Hi.
I’m very much interested in what people had to say about these places because I am applying to some of them and the other ones, I have friends applying to.
Binas- from what I heard, Binas is a very warm environment. the learning is not so much text based even though they do have text based classes. it is more hashkafic and fluffy… The classes get the girls to think and are challenging but there is very limited homework and tests. not much more than a regular seminary. it is held in high esteem because of the amazing lessons given over by incredible teachers and it is academic very much so in that way. It is for a more “in the box” kind of girl. think the stereotypical sort of Bais Yaakov.Someone who grew up more exposed may not be so comfortable around the type of girls that Binas attracts.
Mesores Rochel- the concept of mesores rochel is a little nauseating. It is a fabulous institution with incredible teachers, but the whole concept and what it has become is not so great. they take only the best girls, the sort of girls that come from those perfect homes and were chessed heads, and GO presidents with 110 averages. then those girls are all together in seminary so they must know they are the best but they are still highly competitive. the best you possible doesn’t really apply there. you have to be better than every one else. that sort of pressure is not easy to deal with for most people. however, the classes are very stimulating and there is an incredible amount of work.
machon Raaya- it has become the “bais Yaakov” Michlala. it is highly highly intellectual. loads of work. the girls prepare many prakim of tanach by themselves and are quizzed on it. there are tons of classes. as much at it has a set hashkapha, it can get a bit confusing because every teacher is very different there and sort of giving the girls different messages. some girls prefer that because they ca independently decide what wort of life they would like to lead but for other girls, it can be very confusing. they have the most gorgeous dorm in the best location, geula. the teachers are all very smart and great lecturers but its up to the girls to build a kesher with them. they have an elective option where the girls can choose some of the classes they would like to take and they have an excepton “yerushalayim shel maaleh” program which involves more tiyulim than most seminaries and extra insights into the land. they are also very accommodating about Shabbos. they will cook shabbops meals for the girls if enough are staying in.
Bnos Sarah- it is pretty small and very hard to get into. it is crazy academic and lots of work but the teachers are amazing and help make it all manageable. it is a very warm environment and lifelong koshers with the mechanchos can be made. The girls are very very solid good girls. they are immersed in torah and live their lives in that way. trust me, you can tell a bnos sarah girl from a mile away. its a certain quality… the girls all have a special chein. the best way to describe the girls there would be to call them “aidel”. they are not nerdy or out of towny. they are just more solid out of the box intelligent thinkers. they are all very nice.
Helpful?