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I just got into Ateres and Seminar. Being that lots of people say that they are pretty similar, I would like to know of the differences. And people don’t usually tell me exactly WHAT is similar about them- so, would anyone be able to pinpoint the similarities too just so I could get my thoughts straight?
And please don’t look to be “politically correct” or anything and let me know your thoughts straight out. Like if you think that one place is kinda bumy and accepts everyone for example, just say so.
And since Seminar was not such a serious topic of discussion before now, PLEASE let me know about it- like what type of girls, staff, dorms, new-yorky vs not, and stuff like that!
Thanks!! 😉
And I will take this opportunity to wish hatzlacha, clarity and guidance to all girls in a similar situation!
omg!! im so happy 4 u that u go into these places!! believe me i know nothing abt sems so im not guna pretend to answer.. but oh boy i better watch out for crying 12th graders in skool tom.. shud be fun..
Hi Nanny, I went to Seminar a few year ago, and it was amazing! The girls are more out of town than in town. Academically, it is hard to say, cuz I don’t know what you consider hard. But I was in the honors track and I definitely worked. The classes are amazing and even now, after a few years, I keep in touch with some of the staff.
Sorry, I don’t really know much about Ateres so I can’t really compare it for you.
I have heard that the classes at Ateres are tracked. The highest level is expected to prepare meforshim independently (I know because I had an interview with Rabbi Belsky a few months ago when I was looking into schools to switch to). When I was there, a lot of girls came up to me to get to know me. I was rejected because of my background, but I do have to admit that it is an amazing school – just not for me.
My best friend goes to seminar, and she loves it! I have spent quite a bit of time this year hanging out in their dorms with her and I have met tons of other seminar girls as well, they are all very nice girls with great middos.
I know a lot of girl in Seminar who live in New York, but they are not jappy at all. They are volunteers for Oorah and do kiruv. My friends who go there always have a ton of homework, but its not so much that they do not have time to hang out, we just hang out more often in their dorm than in other places. They are not allowed to go to Ben Yehuda at all, and have a 10:15 curfew on week nights and 10:30 on motzei shabbos, but they are very chill about giving extended curfew. They are all very nice, solid by girls.
Congrats on getting in:) I remember when we were discussing ateres with candy613 the whole summer. I happen to have gotten in as well but I plan on going to Machon Raya IYH. Hatzlacha on your decision.
Ateres has stricter rules, like not being allowed in the Tachana Hamerkazit (central bus station), Malcha Mall, Ben Yehuda, and some other places after dark, so girls who go to Ateres, will frequently be found hanging out in Geula. Girls who go to Ateres are allowed to go to Ben Yehuda during the day, but I highly doubt that happens very often because they have classes. They have a very strict policy regarding attendance, where you can only miss up to one week of any class, and if you miss on friday, it counts as a double absence.
I know seminar girls are not allowed on Ben Yehuda at all, but they are allowed in other places after dark. I do not know their attendance policy.
By the way, If anyone actually went to these seminaries, feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I feel like most schools (and this was for sure my experience with the first seminary I was at), do not necessarily tell you all the rules until you get there.
Not to guide anyone in one direction or another, but I feel that if next year seminar will be like it is this year, it is not the place to go if you are looking for a year to go higher (and not to fall). There is a group of good girls there (I am not denying that) but I would be hesitant recommending it to someone. On the other hand, the seminary all depends on that years girls, so next year it could be great. as far as new-yorkey, it is.
Ateres would be best described as an out of town bais yaakov seminary. There are tracks, so academically there shouldn’t be a problem whether you want honors or a easier level. They are very good about letting you learn on the level that is right for you. Yes, the stricter rules could get annoying at times, but it is for the students best. As far as strictness regarding missing classes, they give the students a very reasonable amount of personal/sick days so if you need to go somewhere during the school day you could without consequences.
Hatzlocha Raba on this hard decision, and everybody ends up where it is best for them so don’t worry too much!
Megan, I’m not sure what your talking about. Seminar is NOT New Yorky at all. My year there were only 5 girls from Flatbush, and they were very out of towny. Seminar is always mostly out of town. Yes, they may have some more jappy girls, but it’s like that in EVERY seminary.
Mazal tov!
nanny-
omgg!!! k ur prob r so happy u made ur desicion!!! whoa!! have fun and make every sec count!! im sure ull have a blast!! 🙂
reader55, sorry for calling seminar new yorky, I was just trying to say that in the caparison between Ateres and Seminar, Seminar is more new yorky- (‘new yorky’ isn’t labeled by how many flatbushers there are). And as far as the jappy comment, not everywhere are there japs, come to Ateres.
And Nanny, mazel tov on making your decision, I’m sure you’ll love Ateres!
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