Perchance to Dream

Last time, we spoke about safety schools, the safety of schools, and what a good match truly looks like. Today let’s focus on the schools that are referred to as “reach” and “dream” schools. I’ve heard American parents comment, “We’re helping her with her reach schools,” or “He’s applying to a few dream schools, just to see what happens.” The American college admissions process has a unique intensity to it. Admirably, American parents take the process seriously, staying informed, and wanting their child to aim high. The process can be all-consuming and it’s easy to get caught up in it, forgetting that there’s a difference between applying to reach schools - and reaching for something important; between chasing a dream school—and living out real dreams.

The “reach school” is one which the student may or may not get into. It’s a gamble—like spinning an admissions wheel and hoping it lands in your favor. Applying to a reach school focuses on one moment: the acceptance (or rejection) letter. But what happens after they get in? A university’s brand does not guarantee an environment where the student will be mentored, encouraged, or truly seen. Classes in large, American universities can feel more like movie theaters than learning environments. Freshmen often feel overwhelmed, especially those coming from nurturing high school communities. In Israel, the experience is different. Professors know their students and want to see them thrive. Research opportunities are accessible and personal. Professors don’t just lecture, they actively mentor. Reach schools demand excellence. Reaching, a longer journey, is the process of your child discovering who they are, what they can achieve, and how they can grow along the way. Israeli universities teach students to continually extend their reach by fostering independent, real-world problem solving, resilience and confidence.

A “dream school” is often chosen because of reputation, rankings and prestige. A student’s dream, however, is about discovering what they love. This is facilitated by caring mentors who and encourage students to explore big ideas. It’s about students making lasting friendships, becoming part of a community, and growing confidently into themselves. A real “dream school” should provide the right environment in which the student’s dream can develop. In Israel, students dream differently. They dream of innovation (because it’s all around them), and they dream of contribution (because they see it modeled). When American students come to study in Israel, their dream becomes clearer, more independent, and more personal because the environment supports them, not just their admissions résumé. They do not have to hide their heritage or their identity. They can thrive because of it, not despite it.

Dreams that grow in Israel are authentic, not borrowed from brochures. They come from within. A reach school may not make a student reach, and a dream school isn’t the same as a student’s dream. This might sound like wordplay, but it’s an important distinction that’s worth considering as our students weigh their options.