Colleges for the Jewish "B" student (Part 1)

Parents Forum
14801

<p>Great minds think alike; thanks all. Almost every one of these schools is on the list; just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I did not know about the Kansas mandate so that info is very helpful. </p>

<p>I may add Colorado State as I have heard that they are aggressively trying to increase the OOS population as well. </p>

<p>On a sadder note, my heart goes out to the family of the Northwestern student who was found late last night. Can’t imagine the pain his family must be going through.</p>

14802

<p>NU grad here, have been following this horrible story. So tragic.</p>

14803

<p>

I disagree with Susquehanna for a C student and it’s also not very rah rah. As to the PA schools, probably all of them would work save West Chester. They’ve become more picky since they have arguably the best location of any schools in that tier - here’s that group - [Welcome</a> to the PA State System of Higher Education](<a href=“http://www.passhe.edu/Pages/default.aspx]Welcome”>http://www.passhe.edu/Pages/default.aspx) Agree also with Arizona state - NOT UofA. Something to be aware of at any large state college is that the majority of people will be from that state and there will be clique issues right away.</p>

14804

<p>Rodney - What about Roger Williams in Rhode Island?</p>

<p>Also, regarding UMD - know kids there who are happy. They describe it as huge party school - huge Greek school. (Yes, I know there are many with this description!)</p>

14805

<p>Univ of Hartford does indeed have a large Jewish population, mostly hailing from NY/NJ. Lots of privileged kids who seem to be there more for the partying than the learning.</p>

14806

<p>Rodney,</p>

<p>FWIW West Virginia has a Hillel.
[West</a> Virginia University - Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life](<a href=“http://www.hillel.org/HillelApps/JLOC/Campus.aspx?AgencyId=17984]West”>http://www.hillel.org/HillelApps/JLOC/Campus.aspx?AgencyId=17984)</p>

<p>Can’t hurt to try for U of Arizona, 10% Jewish population, about 35% OOS, both higher numbers than Arizona State.</p>

14807

<p>Vitrac, Mazel Tov!</p>

<p>Pennylane, Shawbridge, Champs and MomofNEA: So grateful for your support, kindness & wisdom. It’s helpful to know that we’re not alone as we muddle through this sometimes heartrending process. It’s just another part of life’s ups and downs.</p>

<p>As an adult, I am an organized, detail-oriented, gotta-get-it-done-yesterday kind of gal (I’m just exuding warm fuzzies, hmm?). But, as a kid in college, I was a “why do today what you can put off til tomorrow?” scared-of-her-own-shadow free spirit. So, I understand my DD’s fear, and therefore, resistance. However, I must squelch the throttling fantasies far too often! And yes, all my well-intentioned friends with dynamic, all-around-exceptional, uber-responsible kids politely say, “Are you sure she’s ready?” or “Have you considered a gap year?” (for your irresponsible immature sloth?) LOL! If they knew me in HS/college, they wouldn’t recognize me now. So, I push forward and I push DD forward, because she’s my DearD…just as my Mom didn’t give up on me. :)</p>

<p>On a happier note, DD and I were impressed when we visited Clark University in Worcester, MA, recently. It certainly is not the prettiest or largest campus we’ve seen, and the city is distressed, but the grounds and surrounding community were clean & well-maintained. More importantly, Clark has fostered a positive relationship among city residents, companies/organizations and police which benefits the student body. Students work, volunteer, and intern in Worcester, providing an endless source of community service to the city. The city, in turn, assists with safety measures & forums, cultural, educational & employment opportunites, and off-campus housing. It’s symbiotic and every student with whom we spoke was high on Worcester (Yes, we, I mean, I, asked random students), even regarding safety issues. And most importantly, the academics and support system seem topnotch: student-centered and comprehensive. </p>

<p>My D, while less than ecstatic, was receptive and not negative. At one point on our tour, I looked around at the other guests, HS seniors and lackluster, all. Each was either staring at the sky, staring at the ground, or staring at & playing with his/her fingernails, and one had his back to us all. I felt for the Student Tour Guide, but once again, realized I was not alone, and felt more for the parents.</p>

14808

<p>Hang in there LuvMom, back when my kids were in elementary school I learned that there is lots to be said for Mom trusting her instincts when it comes to her kids. More times than not when I have not done this I have been disappointed and when I have trusted and pursued a direction that felt right it was right.</p>

14809

<p>I just received the newsletter from the TAMU Hillel and Rabbi Tarlow who is the Rabbi for their hillel included this little synopse of Soccouth. It was a different take than I had ever heard and I thought it was lovely so I thought I’d share it with my cyber Jewish community :)…Of course you don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate it.</p>

<p>Now we come to the third these holy festivals: Succoth. In the United States we often compare Succoth to Thanksgiving. In fact, the US holiday represents the Pilgrims’ attempt to translate Succoth into an American context. This third holiday, and first of the three yearly pilgrimage festivals to Jerusalem, emphasizes the relationship between time and place. Succoth is more than a mere holiday of thanksgiving at the end of the growing season. Succoth is also more than a period of celebration and of relaxation for tired farmers. This holiday also serves as a reminder of our historical wanderings in the desert, and our nomadic trek from Egypt to Israel, from slavery to freedom. It reminds us that everyone lives a nomadic life of wandering on a journey to the unknown.</p>

<p>Succoth teaches us that life is like a succah (a booth), transient and ephemeral. Succoth helps us to understand that each day of life is a gift that is to be sanctified and celebrated. As such, Succoth teaches us to harvest the goodness of life and to refrain from wasting even a precious moment of it. To celebrate life means to seek life’s joys and to refuse to give in to life’s difficulties. Succoth also teaches us to appreciate our colleagues, friends and family and to realize that while there may be some people in this world who take advantage of us, there are others who protect us and love us.</p>

<p>Succoth then teaches us that even during the worst of times, it is essential that we not forget that most problems do pass and life goes on. For this reason, Succoth demands that we question if we appreciate life’s blessings or do take life’s bounties for granted? Do we complain so much of life’s daily problems, that we forget about life’s bounties? Succoth implores us to live life with a sense of “radical amazement,” and to realize that life is fragile. How many of us are so stressed out over the trivial, that we forget the many blessings that G’d daily bestows upon us? To learn to appreciate each day of life is no easy task, yet can there be a greater challenge? What do you think?</p>

14810

<p>^ Why the h at the end? There is no th sound in Hebrew. Unless Daffy Duck was Jewish?</p>

14811

<p>Ha, good question, I looked at that and thought it was odd but then I used to do a classroom presentation about Chanuka and discussed all the variations in spelling and transliteration and then showed the kids the Hebrew and dazzled them with Right to left books :). I came to the conclusion that anything goes with transliteration. The spelling that I am most familiar with is Sukkot but I Googled Succoth and that seems to be an accepted spelling. No clue about the “h”.</p>

14812

<p>Spectrum:</p>

<p>It’s a well written message to everyone to look at the big picture and try not to see the negative in everything…hard to do but it really helps the psyche when the attitude stays positive! ( think it’s pronounced Sukkot)</p>

<p>How’s S2 doing in college? Good choice for him? How are his stomach issues?</p>

<p>Luvmom: we know lots & lots of kids who are either at Clark now or who have gone to college there. Except for the surrounding community, the kids & parents feedback has been almost unamiously positive! It is quite Jewish. In fact, S2 is strongly looking at WPI and would possibly join up with Clark’s Hillel for programs and Birthright…</p>

<p>Chardo! How’s Alabama going? Good choice for your S? :)</p>

<p>Rodney: What about Towson? On the list or no?</p>

14813

<p>^^Hartford: on the list but a bit pricey…
Arizona and Arizona State: both on
wVU-on list but from this HS has had a bunch of kids drop out that couldn’t handle it
Towson: on the list but a reach from around here, as is URI
Roger Williams is on</p>

<p>Hi Chardo! How is 'Bama?</p>

14814

<p>I have received so much great information here over the last 2 years. I thought we were in pretty good shape with my D who is a senior. Have our list of schools and have been working on applications with the hopes of getting a few out in the next 2 weeks. I started second guessing our list the other day and called a college counselor for some advice. Speaking to her was like a punch in the stomach though and now I’m more confused than I was before I spoke to her. Daughter has a composite ACT score of 28. Took it 2 times and if you Superscore it’s a 29.5. Did exceptionally well on the English/Writing and not very well at all in Math/Science. Has a 3.7 unweighted GPA and top 10% of her class (although I hear that class rank just doesnt matter anymore). I called the counselor to ask her if she thought my D should take the SAT’s next week or should we just go with the ACT scores. She’s taken them once with a 670 in CR and 550 in M which pretty much correlates to the ACT. She was so negative on the phone, telling me that my D is basically not getting in anywhere with her low Math scores. Her top 3 schools are Penn State, Maryland and Northeastern. We have very realistic safeties on her list but we both thought she had a good shot at one of her 3 top schools. So my question to you guys is, how important is the activity sheet/list of accomplishments that are attached to applications? And do schools look at the actual breakdown of the ACT scores or ONLY at the composite?</p>

14815

<p>Hey Chocchip, thanks for asking, S2 is loving TAMU and so far so good for his gut, He put it to the test yesterday. His first class was 8:30 AM he also had a physics test and a calc test that were 30 minutes apart and the last one ended at 9:45 PM! Today he said he felt good about both and no gut issues. Funny how perspective changes when he told me about the schedule, normally I would have talked to him about if he was ready. Instead all I did was tell him to do whatever he had to to stay calm and he assured me that he was.</p>

<p>Jaynebe: My first thought is fire the counselor! Her job is to make the process easier not cause more stress. I’m not up to date on the stats for your schools but looking at an old PR book it looks like a 28 was the high end of the range for Northeastern, SAT’s were only listed for Penn and Md, for Penn her math was slightly below what was listed as mid 50% but her CR was above, for MDCP Math was lowish but reading was highish on the range. From that quick assessment it looks line MD would be the toughest. That she won’t get in anywhere with her math score is absurd! I’m assuming that engineering is not her chosen major! (And there are even engineering schools that would accept a 550!).</p>

<p>It is hard to say how schools look at stats. Ranking is very important if she were applying to a Texas school. But even with fewer HS’s reporting rank as long as there continue to be listings for what percentage of students have what rank being in the top 10% will be a positive, aside from that a 3.7UW GPA is strong! As for looking at scores individually or as a composite I would expect that varies with the school and the major but I wouldn’t guess that her scores would be a deal braker for the schools she is looking at. As for EC’s its always best to put your best foot forward. So FWIW that is my opinion.</p>

14816

<p>jaynebe, My two cents is the counselor knows that some schools, notably Penn State, only go by the numbers. I think there are not a lot of kids out there that get on main campus with a math SAT under 600. Spectrum, I’m guessing you mean Penn State when you say Penn? Generally Penn is the University of Pennsylvania. :slight_smile: This chart shows what they are looking for: [Admission</a> Statistics: Penn State University Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.psu.edu/apply/statistics/]Admission”>Admission Statistics - Undergraduate Admissions) PSU’s application hardly leaves any room for EC’s and I think they only look at that if the stats reach a certain minimum. I think that Maryland has a similar process but have no idea about Northeastern. I remember looking at that one briefly with my son because it has the great co-op program but I knew that while he might get accepted, with his stats he wouldn’t get any merit aid. Who knows though? I generally told my kids to not count on the reaches at all and when they were accepted, it was extra sweet.</p>

<p>The majority of kids that go to PSU start (and sometimes end) at a branch campus.</p>

14817

<p>Bama has been nothing less than perfect for DS. He is having tons of fun, lots of friends right from the start, always busy, says classes are easy. He’s loving the football team, of course. We even spotted him on tv in a fan shot of the crowd. Paused the dvr and texted him a photo of the screen. Naturally he made friends with the other kids in the shot. </p>

<p>He went to Hillel for both holidays, dinner and services. Decent crowd, says he had a good time, though said service was too long. We all have that complaint. He made the Bama men’s volleyball team, where he is friends with another Jewish kid on the team. He has found his people.</p>

14818

<p>jaynebe - First of all, shame on your GC for the negative attitude! Obviously there is no telling with certainty what will happen, but she should be helping and “GUIDING”… hence the title! Keep in mind that a 28 is in the mid-range for Northeastern (however, I read that they had the highest number of applications last year). I do have a question, though. You mentioned your D’s top three choices, and you said you have some sure safeties… what about matches?</p>

14819

<p>jaynebe - I just looked up the three schools on our hs naviance. It looks like she will get into Penn State. Not sure what state you are in, but we are in state for MD and it looks like she would get in there. If you are oos, I think it’s harder to get in. Also, can’t tell from those admitted, who was offered Freshman Connection, etc. Northeastern, looks like the reachiest of the 3, but looking at naviance, I would say a 50/50 shot. Of course don’t know her classes and wgpa or EC’s. </p>

<p>Maybe this college counselor is trying to drum up a little more business…?? If these are her reaches and you are happy with her safeties and matches, I think you are in a good place. Good luck!</p>

14820

<p>Thanks for all your informative responses!</p>

<p>We’re from RI, I wonder if being out of state helps at all for Penn State? Does anyone know if they have to take a certain amount from Pa?</p>

<p>She’s applying to about 9 schools . James Madison, Syracuse, UVM, Delaware, (both her siblings are juniors there) Maryland, Penn State, Northeastern, Drexel & UNH. I’m not sure which of those are safeties or matches. Like I said, I’m MUCH more confused now than I was before I talked to the GC.</p>

<p>I’ll keep you all posted on how we make out and if we decide to have her take the SAT again.</p>