Transfer to school with strong Jewish community

Applying to College
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I think it’s an unfortunate time. I also think we’ve seen more activity at “top” schools than non top politically speaking.

If he wants warm, Charleston could work. It’s 9 or 10k kids. 1k Jews. . My daughter was in DC this semester but said there is little politicking there. The Hillel, I believe, is the only on campus one at a public school - so the director is a state employee. And many, even non Jews attend.

Warm city - U of Alabama has a large Jewish population (over 1k), the Bloom Hillel and the students weren’t political during my son’s four years - which ended in May.

Arizona/Arizona State, any Florida public such as UF / FSU might be good. Emory and Miami on private but maybe harder to transfer.

Going to colder you saw IU, Pitt, Wisconsin and more. Miami Ohio could be another. I wouldn’t say U Denver. Not bad but not strong Jewish life.

One thing you might do for any school is on top of looking at the transfer policy, call the Hillel abd talk to the Director and/or student leaders and ask about activities the last month to see if there’s been issues.

My guess is lesser pedigree schools will not see this hostility and that southern schools will likely be more friendly - not what you’d think but given a higher concentration of evangelical in society, you have more Israel friendly people. Note an Alabama is near 60% out of state with Texas, California, NY and especially Illinois with over 1500 kids alone so you’re not at a Bible Belt school.

Really I know you just need a place where your student can be themselves and I’d look at the mid range and lower level of schools where political activity will be less active.

Good luck

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And not saying that it’s not a good place for Jews but we saw the big rally there with the Jewish student having his nose broken. Then it’s can you ban a school from consideration because if a few knuckleheads ?

Brandeis is another - just banned SJP. Will that tone down or increase the hostilities? - I dunno.

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However, SLC may not be academically suitable for a student whose main academic interests are other than its main focus areas (mainly arts and humanities).

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Geoerge Washington currently has a large SJP presence and has had many of the same issues OP is trying to avoid.

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But does Israel(or current Israeli government)-friendly necessarily mean Jewish-friendly in domestic matters?

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I think that the stories you read and I’m not saying it’s the only places - are happening at the elite schools - at least that we read about.

Jewish students and muslim students - for the most part - could go to school before - and while anti semitism has always been there, it’s not been so open like it has been the past month. Same with Islamaphobia.

No one knows what can happen on any campus on any day - see the Cornell student now in jail without bail or others.

So the student could find other places not great - hence call ahead and ask what’s happened the last month.

I think there was and still will be plenty of colleges where Jews (and Arabs) can study and prosper - and I think there’s plenty of schools where kids go to school and maybe work, party, etc. but don’t get involved in politics.

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This thread popped up when I was searching for TCU info. I don’t have anything to add, but just wanted to let you know this breaks my heart. I really hope you guys find a soft place for your kiddo to land and be happy.

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This might generate its own thread.

Back to OP’s topic: American University, Elon, College of Charleston might be of interest; however, it would be helpful to know your son/daughter’s academic major.

P.S. If going for reach schools, then consider WashUStL & Emory University.

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I haven’t read great things about AU for Jewish students lately, but Elon keeps popping up! One of the hardest things is that my son hasn’t actually picked a major yet (that was a major plus for a liberal arts college!). He’s either life sciences or Econ!

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College of Charleston is a good idea. I had kind of forgotten about it. There is a full Hillel house on campus? We will also look at Miami and then Emory for a reach.

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I didn’t know this, thank you.

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This is a great idea but unfortunately this school was actually his ED choice. It makes the whole thing even more heartbreaking.

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My daughter goes to Brandeis and I saw that they extended their deadline for spring transfers. I presume (but don’t know for sure) that this is because Jewish students are looking to transfer ASAP to schools where they will feel more welcome.

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@Cindergirl I am so heartbroken for you and your son. Charleston and Elon are great suggestions. Emory, Wash U and Vanderbilt all have sizeable Jewish populations and take a relatively high number of transfer students compared to other elite schools and would be good reaches for your son.

Be aware that there have been antisemitic incidents at most schools. The AMCHA database is being constantly updated. It documents allegations of antisemitism as well as giving information about anti Zionist professors, whether there have been BDS resolutions, and which pro Palestinian student organizations exist on campus. It is a useful tool, but you should also talk to families with kids at any school of interest and reach out to hillel leaders on campus.

Edited to add: I am an Emory alum and have a Jewish student at William & Mary double majoring in physics and econ. William & Mary also takes a lot of transfers but the deadline has passed for the spring semester. It would be a good academic fit for your son. Student body is about 6500 and is 10 percent Jewish. There have been a few antisemitic incidents on campus and SJP activity similar to Emory.

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“CofC Hillel has a unique partnership with the Jewish Studies Program. Being housed in the Jewish Studies Center, we are fortunate to offer students high quality learning and engagement under one roof.”

They also state they are the biggest birthright school. My daughter interned there last spring and was paid by the school. At any other public college, Hillel is off campus. On our visit which won her over, they noted they are the only public school Hillel operated by the school.

I wouldn’t dismiss Alabama if large is ok. Bloom Hillel, which my son didn’t partake in, is very well represented on campus.

That your son ED’d to a school and transferred - it happens. Everyone’s dream school is not always the dream. If they want to leave solely because of this - that stinks - but they have to be prepared - it could happen again most anywhere.

I wish him luck whatever he decides.

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University of Delaware seems to have an active Hillel and Jewish community (my daughter’s freshman roommate was very involved), 13% of the students are Jewish. Over 400 Jewish students pack Shabbat dinner at University of Delaware.

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It could happen anywhere of course- without going into any details, I promise you that it is especially bad at his current school.

That’s so interesting about CoC Hillel!

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Are you willing to share the name of his current school ?

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Friends daughter is at Tulane. She just stays away from the protests and is having a great time on campus and is Jewish. I would look at schools with strong Hillels. That would lead to the schools your looking for Top 60 Jewish Colleges - Hillel International

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Friends daughter is at Tulane. She just stays away from the protests and is having a great time on campus and is Jewish. I would look at schools with strong Hillels. That would lead to the schools your looking for Top 60 Jewish Colleges - Hillel International

It has private, public and the last one is how many students are Jewish and the school percentage.

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