Jewish studies major this cycle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please answer the question - I’m looking for her to “apply as this major” (not necc major in it)….likely minor.

Need to know how it will be received? Esp given ECs are filled with Jewish identity.

Why would she apply as a Jewish studies major if she doesn’t intend to major in it? Given that there *is* potential backlash, that seems like an odd choice.

[Anonymous]

Jewish-related ECs were a significant part of my DD’s application this past year. They didn’t have a negative impact at all. If it’s significant for your applicant, include it. Also, if a school is going to reject someone because they are Jewish, you don’t want to send your kid there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please answer the question - I’m looking for her to “apply as this major” (not necc major in it)….likely minor.

Need to know how it will be received? Esp given ECs are filled with Jewish identity.

It's a little unethical, OP, to apply for a certain major knowing that you might not actually pursue it. Is it because you think admissions will be easier, because the popular opinion is turning against Israel and you think there will be less interest in that major?

Please clarify your motives here.

I’m not the OP, but I’m interested in grounded advice about how this interest will be perceived by AOs.

Our concern is that AOs will DISCRIMINATE against students who show an interest in Jewish studies or ECs because of all the drama on some campuses with Trump administration’s response.

The fact that you think we’re somehow trying to game the system to advantage is truly baffling. Our concern is the exact opposite.

Jew here you are a dam fool if you send your kid to Univ if Miami as a Jewish student moving forward . For that matter any red state. Never forget are words you should understand.

No kid should be majoring or minoring in Jewish studies right now none!

OP needs to relearn what it means to be a Jew

It's more important now than ever to be studying this. Never forget is real. Know who are.

[Anonymous]

I’m the OP. Has anyone had experience this cycle with application nation and SH advice on this topic.

Please help your fellow parents out here. Thank you, thank you thank you.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t read all the posts but there are a couple of fb groups where you could get good information, including from Jewish parents whose kids have applied recently and Jewish parents who work at various schools.

Not to be rude but I doubt anyone who pays for SH’s advice would share it here for free (I’m past this stage and did not use SH when my kids were applying).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Respectfully, the temporary disapproval of Israel worldwide is NOTHING compared to the durable and relentless discrimination against Arabs and Muslims.

I don’t think you need to worry about college admissions, OP. This administration is very pro-Israel and universities are being extremely careful not to provoke more aggression from the White House.

Agree with the 2nd part - schools are going to be careful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone heard private college counseling firms or former admissions officers speak about including elements of Jewish identity and applications for this current cycle?


I’m particularly interested in what AN is saying to do. I might also post something on Reddit and see if I can get DeanJ to respond in r/UVA.

Very interested in this intel too, please report back what you learn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. Has anyone had experience this cycle with application nation and SH advice on this topic.

Please help your fellow parents out here. Thank you, thank you thank you.

NP. Why not join AN if you want to know what Sara advises?

[Anonymous]

My dd is applying as a double major with Jewish Studies as one of them. We are not worried at all. In fact, I think this year it will be a net benefit, bc many schools are bending to pressure from the White House to try and show they are welcoming campuses for Jewish students (even if they really aren't).

Also in 2022-23 a family friend applied as a Jewish Studies major to Yale and got in test optional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious reply from a Jewish mom, consider the joint program between Tel Aviv University and Columbia.

Someone is deleting comments that don’t fit a narrative. Columbia-TAU got in trouble for systemically denying Arab students year over year.

Arabs can go to an Arab school in the Middle East. Jews aren't allowed to study there either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. Has anyone had experience this cycle with application nation and SH advice on this topic.

Please help your fellow parents out here. Thank you, thank you thank you.

Sorry, I don't, but as I posted earlier my son obviously revealed his identity through name, EC's and one supplemental essay asked by some schools and we didn't observe any bias in his results. While I suspect this year isn't a great year for essays about identity/how race has impacted your experience. I think having to remove EC's or not list a major/area of interest would be a disservice to your child and their application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Has OP come back to explain themselves?

Jeez. Some of us had work to do this morning.

Yes these are serious schools that I am looking at and I’m looking for others as well.

Her ECs lean heavily to sports, community service, and a lot of Jewish activities. Ironically, she goes to a Catholic school and is very well-rounded in religious studies. Theology in particular is very interesting to her. I could see her being a religion major or minor, same with Jewish studies.

Our CCO is pushing Jewish studies as the angle. We are worried about backlash (though I don’t think that might happen at a place like Tulane?)

Any other schools you can think of? Thanks for those of you that are being helpful.

Sorry I don’t have much time to write right now, but will come back later this afternoon.
In between meetings.

NP. OP, if I were you, I would report the incredibly rude posters who have responded by accusing you of some sort of "plot" or nefarious behavior. I'm actually surprised they haven't been reported yet at all. It's pretty clear they're acting like aholes *because* you are Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please answer the question - I’m looking for her to “apply as this major” (not necc major in it)….likely minor.

Need to know how it will be received? Esp given ECs are filled with Jewish identity.

It's a little unethical, OP, to apply for a certain major knowing that you might not actually pursue it. Is it because you think admissions will be easier, because the popular opinion is turning against Israel and you think there will be less interest in that major?

Please clarify your motives here.

DP. What on earth are you talking about? I didn't get that impression at all from the OP. She was asking whether a potential Jewish Studies major would be discriminated against by an AO. Stop twisting this simple question to fit your obviously biased narrative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered a yeshiva?

Are you people insane? I was a Jewish Studies minor in college because I found the classes interesting. Went on to a T14 law school and a career in BigLaw.

Just a reminder that college can be about education and personal development, in addition to career preparation. Both/and … not either/or.

OP's first post only mentioned a major, PP.

And then she came back and said this was only for admissions, and the student might actually do a minor.

So which is it? It does matter. And the subterfuge stinks a little.

The "subterfuge"? She is either going to major or minor in Jewish Studies. Kids change their majors ALL the time. My own changed majors three times. Do you lecture the posters who say that their kid will apply as a humanities major and then switch into CS? Because that actually IS subterfuge.

[Anonymous]

Summarizing schools with strong Jewish studies programs/centers to consider in one post:
Columbia +TAU joint program
Duke
Emory
Boston University
Rutgers
American University
Syracuse