Nativ and College

It is highly recommended that applicants to Nativ address their post-Nativ plans for college before they leave for the year in Israel. Applying to college from Israel is a very difficult and stressful process.

Applicants are encouraged to check with colleges and universities to find out their policies on deferral and the process for requesting it. Most schools will grant a deferral without any problems. It is important to remember that applicants should wait until they have been accepted to a school before requesting a deferral: Requesting a deferral prematurely may decrease the chance of acceptance.

Upon receiving acceptance(s), applicants should immediately begin the school's deferral request process. This process usually consists of providing a description of Nativ, a Nativ brochure, and a letter stating what the student stands to gain from participating in the program. Applicants should inform the school that they will be attending either the Hebrew University of Jerusalem or the Conservative Yeshiva. It is imperative that applicants keep copies of everything sent out to schools about Nativ and make sure to have copies in writing of any agreements reached regarding credits or admittance.

Some schools will not grant a deferral to students who plan to study somewhere for credit. If students wait until the end of sophomore year, however, they can often apply to the applicable departments for Nativ credit, which is frequently granted at that point.

For Nativers pursuing the Hebrew University option, another possibility is to apply to schools from Hebrew University as a transfer student. If possible, Nativers should bring applications with them to Israel rather than sending a letter requesting that applications be sent to Israel later in the year.

Applicants with any specific question about this process should contact the Nativ office.

Foe early decision applicants (this is not the same as early action), applying early to a school means that if the applicant is accepted, he or she will not go to any other school. For this reason, early decision applicants must obtain the express written permission of the school to attend classes at Hebrew University or the Conservative Yeshiva. This measure is for the applicant's own protection, since violating this rule without the school's permission could result in the student not being allowed to attend that school. The deferral process should otherwise be the same as described above.