Brandeis University Top Questions

My overall opinion on Brandeis is that it is a tremendously friendly, accepting place for students from all backgrounds- be it geographic or ethnic. Students are always willing to help one another, even in the most competitive classes, and that is reinforced by the multiple advisors students are set up with upon entering Brandeis. Teachers are the same way- approachable as well as experts in their fields. I often email my favorite teachers to have lunch with me! Brandeis is a small school- it has under 3300 undergraduate students, but I love the intimate size because the student-faculty ratio is unbeatable! This is an experience you just cannot receive at a large-state school university. The overall atmosphere of the campus is inviting and ever-growing with student volunteers who want to make a difference in the campus and world at large! I am constantly inspired by the incredible things going on around me, be it academic and professional success or seeing a student take time from his busy schedule to go off-campus to help the needy in the greater Boston Area. This is a school where anyone can thrive with the right attitude- all the resources you need are right here.

My overall opinion on Brandeis is that it is a tremendously friendly, accepting place for students from all backgrounds- be it geographic or ethnic. Students are always willing to help one another, even in the most competitive classes, and that is reinforced by the multiple advisors students are set up with upon entering Brandeis. Teachers are the same way- approachable as well as experts in their fields. I often email my favorite teachers to have lunch with me! Brandeis is a small school- it has under 3300 undergraduate students, but I love that it is small because the student-faculty ratio is under 10 students to one teacher. This is an experience you just cannot receive at a large-state school university. The overall atmosphere of the campus is inviting and ever-growing with student volunteers who want to make a difference in the campus and world at large! I am constantly inspired by the incredible things going on around me, bit it academic and professional success or seeing a student take time from his busy schedule to go off-campus to help the needy in the greater Boston Area. This is a school where anyone can thrive with the right attitude- all the resources you need are right here.

Brandeis is one of the most academic challenging, creative and inspiring campuses in the United States. Brandeis encourages their students to dream big- I've had friends create their own programs in India, Indonesia and Thailand while receiving funding and grants from the school. I believe it is the perfect size- you feel at home on this small campus. The professors are some of the best around- engaging and personable- it is their goal to educate and be available for students whether in office hours or by email. Every week there is a fascinating lecture or speaker to attend, and hundreds of clubs to choose from. However, the aesthetics qualities of the school could be improved- the campus architecture is pretty bleak. The dorm choices in comparison to many schools of this caliber are not up to snuff. Waltham, although it has many delicious ethnic food offerings, is by no means a college town. The only quick way to get into the main streets of Waltham is by car so many students, as much as they love Brandeis, feel stranded on campus. On weekends, Brandeis provides an excellent free shuttle service to Cambridge and Boston to enjoy its cultural offerings. Brandeis pride could be much stronger, but school wide events like basketball games, Relay for Life and Dance Marathon give the campus a sense of community that I have not witnessed at other friends schools that I have attended.

Overall, I love this school. I strongly feel that our embracing diversity is one of the strongest aspects of Brandeis. Academics aside (which are great), I feel like it is important to be happy where you go to school. It is also really easy to get involved on campus, which is great, because students can easily follow their passions. I also feel that compared to most schools, both our faculty and administration is accessible and willing to discuss student input. A few years ago, when I was looking into schools, one thing I would do is go into the school's respective campus center and talk to current students. I felt the most passion and honesty from the students I talked to at Brandeis. That sentiment still holds true today.

The best part about Brandeis is definitely the students themselves. The people around you are makes or breaks a college experience, something I learned as a transfer student. At Brandeis it is so easy to meet other people, even after a month or two into school, where at many places people feel like they have their friends and they don't want to meet new people. At Brandeis that is not the case at all, and it definitely helps that most of the people I meet I could see myself being friends with if I had the time. I DID NOT feel that way at my previous school, and most of my friends at other schools don't feel that way. People at Brandeis may be a little awkward, but they are also genuinely nice, incredibly interesting, and fun to be around.

Sometimes I try to pin down the one reason why I love Brandeis so much before I realize that I can't. It's more of a feeling I have when I'm on campus - a sense of belonging. Yes, everyone has there own group, and at times I feel trapped in my own little circle of friends. Even so, there is a sense of community that just doesn't exist on a bigger campus. The students complain about lack of school pride, a heavy work load or crappy Boston weather. But deep down, there's a tiny, magical Brandeis "seed" planted in everyone. As corny as that sounds, it's the best way I can think to describe the place. You just have to experience it for yourself!

So the latest thing on campus is about changing from plastic water bottle use to metal. They gave every undergraduate student a free metal water bottle, and are trying to stop the sale of plastic ones at most campus dining locations. The environment tends to be a big deal at Brandeis, and given the current green fad, even more. The school is also oober liberal, but there is a voice for just about everyone.

I love Brandeis because the academics are great and my fellow students are interesting, smart, friendly people who care about each other and about the world. I feel comfortable here, but I also feel intellectually and personally challenged, which is great.

Brandeis, like a lot of other schools out there, I'm sure, is a make-your-own-experience school. If you're looking for someone to hold your hand every step of the way as you try to figure out your academic focus, your social life, your extracurriculars and your career ... you can actually probably find them here. But you'll have more success at Brandeis if you are independent and can figure things out on your own. If you have an interest that has even a minor following, there is probably a club for it at Brandeis. Don't like the way the club is run? Change it. Club doesn't exist? Make it. The school has the resources to fund some crazy clubs thanks to a percent of everyone's tuition (the Student Activities Fee) which goes towards student organizations and events. There is no dearth of majors here, and most people find after a year or two that they fit into one of them. But for those that don't, it is always possible to make your own. I know a couple of students who started a major about neuroscience and how it relates to music. Our relative proximity to Boston means there is always something to do, even if it's getting a little lame on campus. Although usually there is some kind of party happening at the Mods or in Ziv on the weekends, as well as a Student Events run shindig. I can only speak to my personal experiences, but I haven't ever experienced a void of activities on a night where I wanted to go out and do something fun. Brandeis is a small school. And you can tell. You tend to see a lot of familiar faces around, and there is a nice small-town kind of atmosphere where, even if you don't know everyone, you probably know someone who does. But even if you want to be anonymous, there is room to breathe. 2,000 students is still a lot of people. But just like it is possible to find exactly what you want at Brandeis, it is also possible that life here may just piss you off. There is always at least one Negative Nancy who is going to complain about their school no matter where they end up. I've heard a bunch of complaints about Brandeis, all of which I'm sure have been voiced about most other schools. I honestly believe that if you know what you want out of college, or have the energy and the willingness to try out new things, then you can get everything you want from Brandeis.

A sense of community is what really makes Brandeis a special place. Most people are inspirational and passionate--we make up for a lack in big sports and athletic scenes by actively pursuing social justice and other exciting endeavors. It is great to be so close to Boston and Cambridge!