An April 21, a standing-room-only crowd of juniors and their parents attended YUHSB’s annual college night, this year including a larger and more varied range of colleges than ever. State schools and private schools, selective and open enrollment, local and Israeli—over 20 schools and honors programs were represented.

The evening began with Rabbi Taubes encouraging the students to follow the example of the recently departed Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, zt’l, who studied English literature at Harvard—not to improve his career prospects, but to grow as a person. The keynote was given by Ms. Geri Mansdorf, director of admissions at YU, who spoke about six critical elements of a successful college career and how to achieve them. After this, students and parents had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the visiting colleges, as well as with representatives from JLIC and Chabad, who spoke about the Jewish presence on various campuses. Finally, the college guidance office provided materials and advice regarding how juniors should spend the last two months of school and the coming summer to maximize their college prospects.

Everyone left the program both exhausted and exhilarated, knowing that this is just the beginning of a wild ride, and that at this time next year each just might be receiving the long anticipated acceptance letter to the college of his dreams.