11 replies to this topic

[Smile100]

hey! so I applied to MR and I really want to go but wanted to know a few things: Please answer only if u went recently (like 1-3 years) or know info from someone who did!

What are the academics like? I know people say "manageable" but what does that mean?

Also, what types of girls go there (hashkaficly)? I know its a big mix but like in general.

THANKS!!!!

[Bas-Levi]

I went to Machon Raaya and b"H loved it. The academics are rigorous and demanding, the learning is very intellectually-based and in-depth. There is a heavy workload, but if you budget your time well, you'll find yourself able to manage all your hachanos/ assignments.

The girls are good, fun, out of towny BY girls (and yes, they have Brooklyn and Lakewood too ;-). In general, I would say the seminary has regular BY girls who are open-minded. Not a cookie-cutter group in terms of "type."

Hatzlacha rabbah! It's a fantastic place and I recommend it 100%.

[chocolatemilk]

Hi! I just got into Machon Raaya today!! YAY!! I no there is a lot of in-text. Do you think you gain a lot of hashkafa/love of yiddishkeit/depth to yiddiskeit/personal derech stuff from the text? is it relevant to you or just gaining lots of skills so u can open a sefer + teach?

[Bas-Levi]

Hi! I just got into Machon Raaya today!! YAY!! I no there is a lot of in-text. Do you think you gain a lot of hashkafa/love of yiddishkeit/depth to yiddiskeit/personal derech stuff from the text? is it relevant to you or just gaining lots of skills so u can open a sefer + teach?

Hi--mazal tov on getting in! You should be matzliach!

Machon Raaya teaches hashkafa, life lessons, depth to and love of Yiddishkeit through the text. Everything is grounded in mekoros--and they show you the mekoros inside, teaching you how to learn while drawing out lessons that are relevant, meaningful and real. The learning derech is very balanced and the teachers are tops--they give over, both in their lessons and in their conduct, what it means to love Yiddishkeit and Torah and to serve Hashem b'ratzon.

Feel free to ask any more questions!

[tzumisht]

hi, i'm in machon raaya and loving it!!!!!! (how can anyone not?!) i probably won't have access again for a while, but i'll try to answer what i can now, though i think Bas-Levi kinda covered it all....
yes there is a lot of work, but totally manageable. depending where you come from is how challenging it will be, but everyone is challenged. i'm in more classes than i need to be, and still have plenty of time to myself.
a lot of hashkafa comes through the text, but there are discussions as well. everything is sourced, and if it isn't, and you want to know the source, they tell you! there are a few big reports, and of course tests here and there, but really nothing terrible. and the teachers are all perfectly approachable and willing to work with you - a slightly embarassing personal example, we had a parsha report due 2 weeks ago, and i was almost done when mine went missing, things got a little hectic the next week, and as of right now, i still haven't handed it in.... and other girls who were not able to finish yet got extensions. NOT condoning procrastination though
anyways, sorry if i'm not being so clear, i'm sure Bas-Levi can clear up any confusion that i've created! mazal tov on getting it, and you'll have the best year ever!!!!!!!!!

[honeydew :)]

Hey chocolatemilk and smile100..r u going to BYMR in the end???

[Role Model Wannabe]

What about the concern of seminary vs. college. Eventhough now you can easily get almost the same amount of credits, there's still people that say that sem takes up a year of your life. Is this true?
And also what happens if you get there and don't like it, can you switch mid-year or go home altogether?

[honeydew :)]

What about the concern of seminary vs. college. Eventhough now you can easily get almost the same amount of credits, there's still people that say that sem takes up a year of your life. Is this true?
And also what happens if you get there and don't like it, can you switch mid-year or go home altogether?

Role Model Wannabe: Are you going to sem/BYMR this year?

Yes, seminary does takes up a year of your life, but it is well worth it. Seminary is supposed to build a foundation for a good home one day. You can't expect to get the spiritual side of seminary in college.

"If you get to sem, and you dont like it..." For most people, seminary does take getting used to in the beginning, doesn't mean you wont have a great year.
I personally know some1 that didn't like it, and went home; she then went back the next year (to a diff place) and loved it. It depends on the person. But for most people, they eventually come to LOVE seminary, and dont wanna leave!!

Switching seminaries mid-year, I dont think I have heard of it much, but I'm sure that certain places would take some1 half way, like Shoshanim, Peninim, Bnos Chana, some place on Nevei Campus, maybe...I'm not sure abt these places, you would have to look into them, it's just some suggestions...

Anyway, if u r planning 2 go this year, I'm sure you'll love every minute of it!! Hatzlachah in making the right decision.

[Role Model Wannabe]

Honeydew;) ; Sorry for not responding earlier. Thank you so much for that info, it was very helpful! I do still have more questions if you'd be willing to answer , or anyone else.

Are there people who would be able to do well even without going to seminary?
I know that it is very important in terms of Shidduchim to have attended sem, but I feel like why should someone go to sem just for that! Is that a correct notion?
Also, do you know of any website or information place that would tell me about every seminary and "its type?"

Again, thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it. .

[honeydew :)]

Hi Role model Wannabe
For your Questions:
Are there people that are able to do well without going to seminary?
Of course! Some people won’t go to seminary, because they don’t feel it’s for them – and that’s fine.

I know that it is very important in terms of Shidduchim to have attended sem, but I feel like why should someone go to sem just for that! Is that a correct notion?
Your right, unfortunately in the world we live in, everything revolves around what you do that makes you a 'good girl' for shidduchim. Never mind if u are great kid, if you didn't learn in such and such place...Whoa, we won’t touch u! Shidduchim these days are based on such shallow things:(...Do u scrape of stack, what size you are etc...
But honestly, if you feel that college is best for you, and that’s the type of life you want to lead, (Career and all that), then that’s you, and by Shiduchim time, you will hopefully be looking for a guy that matches you life values and ideals.
Going to seminary, just for the name, shouldn't be the goal of any1. People that go to seminary should want to eventually lead a life based on what their seminary values are. (MO sem =MO Values, BY Sem = BY Values, etc.)
That being said, just because you want to pursue a career after seminary, doesn’t mean you don’t want to raise a family based on good hashkafic values.

So, to sum up
If you are going/planning to go to seminary JUST for the name and shidduchim, I would say not to go, because by shidduchim that is not showing the real you, cuz going to seminary in this instance is following the crowd, and not going b/c you REALLY want to go.
If you are only concerned about Shidduchim, and would other wise go to college, then I would suggest not to worry abt Shidduchim (Although it’s a big worry and to do what you feel is best for YOU! When shidduchim come, like I said b4, show how you really are, and you would get what you really want!!
If you are the type that would go to college to help support a family one day, and one of your main goals in life is to build a home based on good true torah values and spirituality, then I would say go for seminary for a year, it will be well worth it!! (if you make the most of it) , b/c this will imbue in u and strengthen your beliefs and values in yiddishkeit. You can always attend college after.

You wouldn’t find a website that would have listed what each seminary is about. But a good tip, if a seminary has a website, usually it means it isn’t as BY as the rest… You would find though different forums and blogs that discuss certain seminaries in length.
If you have any Q’s regarding certain Seminaries, ask away!!

Whewww…That was long …Happy reading

BTW, if it’s not too personal,Where are/were u planning to go to seminary this year?

[Role Model Wannabe]

LOL. It was happy reading. . Thanks for answering.

I don't know, I feel like a year in sem would be productive in many-a-way, yet idk if I'd be willing to do it! I still don't even know what life I wanna live. I know that it's a common feeling, but I know that I need to figure it out soon! At least before I apply to sem (not this past year, to answer your q. without revealing my age ). I want to integrate both into my family IYH. Torah values, and a good career. I still don't know.

But yes, it is a big minus in terms of Shidduchim to not go to sem. I think I'd want a sem husband kind of guy BH, but I'm not a sem girl (as of yet) this is so confusing! Idk.

[honeydew :)]

Hi Role Model,
Yeah, I understand how you feel. When I was looking a seminaries, I was like, where do I wanna go, what type do I want, do I wanna go 2 Israel etc…

You might want to look into the half year seminaries, like Lahav or Mezuraz so you get to do both; go to Israel, have the seminary experience, yet not feel like your spending so much $$$$ and ‘wasting’ a year of your life. AND you could attend college from when you get back.

As you get closer to the time though, say around October, November, it will become clearer where you wanna go. Try researching it then.

Start off with saying,
• Do I want a smaller place or larger, which one do I feel best fits?
• Do I want more academic or Haskafic? or a balance?
• Do I want more to the MO side (Which u indicated u are more BY), BY but chilled, BY or Yeshivish?

These four factors would already narrow e/thing down for you.

Just as a guide:

MO Places: I’m not so familiar with these, but try Tomor Devora, Sharfmans, Michlelet Esther , Tiferet etc.

(* and / indicate same kind of crowd)

BY Chilled:
• Ateres///
• Darchei Binah///
• Chochmas Lev
• Meohr//
• Michlalah – VERY Academic///

BY and academic:
• BJJ – A lot of inside Text, Very Large **
• Bnos Chava – Also, a lot of inside, kind of like BJJ, but smaller and JAPier * and **
• Bnos Sarah – Balance of inside and Haskafah, but still hard work, also smaller *
• Hadar – Yeshivish, and academic, more the in town crowd***
• Machon Raaya – A lot of inside, but also Haskafah, smaller say around the 50-60 mark *
• Mesoras Rochel – Also academic, like BJJ, but smaller **

BY still academic, but not as much: (don’t get me wrong, these places are still VERY Academic, but different to the ones above, that’s why I put it in a separate category.)
• Seminar – about 70 girls, small – large//
• Nachlas - also about 80 girls small – large****
• BYA – again about 70 – 90 girls small – large****
• Mezuraz – Half year seminary, so small*/*/

BY, Focus is on Hashkafah type learning:
• Bnos Chana – VERY Small, say around 10 – 15 girls
• Azamra – also smallish, say around 35 girls////
• Peninim/
• Shoshanim/
• Tiferes – VERY Yeshivish, small around 30 girls //// (and ***: only in terms of Yeshivishness, not academics.)
• Lahav – Half year seminary, so small*/*/

From what u sound like, I think seminary would be a good choice for you. You should apply, any way. If you don’t wanna go, you don’t have to ‘accept’ the acceptance in like feb / march when the letters come out…

Again, if you have any Q’s on any of these places just ask!

:)Honeydew:)