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

Rockvillemom,
I hope this finds you well. I know you had a son who went to Wake Forest. My son, while only a junior, began talking about the school this week. He worked at a camp this summer, and hung out with a guy who is about to begin there. I guess it is now a school he inquired about. I know it is a good school. I noticed that it’s ranking is in the 20’s. I like the intimate size, while he seems to think the ACC sports will have some of the Rah Rah. I noticed the business school is not ranked as high as the overall University…I was wondering what you know of the undergrad B school, are the graduates getting recruited at good companies, and lastly what is jewish life like there. I think it is small, how did your son find it? Thanks for your insights…

Hi. The business school at Wake is very highly regarded. I’m not sure what rankings you looked at - but I have seen impressive information. The accounting program - which is a 5 year program - has the highest pass rate on the CPA exam in the nation. The business school has a seperate admissions process which is typically done sophomore year. Wake’s approach (at least when my son was there) was very tough intro “weed-out” classes. His first accounting class - 1/3 of the class failed the mid-term and dropped the class - meaning they could not apply to the business school. Recruiting is strong - companies like Pepsi hire Wake graduates. My son enjoyed ACC sports and the size was good - small classes and lots of individual attention. Jewish life is growing - but my son did not participate.

If you are considering Wake - look at Elon also. They are about 40 minutes apart. Pretty much the same size. Elon has more Jewish students and more Jewish life - great Hillel and Jewish fraternity. Business major does not require seperate admission. And Elon is $20,000 less per year!

If you are looking at rankings - Wake is #11:

http://www.bloomberg.com/bschools/rankings/undergraduate_mba_profiles/wakeforest.html

The new business school building - Farrell Hall - is amazing.

Elon’s business program is ranked 45th:

http://www.bloomberg.com/bschools/rankings/undergraduate_mba_profiles/elon.html

Wake Forest has about 300 Jewish students, Elon about 600.

http://jewishlife.wfu.edu/

Wake Forest is a much tougher admit - it is an “A” student school. Elon is more selective every year - but still in strong “B” student range - especially Early Decision.

RVM, Thanks for your insights. I was looking at USNWR rankings of undergrad business. I will continue to do more research, and will probably do a spring break look. At this moment, my S has the high GPA. Until he takes SAT/ACT we will not know where he will fit. Wake does not require testing. That is interesting, if needed…

Hi,
I’m wondering if some of you could provide a list of colleges our B-average Jewish daughter should consider in the Northeast. We would like a campus with an active Hillel. We started the College tour last month and visited Clark and Marist. She liked Marist but its Hillel is very small and not very active. Unfortunately she did not like Clark-thought the campus was too urban. I’ve read through many of the posts on this thread but much of the information is now a few years old and things have changed.
Thanks for your help.
juniormother

Hi - any preference on campus size? For larger universities, we always hear good things about Univ. of Maryland, Univ. of Delaware and Univ. of Vermont. Binghamton in NY had a few mixed reviews a few pages back, but I hear mostly good. I’d also look at Ithaca. On the smaller end of the spectrum - Muhlenberg in PA is very Jewish.

Adding Syracuse and University of Hartford.

I’m long past the college visit stage - so hopefully others will chime in.

Look at Goucher in MD.

Bucknell
American
Hobart

Bucknell is not really for the typical ‘B’ student, is it?

Those don’t sound like they’re in the “Northeast” though…? Except yes, U Rochester and U Hartford. I would consider Northeastern, and possibly Brandeis and BU - again, not so much “B” anymore but all take demonstrated interest into account so a B student could aim carefully and I think, get in. Also U MA Amh has a very good Hillel.

From Bucknell CDS, entering freshmen last year:
CR mid 50% – 590-680 (only 17% got >700)
Math mid 50% – 620-720 (37% got >700)
Writing mid 50% – 610-700 (25% got above 700)

65% had a HS GPA lower than 3.75
Average HS GPA 3.56

I guess it’s a match for the B to B+ student and a reasonable reach for a B to B- student.

http://www.bucknell.edu/Documents/InstitutionalResearch/CDS_2014-15/CDS_2014-15C.pdf

I’m not sure how active Bucknell’s Hillel is. If you are thinking of smallish colleges in PA for Jewish B students - Muhlenberg first, then I would look at Gettysburg, Allegheny and maybe Dickinson. Susquehanna is also a possibility.

Bucknell:

https://getinvolved.bucknell.edu/organization/jewishlife

https://getinvolved.bucknell.edu/organization/jewishlife/documentlibrary

https://www.bucknell.edu/current-student-resources/spiritual-life/jewish-life-at-bucknell.html

I did not see numbers as far as active students. But there appears to be a good amount happening, more than I anticipated.

I think for schools the caliber of Bucknell (US NewsTop 30-40ish), a ‘B’ student needs to be prepared to apply ED unless she’s a recruited athlete. From our recent experience, applying RD was much more competitive.

I would agree. I would generally not list Bucknell for a “B” student. Keeping in mind that it is not just about admission - but also fitting in and doing well - without feeling completely overwhelmed.

This is a good question juniormother, as college admissions can change over time and in general, I think the trend has been towards being more selective for some.

I also think the B average range can be wide. Some B students have higher test scores and some do not, which can make the admissions possibilities different. Also, what is the composition of the average? Is it some A’s , some B’s, maybe a couple of C’s, or is it mostly B’s. I can not tell from your post if your child is a B or B- student, and that can determine the choices. The goal is, of course, to find the best fit college for your child no matter what the grades/scores are.

I think many of the colleges mentioned- UMD, Delaware - are moving out of the B range. Another trend though is that some colleges are making steps to becoming more diversified, in which some colleges that previously had few to none Jewish students have small, but growing, student groups. Elon is one that has done that, but I think it is moving out of the B range. Some colleges in the midwest may be possibilities if the northern part of the US is still a preference. Some colleges in Florida have active Hillels.

It may be that to widen your D’s choices, you may consider also widening the region you are looking at, as well as the size of the Hillel.

If your D has test scores, this may help with the search.

So much knowledge and experience on this thread! D is in the midst of college applications, done a ton of research, visits, etc. However, still thinking maybe there is something else out there we missed. Here’s what we’re looking for, small-ish school (small average class size is more important than actual college size), active jewish community on campus, hillel, etc, elementary education program, jewish studies minor is a plus. Looking in the southeast through the northeast and everything inbetween. Not opposed to midwest, but not really interested in west coast. D is primarily an A student now, but no honors/ap, except for one honors class this year. GPA 3.5 ACT 24. GPA lower than it should be due to a difficult 9th grade year. Some learning differences/challenges that she works hard to overcome. Great teacher/counselor recs, as well as extra curricular involvement and volunteer/community service hours.
List is very short right now. Any suggestions for a good fit?

Elon fits every criteria you have listed - have you considered?

http://www.elon.edu/e-web/academics/education/teachered/earlychildhood.xhtml

http://elon.edu/e-web/academics/elon_college/jewish_studies/

http://www.elon.edu/e-web/students/hillel/

The Hillel is thriving - lots of activities every week.

My son is s very happy senior - is thriving in the environment of small class sizes and very approachable professors. I recommend Elon without reservation.

Do you mind sharing where she is applying and/or where you visited and eliminated so we have a better sense of what appeals to you?