Brandeis University Top Questions

I'm on crew and it is amazing, you should join. It's becoming more and more competitive and we compete in world-renowned regattas. I met most of my close friends through crew or orientation. If you're awake on Tuesday @ 2 AM you are probably studying...there aren't a lot of parties during the week but that's not something most students are looking for. Frats/Sororites aren't a big part of life but they can be if you want them to be. Last weekend I went to Boston, went to Chabad, hung out with friends, ordered in some food, studied, worked out, it was nice and relaxing. I think the weekend before that I went to parties and dances. You don't need to be a big drinker to get along at this campus which is nice!

Most popular organizations: A cappella groups (brandeis has the most per-capita), Positive Foundations (a hugely successful and proactive philanthropic group), ultimate frisbee (for a school of jewish nerds, we have a damn good team). There are only a few groups that stick out, which I guess is a little bit of a problem. There are so many groups that are small but do cool things, so none really stand out. It ends up being a campus with few defining organizations and big collection of smaller, more specific ones. Nonetheless, there are always events that bring people in droves like liquid latex where models get dressed in thongs and a layer of colorful latex paint, or the vagina monologues which are expertly acted by brandeis women. A group I'm invovled with: The all-male a cappella group VoiceMale (www.brandeisvoicemale.com, sorry for the shameless plug, I hope that's alright). Voicemale, or VM, is the best a cappella group at Brandeis. Yes, I am being a little cocky, but that's because we work extremely hard and the end product is a polished, beautiful sound. We travel around the country singing covers of popular songs, from "home" by chris daughtry to "Where's the love" by Hanson. It's a lot of work, but the rewards are tremendous. We've sung for crowns of over 1,500 people, and over the radio to more than 10,000. We've taught classes in Arizona, and our CD's have sold more than 2,000 copies. Every year we tour and have a great time, either on the east coast or the west. Although the guys in the group can be a HUGE pain in the ass, I love singing at this level and the opportunities are amazing. We've met movie starts, music stars, and made hundreds of friends at other colleges. If you're a guy with a good voice, try out at the beginning of the year.

The most popular groups...depends who your friends are and the social circle you hang with most often. A lot of my friends are music/theater, so there is a theater show/concert every weekend, usually multiple at one time, and since Brandeis kids are so involved with stuff, you can't see or attend all of them. It's a great and terrible thing about Brandeis: Lots of good stuff happens all the time, so keep your priorities straight. There are over 200 active clubs on campus, and most of them hold programs/events/fundraising, so you can't get bored. You'll get tired from the lack of sleep because you're doing so much. Don't come to Brandeis if you have poor time-management skills: there is so much to do and the student body is so involved that you too will feel like you need to do everything and more. Skydiving? Sure. Paintball? Ok. Musical? Why not. Liquid Latex? Sexy. And on top of that, high-level academics. Be good with time-management. I don't know if other schools do this, but Brandeis gives their students free planners to schedule their hectic lives. Again with the relatively new university bit I stated before, you can make your own traditions. There aren't that many standing traditions, so there's plenty of room to make a namesake event. For example, I'm making a campus-wide scavenger hunt event for the spring. I like scavhunts, so I'm going to make one. The staff in Student Activities is all behind me on it. Brandeis flexibility in action.

A cappella is huge on campus. There might be 12 different groups with different styles. Sports are not very popular, so if you're not tight with the team, there's very little reason to stick with them. All the guys on my floor leave their doors open and we have a lot of fun bouncing from room to room. We had Bill Clinton speak here recently. It was amazing to say the least. There is a ton of theater at Brandeis. Each semester there are at least 5 undergraduate productions going on, and the Brandeis Theater Company puts on 4 productions each year from undergrads and grads. The dating scene is a little barren. They say that 60{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of Brandeisians marry another Brandeisian, so take from that what you will. I'm currently seeing another Brandeis student, and I'd like to think that I'm extremely lucky that I found her. My closest friends are my dormmates. We live together and chill together. Often times we're all piled into a room at 3 in the morning just joking around and being loud. It's great. Last weekend, I went to a swimmer party and then the liquid latex after party. Then there was purim celebrations and a cast pre-production party. It was a busy weekend.

Students leave dorm doors open or unlocked often. Athletic events are poorly attended. There is a ton of theater, which is heavily attended within the theater community. We sell out a few shows, usually the musicals. Liquid Latex is a unique event. Students design body art and get painted in liquid latex (wearing only a thong), then perform in skits or dances onstage. It's so cool, and very well attended every year. I met my friends because they lived near me. Then once you start making friends, you meet their friends and it all snowballs. I met a lot of people doing theater and in chorus. Some people I know randomly, like I met them in the library once or something and we still are friendly. Many people date non-Brandeis people, which isn't that hard since we're so close to Boston schools. On-campus dating is like anywhere: some great couples, lots of hook-ups, lots of singles. There are a few conservative, religious students who are engaged or married. At 2am on a Tuesday, I am probably finishing up whatever homework I hoped to do that night and heading to bed after watching some TV. Freshman party whenever they can. After that first year, people do one of three things: 1) join a frat/sorority and party a lot 2) drink and chill with close friends 3) not party at all. Last weekend I went into Boston twice, shopped on Newbury street, saw two plays (both of which were worked on by Brandeis faculty), worked, did hw, drank some wine with friends. Things you can't miss: -Liquid Latex -Pachanga (huge dance hosted by International Club) -the semester concert put on by Student Events, which this year hired Regina Spektor and Third Eye Blind -24-hour musical (produced, rehearsed, and presented all within 24 hours) On Saturdays, there's almost always a show or concert going on somewhere on campus. Improv groups, comedy groups, and music groups might have a performance. There's a late-night eating place to go with your friends. Heading into Boston or Cambridge.

BEMCo- Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps- we're what you get if you call 911 on campus. Amazing organization. Like I said we could be the biggest dorks on campus but instead we're just really good at intramural innertube water polo and intramural softball. And do cool continuing education hours like paintballing, bemco bowling, etc. Banshee (Or Tron) Womens (or mens) Ultimate frisbee. Also as much of a social group as a sport. Actually I have nothing to say about this because the team has changed a lot since I was a freshman, when it was much more laid back. I am hoping for an overhaul of the leadership this coming year though and it should go back to being a lot of fun. Athletic events- the only good ones are when the basketball teams are doing well. Which happens, and is a blast. There is so much theatre and it all sucks. Which means I guess if you want to be involved its easy to...? Acapella groups: If you don't make one, you must really really blow. Some are AMAZING though. Dating scene- like any college. There is no dating. You hooked up when you were drunk and then ate lunch in the dining hall and then pracitcally live in each others space because thats how dorm life is. I met my closest friends on my freshman hall. Also in my classes, studying together. Actually that has happened a lot. Where I knew one kid in the class, we studied in a group with other people, and I became close with the other people as well. That's exactly how I met the guy who would become my best college relationship. Now he's fucking the girl who lives literally next door to me. That makes me hate Brandeis. If I'm awake 2am Tuesday- this has changed. Before it would mean I was studying. Now it means I am drunk, but I am a second semester senior. Or I am just goofing off with my housemates, dancing in the kitchen to flo rider. Events every year- concert, pachanga, huck of the irish (frisbee thing), NCEMSF conference (EMT thing) Like I said before, you party depending on your niche. I can't speak for others.

Theater is extremely popular at Brandeis, as are a capella groups.

What can you do on a Saturday night that doesn't involve drinking? The real question is, what can you do on a Saturday night, period.

Late night bagel runs are a must.

Cultural groups tend to be most popular clubs, producing lots of dances/performances/etc that are very fun to attend. Team sports are pretty cliquey and usually have a close bond but students on the outside dont really care. I'm involved in ultimate frisbee which is a very tight club sport, we take a lot of weekend trips to tournaments, very intense practice schedule, etc. Athletic events are not so popular. Guest speakers have been really great lately and get a good turnout. Theatre...is kind of popular. Usually has the same audience, either you go or you don't. Dating scene definitely could be better. Either you are in a relationship or you get hit on by skeevy new jersey frat types. Met my closest friends on my freshman year hall. IF I'm awake at 2am...freshman year I probably would have been drinking/smoking, sophomore year I would have been with my boyfriend, this year I'd probably be doing homework. Events that happen every year include PAchanga (fun dance), Liquid Latex (performance where students are wearing body paint), Culture X (almost every club that performs participates, its energetic and fun). People party every weekend, but you kind of need to know people who are having parties, there don't tend to be huge ragers (unless they are frat parties which really aren't that great after freshman year) but mostly groups of friends reaching out to their friends-of-friends to have a medium sized party. Last weekend I went to a club-night on campus, and drank with my friends in my on campus house. Spent a little time in Boston at the end of the week. Saturday night without drinking...boston events/concerts, etc. Club events. Off campus, go out to dinner, see boston, go to the aquarium or museum.