Which top 20 schools like interesting/diverse applicants?

[JSU]

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Hey everyone, I am a pretty interesting applicant (Rabbi with a B.S. in Biochem and a lot funky hobbies). I know that Case boasts about having a very diverse group of students (lawyers, figure skaters etc.). In general, being an interesting applicant is a good thing, but I am wondering if some schools are known to respond differently than other. So, I have two questions:

1. Do you think that being an interesting applicant will have a larger affect at Case than other schools due to the fact that they are very proud of their diversity?

2. Are there any other schools that boast about their interesting students and would I have a greater chance at those schools?


Obviously this isn't a science but I am curious as to whether people have heard anything regarding it.

:EDIT: I am not really sure why I said "Top 20 schools" in the title.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

All schools like interesting/unique applicants.

They also like applicants they feel can handle the workload as proven by scores, grades and extracurriculars.

Schools, especially top ones, can easily find individuals that fit BOTH criteria.

 

[JSU]

All schools like interesting/unique applicants.

They also like applicants they feel can handle the workload as proven by scores, grades and extracurriculars.

Schools, especially top ones, can easily find individuals that fit BOTH criteria.

I guess I was just wondering if some schools gravitated more toward interesting applicants than others.

 

[JSU]

Are you calling the rest of us uninteresting? 😉

Thanks for putting me on the spot 😛 . Everyone is interesting and has their own story to tell. So by interesting I meant out of the standard premed box which most people try to fit into. If it weren't for me being on the young side (23) I would consider myself non-trad.

:EDIT: CityLights, looks like you didn't remove your post fast enough 😉

 

[phltz]

Columbia likes to brag about how eclectic their student body is. When I was interviewing there, they spent more time talking about how the opera singers, olympians, etc in the student body than they did talking about medical education.

 

[BuffNerd]

From what I've heard, Colorado likes older (and thus more interesting [sometimes haha]) applicants. The admissions office told me that they look very favorably upon 'real world' experience and that their average age of matriculation is 25.

 

[phatlineman]

Pitt and Emory for sure, maybe Case. They also tend to interview a lot of the same people.

 

[JSU]

Columbia likes to brag about how eclectic their student body is. When I was interviewing there, they spent more time talking about how the opera singers, olympians, etc in the student body than they did talking about medical education.

I am applying to Columbia so that is a good thing

From what I've heard, Colorado likes older (and thus more interesting [sometimes haha]) applicants. The admissions office told me that they look very favorably upon 'real world' experience and that their average age of matriculation is 25.

That makes sense from what I have heard about Colorado

Pitt and Emory for sure, maybe Case. They also tend to interview a lot of the same people.

Interesting. Maybe ill have to add those guys to my school list... (already have 25 schools)

 

[MSU2009]

Just curious, do you still serve as a Rabbi? Does anyone there think odd of you for studying biochem?

 

[JSU]

Just curious, do you still serve as a Rabbi? Does anyone there think odd of you for studying biochem?

I don't still serve as a Rabbi. I took a Summer off after receiving my degree and then transferred to a 4 year college to get my B.S. in Biochem.

College in general is frowned on by the very religious sects of Judaism (due to its strong influence). The fact that I was already a Rabbi did help as I was more grounded in my beliefs than most. Though, there still is a BIT of stigma attached to going to college. I hope this answers your question.

 

[MSU2009]

I don't still serve as a Rabbi. I took a Summer off after receiving my degree and then transferred to a 4 year college to get my B.S. in Biochem.

College in general is frowned on by the very religious sects of Judaism (due to its strong influence). The fact that I was already a Rabbi did help as I was more grounded in my beliefs than most. Though, there still is a BIT of stigma attached to going to college. I hope this answers your question.

That was an extremely insightful post. I can kinda guess why science/philosophy might be frowned on, but reading the bolded section was pretty surprising.

 

[eli20]

College in general is frowned on by the very religious sects of Judaism (due to its strong influence)... there still is a BIT of stigma attached to going to college.

😕 Maybe if you're Hasidic or something...

Reform, conservative, and even many orthodox Jewish communities are extremely intellectual and put a huge focus on education/higher ed.

 

[NickNaylor]

I think all of the top 10 or so schools like applicants that do strange things. Especially the Ivies.

And phltz's description of Columbia is spot-on.

 

[Myuu]

Pitt and Emory for sure, maybe Case. They also tend to interview a lot of the same people.

We definitely love people with different backgrounds and non-trads in particular. Bring us your dancers, chefs, and champion Dr. Mario players (that's just my class!)!👍

 

[MossPoh]

I don't still serve as a Rabbi. I took a Summer off after receiving my degree and then transferred to a 4 year college to get my B.S. in Biochem.

College in general is frowned on by the very religious sects of Judaism (due to its strong influence). The fact that I was already a Rabbi did help as I was more grounded in my beliefs than most. Though, there still is a BIT of stigma attached to going to college. I hope this answers your question.

That college part is more than a little surprising to me, especially because of the history of Judaism and the laws against things like ownership of property for hundreds of years. I suppose I do know mostly reform or conservative jews though.

Anyway, if grades and MCAT are solid then EVERYWHERE likes interesting people. I've never heard a school willfully tout their lack of diversity. It'd make a hell of a flyer though, "We only love upper-middle class white biology majors with no hobbies!"

 

[LizzyM]

College in general is frowned on by the very religious sects of Judaism (due to its strong influence).

Too much secular influence on an impressionable young person. They go off to college and the next thing you know they are noshing traif and dating (!) goyim.

 

[Narmerguy]

Too much secular influence on an impressionable young person. They go off to college and the next thing you know they are noshing traif and dating (!) goyim.

Young people are quite impressionable...one of my friends just eats up whatever a professor tells her. You get an expert alone in a room with a bunch of students with no one to counter his views, what else can happen?

 

[whoknows2012]

Too much secular influence on an impressionable young person. They go off to college and the next thing you know they are noshing traif and dating (!) goyim.

👍

In response to some of the other posts, most reform/conservative and even orthodox jews DO put a huge focus on higher education etc however the hasidic community (which is what I assume JSU might be referring to) is a lot different.

 

[JSU]

I think all of the top 10 or so schools like applicants that do strange things. Especially the Ivies.

And phltz's description of Columbia is spot-on.

I wouldn't call myself strange 😛 Just interesting...

We definitely love people with different backgrounds and non-trads in particular. Bring us your dancers, chefs, and champion Dr. Mario players (that's just my class!)!👍

Then I guess I will be applying. I am a Classical Vocalist, Rabbi, HVAC technition, Medical IT tech, Spearfisher, Rockclimber and soon to be MRI Tech (I am probably missing some stuff)

Too much secular influence on an impressionable young person. They go off to college and the next thing you know they are noshing traif and dating (!) goyim.

Lol! I think you nailed it right there

Young people are quite impressionable...one of my friends just eats up whatever a professor tells her. You get an expert alone in a room with a bunch of students with no one to counter his views, what else can happen?

Very true and that is one of the concerns

👍

In response to some of the other posts, most reform/conservative and even orthodox jews DO put a huge focus on higher education etc however the hasidic community (which is what I assume JSU might be referring to) is a lot different.

Let me clear this up. I am from a chassidic sect (chabad, which is one of the more open minded ones) where learning secular subjects is not encouraged. In fact, I had no secular education from 9th grade (I took the CHSPE which is like a GED) until finishing the Rabbinic system in 09' (aside from the Chem classes I took over the Summer which was definitely frowned upon). Though, I have always had an intense fascination/talent in science (and medicine) so everyone in my program (including the administration) knew that I would be going to college eventually and pretty much gave me their blessing. Upon entering the above system, I knew that Judaism was an important part of my life and wanted a strong foundation in it before moving onto college and my future career.

Standard orthodox belief is that secular knowledge is valuable but there are very strong secular views in college. In the words of Lizzy "Too much secular influence on an impressionable young person. They go off to college and the next thing you know they are noshing traif and dating (!) goyim." (You probably thought you were joking!). Hence colleges and universities like Touro and Yeshiva University were created. These schools don't have the strong secular influence that other non-jewish schools do.

Personally, I went to a non-Jewish university and feel that I am the better person for it. I now have a tempered, yet strong, set of beliefs.

 

[LizzyM]

Too much secular influence on an impressionable young person. They go off to college and the next thing you know they are noshing traif and dating (!) goyim.

No joke. I know people who have had these concerns.

 

[JSU]

Emory and Case have been added to my list (for now). I wish I could just fast forward 5 months into the future...

 

[Longshanks]

What medical school doesn't like interesting/diverse applicants?

Where is the philosoraptor when you need him?