The Impact of Israel-Hamas Conflict on College Admissions

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war is causing Jewish and Muslim families to reconsider their college choices, adding a new set of criteria to their decision-making process. Jewish students, in particular, are concerned about declining Jewish enrollment at selective schools and tepid responses from campuses amid antisemitic threats. Muslim families are also alarmed by the ripple effects of the war on campuses, with students expressing fear that their college admissions could be impacted. The war has prompted a "reckoning" among Jewish families and institutions, while Islamophobia has increased, leading Muslim students and parents to prioritize safety when choosing colleges. The college admissions process is already complex, and the war has added an additional layer of anxiety for families from these religious and ethnic groups.