5:59 PM ET, May 1, 2024
Campus protests are causing some teens and parents to reconsider college admissions decisions
From CNN's Samantha Murphy Kelly
Earlier this year, the 18-year-old high school senior from New York City planned to enroll as an early decision student at Barnard College, Columbia University's sister school in Manhattan. But after his parents saw heightened tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict on some American campuses, including Barnard and Columbia, they returned to his list.
The student, who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity out of privacy concerns, ultimately chose Brandeis University in Massachusetts, one of two schools on the Anti-Defamation League's 2024 list of 85 colleges that received an A grade for its response to incidents against 85 colleges. On campus and its support of Jewish students.
“Barnard was my top choice. I was dying to go,” said the Jewish private school student. “But after seeing what's happening on campus, I'm really excited to go to Brandeis. I feel so happy and safe knowing they got an A.
Other families are also struggling with where to send their high school students in the fall, as campus protests at schools across the country continue to play out despite finals. Faster approaches to deadlines.
Mimi Toh — co-founder and CEO of Top Tier Admissions, whose admissions experts help students get into the college of their choice — told CNN that some students have already reconsidered where to attend, especially when it comes to Columbia University.
