A new, coordinated process governing the mesivta farher season in Lakewood was implemented this year in an effort to restore order to the high school admissions system and prevent early, unregulated acceptance practices.

For many years, local mesivtas had followed an informal agreement that farhers and admissions would begin in the month of Shevat. This schedule allowed eighth-grade students to spend much of the winter zman preparing and gave families time to evaluate schools.

In recent years, rapid growth in the Lakewood yeshiva system led to increased competition among mesivtas. Last year, the lack of a binding agreement resulted in admissions beginning as early as the start of winter zman.

Some schools issued acceptances before formal interviews were held, often based on brief conversations with rebbe’im. In many cases, parents had little opportunity to visit schools or carefully consider placements. Rebbeim reported that this early acceptance process weakened student motivation, as many boys reduced their learning efforts once they had secured a placement.

In response, a group of rebbeim and menahelim organized a community-wide effort to reestablish structure in the admissions process. BMG Rosh Yeshiva Rav Yisroel Neuman shlit”a agreed to oversee the initiative and convened a series of meetings beginning in the summer. At these meetings, participants developed a formal system designed to delay the start of the admissions process and ensure greater coordination between elementary schools and mesivtas.

Under the new framework:

• Eighth-grade rebbe’im and menahelim agreed not to share information about students with mesivta administrators before Rosh Chodesh Shevat.
• Bochurim were permitted to begin requesting applications on 26 Teves.
• Mesivta inquiries about bochurim could begin on Rosh Chodesh Shevat.
• Farhers were scheduled to begin on 17 Shevat for most yeshivos.
• Newer mesivtas and smaller schools were permitted to begin one day earlier, on 16 Shevat.
• The participating mesivtas formally committed to following this calendar, creating a unified admissions system across the community.

Throughout the year, additional meetings were held to refine the process and address logistical concerns.

Rebbeim reported that the delayed admissions schedule led to increased academic focus among eighth-grade students. Schools were able to complete review sessions and examinations without the pressure of early acceptances. Administrators also noted that parents had more time to research schools, visit campuses, and consult with educators before making decisions.

Mesivtos indicate that the standardized schedule is reducing competition-driven pressure and limited the need for rushed admissions decisions.

Despite its reported successes, the new process has also drawn criticism from some parents. One concern raised is that bochurim are now required to identify a preferred mesivta early in the process without knowing whether they will be accepted. In some cases, boys who were not granted early interviews at their first-choice mesivtas are unable to pursue alternative options simultaneously and are later forced to seek placement at less-preferred mesivtos.

Critics argue that the system places greater control in the hands of institutions while limiting flexibility for students and families. They contend that this dynamic can leave some boys without realistic options during the early stages of admissions, increasing stress and uncertainty.

Supporters of the new framework respond that the structure is necessary to prevent a return to last year’s unregulated environment and that greater stability benefits most bochurim.

Organizers of the initiative say the standardized calendar and cooperative approach have laid the groundwork for future admissions cycles. They hope that continued coordination among chedarim, mesivtas, and rabbanim will maintain consistency in coming years.

At the same time, community leaders acknowledge that adjustments may be needed to address concerns about choice and access.