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The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Brandeis University is 33%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.
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What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
When I was high school age, I lived in a very conservative Mennonite community. If I would have chosen to go past the ninth grade, the expected age to stop high school, I would most likely have had to defy my parents’ wishes. Basically, the attitude was that “higher education” was unnecessary, and that we could survive quite well in the world without it. My peers also would have thought I was a little strange, perhaps even conceited, if I would have chosen to finish high school.
The advice I would give my high school self is: “Do not let peer pressure define what you do. Just because something is the accepted thing to do does not mean it is the wisest thing to do. Learn to evaluate things for yourself. Sometimes that means doing things that are considered strange or different.”
“Never undervalue the strengths of your community, but realize that your community does not have all the answers. Do not be too proud to admit the flaws of your community. Be brave enough to challenge those weaknesses and to not be defined by them.”
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Describe the students at your school.
My classmates are definitely unique and diverse, a good amount of them are very outspoken while a lot of them are shy.
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What is the stereotype of students at your school?
Ugly Girls, Bad Party Scene, Nerdy Kids, Students study a lot, Tons of jews
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Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?
EXTREMELY friendly, as a rule. Rare indeed is the asshole Brandeis student. Brandeis certainly doesn't have a huge party scene (for which personally I am very thankful), but there are plenty of parties that happen on campus every week. Even if those aren't enough, there's Bentley and Boston. Brandeis is also very nerdy: if you are interested in non-mainstream activities, this is the place for you. There are about a dozen a cappella groups, and a surprising large contingent of roleplayers: Dungeons and Dragons, LARPs, and that sort of thing. The Jewishness is a constant presence, but never overwhelming or oppressive. Not really as awkward as we joke that we are. It's true that lots of people picked Brandeis because they didn't get into the Ivies (including myself), but it is a great school in and of itself, and personally I can't imagine wanting to go anywhere else.
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What are the academics like at your school?
Most professors know my name, but I speak up in class. Education is definitely geared toward learning for its own sake, which I LOVE. Discussions can be fantastic! I wish I could spend more time with professors outside of class, and most of the professors seem to want to spend time with students outside of class as well. Students spend a lot of time studying.
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What is your overall opinion of this school?
So much to do, if you just go out and look for it! Classes tend to be interesting, and there are plenty of student clubs to fill your time. The faculty is generally friendly and approachable. Sometimes you can just wander around exploring the campus -- it's not large, but it is very beautiful.
To address the questions: best thing is the friendly people. I would change the structure of the meal plan: too complicated, and the food isn't terrific (but it's not half bad, either). I think the size of the school is just right. The general problem of a small school is that you see a lot of people you don't like -- but with such friendly people, there is almost NO ONE I dislike. I spend most of my time running from place to place with my various activities. I suppose I'm mostly in rehearsal. Biggest recent controversy regarded censorship of a well-loved professor, and nearly the entire campus rose up in protest. Not a whole lot of school pride, per se, but most of my friends are glad to be going here.
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What are the most popular student activities/groups?
A CAPPELLA and THEATER are the two biggest consumers of students' time. So many shows, so many rehearsals! Athletic events are basically dead. Frats and sororities exist, even though the school doesn't officially recognize them, but they have a very small presence on campus.
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Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
It has a large Jewish community for a small school.
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Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.
Brandeis University is the place where I feel like I can be somebody, that I mean something to someome, and that I can be myself.
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What kind of person should not attend this school?
Party-goers, slackers, druggies and people with antisocial tendencies will find themselves a minority at Brandeis. Your average student is an overachiever, interested in many fields, uses drugs sparingly, socially, or not at all, and is a friendly, happy person. If someone prefers to keep to him or herself and doesn't want any sort of contact, Brandeis is not for that person.
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What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I didn't know that the campus was predominately Jewish before I came here, not that that would have changed my decision to attend, but to be prepared for a slight culture shock would have been nice.
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What's unique about your campus?
I love how the student population is so involved and active on campus. There are so many different clubs, activities, and organizations for just about every interest, so it's really easy to try something new, and most of the clubs are extremely welcoming of new participants. It's the same way with classes - it's really easy to take a class in a department you've never tried before and the professors are very friendly and accomodating.
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What kind of person should attend this school?
Someone who is willing to accept that it is Brandeis' quirks that truly makes it a special environment.
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What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
One of the most furstrating things about my school is the fact that they attract you by promising big scholarships. They do keep their word when they promised these prospective students scholarships, however with each preceding academic year they slowly strip more and more money away. And not just a couple of dollars, but a couple of thousands of dollars per year. The reason why this strategy is so decietful is because by that point in your academic career if you don't catch on fast enough you'll have become too attached to the community to want to leave.
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What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The worst thing about Brandeis is the brutal cold winter this year.
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Describe your favorite campus traditions.
Brandeis is often known as the "Jewish school," but it is a secular school, no longer majority Jewish and that does not define the school's activities or policies anymore than schools with similar demographics. It is also known for the SmartBalance brand of butter, partially developed at the school (we call it Brandeis butter).
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What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
Brandeis students have a reputation of being pretty weird, and that can definitely be true, but no matter what type of personality you have, there's a group for you. The students here aren't weirder than kids at other schools, just more comfortable with themselves and more willing to show their true colors. People, of course, try to put their best foot forward when meeting new people, but are quick to show their real selves, making for less shallow and more meaningful relationships.
Rather than being liked for qualities that make people popular in most high schools, Brandeis students are likable for being loyal, honest friends.
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What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
I probably brag most about the types of classes offered at Brandeis and the tremendous privilege I have receieved by being able to attend the University.
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Tell us about the sports scene on campus.
If you're looking to attend high-stakes football games with thousands of cheering students with painted faces, you need to be somewhere else. It's not that our teams are bad, it's more that the student body isn't interested. However, the athletes' are playing at a college level and any game you attend will be entertaining. (There just might not be a huge group of fans watching with you.)
Intramural sports are possibly more of a big deal than division sports. The frisbee and soccer teams are always crowded. There are many options and all the teams are really accessible.
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Why did you decide to go to this school?
I decided on Brandeis because of it's proximity to Boston without being in the center of the city. I also liked the friendliness of the student body and the size of the school. Brandeis is big enough that you can meet new people all the time, but never feels overwhelming and anonymous.
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