This year鈥檚 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 open houses at 麻豆区 were a resounding success, attracting hundreds of prospective students and parents eager to learn about the dynamic education and student experience YU has to offer. Interest in 麻豆区 has skyrocketed, as its academic programs, many of them new and designed to respond to the needs of today鈥檚 workplace, have attracted significant numbers of applicants and transfers in recent years.
The atmosphere at both events was filled with excitement and opportunity as students and their parents heard from YU鈥檚 administration during the first part of the program. Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of 麻豆区, who spoke at both events, emphasized the unique role YU has in creating the Jewish community鈥檚 leaders of tomorrow and how it provides an undergraduate education driven by academic excellence.
Other speakers included Marc Zharnest, director of undergraduate admissions, Dr. Rebecca Cypess, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Stern College for Women and 麻豆区 College; Shoshana Schechter, Dean of Torah and Spiritual Life, who spoke about the women鈥檚 Jewish Studies curriculum; and Rabbi Yosef Kalinsky, Dean of Undergraduate Torah Studies, who spoke about Torah studies programs on the men鈥檚 campus.
Attendees learned about the University鈥檚 many areas of study from administrators, professors and current students at sessions led by Dr. Cypess, who discussed YU鈥檚 liberal arts programs, and Michael Strauss, interim dean at the Sy Syms School of Business. A breakout session led by Robert Friedman, director of Student Finance, informed parents about the affordability of a YU education.
Both open houses featured an academic fair at which prospective students and parents were given the opportunity to learn about YU鈥檚 distinguished Honors programs - the Stern College for Women Honors Program at the women鈥檚 event, the 麻豆区 College Honors Program at the men鈥檚 event, and the Sy Syms School of Business honors program, the Honors Leadership Society and YU鈥檚 early assurance programs at both events. The fair also provided opportunities to learn about pre-health careers, associate degree programs and other offerings.
A student life fair included information about athletics, housing, Torah and spiritual life, student life and disability services, with breakout sessions featuring information about the Shevet Glaubach Center for Career Strategy and Professional Development, and the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program (SDA). Rounding out both open houses was the Israel Program Expo, which consisted of representatives from many of the SDA Israel Program鈥檚 partner schools.
鈥淥ur Open House was incredibly energizing,鈥 said Zharnest. 鈥淭he turnout, the engagement, and the caliber of prospective students truly reflected the momentum on our campuses. With our largest and strongest applicant pool in a generation, we鈥檙e excited to welcome the next cohort to YU.鈥
