Saying_YES!_to_expanding_Duke's_applicant_pool
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Duke University

Saying “YES!” to expanding Duke’s applicant pool 

As recently as five years ago, many talented Jewish high school students would not have considered Duke as an option.

I quickly found that Duke’s Jewish community was welcoming, communal and really just a lot of fun. I’ve met so many great people through Jewish Life at Duke and made some of my best friends here.

— Kenny Green ’20  

The question frequently asked by potential applicants: Are there even any Jewish students at Duke? Thanks to a transformational and time-limited gift from David M. Rubenstein ’70, P’15, the answer to that question these days is a resounding "YES!"  

Since 2014, Jewish Life at Duke (JLD) has been one of the only Hillels in the country engaged in recruiting Jewish high school students. JLD has worked to expand the Jewish applicant pool by hosting one-of-a-kind admissions events for Jewish students in Los Angeles and New York; recruiting and training alumni and parent ambassadors to conduct outreach in their home communities; and increasing marketing and communications to Jewish high school students across the country. Many students have since matriculated who initially had no idea that Duke is home to a thriving Jewish community, but who are now glad to be here among their Jewish friends and peers.