By Shira Kramer, Editor-in-Chief
Throughout my time at Yeshiva University, in addition to being the editor-in-chief of the YU Observer, I’ve also consistently worked for the Office of Admissions as a tour guide and student ambassador. This role has become deeply meaningful to me. As a transfer student from a secular college, I came to YU with a perspective that not everyone shares. Over time, I’ve realized how much my unique outlook has shaped the way I understand and appreciate our community.
After leading countless tours and answering hundreds of questions from prospective students, I’ve developed clearer language for what makes YU the best university for Jewish students. And as the editor of a paper that prides itself on capturing the authentic YU experience, I believe it is important to share those insights.
“In secular college, you’re friends with people because you’re Jewish. Here, you can be friends because of shared interests like your major and hobbies.”
This is a line I often share with tour groups. At first, I said it casually to answer a parent’s question on the differences between secular colleges and YU. Now, I try my best to weave it into each tour because I feel it is the quintessential reason that students who are choosing between a variety of colleges should choose YU. And I say it now because I think it is something that many YU students take for granted.
At secular college, no matter the size of the Jewish population, being Jewish is something that makes you different. It’s something you notice, something you look for. At my previous university, realizing that someone else was Jewish created an instant connection. If they kept Shabbat, even more so. Even hearing they had a “Jewish friend” felt like common ground and made me feel comfortable. Judaism was the common denominator, and in many ways, it had to be. When you are one of a few, shared identity becomes the foundation of friendship.
But at YU, that foundation already exists. No one is impressed that you know what Purim is. No one is shocked that you keep kosher. Those things are taken for granted and because they are assumed, they stop being the most interesting thing about you.
And they shouldn’t be.
Because why should we be best friends just because we’ve both heard of the Yeshiva league?
At YU, your friendships can be based on ambition, academic interests and shared dreams. They can be built on a love of basketball or the fact that you both have a terrible taste in reality TV shows. Your Jewish identity isn’t the only thing holding you together. It’s in the background but it’s not the headline.
“You’re going to be an adult and you will be treated like one.”
A lot of people come into YU thinking it is going to be an extension of their high school experience. While there are definitely similarities if you attended a Jewish school growing up, like Judaics classes and teachers who actually care about your well-being, it is not the same. At YU, you have the freedom to explore your identity and get involved, but most importantly, you have the opportunity to make mistakes.
No one is holding your hand and guiding you into adulthood. No one is telling you what to wear and how to act. No one is telling you how to spend your time. And that can be both a blessing and a burden. Because when no one is telling you to rise to the occasion, it is entirely up to you whether you do so or not.
Adulthood is not supervised. In college, you can spend your time going to Tuesday Night Live and learning outside of class, or you can go to a new restaurant every night. You can pursue internships, build your resume and have important conversations – or you don’t have to. You get to decide what kind of person you want to be when no one is grading you.
That is what it means to be treated like an adult and in college. You are trusted with your own growth. And that trust forces a question high school rarely does: Who are you when no one is watching?
“Find out the source of that feedback. It’s often the people that have never done it that are talking badly about it.”
When I say something like this on my tours, it’s usually in response to something someone heard about YU that wasn’t so positive and was definitely not true. The first thing I do is ask the person where they heard that information. Often, the answer is from someone who never went here. They might have heard a rumor from a friend of a friend or misheard something. YU is a unique institution, and it can be easy to misconstrue the undergraduate experience if you’ve never experienced it for yourself.
But this line isn’t just applicable to college admissions, it’s also a good life lesson. Before you take someone’s word, make sure you know that they’re a credible source. Don’t stop yourself from doing things because someone who never did it told you it was bad.
If you’re reading this chances are you have already chosen to come to YU. It’s your job to make the most of it.
Photo Credit: Yeshiva University