For context, I would be a political science major (or a politics major at Brandeis). I’m liberal and Jewish. Money is not an issue, but I got merit money (very similar scholarships) for both schools. I have not gotten to tour either school.
American University
Pros:
- Amazing location
- Best internships
- I’d be in the School of Public Affairs
- I have at least one friend attending
- 20k/year scholarship
- A bit bigger than Brandeis (7k undergrads)
- I like the labs better
Cons:
- Not highly ranked (76 according to USNWR)
- I think I might fit in better at Brandeis
- I have heard the advising is mediocre
Brandeis
Pros:
- Jewish!
- I really like New England
- Nice campus
- 20k/year scholarship
- I’ve met some people already who are very nice
- Higher ranked (42 according to USNWR, but they’ve slipped in recent years)
- I think I would fit in very well with the students
- Seems to have good advising
Cons:
- Internship opportunities are definitely not the same as AU (especially for politics)
- Very small (3.6k undergrads)
I have a friend whose daughter is at American and is having a really good experience. But the dorms are not good and she is moving off campus.
Overall, there seem to be a lot more pros for Brandeis.
The campuses have very different feels. Do you like a more urban feel or more of a suburban campus? Do you have any particular questions about each? I can confirm that Brandeis does have a tight-knit vibe with very friendly students. Career center and academic advising are great. Also, very easy to minor or double major as Gen Ed requirements are minimal and easy to meet, especially if your HS scores satisfy the language requirement.
Our family visited both.
American wins in the category of location, for sure- much nicer. A prettier campus in a better location. And yes, if you are into politics and public affairs, the DC location is a winner.
But the BranVan will take you into Boston from Brandeis.
Brandeis is a much more intellectual milieu— more of a “life of the mind” type of place— if that matters to you. It is exciting to have peers who love ideas and learning for their own sake. And the small size is an advantage, not a disadvantage— you will have plenty of attention from Brandeis’s well-regarded professors.
Congratulations on having two fantastic options that are both affordable for you. Imagine being at each one and turning down the other. Which are you more excited to attend and more disappointed to let go of? Go there!
(Another funny option: you could go to Brandeis but spend a semester junior year in the Washington Semester program at American University. That will afford you the internship opportunities of American while enjoying all the other advantages of the Brandeis experience!)
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The CON of AU is not - you might fit in better at Brandeis. In fact, that has nothing to do with AU.
One is DC - one is Boston area.
Both are not considered “attractive” schools although you say Brandeis is nice. Niche gives the Brandeis campus a D+ and AU a C+.
Forget the ranking - are you going to devote four years of your life because a magazine, using subjective data, says one is 42 and one is 76. That’s silly.
The Public Affairs school is not necessarily the place to be at AU…vs. say SIS.
Jewish - is a pro at both schools - both are heavily Jewish (AU about half as much). But - don’t forget, the world isn’t Jewish and you are going to grow and learn about finding your place in the world.
I haven’t read the other posts yet (how people responded) but it’s clear you prefer Brandeis so that’s where you should go. If you want any further “push”, google the rat problem at AU. Also, Brandeis offers mid-year programs in DC - so you can get your DC fill that way.
Good luck.
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Check out the book, “Tuesdays with Morris” by Mitch Albom to see the kind of life long relationship that one Brandeis student developed with one of his professors. It says special something about the place
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