<p>Fom the point of view of academics, prestige and location, Brandeis is the easy choice. 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 (around 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. </p>
<p>And to dispell the misconceptions of the last three posters, Brandeis is not a Jewish school whereas Fordham is in fact a Catholic institution. Brandeis is in fact the youngest and smallest of all top tier research universities. Although founded by the Jewish community in the spirit of other great private, secular schools (e.g. Protestant Harvard and Presbyterian Princeton), its student body is less than half Jewish and about 20-30% minorities and internationals. It’s truly a diverse place (in fact the majority of The Brandeis International Business School is international students from many different countries).</p>
<p>Its total Jewish population and the nature of its student body is very similar to schools you might not single out as “Jewish” because of their founding–e.g. Barnard, NYU and Penn (30%). These examples suggest that Brandeis is not unique in having a significant Jewish population. However, it is unique in providing a truly small and intellectually stimulating liberal arts college environment within a major research university.</p>
<p>Definitely Brandeis. It ranks significantly higher than Fordham, and has a bigger sense of community. Especially if tuition is the same for both schools, Brandeis comes out on top.</p>
<p>While Brandeis is a great school (and some of its illustrious alumni TEACH AT FORDHAM!) it is largely not considered a business school. Fordham’s CBA on the main campus in the Bronx at Rose Hill is a wonderful community, gorgeous campus, top notch academics and unmatched opportunities for internships and jobs. Its the best of both worlds, an urban campus, Division 1A sports, campus community, great dorms.</p>
<p>You have to go where you feel you will excel the best. </p>
<p>But people here are too caught up in the USNWR rankings to really know much more than where the schools stand. </p>
<p>I didnt say Brandeis was an exclusive Jewish school but it is widely regarded as having a large Jewish population and a top choice for Jewish students. Fordham for the record, also has a good number of Jewish students. Brandeis is secular, and Fordham is Jesuit. I think a Jesuit education will stand up against any education from any school, anywhere. Just my opinion. </p>
<p>All the more ridiculous. If anything, one should say: “If you are Catholic then Fordham. Otherwise, Brandeis.”</p>
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<p>No one brought up the USNWR rankings, except you. Someone did say that Brandeis “ranks significantly higher than Fordham,” but s/he could’ve been referring to any number of major findings.</p>
<p>I will not dignify this with a response. FWIW, I have attended a Catholic school (prior to college), but I prefer to keep my religion (or lack thereof) private. </p>
<p>I simply found your (biased) suggestion that someone should choose a SECULAR university (or not) based upon his or her religious background to be absurd. Most objective observers would agree with me.</p>
<p>Nothing absurd about it at all. Brandeis is well known as being a very jewish friendly school and I simply posited that when compared to Fordham, being a Jesuit school, that the OP might have a religious background where he/she will feel more compatible. You all put the remarks into a religious bias mode, not me. I was trying to help someone, without judgement.</p>
<p>Your logic is absurd and your attack unwarranted. You took a swipe at me, and I responded. </p>
<p>Now I sincerely wish the best for the OP and he/she picks the school best suited for them on whatever basis they decide that should be. I hate these threads. And I rebuke school bashers, particularly people who rely on USNWR (and then deny it) as the basis for saying one school is “SO MUCH BETTER” than another. Hogwash. If Fordham is so awful, you better tell the Brandeis educated professors at Fordham. I am sure they would appreciate your comments.</p>
<p>I thank you for the great reponses. And as for the religion problems, I’m a Presybeterian and neither of the colleges attract me as for the religion, but rather academics and employment rates.</p>
<p>A Jesuit education is better. And, the B-school is better.</p>
<p>Going to Fordham will not feel all that Catholic to a Presbyterian (or to anyone for that matter - Jesuits are pretty laid back). Yes, you’ll see some Christian symbols, but the school is diverse in religion and ethnicities.</p>