Yeshiva University: Inclusive Or Exclusive?

Yeshiva University is a private college rooted in the Jewish tradition with four campuses in New York City. While the university does not consider religious affiliation in its admissions decisions, most undergraduates are Jewish, and Jewish life is central to all its programs. The undergraduate schools offer a unique dual curriculum comprising Jewish studies and liberal arts and sciences courses. The trappings of Jewish orthodoxy are everywhere at the undergraduate college. Every doorpost has a mezuza, a tiny scroll containing passages from Deuteronomy, and virtually all men wear a yarmulke, or skullcap, a sign of reverence. Non-Jewish undergraduates are rare, and the university's graduate schools, which do not require religious studies, are more ethnically diverse.

Yeshiva University's undergraduate admissions criteria

Yeshiva University has a moderately competitive acceptance rate of 61% to 64%. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various fields, including business management, engineering, law, medicine, and social work. The undergraduate admissions criteria for Yeshiva University are as follows:

Application Process

The first step in applying to any of Yeshiva University's undergraduate programs is to create an account on their online application portal. Here, applicants can submit their applications, supplemental items, and track their application status. Applications are only open to students who have not previously completed a Bachelor's degree.

Standardized Tests

While Yeshiva University does not require SAT/ACT scores for general applicants, a qualifying score, combined with a strong academic record, can exempt students from English proficiency exams. However, SAT/ACT scores are mandatory for applicants applying for an honours degree.

Academic Factors

Admissions officials at Yeshiva University consider a student's GPA and letters of recommendation to be important academic factors in the admissions process.

Interviews

Applicants are required to interview with a YU admissions officer. This allows the admissions officer to meet all applicants and get to know them outside of their application.

English Proficiency Exams

International applicants are required to meet English proficiency requirements and may submit scores from one of the accepted English language tests: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.

High School Transcripts

Applicants must submit their official high school transcripts directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Letters of Recommendation

TWO letters of recommendation are required for all undergraduate program applications, preferably including one from a clergyman.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for Yeshiva University is February 1st.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Applicants are encouraged to present a strong application highlighting their academic achievements, experience, and extracurricular activities to increase their chances of acceptance.

The student experience for non-Jewish students

Yeshiva University is a private Orthodox Jewish university with four campuses in New York City. The undergraduate student body is entirely Jewish, while the graduate student body is more ethnically diverse, with most students not being Jewish. The undergraduate experience at Yeshiva is intentionally designed to be intensely religious, with the university's philosophy being based on the concept of "Torah Umadda" ("Torah and secular knowledge"). This means that students undertake a dual curriculum, combining academic education with the study of the Torah.

For non-Jewish students considering attending Yeshiva University, it is important to be aware of the unique aspects of the undergraduate experience at the university. The daily schedule of undergraduate students includes multiple prayer services and hours of Torah study. The undergraduate campuses are single-sex, with male undergraduates attending Yeshiva College and female undergraduates attending Stern College. Social life is influenced by religious practices, with dating occurring only after sundown on Saturday, once the Jewish Sabbath is over. Keeping kosher, observing the Sabbath, prayer, and minimal social life are also part of the Orthodox campus culture.

While non-Jewish students are not explicitly prohibited from enrolling in the undergraduate program, it is worth noting that the undergraduate experience is tailored towards students who want to be part of an intensely religious Jewish environment. Non-Jewish students may find it challenging to navigate the religious and cultural expectations on campus. There may be some social awkwardness in not knowing the rules, traditions, and lingo associated with Orthodox Jewish practices. Additionally, the dual curriculum, which includes Jewish studies as a requirement, may be demanding for those who are not familiar with or interested in these studies.

However, it is important to note that the graduate schools at Yeshiva University, such as the Cardozo School of Law, the Sy Syms School of Business, and the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, are more ethnically diverse and do not require religious studies. These programs attract a broader range of students from different backgrounds. Therefore, non-Jewish students who are interested in attending Yeshiva University may find the graduate programs more accommodating to their needs and interests.

The history of the university

Yeshiva University is a private Orthodox Jewish university with campuses in New York City and Israel. The university was founded in 1886 as the Etz Chaim Yeshiva, a cheder-style elementary school founded by Eastern European immigrants that offered study of the Talmud alongside some secular education, including instruction in English. The rabbinical seminary was chartered in 1897.

Yeshiva University traces its roots to several Manhattan parochial schools, including the Elchanan seminary. The oldest, Yeshiva Etz Chaim, was founded in 1886 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. When Jews immigrated to America, there was pressure to "Americanize", to abandon their culture and language. The people who founded Yeshiva University determined that they were not going to go along with that.

Yeshiva did not become a college until 1928. Over time, it expanded to comprise some twenty colleges, schools, affiliates, centres, and institutions, with several affiliated hospitals and healthcare institutions. It now has campuses and facilities in Manhattan (Washington Heights, Murray Hill, Greenwich Village), the Bronx, Queens, and Israel.

In 1976, when Norman Lamm took office, Yeshiva was facing a serious financial crisis. As a result, some of the schools and programs had to be consolidated or closed. Once this was stabilized, additional divisions were added, and enrollment grew considerably to over 2,000 undergraduate students.

In the 2020–2021 school year, Yeshiva University enrolled approximately 2,250 undergraduate students and 2,700 graduate students. The undergraduate body is entirely Jewish, while most of the graduate students, especially at the Cardozo School of Law, the Sy Syms School of Business, and the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, are not Jewish.

The university's academic performance

Yeshiva University is a private Jewish university with four campuses in New York City. The university is divided into three undergraduate colleges: Yeshiva College, the Stern College for Women, and the Sy Syms School of Business. The undergraduate schools offer a dual curriculum comprising Jewish studies and liberal arts and sciences courses. The graduate and affiliate schools offer opportunities for graduate and professional studies.

The university's academic programs are organised into several schools, including the Katz School of Science and Health, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The university also has a campus in Israel, where over 600 students a year study through the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program.

Yeshiva University offers over 65 majors and minors, and students benefit from an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university awards over $45 million in financial aid every year, and within six months of graduating, about 96% of students pursue graduate school or are employed.

Yeshiva University is ranked #98 in National Universities by US News Best Colleges and #105 by US News & World Report's 2024 "America's Best Colleges". Forbes ranked the university #226 in "Top Colleges 2023", #118 in Private Colleges, #143 in Research Universities, and #82 in the Northeast. Yeshiva University was ranked 138th by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and 369th in the world by the QS World University Rankings.

The university's reputation

Yeshiva University is a private institution that was founded in 1886. It is a Jewish university in New York City with a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,319 (fall 2023) and a campus size of 300 acres. The university is divided into three undergraduate colleges: Yeshiva College, the Stern College for Women, and the Sy Syms School of Business, each located on different campuses throughout Manhattan.

The university has a unique dual curriculum, comprising Jewish studies and liberal arts and sciences courses. Undergraduate students tackle a demanding double course load: half conventional, half Jewish studies. The university also offers graduate programs specific to the Jewish faith through the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration and the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies.

Yeshiva University is ranked #98 out of 436 National Universities in the US. It is also ranked #54 in Best Value Schools and #280 in Top Performers on Social Mobility. The university has a reputation for its highly ranked research opportunities at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and its law school, the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, is also well-regarded. The university's graduate schools draw more ethnically diverse student bodies because religious studies are not required at the graduate level.

The university's undergraduate colleges, however, are known for their Orthodox campus life, which includes keeping kosher, observing the Sabbath, prayer, and a minimal social life. Non-Jewish undergraduates are rare, and the university is primarily attended by students from Jewish parochial high schools in major cities across the US and Canada. While the university does not officially restrict enrollment to Jewish students only, the Orthodox campus life and required Jewish studies curriculum may make it a less suitable option for non-Jewish students.

Yeshiva University has produced distinguished alumni in various fields, including rabbinic leaders, world political leaders, business giants, and philanthropists. The university's faculty members are also notable, with some of the world's leading minds making their home in Yeshiva University's classrooms.

Frequently asked questions