I can’t talk for all the seminaries but as for Machon Raaya…The “non-traditional BY girl” comment has to be explained.
All the girls there are Bais Yaacov minded,with the correct hashkafas and strong values. Most went to BY schools and are all solid, good girls.At the same time they would probably be classified as “out of town” due the fact that everyone is very open minded and intelligent, not only in Hebrew studies but in English as well. Graduating w/ high averages and AP classes in various English studies, all the girls are intelligent In The Box AND Out of The Box thinkers. It is a bit of a mix, ranging from actual “out of towners” to “out of countryers” and brooklyn(yes that’s in-town).
The school itself is on the academic side(which you probally knew already) but at the same time the pressure is minimal. Yes there are a lot of teachers and preperation and Hachana but it’s all quite bearable once everyone settles into the school year. I would not quite equate it with BJJ on that point alone.
The girls in BYMR know how to have a good time and the school itself arranges many trips(bi-weekly trips w/in the city+tiyulim+Shabbatons) and activities for the girls which are quite enjoyable. There is a lounge and excercise room (and the food and snacks are GREAT!) and every staff member is warm and caring. *One of the biggest praise for the school would probably be the amazing staff members; teachers and hanhala alike.
Bottom line: It’s a Bais Yaacov school but with a bit more room, very intellectual with a small, close knit, group of girls and a fantastic staff.
-sidepoint: When they say the school is textual they mean it! They do A LOT of inside work and prep for class. But not everyone that came was nesc so textual and at this point (almost 2 months in) most said that they are definatly getting better at it and actually doing quite well in that area. So if you are not so textual…that changes!