Brandeis University Top Questions

The best thing about Brandeis is that no matter what you're into there is a club here for you. We have clubs for -everything-. Sailing, rugby, juggling, wine tasting, etc. If I could change one thing about Brandeis - it would be the type of music the kids here listen to. There is not a huge population of students who listen to hip-hop/rap, and it sort of surprises me because it's the norm at other schools. My school is just right, thanks. Most people react by saying they don't know what Brandeis is, or thinking it's for smart, nerdy kids. I spend most of my time in on-campus suite housing with friends. It's a college town in the sense that our bars have nights for Brandeis/Bentley students to drink there...but not really in any other sense, we're close enough to Boston though. Brandeis' administration could obviously be better, but what do I have to compare it to...? So no clue. The biggest recent controversy was an advertisement in our school newspaper in which a 'BlackJerry' was sold - 3/5ths the cost of a BlackBerry, etc.' Was a bad joke that a lot of people went apeshit on. There is very little school pride, another thing I would like to change. One experience I'll always remember...my first day there was a huge bonfire on-campus in the middle of our woods. Was absolutely crazy. Most frequent complaint? People who are big losers complaining we have no social life, when it's just them not being invited out. Our social life is excellent, you just have to try.

The best thing is the support we get around here. The advisors are really helpful, and willing to help in any way they can. I would probably change the fact that not a lot of people know that they are there. I felt comfortable going to them because I worked at Academic Services. It might be awkward for others just to walk in and say they can't deal with something. I like the size of the campus; the constant constuction is annoying because everyone says how ugly it is. They just have too look and appreciate what we have, like Chapel's Field, where else has three faiths surrounding a heart shaped pond? People always say "congratulations" when I tell them I go to Brandeis, it's a big pride booster for me since I really didn't like the high school I went to. I spend the most time in the daylight hours at the library, but when it's late night and when I finish work, I hang out with my friends in various places. Waltham really isn't a college town, it's more Boston that attracts people. The only thing unusual on campus that isn't on others is the large percentage of Jewish people, it's not very common at other schools. The most frrequent complaints I've heard are the food (undercooked, no variety, etc) and the parking (Charles River). So far my favorite experience would have to be finding the sport I love to do that I do that pleases me, and makes me happy every time I play.

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.

In terms of size, Brandeis is just right. At about 700 undergrads per class, you can get to know lots of your peers without feeling like you know everything about everybody. I find myself rarely leaving campus; this may be due to the fact that I don't have a car, but I really don't feel the need to get away all that much. If you do want to get off campus, be aware that Brandeis transportation is not as convenient as they say it is. The Branvan in often late, and you must call in advance and reserve spots. The Boston shuttle is more convenient, but it only makes stops every hour and a half.

It's a great school and I'm really happy that I am here! Orientation is amazing and gets you excited about Brandeis. Waltham, our town, could use some work but being close to Boston is amazing!!! I go to Boston probably every other weekend on the free shuttle.

Brandeis is a really small, safe school. The campus can sometimes feel like a bubble, and it seems like very few people actually go in to Boston frequently, despite how easy it is to do so. The social life is fun if you want it to be. There are 4 frats and 2 sororities ay Brandeis, but greek life is not recognized by the school. The majority of fun to be had on campus comes from greek life, but there are some things to do even if you don't like to drink. The major thing about Brandeis is that it will SUCK if you dont take initiative and find opportunities. If you find the fun and find the cool extracurriculars and the awesome professors, then your Brandeis experience will be great!

The Best Thing: I'm a sophomore and I'm still meeting new people and doing what I want like starting NGO's and getting involved in new things. What I would change: I would fast forward 20 years to when all the construction is done, we have a better endowment, and we have administrators who know how to run a school. The size is perfect. I went to a small high school (about 1,000) and brandeis seems to be a good fit. I don't feel bewildered by new faces everyday, but there are enough people that i don't know so that I can constantly meet new people. Pretty much I can recognize people, but I don't know all of them. I would feel lost if I saw brand new people everyday. Where I spend most of my time on campus: In various meetings and rehearsals. I like to stay active, and fortunately I've been able to fill my time with lots of worthwhile things, from VoiceMale, which is pretty much a semi-professional a cappella group) to F.R.E.S.H. Water, an NGO I started this semester. The key to being happy and successful is GETING OUT OF YOUR ROOM! I had a shitty freshman year because I stayed there all day and watched TV. Peoples Reactions: 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} Impressed and they have a not-to-distant relative who went here. 15{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} Whatever. 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} What's Brandeis? I guess waltham is out college down. It's a pain because it's not walking distance, so you have to take a campus escort (Branvan as we call it) or have a friend with a car). There's restaurants and a few nice public areas, but nothing that interesting. Boston, however, is a great town. I am only just beginning to appreciate it. There's tons to do and student events offers cheap tickets for everything from theater to the aquarium. I recommend trying to take some sort of Boston history or architecture course and then going to see what you learned first hand. Boston is an amazing city with tons to do... if you can get there. Once again, you need to take the campus shuttle to get there, which only runs thursdays through sundays. But monday-wednesday you'll probably have other stuff to do, so now big deal unless you area a compulsive city dweller like myself. Brandeis Administration is not so great. Because it's a young university (relatively) there's still a lot of questions about its character and how it is run. There are good admins, but also bad. All in all, I don't deal with them much, so I can't really say. Biggest recent controversy: An article in one of our humor magazines that depicted "blackjerry" a substitute for a blackberry that is essentially a black guy who does stuff for you. It was meant in good humor, but some people got offended. I personally thing the knee-jerk reaction from the student union is a symptom of the sometimes over-liberal sentiment on campus. School pride is mediocre, but growing. This past year has seen events getting bigger and better, with lines outside school sponsored partied and sold out seats at concerts and shows. Don't come here if you need to root for a sports team or something. Come here if you want to make things better by actively engaging yourself, not sitting back and letting the school spirit engage you. Unusual about brandeis: ugly building, constant construction, so I guess the aesthetic is lacking. But on the plus side, students are surprisingly engaged in various aspects of campus life. The most unusual thing is that you have to shape your own college experience. No one can do it for you. One experience I'll always remember: Going on tour in California with my a cappella group. I've gone everywhere with them, from cali to arizona and north carolina. I'll never forget the california tour my freshman year. Amazing. Most frequent complaints: Ugly campus, not engaged in campus life, not enough food options, crazy admins.

There are two things that resonate with me about Brandeis. First, wherever I go, I am guaranteed to run into people I know. Everywhere. I can take a different route to class and see people I haven't met before, but I will run into someone I know. I don't think that's because I'm the kind of person who has a lot of friends, it's that Brandeis students are interconnected with all disciplines. While I may venture into the science complex very rarely, I still have friends who are science people and I meet them wherever I go. The second big thing I like about Brandeis is that there are opportunities here that you can't get at the more historical schools. Since Brandeis is so new, there are countless ways to make a mark and start a tradition. This is an exciting place to be because change happens in a short period of time, and you can actually make a difference in your four years here. At more prestigiously older schools, like Harvard or Yale, the history and tradition is more deep-seated, so the room for change isn't as easy. While there are plenty of issues that aren't unique to Brandeis (inefficient student government, new practices implemented in administration, etc), the possibility to change those things is in your grasp. There is no perfect school, but at Brandeis, you can shape it into your perfect school.

The Best thing about Brandeis is its personality. The people here are so open and friendly, and Brandeis strives to be a top university without conforming to the strict "Ivy" mentality. I spend most of my time in play rehearsals or swim practices. When I not there, I'm in my dorm with all my buddies or in my girlfriend's room.

Best thing about Brandeis is its welcoming attitude. People are genuinely friendly and kind, they make you feel accepted and at home. I would change the landscaping. We really need to repave, redesign, and spruce up the campus. It's just the right size. You see familiar faces every day, but meet new people all the time. When I say I go to Brandeis, about half the people won't have heard of it, but anyone who has knows that it's good. I don't mind that Brandeis isn't that notorious. It's like we've found a gem that other people don't know about. I spend most of my time in my dorm room, wandering around my hall, or in the music or theater buildings. Waltham is nice. It's not dead, but it's not overwhelming. It has a small downtown with excellent restaurants and a few quirky shops. It feels safe. There is a lot of school pride, with plenty of playful grumbling. Whatever flaws people complain about aren't really of consequence. We all really appreciate the opportunities that Brandeis provides and the strong degree we will earn. Most frequent complaints: campus grounds in need of repair, hilly campus, dorms needing renovation, not enough housing, not enough places on campus to eat, expensive meal plans, Career center not that helpful, health center not that helpful