I’m in Machon Raaya this year. I came home for my brothers wedding and I remember when I was the one anxiously asking for information on here:) So basically if you have any specific questions about this years crowd then i can tell you. It’s quite bigger then last year even though it was not anticipated. It did become slightly different then years before, and it depends what your daughter wants. Machon Raaya is definitely a superb seminary for someone who belongs there. I can’t quite get a complete picture of how open your daughter is from your description but let me say this. The work is very interesting – not busy work but work that you need to use your head. A lot of hachana, deciphering meforshim, and challenging reports. The electives are brilliant and the way that girls can arrange their schedule is amazing. Mrs. Rosenblum is probably one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. She cares about each girl in a way that I have never seen and she will go to any length to make a girl happy.
The girls are all extremely impressive. They are smart, poised and confident but this year there are a nice amount of trendy/popular and partyish girls. They are all nice people but it might be a little less warm and friendly this year because of the amount of girls. It is not a yeshivish crowd but the girls are extremely solid. The girls are extremely open and there is no pressure to be something you are not which is beautiful. There are some seriously incredible girls there as far as middos and desire to grow. The girls are also mostly extremely out of the box. They love having a good time and although it is an academic seminary it is not a pressured environment. If your daughter is open then she will 100% find her crowd. But since its bigger it might take a little longer then it wold have in the past. If you have any specific questions about MR this year I would be happy to try to answer for you.