The JTS predicament

Hello, friends! Even though I’m posting in the Columbia forum, I have to say that I’m really enamored by The Jewish Theological Seminary and List college. It’s actually really high on my college list currently. I can only really see one downside about going there: the Columbia part, sadly.

Now, don’t get me wrong, Columbia is a really great institution, I’m just not sure if it will be as tight knit and mentoring as a smaller school could be, especially when it comes to interactions with JTS students. I also really want to pursue Hillel leadership and be a tour guide, both are which I’m afraid might reserved for CC students. NYC also sort of seems overwhelming, but I hear that Morningside Heights is a quieter area.

Despite these downsides, I really love the fact that I can get a degree in a really Jewish environment surrounded by likeminded people, and from the information I’ve received about JTS through emails or representatives at USY events, everyone seems super nice. Plus the fact that you get two degrees is super cool!

So what I’m basically asking is do the positives outweigh the negatives? Would anyone be able to shed light and provide new information about the things I’ve mentioned? I’d absolutely love to hear other perspectives, which is why I posted here. Thanks a bunch!

Columbia isn’t a very tight knit university but the Jewish community here is extremely close knit and the part of Morningside Heights where JTS is located is very peaceful and not very overwhelming.