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

Parents Forum
18041

<p>Hi everyone. Does anyone have any experience with University of Richmond ? I have been looking at their website and for the life of me I can’t find any information about a Hillel or any Jewish student organization. Am I missing something? There’s a lot about the school that seems appealing but I am wondering about this. Any feedback would be appreciated.</p>

18042

<p>Hi - try this link:</p>

<p><a href=“Jewish Life FAQs - Chaplaincy - University of Richmond”>http://chaplaincy.richmond.edu/practice/jewish-life/faq.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Jewish population estimated at 5% and higher for the incoming freshman class.</p>

<p>And this link on Hillel - with some contact info:</p>

<p><a href=“Hillel - Jewish Life - Chaplaincy - University of Richmond”>http://chaplaincy.richmond.edu/practice/jewish-life/hillel.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“Jewish Life - Chaplaincy - University of Richmond”>http://chaplaincy.richmond.edu/practice/jewish-life/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You can also get a good look at recent programming and events by looking at the Hillel Facebook page:</p>

<p><a href=“University of Richmond Hillel”>https://www.facebook.com/UofRHillel&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Overall, it is a small school that has not historically been very diverse, but is making strides to improve in that area. Absolutely worth a look - and do reach out to contact a Hillel student for more insight.</p>

18043

<p>Thank you so much, rockvillemom! That was really helpful. </p>

18044

<p>linymom, my D did an internship in Tel Aviv last summer and had a great phone plan which was recommended by the entity that organized her internship. It offered unlimited calls and, unfortunately, my D got really sick and that ability to talk to her every day without stressing about the cost was invaluable. I’m going from memory but I think it was talknsave.net and it cost about $40/month. For banking, this has probably been said before but a capitol one card or another card for no transaction fees (generally 3%/charge so, as RVM says, if few charges, probably not necessary) is helpful. Alternatively, having an investor checking account through Charles Schwab in which all ATM fees are reimbursed at the end of each month is very helpful. Same D just returned from a semester in Cape Town and it worked out very well for her.</p>

<p>Just wanted to say I haven’t been on this thread in awhile but it was very helpful as each of my kids went through their searches. My youngest will be starting Cornell in the fall and will go a day early for a special Hillel pre-orientation program. TBH, I do think part of her motivation is to get in her dorm early but I’m not complaining about anything that helps her stay connected to Judaism!</p>

<p>My appreciation goes to those who post here, particularly, RVM for starting this thread!</p>

18045

<p>@collage1 - Congrats on Cornell!! What is the special Hillel early program? Is your daughter going to live at the Hillel Young Israel house dorm?</p>

18046

<p>Does anyone have any current information about jewish life at Rollins College? Also, any validity to its reputation as a party school for rich kids? I have a rising junior and we are just getting started on the whole college search thing…</p>

18047

<p>Hi and welcome. I agree that Rollins has that reputation, but then, so do many smallish private schools, and most warrant further investigation.</p>

<p>Rollins does offer a Jewish Studies program and minor, and that’s a good start:</p>

<p><a href=“Jewish Studies Program | Rollins College | Orlando, FL”>http://www.rollins.edu/jewishstudies/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The Rollins Hillel does not have much on their website, check out the Facebook page instead - you get a better sense of what activities have been offered and that might be the best place to contact a current Jewish student for more information.</p>

<p>There is also an organization called the Jewish Student Union - not sure how this differs from Hillel or why such a small school would have both, but the website lists more student contacts:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.rollins.edu/multiculturalaffairs/orgs/jewish%20student%20union.html”>http://www.rollins.edu/multiculturalaffairs/orgs/jewish%20student%20union.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Your best bet is to reach out to current students and ask for an honest assessment - and then decide if it is a school you want to visit and judge for yourself.</p>

18048

<p>Welcome back, Collage1. Best of luck to your D at Cornell. </p>

18049

<p>Can we please get this thread back on track?
I’m not sure this the right place to be having detailed discussions on foreign travel.</p>

18050

<p>^huh? Seems like we are on Hillel and Jewish communities at various schools.</p>

18051

<p>Soze, please be patient and tolerant. Many of us have followed this thread for years and if you dig through the archives you will see that the conversation has meandered but always gets back on track and presently, even prior to your post it already had. For some of us who have followed this thread for years this is a welcoming community that strays a bit from the college search from time to time… ok, enough of a detour on that. Sorry for the lengthy post. I’m at the airport.</p>

18052

<p>We’re still here to answer any questions about the college search process- and topics broadly related to the thread title as well. </p>

18053

<p>I happen to feel that conversation related to Birthright and young adult travel to Israel is a related and relevent topic, particularly since selecting a college for a Jewish student might also include what travel abroad programs are offered - travel to Israel, a Holocaust-themed trip to Europe, etc.</p>

<p>And as spectrum noted, sometimes we meander, but we always get back on track. Just call us “wandering Jews”!</p>

18054

<p>Yes, ITA - some of what I’ve learned the most from, on this thread, are the tangential discussions.</p>

18055

<p>Question on actual Jewish community at college :slight_smile: - what do people know about the Hillel at RPI?</p>

18056

<p>Since not everyone will recognize the acronym RPI, let me start off by identifying the school - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or RPI, is a private research university located in Troy, New York. </p>

<p>It is a “Small & Mighty” Hillel - with a very informative website:</p>

<p><a href=“RPI Hillel :: Home”>RPI Hillel :: Home;

<p>I see lots of programming including a wecome event for incoming freshmen and a Passover meal plan. They have numerous officers - beyond the typical Pres, VP, sec and treasurer - leading me to conclude it is a decent-sized Hillel.</p>

<p>I also recommend checking their Facebook page - and that’s a great way to reach out to current students for more info.</p>

<p>Here is a newsletter from last winter:</p>

<p><a href=“http://hillel.rpi.edu/Newsletter_W2013.pdf”>http://hillel.rpi.edu/Newsletter_W2013.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>This Jewish population quote is from 2012:</p>

<p>

</p>

18057

<p>rvm:you are seriously the most informed person on cc!</p>

18058

<p>Lol, not even close, but thanks!</p>

18059

<p>@‌rockvillemom - Thanks!! Thanks especially for the newsletter; it was very informative - do you know, what is the “Sage” that is in “RPI-Sage Hillel”? Is it a women’s college?</p>

18060

<p>Yes, Russell Sage is a women’s college</p>