Hillel’s College Prep Series Helps Jewish Families Prepare for the College Selection Process
Choosing the right school can be a little (or a lot) overwhelming — especially with so many factors to consider. And while there’s not yet a magic wand or AI to generate the perfect college match, Hillel’s tools and resources can get you pretty close. That’s the goal behind Hillel’s Virtual College Prep Series, a set of three virtual events to hear from experts at Hillel International, designed to help prospective students and their families prepare for college and the changing campus environment.
The first session of Hillel’s Virtual College Prep Series focused on the college selection process, and featured Sam Joustra, a top college counselor, current Jewish college student leaders, Aaron Kaufman, Marcus Family Executive Director, Penn State Hillel and Brianna Schwartz, Executive Director at Hillel of the University of Miami and experts from Hillel as well as partners in youth and teen programming. Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, opened the program by acknowledging the difficult environment prospective college students find themselves in today.
“Applying to college is always challenging, but this year in particular, the college search process feels even more fraught,” he said. With that in mind, he added, “For any school you’re likely to consider, there are probably dedicated Hillel professionals waiting to help you in your choice.”
Sam Joustra is a college counselor at CollegeWise, an organization that helps prospective college students find the right school. “One of the most important factors in college success is forming a meaningful connection with at least one adult professional on campus,” she explained. “Many Jewish students find that connection at Hillel.”
“Look Beyond the Schools You Know”
Joustra’s presentation focused on demystifying the idea that colleges are getting increasingly competitive, citing a statistic that most colleges accept at least half of their applicants. In a time of increasing stress, her biggest piece of advice for students is to broaden their net and think beyond college rankings — focusing instead on what they hope to gain from their college experience, and who they want to become.
“Look beyond the schools you know or are familiar with, and remember that you can have a phenomenal college experience at any school,” she said. “Your experience is so much more about what you put into it than it is about the school’s name, rank, or perceived prestige. It’s about how you take advantage of the opportunities you’re presented with.”
The opportunity to participate in Jewish life on campus is often a significant factor for many Jewish students looking at colleges, but Jousta noted that a “robust Jewish life” looks different for everyone — especially today.
“Getting in touch with campus Hillels is a great place to start learning about what’s available, and what the Jewish community really looks like,” she said.
Jewish Life on Campus
“Calling Hillels is a way to get a clear picture of what’s happening on campus, versus what you’re seeing in the media,” echoed Brianna Schwartz, Hillel’s executive director at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Schwartz participated in the first of two panel conversations featured in the webinar, and was joined by Rachel Dingman, senior director of Jewish enrichment at BBYO and Aaron Kaufman, the Marcus Family executive director of Penn State Hillel.
They discussed the differences they’re seeing in Jewish life on campus since October 7, and the role Hillel is playing in supporting Jewish students. One thing was clear to these speakers: Jewish students today want to be around others who feel the way they feel, and to interact with and form connections with those they can trust.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in overall student engagement compared to last year,” Kaufman said. “The one silver lining in all of this is that Hillels are able to provide support.”
That support is more important than ever. Dingman noted she’s seen students increasingly concerned about antisemitism in their classrooms, dorm rooms, or campus communities.
In response, the speakers advised prospective college students to get the real story from current students at their potential school. Two student leaders from the Hillel International Student Cabinet, Allison Stone, from George Washington University, and Dylan Hamerman, from the University of Washington, reiterated that current students are the best sources of information about what it really feels like to be Jewish at a particular school
“The most important thing to remember is that your campus Hillel can’t control antisemitism on campus, but they can control how they respond and show up for you,” Stone said.
Antisemitism and its impact on Jewish life on campus is the focus of the second webinar in the series, which will take place on April 2.