In a surprise move, US News and World Report’s annual college ranking now includes a new section for Yeshivas. Using a similar methodology for business and technical schools, the researchers collected data on acceptance rates, performance on standardized tests, opinions of high school guidance counselors, retention, reputation, and alumni giving.
It came as no shock to find that Beth Medrash Govoha — topped the list. Well, it was a shock for many, until they read the fine print and saw that BMG is the formal name for “Lakewood Yeshiva.”
Next on the list was my Alta Mama, I mean Alma Mater, Telshe Yeshiva. And that was no surprise either, at least not to me.
But it was the #3 that really caught my surprise — no, not Yeshiva University — it was not even in the top ten (O . M . G . ). It was not the dark horse, Bais Shraga of Monsey which surprised me at #5. And it was not even Ner Yisrael of Baltimore (which showed up at a disappointing #8). Somehow the US News researchers cut the data and arrived at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah for the #3 spot. Who even thought they were really a Yeshiva? I mean, really — yes, they learn gemara, publish journals, are totally dedicated to a non-hypocritical love of learning Torah and spreading it to the masses in an open and respectable way. But how is that Yeshivish? A shock. This only proves that US News just doesn’t get it.
And to really prove the point — they included Tomchei Temimim as #6 — Tomchei is a Lubavitch Yeshiva — #6? what were they thinking?
A couple of others stuck out: The Talmudical Institute of Upstate New York (Heshy’s alma matter) was noted as a top party-yeshiva. Wisconsin Institute of Torah Study was called the cheesiest yeshiva (boo!). And the Yeshiva Gedola of Los Angeles was ranked high in the western division. The Yeshiva of Waterbery was noted for their relatively obscure location in a non-yeshivish city.
Yeshivas were ranked on academics (high points for longer shiurim, low points for any secular studies), costs (percentage of bucherim who have to schnor during bein hazmanim), quality of life (campus, dorm, food and shtenders), and student yeshivishness (higher points for shtazy clothing, lower points for oxford shirt and red ties). And it seems to me that location was a big factor in some of the rankings. Apparently researchers looked at the availability of cigarettes, massage parlors, and cheap used cars to boost the yeshivishness of some of the institutions.
Wondering about Gateshead, “the Mir”, and Derech Etz Chaim? They are not in the US, so they were not ranked. Maybe next year.
YU wasn’t on the list because they have a system of academic accountability. That’s the first clue that it’s not a good yeshiva.
LOL!
Is that Telshe Cleveland or Chicago? I’m itching to know who was ranked 4th. Somehow I doubt it was out of town underdogs Bridgeport or Silver Spring. I’d guess Fallsberg or Philly? But oh, what about Long Beach, Yeshiva of Far Rockaway or Staten Island? Where will they rank? Oh me oh my, so many top notch yeshivas! So few spots! By the by, if the Crotch is still being considered as a big party school, people need to do some better research. That place is pretty tame these days, just living off the fumes of their 90s reputation.
same question, which telz was #2 Chicago or Cleveland? i cant believe that its Cleveland-it only has around 15-20 bochorim there now (or so Ive heard)
Yeshiva University was recently ranked #6 religious institution in the U.S. by First Things Journal.
http://www.yucommentator.com/mobile/news/first-things-ranks-yu-6-college-in-america-1.1820207
Also, YU is ranked in the top 50 universities by U.S. News and World Report.
YU is a place that one can learn Gemara, Halacha, Machshava and Tanach while getting a great education that can ensure a livelihood, allowing its graduates to build families with Jewish values and lifestyle.
YU is the a great Yeshiva, a true Makom HaTorah. They aren’t focused on excluding those who do not conform to their version of Torah Judaism, like the rest of these places.
Dude, complain to the folks at US News and World report. I just report the news. They compiled the data. I was shocked that YU scored so low. Really — I thought you guys should be at least #7 or 8.
Ha!
So why don’t they allow Christian missionaries into Yeshiva?
Offhand, I’d say because the Rav was against interfaith dialogues.
As a LWer who supports the existence of yeshivot like YCT, I have to correct one small error in this post: they most certainly do NOT learn Gemara at YCT.
Why do you think that? According to their website, they do – go to “academic requirements”.
Let’s get a caption contest for this pic!
I picked it because it reminded me of Telz. ’nuff said.
hahaha!
I was thinking it could read, “Pole puts on chassid costume for purim.”
LOL!
You forgot to include “alumni giving” as a ranking criteria, which also used for the real USN&WR rankings.
Based on your point system, I don’t see how Chovivei Torah made it onto the list altogether.
Heshy, what did u mean by “Tomchei is a Lubavitch yeshiva?” Are you shocked that a Chabad yeshiva got ranked so highly?
CHOFETZ CHAIM all the way!!!!!!!!
Ummmmm….{scratching head} ???
Hilarious Bro!!! I’m on the floor. And seeing that Talmudical Institute (TIUNY) is my Alma Mater as well I guess I’m not shocked we won the prize for best Party Schools. What other Yeshiva has dozens of delinquent yeshiva High School guys breaking into a morgue and downing beers by puncturing cans of Milwaukee Ice, and then crashing frat parties and running a muck. Thank you US News, I am truly honored.
-Keep ’em Coming Frum Satire!