<p>Have interviewed, but not visited, so need further input to form a virtual impression of Brandeis campus and culture. I’m getting a somewhat disjointed picture so far: ugly/interesting campus; competitive (premed)/collaborative; clique-ish/inclusive student body; static/convivial social scene… Any opinions, personal experiences? Thanks!</p>
<p>Your questions ark for comments that are inherently subjective; the answers will lie in the eye of the beholder. The best thing to do is to visit and form your own impressions. But in the event that a visit is impossible, I'll give you my subjective impressions. </p>
<p>I have no connection to Brandeis other than as a parent of a Ph.D student(which is a very different experience than an undergraduate would have) but I have spent a fair amount of time on the Brandeis campus so I have formed some impressions:</p>
<p>Campus: The Brandeis campus is different from those of its peer institutions. The Usen Castle is the only significant building built before 1948. I think it is really neat--and gives a European feel to that part of the campus. Others think it is just weird. Again, eye of the beholder. Most of the newer building on campus are quite nice--but you have to like modern archecture. No Georgian or collegiate Gothic buildings at Brandeis.
Conversely, some of the older building on campus--built at a time that Brandeis was new, poor and rapidly growing--tend to be plain and functional. For example, newer dorms and apartments are quite nice. Older ones could pass for military barracks. Brandeis is built on a hill (like Tufts) and that affords some very nice views of Boston. There are also some lovely parts parts of the campus (e.g., Chapel Fields, the pedestrian spine, etc.). On the other hand, the campus is, in my opinion, way too car friendly (as oppposed to pedestrians) and the loop road, together with on street parking and acres of parking lots are downright ugly. In my view, if the University build some parking garages on the periphery and restricted the central campus to pedestrians--the campus would be much more pleasant and beautiful.</p>
<p>Competiveness: Brandeis is a good University--clearly more focused on academics and intellectual pursuits than sports and partying. It has an excellent faculty and many gifted students. That, by itself, engenders a certain competitive feel. I think that is a good thing. I've never observed behavior by students that I would characterize as "cut-throat" or over the top--but I'm sure you will find a few individuals who fit those categories. In general, the undergrads seem to be smart, well-adjusted, fun-loving yet serious. I'd find it hard to distinguish Brandeis students from, say, Tufts students. </p>
<p>Clique'ish v, inclusiveness--I'm sure you'll find both but, as a school with no Greek system or similar exclusive organization, I think inclusiveness wins out by a large margin.</p>
<p>Social scene--If you want a rah-rah football/basketball scene and emphasis on partying and want to be in Boston--apply to BC, not Brandeis. But while BC is a good school, Brandeis is clearly better from an academic standpoint. If you are an out-going, extraverted type of person, you will have no trouble having a fun time at Brandeis. There is a lot to do on campus--and Boston (probably the best college town in the nation) is easily accessible. On the other hand, if you are extremely introverted and never venture off campus--I'm sure its possible to have a miserable time (of course, those type of people are usually miserable wherever they are).</p>
<p>Bottom line: Visit if you can--and make yp your own mind. Good luck.</p>
<p>My daughter had a great time when she visited a HS friend in a dorm at Brandeis. The students there all work hard - this is not an easy school. My general impression was that the students in the liberal arts programs are quite collaborative, helpful and supportive to each other's coursework. No data to back it up but I heard that the students in the math science premed programs tend to be a bit more competitive, trying for the best grade in the class. (I think that may be true at many colleges, though.) </p>
<p>If you are looking for a social scene full of rich and beautiful people partying in the classiest night spots in Boston, this isn't it, but the Brandeis kids appear to be having a lot of fun on and off campus. I think it is a really nice size for a college - big enough to be a real college but not too big. No one will be lost in the crowd at Brandeis.</p>
<p>The students appear to have reasonably well balanced lives. Work hard but able to enjoy life.</p>
<p>^ thatd be my mother, lovely. </p>
<p>The campus wasnt ugly. I thought it was pretty. </p>
<p>I think its cliquey, but in a way that you find your clique and you love it. Almost like their groups of friends had a really strong common interest of some type. but of course she was friends with a lot of the girls on hte floor.
i felt like i could be friends with everyone there, though. Really nice kids.</p>
<p>heres the thing though, i didnt like my tour cuz of the people on it. but from staying with my friend and eating in the student center or whatever. it had a fun feel. So really just try to get there, check it out for yourself some too (aka dont just take a tour) thatd be your best bet.</p>
<p>Any other thoughts/comments?</p>
<p>Had a chance to visit recently. Administration -- faculty and staff-- were warm and friendly and enthusiastic, as was the grad student guide to the labs. Other students encountered seemed happy and engaged. Aesthetically, the campus lacks cohesion and the construction underway (new dorms, science bldg) confuses the issue further. Overall, the impression is still a bit fuzzy: any current students/alums care to chime in? Thanks!</p>
<p>The campus is a hodgepodge of styles and colors; not cohesive architecture like so many older East Coast schools. And there usually are one or more construction sites. That said, I woildn't let the physical nature of the campus matter much. I went to a school that also had a hodgepodge of styles (and for the older buildings there, still does). However, once you adopt a college campus, all of it, including the weird buildings, becomes your old familiar stomping grounds, and just looking at the weird buildings brings back memories.</p>
<p>So, don't sweat the small stuff.</p>