<p>cheers - You mentioned UNH in your list of state U's attracting top students (H went there, so he will like the company you have placed him in). Here, it is typically a safety school. But my qx comes from the opposite end of the spectrum. Our gS is not at all academically advantaged, did not go tocollege directly from hs, now applying -with our support and guidance- to UNH and UMaine. His stats are 3.0GPA, 970SAT. We are hoping he will get in to UNH but I am also worried that maybe he will be "out of his league" academically. He has many friends there and I think expects to be comfortable, but do you have any take on a "fit" like this?</p>
<p>marny1 - S most likely heading to Tulane in the fall. As a "blended" family, he does not totally self-identify as Jewish, but if you'd like me to report on "feel" there from that perspective, let me know. It certainly passes the "warmth" test on your Ds wish list. (And, boy, do they like to trade on that - S received a holiday card showing Tulane's snow covered campus with a tag line something like - "every 100 years". Their accpetance materials had a note across the front - "don't bother bringing your warm winter clothes.")</p>
<p>politics26 - W&L has a small Jewish presence and is a conservative school. Emory has a big Jewish contingent, many from up north as well as the south. Emory is not "southern".</p>
<p>marny1 - If you are looking south consider UVA....has a decent # of Jews. As you mention Georgia has an active Jewish life....we know quite a few there. Also consider College of Charleston.....</p>
<p>We're not Jewish, so take my comments with a grain of salt! DD's best friend's brother (observant conservative Jewish family) went to Tulane and was by all reports content (the family moved out of state after his freshman year, so we kind of lost touch). My partner's daughter (not so observant Jewish family) went to WUSTL several years ago, but piecing things together, I think one of the main draws was the active Jewish community - it worked, she met a nice boy and has been happily married for a few years now.
That's interesting Oldman, about the College of Charleston, I knew that it was rather racially diverse. It seems like a school that might be a good choice for my son who is coming along in a few years - he has no interest in getting way out of the South, but isn't the good ole boy type either.</p>
<p>Thanks oldman. D # 1 applied to UVA and W & M. Was rejected from UVA. It's very difficult for out of state kids to get into UVA, W & M and UNC. She's now at Cornell school of Labor Relations. This is one of the best bargains for NYS students so I am a "happy camper". College of Charleston is on my radar thanks to CC parents as I was not at all familiar with this school until I read other posts about the school. But not sure how d # 2 will do on SAT's. I have been on College of Charleston website and it does seem very promising-- but I'm not sure if she's going to have the stats. We'll know better in the spring as she is taking SAT in May. Thanks again.</p>
<p>I have heard good things about James Madison....may/may not meet your criteria. Further south FSU, U South Florida and U Central Florida have good # Jews.</p>
<p>UNC has a new Hillel. When I was there in the mid 60s it wasn't especially welcoming to Jews.</p>
<p>U of Miami (FL) is 25% Jewish. </p>
<p>My D had a great experience at Grinnell - very active Chalutzim group, Rabbi on campus, kosher kitchen and lots of NYers, which surprised me, given it is in Iowa!</p>
<p>Is Grinnell as "funky" as the reputation? How/why did she choose it? I hear they work hard.</p>
<p>jnmom, don't know enough about UNH to write on those specifics but it is a northern state school on the national radar. I know two kids there, one from an elite private school in Atlanta and the other (a midwestener) from an elite boarding school in Maine. </p>
<p>Tulane vs WUSTL. The Greek system at Tulane, historically, has a 'southern' (white, wasp, southern) feel--despite large numbers from the NE. The Greek system at WUSTL seems more integrated, more homogeneous--physically and socially.</p>
<p>Some might argue that New Orleans, complete with Napoleonic Law, is a country unto itself. All the same, despite strong Northeastern ties and influences, there is a southern feel to Tulane. That's a good thing--if you are truly looking for a diverse experience. That's a plus over WUSTL and Emory, IMHO.</p>
<p>In Florida fewer students go out of state than in the past because of the very generous scholarship program offered by the state. It's a free ride + book allowance if your grades & SAT/ACT scores are good enough. You can also use the scholarship at private FL colleges. Does GA have a similar program?</p>
<p>Georgia has the HOPE funds....lottery supported...in effect no tuition if you are in state and a good student.</p>
<p>According to the Hillel website:</p>
<p>Washington and Lee:Undergraduate Population: 1800
Graduate Population: 400<br>
Jewish Enrollment: Jewish Undergraduate Population: 50 (approx.)
Jewish Graduate Population: 10 (approx.) </p>
<p>Wake Forest: no data provided (which is unusual) but they do offer a link to the WakeForest Hillel website</p>
<p>Tulane: Enrollment: Undergraduate Population: 7862
Graduate Population: 2687<br>
Jewish Enrollment: Jewish Undergraduate Population: 2000 (approx.)
Jewish Graduate Population: 500 (approx.)</p>
<p>thanks to all the parents who responded to my question about W&L. If anyone else has further input feel free to share :-)</p>
<p>Washingto and Lee is in a very pretty but bery small town in the middle of nowhere. Its campus abuts Virginia Military Academy - about as Southern an institution as you will fine. Both schools were for years all male.</p>
<p>We were initially drawn to Grinnell after reading an aticle in the NY Tmes. D liked the literature they mailed to us and began researching it. Seemed it would be a good fit, and it was. D did not visit until April during a weekend for prospective students. I guess you could say it is funky but D assures me there are preppy kids there too. On the other hand, my S said it was too alternative for him.... She absolutley loved every minute there.</p>
<p>They treated her very well. Merit money to start, a grant to support a summer internship, then more merit money from her major dept. Profs knew her by name and continue to act as mentors/advisors although she graduated in 02. We were so pleased that we actually donated a little money while still paying tuition!!!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>This is for the California parents posting earlier--what is your opinion on whether the education provided by the U.C.'s is comparable to a middling-to-good LAC in the realms of critical thinking, writing and speaking? I have Junior twins and am agonizing over the dilemma, because it will cost a fortune to go private. Yet I hate to think that they will just be learning from a book or purchased lecture notes the way their older brother did. Do you have any recommendations on UC or CSU campuses that have smaller classes or require more participation? Thanks.</p>
<p>iggal, I wouldn't worry about getting a good education at a UC. Save your money. My kids go to a public high school with average SAT scores of 1200. Over 50% of the top 150 kids go to UCs.
I know many kids that are going to UCs. Almost everyone thinks they are getting a good education.
Don't worry.</p>
<p>If you are interested in CSU campuses, I would look at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State, Chico State, maybe Sonoma State and Long Beach State, and if you want an edgier school, Humboldt State.</p>
<p>Thanks dstark. My husband took one of the boys to visit Cal Poly and they liked what they saw, although the business class they attended wasn't too challenging. Chico's reputation as a party makes me shudder, especially since the death of the boy last week due to hazing. I am unfamiliar with the other Cal States and should visit, since they would be safeties.</p>