Boston College vs. Brandeis University

Hello everyone,
I have finally gotten my college decisions and have come down to Boston College and Brandeis University. I got 60k from both schools for the first year so cost will be the same. I am looking to go to graduate school in the neuroscience field.
Here lies the problem though. My major at Boston College will be biochemistry and my major at Brandeis University will be neuroscience. I am leaning a bit towards Brandeis University as I received the Brandeis justice scholarship, was accepted into the LCS program, and enjoy the idea that the relationship between faculty and student will be close. However, I am worried about the food and dorm that almost everyone has called below mediocre and the small student body.
I like the idea that Boston College has a beautiful campus, a bigger student population, but there is nothing else special going for me. I am a bit worried about faculty student relationship Should I go to Brandeis University or Boston College? Please help me decide. Thanks!

I think in terms of rep and (probably) overall quality, these two are pretty even.

So you are free to decide wholly on fit:

  • Campus/environment
  • Social norms/culture
  • Academic fit

You’ve already said that the financial aspect is essentially even, so you don’t have to chew on that. If it turns out that both offer what you want – major, classes and curriculum style, and surely there will be more knowledgeable people than I to comment on those – then just pick the one that feels more like home.

The general vibe of these two schools is pretty different: Brandeis is pretty liberal and has a bit of a social justice bent, whereas BC is much more middle-of-the-road and very sports-oriented. Which appeals to you more?

@prezbucky Which one would you choose?
@lalalemma I would say I’m moderate. I’m not very sport-oriented though. I do play sports, but I do not follow sport teams.

I’d pick the smaller school with more focused attention and the major that directly fits your field of study. Things like food and dorms won’t be as important as time goes on.

@JerryBerry I think something else to consider is the research aspect that each school offers. If you are intending to pursue graduate school in neuroscience then doing research will be a big part of that. What Brandeis offers is the opportunity for undergraduate students to work in active neuroscience research lab’s and start assisting neuroscience graduate students and post-doctorate candidates in their research. Eventually, once skilled enough, an undergraduate student can have an experiment of their own and perhaps even get published in a paper. Being published and having lab experience is a huge leg up in this field. Post-graduation you would already be more qualified than others to work as a lab technician in a lab before pursuing graduate school. That is something that does make Brandeis unique in that way because even though it’s small, it has a strong research aspect.

What is it that you want to do with neuroscience? Research or theoretical (which I think also includes some research)?

At Brandeis, there is also the BS/MS 5 year neuroscience program that’s very good. If you don’t mind me asking @JerryBerry , what interests you about neuroscience?

Feel free to inbox me.

@insanedreamer That is what I am kind of thinking at the moment… However I’m also caught up between school recognition. Almost everyone has heard of Boston College but not Brandeis University. I know it’s foolish of me, but that is another reason why I am debating between Boston College and Brandeis University.

@patterncc Sent you a message!

@JerryBerry,

If it were my choice and I felt like the academics and financials were equal and I didn’t prefer the vibe/culture/housing/social atmosphere of either… I’d go for the one with more school spirit – in this case, BC.

But this isn’t about what I’d like in a school, it’s about what you like. I think academically and in terms of price and prestige, they’re pretty even. It’s up to you to find the difference between them that matters to you.

@prezbucky Although BC is more social from what I have seen and heard, I am really seeking relationships with professors and the opportunity to do research at a university.

Then try to find out about class sizes for the classes you intend to take, who the profs are and what their office hours are, whether they are welcoming or not (and for that info, talk to students…), etc.

If you are interested in research opportunities, find out how much each school spends on it, how many positions typically are available in your field or a similar one, and how many students compete for said positions. Some of that might not be easy to ascertain, but the more you know, the more prepared you will be to make an informed choice.

@prezbucky I’ll look that up. Thanks!

If low quality college food and non-luxury college dorms are the only thing deterring you from Brandeis, I have some great news for you… college food and college dorms kinda suck everywhere.

I’d also worry less about prestige and how many people have “heard of” either one. The people who will matter later (employers, grad school admissions) will recognize both as quality institutions. What the average Joe on the street has heard of or not matters little. So don’t base your decision on that.

Not in Neuro they aren’t.
It’s not even close, Brandeis has a clearly higher rep in that area.

Although BC has a significant grad school, it bears little resemblance to a large impersonal research university where all the profs are wrapped up in research and mentoring grad students and have little time for undergrads.

That really doesn’t describe Brandeis. Not by a long-shot.

@JerryBerry: I’m commenting on your post #7. I think Brandeis is recognized by many people. I’m surprised to hear someone say Brandeis isn’t known. And especially in Neuroscience, since Brandeis has a top program. When you are looking to jobs or grad school, having your degree from Brandeis will be very impressive.

Not sure if this matters to you, but Boston College is very Catholic (students are majority Catholic and school is Catholic) and Brandeis is very Jewish- I think, majority of students are Jewish and school has Jewish influence/base.

Have you visited both?