Things To Consider
There's a lot to think about when it comes to picking which program/yeshivot to apply to, and which to commit to. None of the things mentioned below are necessarily more important than the other- it's your job to create a priority list catered to what you want to get out of the year. If you are looking for a place to learn about the foundational principles of Jewish beliefs, going to a Yeshiva in Bnei Brak would probably not be the best fit for you. Here's a list of things to think about:
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Location- Location means a lot. It will dictate how early and late you can leave to catch a bus, especially if the only way back to your Yeshiva is through the Tachana Mirkazit (central bus station). If you're playing football Saturday nights at Kraft Field, but have to go from and to Gush, it's a lot of trips and you'll have to make it before the last bus. The Old City is incredibly special, but is more expensive if you wanted to buy any groceries and it rains a lot in the winter. Every place has a pro and con.
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What the guys are like- Duh, if the guys who go are sporty, nerdy, super shtark, kinda weird but everyone else there is weird too so it works out- these are important things to look into.
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Programming- basically every program does trips and Jewish programming, but every place will (hopefully) have at least one thing that differentiates itself from the other programs. For example, one Yeshiva takes their students to Dubai instead of Poland during the year- if that's your thing. So look to see if there is a quality that makes a place significantly more special than the others.
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Where your friends go- We disagree with the notion that you can't go to the same place where some of your friends go. Your friends are awesome, and will only elevate the experience. Of course, don't close yourself off to the other guys in the program. It happens often that friends end up going to the same place as each other, but still have other great friends that they met at their program. We do, however, discourage you from deciding on a place because your friends are going there. You'll forever regret it if you do.
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Apply to a minimum of 2 places- Don't set yourself up to be in a stressful situation- always have a backup to your backup.
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Where people go afterward- A lot of people switch to YU or commit to the IDF during Israel. Some people switch from a secular university to a religious one. In case you decide to transfer universities, it is a good idea to have people in your program who are going to both secular and religious schools.
