Brandeis, BC or GWU?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brandeis University
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<p>As most colleges have released decisions, I am glad that I am admitted to Brandeis University, Boston College and George Washington University. However, I find myself in a dilemma in which I cannot decide which college I should go to.</p>

<p>Both Brandeis and BC are close to Boston and are of a rather small size, comparing to most colleges classified as “universities”. I like this type of unversities which are more like LACs. I think Brandeis and BC are rather similar in many ways and the similarity makes me hard to decide.
by the way, i am very impressed by the AOs of Brandeis. They are really nice.^</p>

<p>And as for GWU, i was told that it offered more opportunaties for students, because it is located in D.C. and is a extensive typical university. Nevertheless, the financial cost is considerably high as i didn’t apply FA. </p>

<p>one more point: I am an international student and therefore i also worry whether I can get along with schoolmates. So the atomosphere of the college should be considered, i suppose.</p>

<p>Would you guys offer me some advice please?
I really appreciate your help.</p>

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<p>Zhouxy, I do not believe Brandeis and BC are similar at all. BC has nearly three times as many undergraduates as does Brandeis-nearly nine thousand versus just over three thousand. Brandeis is intellectual and arts oriented whereas BC has a dominant sports culture. Brandeis is much more comparable to its UAA bretheren, the University of Chicago (its President is a Brandeis alum) or Wash U, or other small research universities like Johns Hopkins, than it is to BC. With respect to prestige as it affects success rates in admissions to the best graduate schools, including med school and law school, it would be hard to beat Brandeis. However, if you’re looking for a prestigious Div I athletics program, it’s BC hands down over all other schools in the Boston area. I would compare BC more closely with its more prestigious Catholic bretheren, Notre Dame and Georgetown. Here’s a link to a discussion comparing the two schools:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/660439-bc-vs-brandeis.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/660439-bc-vs-brandeis.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>With respect to your choice of GWU, BC or Brandeis, I would choose Brandeis. As I’ve commented to others on this site, Brandeis is truly an amazing school. It’s a special combination of small liberal arts college and world-class research university-with the smallest student body I believe (less than 800 in a class) of any top tier national research university matched with high-powered professors who actually teach in small classes. So, the research opportunities are tremendous. Plus it’s very close to Boston, which is the world’s best college town, but on its own suburban campus.</p>

<p>Despite their intellectual bent, Brandeis students are down-to-earth, friendly and non-competitive with one another. FYI in a recent Forbes national college rankings survey, Brandeis was ranked 15th among research universities and 30th overall among all private univerities and LAC’s–a testament to its focus on undergraduate education. Larger schools, including some Ivies, were ranked much lower. </p>

<p>Despite its small size and relative youth, its alumni are very distinguished–to name just a few: Nobel Prize winner for chemistry Rod Mackinnon, Fields Metal winning physicist Edward Witten (often called “Einstein’s successor”), 3-time Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Friedman of the NY Times, The Earth is Flat etc; Mitch Albom of Tuesday’s with Morrie (about his Brandeis professor), the Creators/Producers of Friends; actress Debra Messing; Robert FX Sillerman (billionaire businessman–currently owner of American Idol and Graceland) and Christy Hefner, former CEO of Playboy). Also, if you’re into social justice or theater/music/art, it’s a very exciting place to be.</p>

<p>Finally, the school is very diverse undergraduate and graduate, with a strong international flavor, so I believe you would feel very comfortable there as an international student (in fact the majority of its International Business School is international students). Plus, Brandeis’ time-honored Wien International Scholarship Program has educated many important international figures who have returned to their native countries to serve. Here’s a link to the history of that program: </p>

<p>[Wien</a> International Scholarship Program 50th Anniversary Celebration | Wien International Scholarship Program | Brandeis University](<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/wien/]Wien”>http://www.brandeis.edu/wien/)</p>

<p>Plus, here’s a link to the University’s Global Program:</p>

<p>[Global</a> Brandeis | Brandeis University](<a href=“Global Brandeis | Brandeis University”>Global Brandeis | Brandeis University)</p>

<p>With respect to the issue for some of the school’s Jewish population, you should understand that less than 50% of its student body is Jewish. Brandeis is a non-sectarian school that embraces students from all types of backgrounds based on merit. Unlike BC, which is a Catholic Church run institution, Brandeis has no religious affiliation, although it was founded and is funded signifcantly by the Jewish community. </p>

<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>

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<p>zhouxy, after reading your post, I truly think that Brandeis is the best fit for you. I think that Brandeis is the most relaxed environment and least cliquey campus so it’s the best choice if you’re worried most about getting along with others. 7% of Brandeis students are international and there’s a special pre-orientation program just for internationals.</p>

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<p>Considering majors, i get into accounting or economics. However, personally i am interested in sociology. I haven’t received postal mail from GWU yet so i am not sure which college of the university i am in.</p>

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<p>If you wanted to study something relating to government, GWU. Otherwise, Brandeis.</p>