As college students continue to face challenges on their campuses following the Israel-Hamas conflict, some NYHS seniors applying to college are beginning to consider these campus safety issues.

Data from an anonymous Mane Idea survey revealed that over 60% of NYHS students reported that the events on college campuses following October 7 have impacted where they are applying. 

Isaac Almo observed this shift when many of his classmates started avoiding schools that have been in the news for big encampments, protests, and general hostility toward Jewish students. 

“Colleges with big protests against Israel and those that don’t actively condemn such behavior are no longer on my list,” said Almo. Almo also expressed that he feels safer considering schools that support and protect their Jewish communities, adding, “After seeing what my sister and family friends went through at Barnard, I knew I didn’t want that kind of experience in college.”

However, Almo is concerned about the potential challenges this might create. Because many seniors are applying to the same few schools with strong and safe Jewish communities such as Rutgers, Binghamton, and the University of Maryland, he is worried this could significantly impact the class’s acceptance rates.

Similarly, Noam Rosenfeld has been closely monitoring specific campus environments, leading him to reconsider schools like the University of Washington. Rosenfeld explained that after seeing the effect of October 7, 2023, on campus, just a few days after the event, he knew he could not attend the school. Rosenfeld witnessed a “Day of Resistance Palestinian protest” flier with hang gliders, referencing Hamas on October 7th, posted on the SUPER, Students United for Palestinian Equality & Return, UW Facebook account. “Even though it was a student-run group that posted the flier, the college didn’t condemn or do anything about that flier,” said Rosenfeld, “I support free speech, especially on college campuses, but when it escalates to active disruption—like encampments, graffiti, and actual attacks—when it shifts from debate to confrontation and there’s no response from the college, that’s where I draw the line.”

However, not all students feel the same way. Eli Khaimov has a different approach, focusing less on on-campus tensions and more on academics.

“They [recent college events] haven’t affected me that much because I care a lot about my education and prioritize it,” says Khaimov. Growing up in Shoreline, he’s accustomed to being apart from a large Jewish community but believes he’ll find one wherever he goes.

Recognizing these concerns, former NYHS college counselor Jamie Sitzer, who has over a decade of experience working with Jewish seniors, has been providing additional resources to support students and their families. “I’m part of a group of college counselors working with Jewish students, and we’re staying updated on how campuses are handling antisemitism,” Sitzer said. She encourages students to research resources like Hillel and Chabad on campuses and to directly reach out to them and learn about their programs. Sitzer also regularly offers informational online sessions about antisemitism on campus.

According to Sitzer, NYHS is not restricting different colleges from coming to present to the seniors. In fact, Columbia University came to the NYHS campus to showcase its institution to students. However, they encourage students to research college campus safety.

But campus safety isn’t the only consideration. Many seniors are also grappling with how much to reveal about their Jewish background in their applications, fearing potential biases. Half of the surveyed students worry that mentioning their Jewish background or their Jewish high school in applications might affect admissions outcomes. “I’m concerned about submitting my essay, which mentions that I’m Jewish,” shared one anonymous senior. “I worry some admissions officers might make decisions based on that.” However, Sitzer advises students not to hold back, reminding them that most colleges will already be aware of their school’s background. 

In a year when identity and campus safety are more significant concerns, NYHS is focused on guiding students toward a positive college experience. “This is not just somewhere you will be taking classes, this is going to be your home for the next four years, so make sure you feel comfortable and you feel secure in the environment, ” says Sitzer.