I didn’t read the article but Lesley a terrific school for education majors especially.
@tootiredtocare You should look at UConn’s Digital Media and Design program. It’s a really unique program where your daughter will learn skills that combine both her interests (she might like the business strategies or digital humanities concentrations in particular). They also have a separate graphic design program which they call communication design, but it’s the newer DMD program that is the star because I think it is more relevant and wider ranging in today’s technologically-based society. There are tons of internship opportunities and types of jobs they will develop skills for.
There is both a Hillel and Chabad House on campus. Also important to note that UConn does consider DMD applicants a little differently in that they ask you to submit and portfolio, so they are a little more flexible on being exactly “in range” on average admitted stats for the university as a whole. The only problem is merit money is only for tippy top students.
thank you, maryversity! this is really something to consider. S2 applied to UConn but did not attend (though he did get merit money; the money & atmosphere at the Ohio State U was a better fit) and I never thought of UConn for my daugther. DMD sounds like a fantastic program and fit. She is working with her Graphic Design teacher to put her portfolio together for applications so she should be ok there. ACT superscores to 29 now - and she will try it one more time to try to break the 30 which would put her in a better place for merit money.
anyway, I wanted to thank you again for your very thorough and interesting response. I appreciate all the thought that went into your post. 
@tootiredtocare - happy to help. My daughter chose UConn specifically for that program. If you have any questions about it, feel free to pm me.
I wanted to ask a quick question and thought this thread was the best place to ask it. I have a Jewish B student (have posted here before) and recently a friend suggested he apply to Tulane. When I gave her The Look, she said that I should not count that school out because they were looking to admit more Jewish kids, specifically Jewish males. Is that really a thing? Will my son have an advantage in applying to some schools because he is a Jewish male? He is involved in BBYO, holding an elected position every year since 9th grade, so the schools he applies to would know he is Jewish through his list of EC’s and community involvement.
I am wondering if anybody else has heard of this, not just at Tulane, but any other schools? Any ‘advantage’ for him for be incredibly helpful.
@VaNcBorder I’m not sure which look you are talking about.
I’m not aware of a scarcity of Jews at Tulane but I do hear talk from time to time about implicit affirmative action for boys at schools in the tiers below super-selective, especially non-STEM, non-business boys. But, for me, it’s all been anecdotal - haven’t seen any studies or articles about it.
I don’t know about other schools but since Tulane application is free (no fee), nothing to lose by applying there. But since “demonstrated interest” is a consideration for admission (and he must apply either Early Decision or Early Action, as most of class is admitted early, not by regular decison) he should either visit the school or when Tulane reps come to your geographic area and also to your son’s high school, he attends and signs in. This way, he also will learn about the school and that he will be able to write a better “Why Tulane?” supplemental essay.
Tulane specifically wants more Jewish kids? I find that hard to believe. They already have 27% Jewish undergrads, top 10 in the nation.
It does exist, but not Tulane.
Being a boy will help more than being Jewish (being Jewish where it’s part of diversity does help.)
It’s especially true for colleges such as Connecticut College to Goucher or so in the national LAC rankings.
I too am looking for a mid sized school with a good Jewish population for my very academic son with average grades and slightly above average test scores (30 ACT). He is looking for a school with a Classics major that is more academic than a party school. It seems like many mid sized liberal arts schools have a heavy religious affiliation. He loves WUSTL but that is going to be a reach for his GPA and test scores. Any recommendations for something similar?
Would Boston University be too big for your son? The academics fit and not a fratty school at all. No religious affiliation. Not sure about the classics program, however.
There are several schools that a lot of Jewish kids are gravitating toward–Indiana University, Muhlenberg, Rochester, Syracuse, George Washington, and Elon. Take a look at those! That is a broad group of schools but they all have very strong Jewish communities.
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@Monkeypanda , i agree with @kanfly . My D has similar stats, and got into indiana, American, Elon, and GW (where she is now.). She also got into College of Charleston, which might be a good choice. Its pretty jewish, (even has kosher food). Most of these schools have less males, so he would probably stand a better chance maybe of getting in. Being at GW i can tell you that though you can party, its not a party school at all. No rush until spring semester which is nice, but you have to like being in a city . You can PM me if you want, as being a jewish school was high on D’s list.
@Monkeypanda -my niece went to Case Western University. Also, considered Tulane, Miami of Ohio, and UConn. I would think most urban colleges are safe bets, too. DePaul, while a large Catholic University has a strong Jewish population. Bradley University in IL would probably be a good safety, too.
I can’t believe this thread is still active! Found it when my oldest, now 24, was applying. Now it’s my youngest’s turn. @tootiredtocare my S is going to apply to Case. How is it for Jewish students? We visited back in Feb and it seemed good, but not a lot of kids from our area go so I don’t know too much about it. Thanks.
People are suggesting Boston University, GW and Tulane for a B student ?
These schools are competitive, not sure this is good advice.
At one time they took B students, not as many as they once did.
@eastcoast101: Case is very comfortable for Jewish students and they have been actively trying to recruit for a few years. Here is an article from cleveland metro news (aug 2017): http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/08/case_western_reserve_universit_81.html
In any event, the Cleveland Jewish community sounds warm & welcoming.
CWRU is my buyer’s remorse -I wish I had sent my oldest there instead of our large state flagship. Water under the bridge now, but I think it is definitely worth considering. However, like Tulane and other schools that were definitely B student schools a few years ago, the competition is a little more difficult now. That said, I think they put stock in demonstrated interest and maybe being Jewish could be helpful, too. Good luck.
My DD is considering double major in studio art/creative writing (next thread is job prospects…). We have looked at a few large schools (UIUC, OSU, U of Cincinnati) and some really small schools from the “colleges that change lives” book (Beloit, Ohio Wesleyan, IL Wesleyan, Lawrence, DePauw).
It is most likely she will end up at one of the small schools. She fell in love with OWU when we visited over the summer. Since school was not yet in session it was hard to get a sense of what it would be like to be Jewish on campus. Does anyone have any experience with OWU or Beloit? Thanks.
@blevine the latest poster, @Monkeypanda stated that their child had above average grades, and did not state specfically what those grades were, so they may not be straight B’s. BU , GW, Tulane can work for the mostly A with some B’s student.
I have a friend whose dau is a freshman at OWU, and another whose son went to Beloit. Both Jewish. Not sure why OWU classes aren’t is nsession. SHe went up there several weeks ago.