Hi again! You are doing fine it’s a really good thing to ask! I remember how hard it was for me and I am thrilled to do anything I can to help you!
So I wrote a lot in previous posts how Ateres compares to Machon Raaya so just go back and read a bit back on this thread.
About the academics, you will not feel unchallenged in the least bit! We had some very very brilliant and intelectual girls in our seminary! Girls that skipped grades ect… You will so not have a problem! There is hachana to do, There are great reports! Reports that you actually gain something from besides just a stack of papers written on, and the classes are deep and very intellectually stimulating! You will definitely need a good cup of coffee each morning! just kidding I hate coffee! You will not be overwhelmed with annoying busy work like writing out chumashim, but you will have enough to do that you will feel challenged, but will feel so rewarded and inspired at the end! Trust me! I don’t know how, but Ateres makes it really be great for everyone! They say straight out that their goal, and yes they really do this, they stretch your machshava and improve your skills immensely without getting you overwhelmed and overworked! I can guarantee you that such a thing will not be a problem in Ateres!
The dress code is just like most of the other seminaries, any type of button down like you can wear designs like stripes or anything and then you can wear solid colored sweaters either cardigans or pullovers or v-necks! It’s very flexible and then pleated skirts navy, grey, or black, short or long! you can wear belts, scarves, makeup, not much rules about that. You don’t have to get dressed up every day there is seriously no social pressure there, but there were plenty of girls who were more with it and really gave each day their all but only for themselves! No one cared! Chilled was fine too!
We had girls from all over! BY Monsey, BY Ramapo, BY Lkwd, Bais Sheindel, Bnos Bais Yaakov, BY Miami, BY Baltimore, Bnos Yisrael of Baltimore, BY Chicago, Hanna Sacks in Chicago, BY Denver, South Bend, Machon, I think they have Mesores girls this year, Dallas, Bruria, TAG, Ateres in Monsey, BY Detroit, Yaavne, Toronto, BYA, BY Johannesburg, France, BY in London, I think I’m missing a bunch I don’t know the NY schools that well… It’s very mixed, but the atmosphere is a very growthful one and although there are many girls on different levels they are able to somehow cater and reach out to everyone so that each girl is molded into the best girl she can be and get the most out of her year!
Every seminary I think has trips! We had a big trip at least once a month! We did it all! I really think almost all seminaries pretty much do the same stuff in that area except the half year seminaries where they do one a week to get it all in! It’s a wonderful part of the year and they make the trips beyond awesome the way they schedule it!
Hope this answered you somewhat!