Pathways to Success

Magen David High School’s Personal Approach to College Guidance

Adelphi, Baruch, Binghamton, Brooklyn, Columbia, Cornell, Drexel, Duke, FIT, Fordham, Hunter, Johns Hopkins Business School, LIU, Marymount, NYU, Pace, Penn, Princeton, Rutgers, Sophie Davis, Parsons, Touro, Yale, Yeshiva University are familiar names we recognize as some of the most diverse and prestigious colleges in the country. But this list was not thrown together haphazardly to display a high school senior’s options– these universities and colleges are among several that Magen David Yeshivah High School (MDYHS) graduates will be attending in Fall 2025.
“College Guidance is the nerve center of the school,” said Dr. Daniel J. Vitow, Head of School of MDYHS. He explained that Laura Miller, Director of College Guidance at MDYHS, sets the tone for rigor and academic excellence for all students, irrespective of their college or career aspirations. Ivy League bound or not, “We treat everybody with the same respect. Our job is to help students get accepted to the schools that are the best fit for them,” said Dr. Vitow.
And how does one discover the best fit? Some students have that strong pull from early on, like MDYHS Senior Jacob Hamui who was accepted into both Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education and the Coordinated B.A.-M.D. Program in Brooklyn College. Jacob knew he was destined to be a doctor from the start of high school. He jump-started his journey by enrolling in AP courses beginning sophomore year and participating in the highly competitive nationwide Regeneron Science Talent Search with nearly 2,500 entrants, offered to MDYHS seniors. He submitted an independent research paper regarding stress as a causative factor in pupil dilation, all while working on essays for his college applications.
Nowadays, more students are entering college as ‘undecided’ majors. MDYHS Senior Sarah Bukai is interested in both nutrition and interior design, two vastly different fields. She felt compelled to apply to several colleges, necessitating several separate application essays. One day she sat in the college guidance office from 9:00am until 4:30pm, feeling extremely overwhelmed as she rushed to meet the application deadline for Brooklyn Scholars. Simultaneously, her portfolio for her FIT application required 16 pieces, and some of her 3-D models were incomplete. Sarah was on the verge of tears assuming she’d miss the deadlines, but Mrs. Miller encouraged her to focus and tackle her work, reassuring her it will get done. “She’s like our mom in school, not just helping us with applications but also with any issues,” said Sarah. Students are also taught how to craft resumes prior to college in preparation for MDYHS NEXT Internship Program, where seniors intern at workplaces for hands-on experience before entering the college or the workforce.
“You’re making a decision that could affect your whole life,” said Jacob. The process should be more stressful, but thanks to MDYHS he felt supported throughout and as if his entire foundation was laid out for him. At the height of application season when he often couldn’t sleep he’d email Mrs. Miller questions throughout the night, even at 2 a.m., and receive prompt responses. “I remember going through the process with my sons and understand what it is as a mom,” said Mrs. Miller. “These are all my kids. I’m their counselor but there’s also the mom in me that doesn’t want them to feel like they’re going through a process that’s anxiety-inducing.”
A plethora of AP courses, extracurricular activities, internship opportunities, and incredible role models in both Judaic and secular studies stimulate Magen David students to exert themselves and aspire to achieve their goals. Try catching Jacob for a quick conversation in between his eye care internship through MDYHS and Sundays at SMC, a project of his own volition. “I like getting experience in the different fields of medicine, as it gives me a small taste of what med school rotations will be like,” said Jacob.
While College Guidance generally begins in 11th grade, the college process in MDYHS begins much earlier. Sophomore College Night often features former Magen David graduates or current seniors speaking to sophomores. “You don’t have to be a senior to go to the college guidance office,” said Jacob, when he spoke at Sophomore College Night. “You could go in 9th grade, it doesn’t matter what age. I never felt for a second that I didn’t have support.” Mostly, he appreciated the simple process. All it took was a quick email to Mrs. Miller to get the ball rolling. And best of all, she’s part of the Magen David family, right down the hall. No complicated interviews or lengthy protocols to go through.
A professional with 26 years of experience behind her, Mrs. Miller definitely knows how to write a killer recommendation letter. But it is her ability to motivate students that sets her apart. Ultimately, her care and dedication to every student lifts a weight off their shoulders and makes the college application process much more meaningful and less aggravating. “We want our students taking ownership and being excited about the process,” she said. “It’s not about hand holding – it’s about empowering them every step of the way.”
Whatever road they choose, students concur that Magen David preps them thoroughly and provides them with the tools they need for success in the world post high school. “It’s a simple formula,” said Dr. Vitow. “We don’t have any shares in a particular college. We present intelligent options and the children decide.”