My son applied for class of '29 with an obviously Jewish last name, a predominately Jewish first name and a straight up Hebrew middle name.
Hiding his heritage was not possible.
In addition to tons of strong EC's at school and non denominational activities he also was a hebrew tutor (also a volunteer tutor in STEM for FGLI college aspiring junior high and high school students).
For schools that included a supplemental essay on community or values he wrote about tikun olam.
He applied to 10 of the top 20 and got into 4 including 1 Ivy; was waitlisted at 3 others, denied at 3. Also applied to the top 3 SLAC's and got into all 3 and got into 4 of the top publics. He had amazing stats and awards.

No counselors advised him to hide his identity (they probably realized he couldn't). Our feeling as parents was if a school rejects you because of your religion it wasn't the right place for you.

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

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.

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.

Also interested in the latest advice on how to position applicants with Jewish community activities etc. this year and worried about subconscious anti-semitism from AOs given current events. Also, the advice above to go to Brandeis or Yeshivah is explicit anti-semitism.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Any other schools for those of us (and there are several) also interested?

Emory, Boston University and Rutgers all have programs. Duke has an excellent certificate in Jewish Studies program, but I don't think a major, that is worth looking at.

What about non-top 30 schools?

I think American and Syracuse both have programs as well

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don't know anything about deleting comments but that claim is BS. SJP claimed that but no proof. There are an\Arab students in the joint program. Keep in mind there would be some self selection bias as it requires students to apply to TAU.

That self selection doesn’t mean there should be year over year lack of Arab students. You are being disingenuous and it’s scary that people are okay with the discrimination, just because it’s a program with Israel.

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.

I don't know anything about deleting comments but that claim is BS. SJP claimed that but no proof. There are a\Arab students in the joint program. Keep in mind there would be some self selection bias as it requires students to apply to TAU.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Any other schools for those of us (and there are several) also interested?

Emory, Boston University and Rutgers all have programs. Duke has an excellent certificate in Jewish Studies program, but I don't think a major, that is worth looking at.

What about non-top 30 schools?

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.

Anonymous wrote:

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

Any other schools for those of us (and there are several) also interested?

Emory, Boston University and Rutgers all have programs. Duke has an excellent certificate in Jewish Studies program, but I don't think a major, that is worth looking at.

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.

This is college admissions! Nothing unethical allowed!!

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

Any other schools for those of us (and there are several) also interested?

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

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you want to discuss the practical aspects of trying to find a job as a Religion or Jewish studies major? If you refuse to discuss that, it kind of seems like all you want is to game the system by asking for something low-interest, and then changing to a minor afterward. Colleges hate that.

I think Religion studies are wonderful, but I'd be a little concerned about employability. I know someone is spamming the thread with how their Jewish Studies minor helped them a lot and they became a big shot lawyer afterward, but they're bragging while missing the point that they did not actually MAJOR in Jewish Studies.

Truthfully, disagree. This is a competitive game. Do everything you can in your power to help your kid understand the rules.
The strategic positioning post is accurate. It works. I have evidence with my older kids who did this (both at T20).

Schools expect kids to change their majors. They just want passion. If you have a "story" about your passion, that's what they care about. And better if the passion is an unpopular or undersubscribed one.
Why do you think all the top NY privates list majors like: Classics, French literature, Creative Writing, Women's Studies, Studio Art, Anthropology, Medieval Studies?
They know something you don't know.