Hi there, so I’m new to this posting sitch but I figured I’d jump on in even though it’s after applications are due (right?) cuz applying is really only the first part… the actual decision of where to go is equally hard… and since calorie hasn’t gotten ’round to answering your questions about ateres, I wanted to.
1.What were you or other people at the seminary looking for in a seminary when deciding?
When I applied, I applied to Ateres and Seminar. Both are known to have diverse crowds, lots of different types of girls from different backgrounds, and there’s a lot of academic wiggle room (Ateres, having tracks, and Seminar also having different levels). Seminar is known to be a warm and out of towny place as is Ateres. I chose to go to Ateres ultimately because my principal said that it was, what he would consider more out of the box. Ateres is also a much smaller seminary so there’s a lot more individualized attention in the classes. There’s less than half the girls there than in Seminar. These were all really big things that had me leaning towards Ateres, but what really helped me make up my mind was…
2.How important is the interview/How intense,etc.- reading of rashi?
My Ateres interview was the best interview ever. I met with Rabbi Belsky and Mrs. Sokol at their hotel and I was totally comfertable at once. In fact, I was smiling the whole time. I don’t really know why… I just couldn’t help it!!! Anyway, I was totally expecting the whole chumash rashi ramban kli yakar deal… and I didn’t get it. I was super nervous for no real reason…! They asked me one simple question: “If you could make your own seminary, what would you call it? What types of teachers would you have? What types of classes? Girls? etc…” They really wanted to see if what I wanted and what they had to offer worked out. They asked what types of lessons would I have in my seminary, what values would there be, etc.
I just loved their style… the interview gave me the impression that at Ateres they care more that they’re getting GOOD girls as opposed to girls whos test grades have deemed them “smart”.
(The Seminar interview, for those who are wondering, was more straightfoward. I read from the chumash, a rashi, and a kli yakar. I also had to fill out a questionarre in hebrew while I was in the waiting room.)
3.What is the style of teaching? Discussion, lecture, classroom setting, chavrusa??
Ateres has all different styles. Mrs. Herenstein’s class is full of discussion, she definitely encourages it, and in pretty much all the other classes there is plenty of discussion as well, though probably not nearly as much. We have lectureres come for around an hour once a week to speak about different topics. They are fantastic!! Of course there is classroom setting as well. Lastly, there is also studying b’chevrusa. How many chevrusas you have though differs on what class you’re in. If you’re in class one you work with one other girl in your class and if you need help, a prep tutor is there to address your question. If you’re in class two or three then you work with a group of girls in your class as well as a prep tutor.
4.What type of classes are there?
All sorts!! There’s chumash, navi, tehillim, megillos, hilchos brachos, hilchos shabbos, va’adim be’tefilah, torahs habayis, a class on ikrei emunah,chovos halevavos, ma’agal hashana, machshava, yesodos … there’s a holocaust class, a teachers class… there’s a lot but you’ll find that in any seminary.
5.Can you choose your classes?
Not really. There are a few classes that are optional but those are all REALLY good and definitely worth taking anyway. Class one has to take those though. Still, there are 2 classes (I think…) that are optional for even class one.
6.How much work is there? Tests?
We definitely have our reports but the amount of reports and the material covered in the reports you have to discuss depends on what class you’re in. The actual amount of work depends on the class but there isn’t really that much all together. There is no busy work, really. I think the most you have is prep but classes 2 and 3 have class time to do their prep with tutors so it’s very manageable. We definitely have tests and they’re not easy but we don’t have so many comparatively… or at least I don’t think so.
An important thing I want to note… everyone knows who is in which class but it really makes no difference socially!!! Most of my closest friends were not in my class!
7.Is the seminary about getting as much done as possible or learning as much as possible out of each thing? Are tests and work a side factor and they really just want the girls to learn or is work a big factor of importance to the seminary?
The first year in Ateres there were NO TESTS. They tried it out as an experiment. But it was a failure. After that they started giving tests.
I think that’s proof enough that Ateres is more about what the girls get out of it, how they grow, who they become, then their grades.
8.How hard is it? How hard is hard?
I like your question… it’s very well phrased. Of course hard is relative…
Anyway… I don’t think comparitively Ateres is a very hard seminary. One good thing about it is that it’s tracked (there are 3 different levels or 2 different levels, depending on the class) so whatever level you’re at you’re being pushed to grow… the idea is not to push you too hard. Class is meant to make you think. But they don’t want to stress you out. If you find yourself having trouble, the staff is very accomodating and more than willing to help you, to make things work.
I said before that Ateres has different tracks, but in actuality, there are maaaaaany different tracks. If a girl would have trouble with the track she was placed in then she has the option to switch to a lower track, or mrs. Sokol would help that girl in modifying the track that she’s in to make it more manageable for her. Often times, a girl is intelectually at a certain level but her skills are not quite there yet so she’ll sit in a higher class but have the workload of a lower class. A lot of girls found this very helpful!
You can literally ask anything. People wouldn’t look down on you for asking a question… if you’re asking it generally means you want to know for a reason, for yourself, for your own growth. If you’re not asking you either haven’t thought of it or you don’t really care to know the answer because no matter what answer you get, it won’t effect your daily life and how you think.
10.The girls who go there is their focus on learning more textually or learning more and growing more spiritually?
Definitely spiritually I think, but I can honestly tell you that my textual skills grew exponentially as well! B”H!!
Everyone’s different… Depends on the girl. We had everyone from giyores to semi chassidish.
12.Are they all about the outside or do they focus on the inside as well?
I don’t really know what you mean by that… can you clarify?
They definitely focus on middos, on getting to know yourself… but what exaclty do you mean by outside?
13.How big of a mix of people is it? Is it hard to find your place?
There’s a big mix, lots of different types, but it’s not hard to find your place at all. I was so comfertable there right away… everyone is friends with everyone. There’s no judgements… no peer pressure… you can just be you. It’s a very good environment for figuring out exactly who YOU is…
14.Do they go on trips? Do they go to Europe?
We definitely went on plenty of tiyulim but they don’t go to Europe.
15.Are their rules strict? What are some of their rules?
They don’t have many rules but the ones they do have are enforced. For example, you can’t walk around the dorm in pants. The madrichot will send you back to your room to put on a skirt. Curfew is a big deal as well, you have to be on time. If you need it you can definitely get late curfew with permission.
16.Do they have a uniform?
They have a dress code: long pleated skirts, oxford shirts, solid dark sweater.
17.What is the status of the dorm?
It’s in the building and it is the best place in the world to be!!!
Would you care to clarify? Anything specifically you meant by “status”?
When I was there there were weeks that were in and weeks when we had to be out but now the dorm is never closed, you can always stay in, but some weeks they’ll provide meals and some you’ll have to find them in the surrounding neighborhoods. Ramot is a great place to be though! Plenty of Americans if you’re nervous about the hebrew… Also, it’s a far walk and it’s not flat, but many girls would walk to ramat eshkol and sanhedria for meals…
19.How many meals are given?
All of ’em!
Hope this helps!!! 🙂 If you have any questions… feel free to ask! Hatzlacha in choosing the right place for you!!