Hi! Recently I have received offers from both Brandeis and BU for transfer. My intended major is Art History.
I know Brandeis is prestigious in the US, but it seems to be much less reputable than BU in other countries (I have to consider this because I am an international student). I have read posts saying that Brandeis is stronger in academics. However, I have also seen many people hating the location and facilities of Brandeis, whereas BU has better reviews from its students. It is so difficult to decide and I cannot go to Boston to visit these schools. I have already booked the flight for going home right after I finish this semester…
Is Brandeis that much better than BU? I have read posts where most people vote for Brandeis compared to BU.
Different environments. Brandeis is about 10 miles outside Boston, so BU has better access to galleries. BU has a more urbanized campus, some say not much of a campus feel at all. Brandeis has ~3,700 undergrads, BU ~16,500 plus many more grad students. Both schools have roughly the same percentage of non-residents (MA). Brandeis is ~40% Jewish. Brandeis has a higher average GPA, 3.84 vs 3.61 for BU, and a higher mid-50% ACT, 29-33 vs 27-31 for BU. SAT is about 100 points higher for Brandeis. The admit rate and yield are roughly the same for both. Brandeis has smaller class sizes overall, as you’d expect from a smaller school, but not by a huge amount.
Which school is better? It depends what features you prefer. Have you researched the curricula? Are the costs similar? What size do you prefer? Is being in Boston important? What constitutes “better” for you?
Which is “better” is subjective–they’re both good. But if the reputation of the university you graduated will be important once you go back to your home country (which it tends to be in other countries more so than in the US), and BU is more well known in your home country, then I’d say go with BU.
If neither are known in your home country or it doesn’t matter, then consider whether you’d prefer to be in a small school outside the city or a big school in the city.