Colleges for the Jewish "B" student

[rockvillemom]

Personal experience with UMBC - the only students I know from this area who attend are Asian or African-American. (UMBC = U Must B Chinese) The school really does a good job of getting minority students to pursue science and math majors. I know Jewish or non-minority who have applied as a safety school - but they tend not to go there - lack of sports program - not perceived as a "fun" campus. I think this is starting to change - but this is a campus you would really want to visit - particularly on a weekend. I don't think you will have complaints on the academics or internship opportunities - and it might be heaven for a nerdy kid who does not want to party! But I honestly can't say that Jewish kids from MoCo are applying to UMBC - Towson maybe - but not so much UMBC.

Hope I'm not offending anyone - just trying to be honest. I think UMBC is a great option for a serious student. For someone who wants a more typical college experience including football games, school spirit and yes - some parties - not so sure this would be the best choice.

[pamom59]

Nice visit to Drexel today and I learned a little more about the psychology dept. One very nice thing is classes in the major are capped at 25 students! Psych majors also have quite a lot of free electives so they can easily do minors in other subjects.

There are a variety of coop experiences available for psychology majors, though only about 50% of them are paid. Some of the areas where Drexel is strong include health psychology and neuropsychology. The health connection is a natural with Drexel's proximity to many area hospitals.

Lots of construction on Drexel's campus right now with the new Le Bow college of business and an apartment/retail complex in the works. The campus is integrated with the city but very clean and safe appearance. The campus is about a 5 minute walk from the train station which makes it easy to travel to and from Drexel by train or air (train goes to the airport as well). The Drexel campus adjoins U Penn and while the immediate Drexel area is a little lacking in retail/restaurants etc. the Penn area has quite a lot of restaurants, a grocery store, and a movie theater. Center City is a short ride away by bus or subway, and is walkable in nice weather.

A little surprised to find that Greek Life is a large part of social life at Drexel. A little known fact they also have a "Drexel Football Team" (improv comedy group LOL). There are also more than a dozen arts performing groups.

If anyone is considering Drexel, let me know if you have questions and I'll try to answer

[kathiep]

Drexel was in my son's top three. Their iSchool is just great. We were told that the co-ops were all paid and they had more co-ops then they had students! They also offer housing for iSchool freshman in a designated dorm. Unfortunately, the numbers didn't work for us. I think we visited 3 or 4 times!

[simpkin]

A little surprised to find that Greek Life is a large part of social life at Drexel.

I went to Drexel fraternity parties when I was in high school. That was in the '80s; I hope the Drexel kids have more sense these days than to let high school girls into their parties.

My S applied to Drexel but hasn't heard from them. I'm not sure it's a good choice for him. I think of it as a school for kids with some direction, who are career-focused or at least have an idea of what they want to do with their lives. And not so strong in liberal arts, but I could be totally wrong about that. I did not encourage S to apply but his sister is at Penn and he likes the area. Strangely enough, one of my parents went to Penn (for law school) and the other attended Drexel.

[Sop14's Mom]

boysx3, thanks for the recommendation. You are right--Emory definitely looks like it might be a good fit, if I could get my S to consider it geographically. I'll put it on the list and see if some gentle persuasion might work its magic in a few months. You never know. The sun could rise in the west.

[SockherMom]

kathiep-My son is a Drexel student and is starting his first co-op next quarter...it is a "non-paying" co-op. For his major, Sports Management, I would say 99% of the co-ops are unpaid because they are very popular for all students (not just Drexel students). However, he did get a great co-op and the work experience will be invaluable for his future in the field..this is one reason why he chose the school! When he graduates he will have 3 six month co-op's..and 1 1/2 years of experience working in his filed!

[pamom59]

@SockherMom- Agreed as to the value of nonpaid coops- with the economy such as it is, having relevant experience (whether or not a paid job) will give a job applicant a leg up; in addition, the contacts made during coops can held with networking and/or lead to a job offer with the coop employer.

But- for students who may want to count on the coop $ as part of financing their education, it's important to know go in with eyes open as to whether coops in the intended major are paid or not. I can imagine that sports management, and other in demand majors like film/media, are in such demand that employers don't have to pay to get good coop candidates. In the pscyh area, I was told that the unpaid coops are typically with nonprofit agencies who don't have the budget to pay salary.

@simpkin- while Drexel isn't good for a completely "undecided" student- and may be most appealing for a self-directed career focused type, I also see the value for a less self-directed student because the coop program will tend to mold that student into a more career focused one... they will get lots of support from the career center in preparing resumes, learning how to interview, be provided a list of coop opportunities, be required to complete 1-3 coop experiences. Whereas, the unfocused student without that support and structure may be likely to spend their summer on the beach or in a job with no relevance to future career, and graduate in 4 years without a clue what to do next.

As to liberal arts at Drexel, they do exist, so it may be worth checking out the specifics of the major(s) that your son is interested in to see what they offer.

[simpkin]

Thanks, good point about the coop program, that is something to think about. Have to see if he gets in . . . .

[momjr]

RVM does a good job of summing up UMBC, although a fair number of non-minority kids from our area attend. I know a few Jewish kids who attend, but I don't think that they're involved in Hillel. UMBC has excellent academics, good merit scholarships and very nice on-campus housing. Serious kids who aren't interested in a rah-rah party atmosphere really like it.

[samtalya]

Thanks all for summing up Drexel so nicely. I think it will be a serious look for D in two years. She is also interested in psychology.

Liny, sending you strength and hugs to get through a demanding week.

[college4three]

It is wonderful to see the many great acceptances accrued by the B students of this thread. It's a real testament to the work you parents have done to make informed choices.
I have a B student in the pipeline (full disclosure, the kind of student who makes the teachers' draws drop at the intellect, but the motivation lags way, way behind.) I am buoyed with hope by your experiences.
I am hoping to check out Drexel at some point next year. It looks like a very good fit for my student.
Mazel tov to all who have made their deposits.

[SlitheyTove]

Stepping away from the college stuff to talk about tribal stuff . Passover's approaching. I love buying a new haggadah every year, not so much to use as to draw from for our seder. This year, I'm really tempted by "New American Haggadah", edited by Jonathan Safran Foer and with commentary by Michael Pollan, Lemony Snicket, Tony Kushner, Judith Shulevitz, Jeffrey Goldberg, and others. So tempted, I'm just gonna go over to amazon and get it now.

[DeskPotato]

If you are looking for a very different Passover experience, a friend of mine wrote this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Diaspora-Journ.../dp/0557322235

A uniquely conceived Passover Haggadah, structured as a play in which people act out consistent roles throughout the evening. It takes place at Seder tables through history, telling not only the story of the Jews' exodus from Egypt, but also the continuing tale of Jewish survival through the ages. This revised edition includes key updates - including new music by the author - and follows the traditional order more closely than the original version, to enable the widest possible audience to experience and enjoy it.

[crester]

All I want....is a revised Passover....where all foods have to be made, start to finish, in 18 minutes or less*, excluding obvious yeasted products....as if we were ourselves slaves grabbing on the run...flour and kitniyot would be allowed because the Hebrews had it available....I can dream, can't I?


*is 18 minutes the kosher matzah time, start to finish? Thats the number I am talking about

Regarding Drexel: it is high on my kid's list. I think it may be starting to be one of those A- schools, no longer for Bs, as the bubble keeps swelling. It isn't regarded well for needed financial aid, from what I'm gleaning on the net (Lynn O'Shaunnasey's blog). We'll apply anyways, love the school/location!

[SlitheyTove]

DeskPotato, lead me not into temptation.....

crester, you can always join the kitniyot liberation brigade. We switched over to kitniyot a few years ago, because D2 turned vegetarian and it was really tough to do KLP vegan ashkenazi minhag. It's really funny when I go to the local kosher grocery stores to buy for Pesach, getting KLP lentils and rice. The checkers look at me, and helpfully tell me that what I'm buying is only KLP for sephardim.