Get the Expert Advice: Our Top 10 College Selection Tips from Hillel’s Virtual College Prep Series
Hillel’s Virtual College Prep Series is back in business! Hosted and moderated by Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman, the most recent session focused on the college search and selection process, featuring top college counselors, current Jewish college students, and Hillel staff. Check out our favorite tips and takeaways below!
- Communication is key.
For many families, the process of choosing a college is the first time parents and guardians really collaborate with their children on a life-changing decision — and the first time these students get to take a leading role in deciding how to move forward in this next stage of their lives. A critical factor in keeping the process as smooth as possible? Communication!
“Students and parents may have slightly different preferences about the college that the student is going to attend, and that’s okay…” said Lisa Cynamon Mayors, college admissions consultant at Road to College. “It’s important for parents and adult mentors and other people in our children’s lives to have conversations with them, to understand what’s important to them and why.”
- Check your preconceived notions at the door — every school has something that makes it special.
Colleges often brag about their ratings and rankings, and the idea of going to a “top school” can be a source of excitement, anxiety, and pressure. But when it comes to choosing the right school, there’s so much more to that decision than where a school ranks on a list.
“Colleges are dynamic places that change over time,” Mayors said. “We as parents need to recognize that the colleges we may have poo-pooed in the past might have become an outstanding place to study, and might be an excellent place for our [child] to attend.”
- Don’t forget to check out Hillel!
Hillel’s college selection resources are one-of-a-kind — and the best in the business when it comes to looking at Jewish life on campus.
Hillel’s College Decision Hub is a one-stop-shop for Jewish families for everything related to the college decision process, from campus visits to application selection. Sarah Fried, chief external affairs officer at Hillel International, spoke about the resources available in the College Decision Hub, including side-by-side college comparisons, college visit checklists, and the largest database of scholarships available to Jewish college and university students.
- Make the most of your visits, especially when it comes to learning about Jewish student life!
Talking to current students and visiting centers of Jewish life on campus is the best way to get a real picture of what Jewish community looks like at your potential schools.
“I made a point of visiting the Hillels at every campus I went to,” said student leader Adam Saar (Case Western University ‘26). “I genuinely [advise] talking to as many students as possible — in the student centers, in the dining halls, at Hillel — to just get a sense of what life looks like. Then the most important question to ask yourself is: Can I see myself on this campus? Can I see myself spending four years here? Can I envision what my life would be like? If you’re excited about that prospect, then that’s a good fit.”
- Know your priorities.
There are dozens of factors that go into creating a priorities list for a college selection process — from academics to residence life to student body size to location, and so much more. For some students, academics take first priority; for others, it’s all about the campus life environment. There’s no right or wrong way to make your list, but all our experts agree: Knowing what’s a “want,” what’s a “need,” and what’s a “no, thank you!” is key in narrowing down your options and making a final decision.
- Think about who you are today, who you want to become, and what you’ll need from your school to help you get there.
Considering the high percentage of students who change their major at least once during their college career, it’s important to look beyond just “Do they have the program I’m interested in?” when looking at schools.
Mayors recommends considering not just the academic fit, but a student’s broader goals. Do they want to be a campus leader? Do they feel like they’ll need access to a robust mental health center or disability support services? Do they want to continue the same kinds of extracurriculars they were involved with in high school, or explore new opportunities to develop skills or connections? How easy is it to find a mentor or build relationships with professors or staff?
“You don’t have to know everything that the future will hold,” Mayors said. “It’s okay to be learning along the way.”
- When it comes to research, go broad.
From books to magazine guides to websites to consultants, there are hundreds of resources available to help students learn about their options, compare schools, and make pros and cons lists for each school they’re considering.
Mayors’ biggest tip here: Don’t choose just one form of research! And beyond looking at lists and books and websites, consider looking at the school’s social media platforms to see how they represent themselves, as well as talking to current or recently graduated students, staff, and faculty.
- There’s no one way to have a great Jewish campus experience.
“At Hillel, we know how important it is to find a place that doesn’t just fit your student academically, but also provides a community where they can feel at home,” said Fried. That means understanding that no two students need the exact same thing from their Hillel community, and that there’s no “right” way to do Jewish life.
Speaking from Elon University, a smaller private university in North Carolina, Director of Jewish Life Betsy Polk described their Hillel’s cozy, welcoming building, where students can gather, cook, do laundry (for free!), and engage in meaningful programs. On the other end of the scale, Rabbi Jonah Zinn, executive director at University of Florida Hillel — a public university with more than 34,000 students — painted a picture of a vibrant Jewish community with opportunities to build smaller subcommunities and connections within the much larger campus population.
- Ask around: How does the administration show up?
After last year’s campus protests and unprecedented rise in antisemitic incidents on campus, it’s no surprise that some parents and students alike are approaching the college selection process with apprehension.
When taking antisemitism on campus into consideration, our panelists agreed that the most important thing to look at isn’t what happened on campus, but how the administration responded.
“What differentiates campus climates… is whether Jewish students can know that the administration — and the community more broadly — has their back,” said Rabbi Zinn.
One way to find out how the administration is working on their responses to campus antisemitism is to check out whether they participate in Hillel’s Campus Climate Initiative, which provides a comprehensive strategy to help college and university presidents and campus administrators counter antisemitism, and build a campus climate in which Jewish students feel comfortable expressing their identity.
- Don’t be afraid — whatever you’re looking for, the right school is out there!
The college selection process isn’t one size fits all, and it doesn’t have to be. Your college journey is going to be as unique as you are — there’s no one right way to build your experience. Hillel’s resources are always available to help you learn more about your options and explore Jewish life on campus, and at the end of the day, you know yourself best!
Our student panelist Adam Saar said it best with his closing advice: “I would say just come in with enthusiasm and a desire to be part of the community, and you’ll find yourself at home.”
Catch the full recording to hear all the tips and resources we couldn’t fit into just one blog post, and save the date for our next session on April 24: “Careful Considerations: Antisemitism on Campus.” Register now!