What about tulane? if his school is as tough as you say, his local rep might know that it is worth more than it appears. The 32 is a great score. Tulane covets demonstrated interest. Perhaps consider reaching out to his local rep and inquire if it is possible. It is a bit of a stretch, but good marketing of him might help. Syracuse might be easier, and has business? If he has a good second semester, that will also help him.
Hey Oliver17, if Iâm not mistaken, donât you have a daughter who goes to Tulane?? lolâŠmiss you!
@oliver17 sounds like your son needs a college where he can bloom, and start to thrive.
You sound disappointed that he might not go to a âbragâ school.
Personally I would seek out schools that are good fits where he can do really well and launch him to a life of happiness and success.
Winning is not getting into the âtopâ schools. Especially if one gets in and then gets weeded out of his desired major and relatively feels he is overmatched. That can just be a symptom of picking the wrong school. It is not about getting into the best school, but rather the school that is best for you.
@ClarinetDad16 I am very sad that you think I want a âbrag schoolâ and I just re read my post- not sure what I said that indicated that. I agree that a child needs the right fit, I donât care about the rest, hence- my question of middle size schools with a Jewish population for b students. @jozuko - I do have a daughter at Tulane, how did you remember that?
@BigPapiofthree by the way, I wasnât saying his school was the most challenging school ( itâs a good school but we have lots of good schools and some more rigorous) I was saying that he is taking the most challenging that his school offers. I may not have worded that properly
@oliver17 - âif only he had the gradesââŠ
@ClarinetDad16, I think that you misread @oliver17âs post. She is clearly not looking for a âbrag schoolâ but for a school that is the right fit for an obviously bright kid (34 ACT) whose grades are not a true indicator of his potential. She is looking for the âright fitâ for her son (mid size with a Jewish population) and is seeking our help, not our criticism.
@jozuko - there are many great fits for a well prepped kid who scored well on the standardized tests but is a late bloomer academically. Wishing they had the grades most likely refers to opening the doors to prestigious schools that most likely would be more of the same (poor grades) for their child.
It is not criticism to lend input on how to determine fit - not the best school one gets in but the best school for him.
If that is not useful advice, not sure what is.
oliver17 - have you had a heart-to-heart about the grades? If the grades are lower than he is capable of due to lack of turning in homework - that is fixable. College admissions will appreciate an upward trajectory on his grades - an awesome spring semester will go a long way!
You can use this search engine to identify schools with a good-sized Jewish population and it also shows public or private and undergrad population.
http://www.hillel.org/college-guide/search#radius=10&select=top60
For private schools above 5000 students, but not too large - University of Hartford, Johns Hopkins, Elon, Pace, Ithaca, University of Rochester, Quinnipiac, University of Tampa, Hofsta, Anerican University and Emory University were the first few. I realize Johns Hopkins and Emory might be a stretch - but this list should give you a few ideas as a starting point.
Interesting article reviewing the Hillel data (not all for B students but I felt like it belongs on this thread).
http://www.jta.org/2015/12/17/news-opinion/united-states/7-facts
Great information!
@oliver17: Look into Elon, Ithaca, UTampa, Towson, SUNY New Paltz.
If heâs able to bring his grades to a 3.5 weighted and he applies DUS and Fall with optional Summer Session, he has a shot at Penn State. Students who take the âentrance to major/businessâ courses as DUS students and complete their pre-reqs are guaranteed admission to Smeal with a 3.2 overal GPA and no D/F by Spring Sophomore year (3.5 for finance).
https://advising.psu.edu/entrance-major-requirements-smeal-college-business-entering-penn-state-summer-2015
@BigPapiofthree , @MYOS1634 and @rockvillemom , thanks for all your suggestions! We are looking into all of them. Hope you all had a nice holiday season and are staying warm!
Please feel free to post info about your campus visits and impressions of Jewish life on campus. We need more current updates.
Looking for input on Jewish life at Virginia public universities
My DD is looking at the Virginia public universities. As a B student, UVA, William and Mary (and probably VT) are out of reach.
Any information on the relative strength of Jewish life at the other schools would be appreciated.
I posted several questions on this thread in the past and wanted to update and share. My daughter applied and has been accepted to both Goucher and university of Hartford, after looking at multiple schools up and down the east coast. She has decided on university of Hartford. Fit the best for her interests-program of study, active Jewish community, small but not too small, etc. a but far from home and different climate (we are in the southeast) but she is excited for the change of scenery! Nice scholarship as well. Thanks to everyone for their advice along the way.
@handlmom - congratulations, and thanks for letting us know.
@tjdad2011 - how about James Madison? Itâs been a few years since my younger sonâs college search - but we visited JMU and it met our criteria on Jewish life. I would not rule VT out either - no harm in applying. Recollection is VT had an amazing Hillel facility and stronger Jewish presence than JMU.
VT and JMU are both on Hillel.orgâs list of Top 60 Public Universities attended by Jewish Students. VT is #43 on the list with an estimated 2000 Jewish students (8%) and JMU just makes it onto the list at #60 - with an estimated 1200 Jewish students (6%).
since we are discussing Virginia publics for jewish kids, my S(17) is very interested in UVa. How is jewish life there, and how would it compare to the experience all around at a Michigan by comparison. Mich. has large amount of kids I know. Academically they are similar. The weather is better in Va. Can a jewish kids find his peeps at UVA?