Welcome to the Forward’s first-ever college guide. It was created and shaped by two young and valued members of our staff, Aiden Pink and Laura E. Adkins, whose own diplomas are as fresh as their memories. They spent months collecting data and crunching numbers, surveying… [Read more] campus professionals and speaking to students, parents and alumni, to create a comprehensive picture of what Jews take into consideration when they look for a college.
At a time when campus life is either pilloried or parodied, this guide drew from 10,000 points of data to paint a real picture of Jewish life at 171 colleges and universities across the country. Aiden and Laura created a formula to rank the schools, one that took into account nearly 50 variables because they understand that students have different Jewish concerns and priorities. Some want a vibrant Hillel and a kosher dining hall. Others look for a campus brimming with social activism. Or a great Frisbee team. Or all of the above.
It’s all here — along with solid information about academics, cost and other factors. There are fun facts from each campus, some surprising rankings, and dozens of firsthand accounts by Jewish professionals and students.
We consider this guide a work in progress, and intend to update it every year — with your help. Send along your comments and suggestions to college@forward.com. And join me in thanking Aiden, Laura and the editors who helped them turn a crazy idea into a compelling window into American higher education through a Jewish lens.
—Jane Eisner