Brandeis University Reviews
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Emma from Oklahoma City, OK
12/30/2009Reviewer is A current student here.
9 out of 14 people found this review useful. 1 person found it offensive. 1 person found this inaccurate. 1 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Non-party students Serious Students Students Committed to Community Service
Tips for prospective students Check out the opportunities at Brandeis and make sure that Brandeis offers everything you might want to do.
Am enjoying being here The Brandeis community is amazing!
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Audrey from Littleton, CO
12/21/2010Reviewer is A current student here.
7 out of 7 people found this review useful. 2 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Brandeis is right for people who are: bold, unique, bright, funny, well cultured, kind, caring, adventurous, and tastefully awkward. Brandeis is the first place that I have been able to totally and completely be myself. I am not afraid of what others will think of me.
Tips for prospective students Brandeis is a wonderful school for students interested in gaining the perspective of other bright minds. It is the perfect size for me, because it is a big, small school with 3200 undergraduates. It is quite a liberal university in terms of social political policy. Overall, Brandeis students are involved with Academics and are almost always dedicated to extracurriculars.
Bang for the buck Brandeis provides good financial aid, yet I still have a lot in loans. They offer need based as well as Academic scholarships. My advice would be to apply to Brandeis even though the sticker price is over $50,000. The university provides aid to students who are accepted. Overall, money did not stop me from attending.
Am enjoying being here Brandeis is an incredibly welcoming community. The people at Brandeis are making my college experience stellar. I look around and admire my friends for all their fantastic accomplishments. While everyone here is an overachiever invested in his/her own Academics and Extracurriculars, it is a supporting community. Each of my friends truly want to see me succeed just as much as they do for his/herself. That said, I study really, really hard and often.
Am learning a lot I am offered tons of opportunities to explore Academics at Brandeis. I love that can take courses that count towards my major and minors, while still taking courses that just happen to spark my interest. For instance, last semester I took beginning Russian, because I was fascinated by the Russian language and culture. In addition, most classes cross count for more than one department (and major). There are a plethora of Academic programs at Brandeis including: Experiential Learning, JBS semester long programs, Study Abroad, etc. All of my Professors attended the most prestigious universities including: Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Berkley, etc. Above all, I learn every day from my peers, whom are truly remarkable people in and outside of the classroom. I am challenged Academically at Brandeis!
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Abigail from Verona, NJ
07/08/2010Reviewer is A current student here.
6 out of 6 people found this review useful. 3 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Down to earth, accepting, hard-working, fun loving, adventurous
Tips for prospective students If you get accepted, check out the Course Evaluation Guide before signing up for classes. And don't be afraid to shop classes for the first couple weeks before deciding which ones you really want to take.
Bang for the buck A little on the expensive side. I've had some trouble with their scholarships.
Am enjoying being here I've met the most amazing people. The community is incredible.
Am learning a lot The professors are absolutely brilliant.
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ManOfLaMancha
01/10/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
4 out of 4 people found this review useful. 4 of 21
Categories Comments Clubs and Activities If I havent said enough thus far, I apologize, but there are over 250 clubs that do seriously anything and everything you could ever imagine!
Great for these types of students Eccentric, and possibly shy students. If you haven't made up your mind of what you will do in the future, great! Brandeis may be for you. You will follow your passions here and find your future a much clearer path than when you started.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There are often school breaks on Jewish holidays due to the large percentage of the student population that is Jewish. That is not to say, that we don't get breaks for other holidays as well, there is just a larger presence of Judaism, and many other religions at Brandeis than you might find at other schools.
Bang for the buck Brandeis is just about as expensive as many other private colleges in this day in age. Your money is worth a lot here. You are getting an amazing education, and will learn so many valuable skills, and meet so many helpful and influential people. Brandeis is a great investment for your education.
What to do for fun Brandeis is synonymous with fun. As I mentioned above, club activities are constant on campus, but to reiterate, international food nights, quidditch, club sports, concerts, open mics, coffee houses, plays, poker nights, school sponsored parties, movies, activity fairs, the list goes on. And if there isn't enough for you on campus, nearby Waltham has excellent restaurants, and Boston, only a bus or train ride away is filled with things to do.
Food and Dining The food here is what most would call average. While students have tried to made recent changes to dining options, the food has been slow to adapt. That is not to say that Brandeis food is bad. Its not. The food here is nothing to brag about, but the options are numerous. You name it, we probably have it. A big part of dining here is the presence of kosher dining options which are excellent.
Dorm Life The dorms at Brandeis are eclectic to say the least. The division between grades is evident for underclassmen, with freshmen living by themselves. Once you get to sophomore year however, your options explode. Our biggest dorm attraction has to be the castle, because really, who doesn't want to live in a castle. There are plenty of buildings to go around, and with a growing emphasis on green living, the options you can take to enhance your sustainability can also be catered to whe choosing a dorm. Dorm life is social and a great way to meet people too, and you will often be surprised how much fun a roommate can be!
Academic Rigor You get what you take at Brandeis. There is a very strong academic presence on campus, and many student work tirelessly throughout each semester, but it is a personal choice. Students often overwhelm themselves with too much on their plate, but regardless of the number of clases you take, each class is challenging in its own way, and teachers will make you work for your grades. After all, you are here to learn.
Tips for prospective students Brandeis has a very flexible faculty that will help you pursue your goals, even if you don't know what they may be right now. You can follow your interests and dreams through a multitude of majors, but also fill in any holes with the almost ridiculous amount of clubs. Close to Boston, it is easy to get off campus for some fun, but you and also always find something to do at school, whether it be a play,an a capella performance, comedy troupes, guest speakers, or special showings of movies before they get released in theaters.
In three sentences Brandeis is an all inclusive school with everything a student could wish for. Busting at the seams with student diversity, clubs of all kinds, and professors that you can approach at almost any time, the smaller community of Brandeis University is perfect for those who want to do it all. The opportunities for study and involvement in the campus and surrounding community are immense, and you will never have a moment where you find yourself without options of entertainment or participation in the school or the surrounding area.
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Rachel
02/24/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 5 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Brandeis is a really comfortable place for someone who is looking to become a big fish in a small pond. The rather isolated campus and close-knit student body is perfect for students who are academically focused and want a close community. It's great for students who are looking to expand their involvement in extracurricular activities, especially in politics or social justice. However, it's not a party school in the slightest; if you want easy access to Boston or a thriving social scene, Brandeis may not be the place for you.
Tips for prospective students Visit the campus! It's important to get a feel for the place, and there's no better way to do that then visiting - for a full day and night, if you can. Interacting with current students, sitting in on a couple classes, and navigating the campus yourself is the best way to tell whether Brandeis is a good fit for you.
Bang for the buck When you pay tuition at Brandeis, you're paying for a great liberal-arts education as well as a degree from a very well-respected academic institution. Unfortunately, you're still paying about $50,000 a year. Though Brandeis offers some financial aid to most students, it can still be a struggle to afford for some. However, Brandeis has a unique focus on undergraduate education and can really open the door to great opportunities.
Am enjoying being here Brandeis is a kind of idyllic college environment - it has an open, green campus, very active student life, and wonderful academic opportunities. Students really get involved in everything from political and cultural clubs to intramural sports, theater, and music groups. However, though Brandeis is only nine miles away from Boston, those nine miles are quite substantial unless you have a car. The campus can sometimes seem like a bubble - if you are the kind of person who wants to spend a lot of time in the city, or have a really active and dynamic social life, this might not be the place for you.
Am learning a lot Learning at Brandeis is largely what you make of it: I know I'm learning a lot because I take time to meet with professors, select interesting classes, and pursue a major that I'm passionate about. Brandeis does have distribution requirements to fulfill throughout your four years, but if you search a little it's possible to find a class in each discipline to interest you. Introductory-level lecture classes can seem limiting, in terms of opportunities to meet with professors and grow academically. However, upper-level classes (which you can start taking even as early as late freshman year) really provide an experience to connect with professors in a small, intimate setting and learn quite a lot.
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Alexander from North Branford, CT
07/26/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 6 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety Brandeis is a remarkably safe campus. There's virtually no crime; last year there were only one or two theft incidents, and there really aren't any other sorts of safety threats that I can think of. The security is pretty lax, though, which is nice; students and guests can come and go as they please without signing in, and this works out for everyone because nobody likes having to fill out paperwork to have a friend stay over. I'm not sure if this is the result of an honest student body or if it's the cause, but either way I would say that Brandeis is probably up there with some of the safest schools in the country. If you don't believe me, look up the stats; all college campuses release their crime statistics publicly on the internet.
Greek Life While the university doesn't officially recognize the existence of frats/sororities, they do exist, just outside of campus. The vast majority of students aren't involved in Greek life, but if you're interested, they're there. The frat houses throw some of the better parties on the weekends, if that's something you're into, but beyond that they don't have a very large presence on campus. It's the sort of thing where if you want to find it, you don't have to look far, but at the same time, if you're not interested, nobody's going to try to force you to join.
Clubs and Activities No matter what you want to do, you'll find other people at Brandeis that want to do it, too. We have everything that you'd expect to find at a university, from theatre and a capella groups to Physics Club, along with a lot of other groups that you wouldn't expect, like Brewing Club, Comic Book Club, and Pokemon Club. We also have some cool club sports, like fencing and quidditch (you should definitely try out quidditch. seriously.). And if somehow, you manage to think of something that we DON'T have, it's EXTREMELY easy to start your own club or organization on campus. If I could give Brandeis seven stars here, I would.
Great for these types of students Students that are nerdy and proud. Everyone on campus is passionate about something, be that theatre, physics, Harry Potter, a capella, abstract math, Disney films, or anything else under the sun. Brandeis students also tend to be very liberal, and they're not afraid to show it; we're very concerned with social justice, and at any given moment you can find probably five or six different fundraisers or events going on with the goal of helping out those that are less fortunate. People who like to volunteer will fit in perfectly here. If you work hard to pursue your passion, have an open mind, and care about the welfare of those around you, then Brandeis is absolutely the school for you. **I also just want to say quickly: Brandeis is not just a place for Jewish students. While it is true that we have a very large Jewish population, you certainly won't feel alienated at all if you aren't. I was really worried about this when I moved in, but I was pleasantly surprised by how accepting and accommodating the Jewish community is. Not only have I made a lot of great friends, despite not being Jewish, but I've been exposed to a new culture and a new set of traditions that I knew virtually nothing about before coming. Don't listen to people that say that you have to be Jewish to go to Brandeis. You don't. I'm not.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The castle! I don't know if it's really a tradition, but one of the big rites of passage for freshmen is to find their way up onto the roof of one (or several) of the towers. This isn't really encouraged by the security people, but the view of Boston from the roof of B tower cannot be beat. Chum's is another really well-known place on campus. It's a coffee shop in the castle, where they often have concerts (sometimes by well-known bands: Fleetwood Mac played here once) and student-run shows and events. It's really calm and the people that work there are probably the coolest on campus. Definitely check it out if you're touring. There are dozens of other cool, secret places around campus that beg to be explored (the mirror room and graffiti tower in the castle, the peace room, and the roof of the Faculty Club, to name a few); I don't want to share them all here, because that takes all of the fun out of it, but if you're ever on campus, be sure to ask around!
Bang for the buck Brandeis is expensive, but worth every penny. We're not as highly regarded as, say, Harvard, but a Brandeis degree still holds a lot of weight in the academic field. You'll have a leg up after graduation, no matter what you plan on doing. The people that you'll meet here are truly unique, too; Brandeisians are hardworkers that know what they want and are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve. Consequently, you'll find that many Brandeis alumni go on to be quite successful, which means you'll graduate with connections that are almost as valuable as your degree.
What to do for fun Student Events always has tons of awesome things going on, ranging anywhere from mini-golf to concerts (last year we had Childish Gambino and fun.), and the best part is that all of their events are free! Other than that, most people will spend their free time hanging out with friends, watching movies, or going into Boston. Brandeis runs a free shuttle into the city, Thursday through Sunday, so that's always a really nice option to have on weekends. If you're looking for a party school, Brandeis isn't for you. There are parties, but they're usually pretty tame, and when they get out of control, they get broken up quickly. Unless you're going to college looking for ragers and this is a dealbreaker for you, you'll never have to look far to find something to do.
Food and Dining The food is... okay. The two main dining halls are Sherman and Usdan. Sherman takes more of a quantity over quality mentality; you can eat as much food as you want (pizza, burgers, pasta, salad, ice cream, etc.) and it's not bad, but it's not great either. They DO have special theme nights sometimes, though, and the food at those is much better than the typical fare. Usdan takes the opposite approach; the food is better than what you'll find at Sherman, but it's a la carte, so you have to pay for everything individually. Also worth mentioning is the dining plan: depending on which one you sign up for, you'll get meals or points. A meal is worth a set dollar amount, and that amount changes depending on the time of day; in the morning it's worth around $4, and at night it's worth roughly $8. You can use a meal to buy food worth up to that amount in Usdan, or you can use one to sit down at Sherman. Most people save their meals for Sherman, because that's the best deal. Points are
Dorm Life Dorm life is kind of random. If you end up in a hall with cool people, you'll love it; if you don't, you won't. The actual dorm buildings are decent; some of the freshmen dorms are much nicer than others, though (you do NOT want to live in Shapiro). If you don't like the people living around you, though, you can always make friends elsewhere and hang out with them in their hall instead (I would still make an effort to do that even if you DO like your neighbors). Upperclassmen housing is nicer, for the most part. Some places in East are really run-down, but I don't hear many people complaining about their living space. I'm giving it four stars because the vast majority of the people here are some of the nicest and friendliest that you'll ever meet, so no matter where you're living, you'll have people to hang out with.
Academic Rigor To be honest, it depends on the classes that you're taking, but, as a pre-med, I can tell you that the science courses are really intense. Chemistry especially is killer. While the courses are difficult, and you'll likely find yourself struggling to keep up, you'll come out of each and every one of your courses satisfied. How much you get from them depends on the amount of work you put in, but you'll never hear anyone at Brandeis say that they aren't being adequately challenged.
Tips for prospective students Visit the campus and take a tour, definitely, but don't be discouraged by the way it looks on the surface. I really didn't want to go when I first started looking, but after talking to some of the students and sitting in on a couple of lectures, I was sold. Oh, and bring quarters; doing laundry is the worst.
In three sentences When I first applied, I really had no interest in going to Brandeis. Somehow I wound up changing my mind, and after taking a closer look, I fell in love. Now I'm here and not a day goes by that I'm not proud to be a Brandeisian.
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Christina from Waltham, MA
02/24/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 7 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety private school, small campus - i'm surprised it's as safe as it is given there seems to be no regulation of who comes on and off campus but the three exits/entrances to campus make you feel either incredibly safe or incredibly cornered.
Greek Life fortunately, the greek life isn't acknowledged by brandeis because they feel in its existence, it purports exclusion based on whatever (religion, race, social standing, what-have-you), but it does exist. we have i think three sororities and four fraternities and they throw decent parties... usually.
Clubs and Activities there are over 300 clubs at brandeis, choose one and choose wisely.
Great for these types of students socially awkward!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus sachar woods has a few bonfire pits and there are lots of sneaky locations on campus to explore, for whatever reason.
Bang for the buck utilize your professors' office hours, work for them in their labs, take courses outside of your major, get fridays off and play an instrument on the great lawn.
What to do for fun make friends and hang out with them...
Food and Dining the dining services on campus are only getting better than they were when i was at brandeis.
Dorm Life the dorms are honestly kind of unfortunate but hey, most dorms are.
Academic Rigor have i not mentioned this yet? brandeis is not an easy school.
Tips for prospective students don't come expecting brandeis to be easy, especially since it isn't an ivy league and many students use it as a back up for ivy league schools - brandeis is very much ahead of its time. come to brandeis with an open mind and a tough exterior because this school will really help shape you.
In three sentences in three sentences, brandeis is academically rigorous - the science courses in particular are taught at a much higher level here than at other schools. the social life is atrocious because parties end early and are usually pretty lame but the people at brandeis are really friendly and approachable (which you don't get at bigger schools). and lastly, the professors are incredibly qualified and if one was taking advantage of their education, they would be bugging their professors often.
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Alexandra from Seattle, WA
06/01/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 8 of 21
Categories Comments Greek Life Greek life exists but is not the main social scene on campus.
What to do for fun With over 250 clubs, the highest ratio of clubs to students of any college in the US, there is never a dull moment at Brandeis. However, if you ever feel like you want to get off campus, which I rarely do, Brandeis is only 9 miles away from Boston and has a commuter rail stop right in front of the university for the students' convenience. Brandeis also has a weekend shuttle that runs into Boston every 2 hours and drops of at popular locations.
Food and Dining Brandeis has 2 main dining halls and a bunch of other smaller cafes and markets around campus with a variety of options. One of the main dining halls is all-you-can-eat and is split kosher and non-kosher. I personally keep kosher and the food is fantastic on the kosher side. I hear great things about the non-kosher side, as well. My favorite part of dining on campus is Einsteins Bagels which is open very late on school nights for students to get their late night snack. Another cool feature of Brandeis dining is the catering service. If you want to have a special secluded meal just for you and your friends, you can order a catered meal. Or maybe you just want a cake for a birthday celebration, that can happen too.
Dorm Life Dorming is really fun. I was always very nervous about sharing a room because I was an only child but it turned out great. Brandeis has great dorming options, not to mention the possibility of living in a castle during your sophomore year.
Academic Rigor Brandeis is a school for very ambitious students. You have the option to do up to 3 majors and 3 minors in your undergraduate career, which is a ton. I personally am doing 2 majors and 2 minors, giving me a full plate of academics in addition to my extracurricular activities.
Tips for prospective students Get in touch with current Brandeis students and talk to them about their Brandeis experience. What are their likes? Dislikes? What is one thing they would want to change about Brandeis?
In three sentences Brandeis is an amazing university with tons of opportunities. It provides the fun vibe of a summer camp while also fostering great knowledge and a professional atmosphere - you form great relationships not only with your peers, but with your professors. Brandeis University, as a whole, truly cares for your well being.
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Nathanel from Hollywood, FL
12/25/2010Reviewer is A current student here.
9 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Anyone willing to put time and effort into their education and caring for the community. There are countless community service activities going on throughout the year.
Tips for prospective students This school has something for everyone. It's not just liberal arts or all science, its got a good mixture of the two. The school is very liberal in general and there are many student activist groups. The school likes to see applications from students with strong beliefs and a will to serve the community.
Bang for the buck Some things could be done better money-wise. Mostly with food. It's probably similar across many schools although its a bit tough to get a proper meal in just the meal plan depending on where you go. Also remember that it's a private school, you pay a lot to attend, make it worth your time and effort :). There's a lot to take advantage of here.
Am enjoying being here There's always new people to meet and things to do around campus. Everyone manages to have some free time from studying so its not work work work all the time every day. It's easy to find fun even when there's a lot of work to get done.
Am learning a lot The courses here all require that you want to learn. It's not hard to learn something new in any class.
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Anna from Burke, VA
03/19/2012Reviewer is A past student here.
10 of 21
Categories Comments Academic Rigor Great!
Tips for prospective students When you visit make sure you figure out the best ways to get into the city. You might find it takes a little long.
In three sentences Great academics, pretty far from downtown Boston.
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Jasmine from Forestville, CA
03/29/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
11 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety Brandeis is very serious about their campus safety with an escort service as well as its own police force and emergency medical service. I don't feel threatened walking around at night because I know Brandeis is protected.
Greek Life Greek life is not recognized by Brandeis or the town it is in because it goes against Brandeis' ideal of community. It is definitely there though and if a student is interested it isn't hard to find. It definitely isn't part of the Brandeis community though.
Clubs and Activities There are hundreds of clubs at Brandies and student events are always putting on activities. I could not write them all down, but their are opportunities for anything that you may be interested in.
Great for these types of students There is a huge Jewish community and a lot of opportunities to explore Judaism, so if you are interested in that Brandeis is great. Or if you're not, Jewish culture isn't so overwhelming that you can't express yourself. Also, it is fantastic in the sciences, so science majors should look into that.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus One tradition on Brandies Campus in Purim. It is a Jewish holiday and the whole campus gets involved even if you aren't Jewish. Throughout the day students will be walking around in costume ready to celebrate.
Bang for the buck Brandeis is expensive, but they are pretty good with financial aid and they really give you your moneys worth. There is so much stuff going on and students are always learning and there are so many classes that the price is worth it.
What to do for fun There is so much to do for fun at Brandies from clubs to organized activities like dances or Bronstein Week to theater performances and lectures, students are rarely bored. And if you want to get off campus, there are shuttles all weekend to take students into Cambridge and Boston and experience activities there.
Food and Dining I don't think the food is horrible here, but it is not the best all the time. Sherman dining hall is rarely fantastic, but I have had some really good meals in Usdan and the POD markets are very convenient.
Dorm Life I live in a dorm with all of my friends because I am a midyear, thus we were all put in the same dorm and I absolutely love it. My dorm is my favorite place on campus not only because it is nice and an easy place to live, but all my friends are here and I think of it as my home.
Academic Rigor I fell like Brandeis is very challenging. Brandeis requires its students to think outside the box and take initiative, so students don't have a choice when it comes to applying themselves. I think that this creates a better environment to study because everyone is trying very hard to succeed.
Tips for prospective students One tip I have for prospective students is become involved. There are so many clubs, volunteer groups, lectures, and activities that are fun, informative, and really worthwhile. Once you get here, it almost seems overwhelming how much students do for extracurriculars, but trust me, once you get in the swing of things you won't be able to help getting involved with all the fun and interesting stuff they have available.
In three sentences Brandeis University is overflowing the opportunities and community. Not only are students challenged in an academic setting, but we are also constantly given the chance to be involved. Brandeis wants to create an environment where its students can connect, and it succeeds.
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Emily from Marlborough, CT
05/09/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
12 of 21
Categories Comments Campus Safety Even late at night I feel safe on campus.
Greek Life It's there. I'm not involved in it but I have a lot of fun and know other people involved that have a lot of fun.
Clubs and Activities There is everything. Disney, punk rock and roll, Asian, Jewish, Christian, cooking, natural living, writing, athletics, arts, music, theater, dance, a capella and other singing....everything.
Great for these types of students Everybody can find a niche here.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus 24 hour musical (exactly what it sounds like; you have twenty-four hours to put on a musical. You work all night and day long for twenty-four hours and then perform for the campus! This year's show was The Little Mermaid).
Bang for the buck While incredibly expensive, I would say that so far Brandeis has been worth any penny.
What to do for fun This campus is incredibly active. Every evening there are at least three things going on that you want to get involved in!
Food and Dining Brandeis has food for everybody. Their accommodating attitude in classes, questions, and where you are extends to food as well: they have vegan, gluten free, kosher, halal, and vegetarian options so that everybody feels comfortable. The food is pretty good, too.
Dorm Life I'm not im my room often, but I have made a lot of friends with the amazing people in my hall and building. My CA is a wonderful, fun person who I feel comfortable talking to. Our bathrooms are newly renovated so they are pretty nice and the laundry room/machines are not bad.
Academic Rigor The classes I've attended and students I have interacted with really showed me how dedicated to academics Brandeis is. I am so proud to have been accepted to and to be attending such an amazing school
Tips for prospective students Talk to people you see. Everybody at Brandeis that I ran into or asked for directions or about their experience was happy to talk with me. Their cheerfullness and friendly attitudes helped me make the big decision. Everybody here is really friendly and eager to answer questions.
In three sentences Brandeis has an environment unlike anywhere I have ever been. The students are smart and know a lot about the world around them. Everyone here wants to go places in life and has big goals that they plan to achieve.
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Elizabeth from Northbrook, IL
06/01/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
13 of 21
Categories Comments What to do for fun Off campus Greek life, clubs, sports, campus events, go to Boston
Tips for prospective students Learn time management!
In three sentences Brandeis is amazing because of the close relationships you can build with your professors. There is a good balance of academic life and social life. There is something there for everyone.
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Irina from South Euclid, OH
06/27/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
14 of 21
Categories Comments Greek Life none
Great for these types of students international
Bang for the buck great environment
What to do for fun Waltham is beautiful but Boston is very close so that offers numerous possibilities for having fun
Dorm Life there are no dorm rooms available for graduate students, but from visiting it looked nice
Tips for prospective students Do not get an Apple computer if attending the MBA or MeIf program, it is very hard to work with Excel
In three sentences Gorgeous campus, with numerous opportunities for students. World renowned and hands on trained faculty. Very competitive environment which prepares students for the real world.
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Jessica from Braintree, MA
07/09/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
15 of 21
Categories Comments Greek Life Uhm, well, they're not recognized. But we have a few, and 10% of students are a part of Greek life.
Clubs and Activities Tons of clubs, good student activities
Great for these types of students Its a place for those who couldn't find their place anywhere else. Basically, you'll know if you're a Deisan when you step on campus and talk to the people.
Bang for the buck Honestly, as expensive as it is, its amazing.
What to do for fun Order frozen yogurt from Prospects (they deliver to Brandeis!), go down to Dartmouth street for a party, or go to any theater productions (they happen all the time).
Food and Dining Einsteins is amazing! As is the faculty club. Sherman is all you can eat, but the food is of a lower quality than Usdan, which is cooked once you order. Sherman has a Kosher kitchen, while Usdan offers few Kosher options.
Dorm Life Well, the dorms in North quad are amazing (especially Gordon and Sheffres), as are senior housing (Ridgewood) and Mid year housing (The Village). The rest are pretty iffy - it gets really hot without air conditioning, but thats only in September basically.
Academic Rigor This school does not have a competitive atmosphere, BUT all students here are competitive against themselves. I've never known someone to be okay with a C grade, and most students push themselves as hard as they can. Definitely for students looking for a challenge.
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Jacob from Hooksett, NH
07/15/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
16 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Brandeis is great for serious students with open minds.
Bang for the buck The tuition price is a bit steep, but financial aid is pretty good.
What to do for fun Join the clubs, go to events. There is always something happening that you can go to.
Food and Dining The food tastes good enough, but variety is lacking.
Dorm Life The Freshman dorms are fairly average, but clean.
Academic Rigor The work load isn't easy, but if you focus it is quite manageable.
Tips for prospective students You can have lots of fun at Brandeis. There are many clubs offered, go out and join some; they don't require a huge commitment and you can try some and stay with the ones you like.
In three sentences Brandeis teachers are always willing to help. Everyone on campus is very welcoming and will help when asked. The buildings are all well maintained.
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Sarah from Yorktown, NY
07/25/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
17 of 21
Categories Comments What to do for fun Tons of clubs, sports, parties on the weekends, and easy (and free) access to Boston.
Food and Dining One dining hall is not very good because of a lack of variety and quality, but the other is really delicious, healthy, and has a wide variety. There's also convenience stores, a bagel place, and small food stands around campus.
Dorm Life My floor wasn't very close knit freshman year because we didn't have a lounge, but I just hung out on my best friends floor because almost everyone there was friends. The dorms are quite during late hours usually, and are in fine condition.
Academic Rigor Intense classes, but that mainly depends on which one. For instance, my general chemistry class was much more difficult than my theater as vision class.
Tips for prospective students During orientation, don't be afraid to go up to anyone and start talking to them. Everyone else is scared and doesn't have friends yet either.
In three sentences I love Brandeis. The classes are challenging, and anyone can fit in there. It's easy access to Boston and Boston schools is really convenient too.
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Janelle from Peabody, MA
07/25/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
18 of 21
Categories Comments What to do for fun Student events.
Tips for prospective students Make sure to keep up with all readings and assignments.
In three sentences A very diverse University. With many student events making it easy to socialize. Also, amazing academics.
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Anonymous
12/13/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
19 of 21
Categories Comments Greek Life Greek life is not officially recognized by the university, but it is fairly prevalent. There are three sororities and five fraternities on campus, and they throw some pretty decent parties throughout the year!
What to do for fun Brandeis has shuttles Thursday-Sunday that will take you into Cambridge or Boston for free. I definitely recommend heading into Boston often. In addition there are many events on campus, including Chum's Coffeehouse which features local bands or artists every weekend.
Food and Dining There are two dining halls on campus. There's a relatively wide variety of food options, but it is still typical college food. Some of the food can be relatively expensive for an average quality, which can get fairly frustrating.
Dorm Life On-campus housing is fairly good. Freshman and sophomores are guaranteed housing both years, which is very convenient. However, after sophomore year, many students will choose to live off campus because they claim it can be cheaper.
Academic Rigor Brandeis is an excellent school, but unfortunately this means that the academics can be quite challenging at times. However, all of the work is manageable, and you are rewarded with an meaningful degree from a great school at the end!
Tips for prospective students Make sure your essay is creative and unique. Brandeis definitely wants students who are different and exciting. Your grades need to be very good as well.
In three sentences Brandeis is full of the most open and accepting students you will ever meet. The academics are excellent, but very rigorous. The distance to Boston is fantastic and it's very easy to get around.
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Danielle from Milford, NJ
12/26/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
20 of 21
Categories Comments Clubs and Activities I've never seen a school with as many clubs as Brandeis. There is a club for everyone here.
Great for these types of students Students who are unique, expressive, quirky, studious, athletic, and social will all feel at home here.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Brandeis castle is home to sophomore dorms and Cholmondeley's coffee house. An overlook around the back of the castle looks out on Boston (as does the fire escape on the side of the castle!) which is fantastic in the evenings.
Bang for the buck Brandeis has great academics and countless opportunities for involvement.
What to do for fun There are countless activities occurring on campus on a given day: performances by A Capella or improvisation groups, concerts, coffee houses, and presentations by clubs. Brandeis also offers free and easily accessible transportation into the local Waltham area, Harvard Square, and Boston.
Food and Dining Each dining hall has ample options for everyone: kosher, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and ethnic options.
Dorm Life Aside from loud heating units, the dorms are very nice. Community Advisors do a great job of fostering a sense of community for the hallway.
Academic Rigor You definitely have to stay on top of your assignments, especially the reading assignments, because they pile up. Professors also love to reference reading assignments on midterms and final exams.
Tips for prospective students Don't be afraid to come to Brandeis without an intended major - there are so many classes you can take to discover your academic interests! For students who do have an intended major - take classes outside of the range of your major. You will find other topics and professors who will make great impressions on you.
In three sentences Brandeis University is an awesome place. Students who are musical, scientific, athletic, and scholarly will find their niche and numerous other students who share their passion. The sense of community at Brandeis is close-knit and supportive.
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HK from Fresh Meadows, NY
03/03/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
21 of 21
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Dedicated to social justice, passionate about volunteering, curious about different topics, open to meeting different types of people.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Sledding down the hill by the library, attempting to walk across the frozen Masell pond, singing the Messiah in the Campus Center's atrium with President Lawrence and much of the student body.
What to do for fun Campus parties, off-campus frat/sorority parties (personally, I did not enjoy these much), and when you hit 21, you can go off-campus and enjoy the nightlife that Boston has to offer. If you can afford it, I recommend getting a car. Makes life easier.
Food and Dining Options have increased over the years, but if you are vegan, you may have a hard time finding things to eat here. Luckily, you can move off-campus after your first year, or starting your junior year, you can live in a dorm with a kitchen and get off the meal plan.
Dorm Life Campus is large but small enough where you can see your friends on a regular basis.
Academic Rigor The students I choose to spend my time with are those who are involved on-campus but also take their studies seriously. Yes, this is college, and you should have fun. But you are also a student, and attending college to increase your future opportunities. So take your studies seriously.
Tips for prospective students Visit the campus before you choose to attend (this goes for any school you're looking into). Look into the clubs available, and see where you think you could fit in socially. Look into the subject areas offered, and choose not only based on what you think you will be (for example, pre-med), but also on other areas of interest. Be open and curious.
In three sentences Brandeis students are passionate about social justice, and for the most part are friendly, curious, and smart. The campus is prettiest during the fall and late spring. During my years as a student here, professors have been passionate about their subjects, and dedicated to helping their students grow.
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