I am choosing between a full tuition scholarship at Bard College in New York and a full tuition scholarship at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. Both seem like amazing schools, but I haven’t encountered a lot of positive information on this forum or anywhere else online about the reality of attending these institutions. Most of the complaints seem to revolve around the workload and seemingly lacking social life. Has anyone had a positive Bard/Brandeis experience? I’m sure plenty have, I’d just like to hear more about the positive attributes of each school. I am from Georgia so I won’t be able to visit for the time being.
Are you in the Posse program? I’m sure if you write to Bard & Brandeis they’ll put you in touch with current Posse students there of whom you could ask questions and I’m sure get honest replies.
I cannot speak to either based on personal experience, so hopefully some students will weigh in.
But these are my impressions based on my family’s college search and visits.
Bard: a delightfully intellectual, somewhat off-beat place. If you march to your own drum, you might love Bard. Think hipsters and artistic types, although those are stereotypes and there are all types of students. Beautiful rural location. Students enjoy dinner parties. Unique summer reading and winter science programs in freshman year. One of a kind charismatic president who is an outspoken advocate of the liberal arts.
Brandeis: the best of two worlds: as small as a large liberal arts college with small classes and close relationships with teachers, but a top research university with great opportunities. Not the prettiest campus-- it is modern. Suburban and a short ride to Boston. It is unique socially in that it is fully secular but does not have a Christian majority; it is a warm and welcoming place that offers a lot of social activities but not as heavy a party atmosphere as many other colleges (though if you want parties, you can find them). Big emphasis on social justice and service.
@SpiritManager I am! Thanks for the idea; I’ll definitely be doing that when I get home later. I have a friend at each school but I would love some additional input.
@TheGreyKing Even if you haven’t been a student, you’ve given me some great information! Thank you for that. I am glad to hear that both schools offer great opportunities and aren’t full of unhappy students like many posters on this forum seem to suggest. I was especially worried about Brandeis but it was fantastic to hear it described as warm and welcoming. I am definitely leaning more in that direction because of the location, numerous majors, and research opportunities. An ugly campus won’t bother me too much 
Thank you both again for the help! I look forward to (hopefully) hearing from current students in the future.