought. The good news: more than 14,000 people from all races and religions attended and 2,300 of those were young students. Excited for the new Canes parents including my best friend from Brazil. Now I have to remind my daughter that school is not over just yet! </p>

17890

<p>Congradulation on all of the 2014 admissions success! Since this thread is all the way down to page 4. I don’ feel too bad about diverting attention. Do any of you have any suggestions for a main course for a seder with a Sephardic flair. I’m considering braised lamb but not committed to it. </p>

17891

<p>Hi everyone! Congratulations on all acceptances! I also would like to thank everyone for the advice and information, it has been a learning process but totally worth it. I will come back later to share what I learned but just want to say that daughter has several great options to choose from. No fancy names but schools where she wants to go and we would be happy to send her. </p>

<p>New question, does anyone here have experience with Ithaca College and specifically their OT program? This is currently D’s top choice (BS/MS) along with SUNY Binghamton psychology with subsequent OT graduate school. We know a bunch of people at Binghamton but none at Ithaca.</p>

17892

<p>Just checked in for first time in a while. Hope everyone is doing well…since it appears that momentum has been lost a bit here, thought I would make a suggestion .
How about the annual list of where the kids are going this year…I am sure over the next month, the list will grow…who wants to start this years list?</p>

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<p>I will happily start a list for Fall 2014!</p>

<p>Cheermom’s D-TULANE UNIVERSITY</p>

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<p>Does anyone here on this forum have information about Union College or Trinity College? Struggling with decision between these two schools. They are similar in many respects to an “outsider” (me!), but on this forum it seems like a lot of research and information is shared. Both seem to be excellent schools, approximately the same size, small classes, active Hillel, seem to draw students from the northeast, both not ideal surrounding towns. Union’s atypical schedule (trimesters as opposed to traditional semester schedule) is a drawback (I think?). </p>

<p>Anyone toured? Have kids who are attending? Very interested in campus life at these schools and anything else that you can share would be appreciated. </p>

<p>Sorry if it is inappropriate to suddenly change the subject. I found this thread about Jewish life and thought maybe someone here could help, if possible. Thank you.</p>

17895

<p>Congrats to Cheermom that her D has made a decision. Tulane seems to be a popular choice this year among some of D’s friends. I think the warm weather is sounding good after this winter!</p>

<p>We are in the same boat as modernmomclaire, D has not decided on her school yet. </p>

<p>After convincing herself all along that UMD was the place for her, she was accepted to Lehigh. We are going back to Lehigh to check it out again. Hopefully after that visit she will know where she is going. At this point she really is 50/50 on which school, some days UMD pulls ahead and other days Lehigh takes the lead.</p>

<p>If anyone has any thoughts that they want to share, go right ahead! </p>

<p>Just wanted to add, that D was not a B student, more of an A- student. I have disclosed this in the past, but for anyone new reading, I didn’t want them to get the wrong idea. I don’t think a true B student would get into Lehigh.</p>

17896

<p>Congrats on all the great acceptances and decisions…all good choices. I have a Passover question: anyone have a recipe for passover granola?</p>

17897

<p>Trinity College is a great school in a tough part of Hartford. I would think that most students would not feel safe leaving the campus and walking in the surrounding neighborhood. I know there have been some issues in the past when students ventured off of campus, mostly in the evening. I grew up 20 minutes away from it in West Hartford, and now live about 30 minutes southeast of the campus, so for my kids it is too close to home for them to consider. </p>

17898

<p>Non-religious Jewish S B student,not particularly hard working, shy, introvert does better in small supportive place .maybe could use some extra learning support. Looking at Clark,Goucher,susquehanna, Eckerd and needs to decide. Any suggestions? Very undecided on major. He is not a partying type and not an athlete </p>

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<p>C43: Here’s a very good Passover granola recipe. You can pack this in plastic containers and mail it off to your college students.</p>

<p>PASSOVER GRANOLA
4 c. matzo farfel
1c. chopped nuts
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. coconut
1 c. chopped dried fruit (dates, apricots, pineapple, etc.)
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. honey
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
3/4 tsp. nutmeg</p>

<p>Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix farfel and coconut in a large bowl. Add oil, spices and honey and mix well.</p>

<p>Line baking pan with foil and spread mixture onto it. Brown in oven 18 to 20 minutes, stirring twice.</p>

<p>Let mixture cool slightly and return to bowl. Break up pieces and add fruit, raisins and nuts. Toss well and store in fridge. Makes about 6 cups.</p>

17900

<p>Congrats on all the great acceptances and decisions. Good luck to those whose kids are still trying to choose.</p>

<p>Mdmom: Lehigh and UMD are both great schools. I think the biggest differences are size and location. I hope the visit to Lehigh helps her decide.</p>

<p>777Sunrise: Has your son been accepted to those schools or are you looking for more options to explore? My niece attended Goucher, and it has a very accepting, supportive atmosphere, but academics are rigorous. My nephew attends McDaniel College which might be a good fit for your son. The academic support services are excellent. </p>