<p>I am an (international, white) prospective science graduate student, and I am seriously considering applying to Brandeis.</p>
<p>Now I do know this is not a grad student subforum, but I thought this would nevertheless be the best place to get a look at the atmosphere. Due to me living something like 4000 miles from Boston, it’s a bit difficult to experience the place myself.</p>
<p>My first confusion has to do with the academic quality. Everything I read seems to implicate that Brandeis is extremely good in academics, thus just what I’m looking for. However, it has done quite poorly in the international university rankings. The rankings are of course only crude indicators, but still one would assume a great research school to at least be in the top 200, no? The only explanation I came up with was that smaller schools generally seem to be significantly devalued in these rankings due to the methology, but that’s not completely plausible due to Caltech, for example, being so highly ranked. There are interesting faculty, which is great, but I still worry about the general prestige of the university, both in the US and internationally.</p>
<p>My second concern is with the social life. I don’t mean party/greek scene (I in fact dislike drinking and hate drunk people), but normal informal human interaction. Specifically, I want to be able to meet new people outside of my classes. Some of the more bitter writers have described the only available group activities as either choir or Jewish.</p>
<p>About Jewish people, how are they? Again, some writers have described them rather unpleasantly. I should note that I absolutely admire Jews for all the great things they have done in the science and would very much to have Jewish friends, but I’m worried that they are a closed group, with little interest for interacting with non-religious outsiders. Note that in my country Jews are an extreme minority, so I really do not know how they are really like.</p>
<p>Regarding the above, I also think Jewish girls are generally very pretty (and of course smart). Any chances there (for a relationship, not one-night stand)? Any truthful stereotypes I should be aware of?</p>
<p>How is the overall physical fitness of the students? I am under the impression that Brandeis is a nerdish non-athletic school and MA is something like the most overweight state in the US, but do people still take care of themselves? I (a nerdish guy myself) have noticed that it’s much easier to keep oneself motivated for exercising when there are other fit and healthy people around. </p>
<p>Thanks for any answers! I will consider adding more questions later.</p>