<p>I really love how Brandeis is situated outside of Boston so that you can have a good campus feel, while still being close enough to have fun in the city without it taking too long. I am considering this school for several reasons. For one, as I already said, I love the location. It seems like the ideal solution for someone who wants a campus feel AND a city feel. Also, I like that it is a division 3 school, as I would be able to play for their soccer team without quite as much stress as a division 1 school has. In addition, I like the variety of majors they provide because I am unsure as to what I would want to focus on yet. Lastly, I like that the school is somewhat big compared to other D3 schools. I want to be able to meet new people all the time, but I also don’t want to be ‘just another number’. </p>
<p>The only thing that is really drawing me back from Brandeis is that I have heard it has a very strong Jewish community. I am not Jewish, in fact I am not big on religion in general. I’m afraid that I would feel out of place in a community filled with so many dedicated religious people, seeing as I am not one. </p>
<p>So, I was wondering what you guys think? Is it silly to not be as interested because of this? Also, what are some other schools that have a similar feel as far as size (maybe a little bigger than Brandeis as well), academics, athletics, and proximity to a city?</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Brandeis is a secular university begun by largely secular Jews in 1948. It is more closely allied with the American Jewish community than with any sect of Judaism. When religion is considered at all, it is primarily a liberal Judaism. From the point of view of a former grad student there, Brandeis is much more about identity than religion. As a nonbeliever and former Catholic I went to Brandeis asking some of the same questions you have. I found religion to be important to some students but of little importance to most, except to the extent that religion is tied to identity. Brandeis is much more about the Jewish community’s place in American life and the Jewish diaspora’s desire for a homeland in world consciousness. There are places of worship that would satisfy most Jewish sects, and there are also places of worship for non-Jews. Don’t let religion or unbelief play a role in your decision-making.</p>
<p>I think your concerns are unfounded. Jewish people are extremely diverse individually in matters of religion. Many Jewish people are no more religious than people who mom took to church when they were kids but don’t go and just put up a tree every year (that used to be me, now no tree.) Now that I mention it, there are Jewish people who put up a tree every year. So there are observant people and non observant. Jewish people, girlfriends and boyfriends and my kids friends are part of my life just like anyone else, but I have to say it is quite fun to attend a Seder or wedding and participate in different traditions. I don’t have the personal experience of the previous poster but I’m sure there are dedicated religious people. It doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of other people and non Jewish people. Sure, I think there is going to be a cultural component to that group you won’t have common background but it seems to me an inclusive place in particular. There are 10 to 15 pct each of these groupings: Asian, Black+hispanic, mixed/unknown, internationals.</p>
<p>I was going to look for the percent of Jewish student (I’ve seen 40%, I’ve seen 50% I’m sure you can find out) but I ran into this list that is for Jewish students to look at colleges with a good/largeish Jewish community. So you can see Barnard, Columbia, Oberlin, Tulane, Emory) etc and I doubt you will be thinking that there are too many religious/Jewish people there, ya know?</p>
<p>Something funny, that Brandeis lists religious affiliation as ‘not considered’ on the common data set. Where at, say, Notre Dame it is ‘considered’. So I hope I didn’t overly downplay it, but that’s my two cents.</p>
<p>^^and how could I forget NYU?</p>
<p>Have you visited Brandeis? You really should. For me, the campus was an eyesore.</p>
<p>Sarah Lawrence may be worth a look: it is smaller, but it is currently in the process of incorporating Div 3 athletics.</p>
<p>My son is a self proclaimed “atheist”/scientist. He loved that Brandeis chose to build their three major places of worship (Jewish, Protestant, Catholic) so that none would cast ever a shadow on another. When people ask him about his visit to Brandeis it’s the first thing he tells them - he was very moved by the sense of equality. He also really liked their science facilities. If they had an Engineering program it would be a top choice. Right now it’s #5. Some of the most Catholic people I know sent their kids to Brandeis. I think you’d be ok. My sense is that it’s more about acceptance and tolerance and having an open mind, than it is about religion.</p>
<p>Take a visit. It has shuttles into Boston and Harvard Square for free, so location is not the biggest factor. I know when I visited I had the same concerns. I had worries about the supposedly not as beautiful campus and predominately jewish faith, but when I visited I felt differently.</p>
<p>It quickly went from being a school that I was hardly considering (I visited many other boston schools in the same day) to one that I would definitely consider attending if I was accepted. I loved their programs, their community, and their education philosophy. They have days where you can specifically eat out with your professor and the research university and LAC nurturing class size balance is perfect.</p>
<p>Not a current student so I can’t comment on how exactly how social dynamics work out, but as my tour guide showed us, there was three separate buildings of faith, only one of them being a synagogue. Plus, even the jewish related actiites (such as dining events) are open to everyone and free of charge. I thought it was a very welcoming environment, and I am not jewish.</p>
<p>In fact, the only thing that bothered me about the campus at all were really minor. Like I think they could do a better job with landscaping (not all their lawns are green) and I’m not a big fan of their font (coming from a yearbook design person, I am possibly more critical), but the campus itself was fine. They even have castles in there for dorms. So asthetically, it’s pretty decent and the insides it is definitely pretty upgraded.</p>
<p>Go for a visit and let us know what you think of it yourself. I found that I completely changed my mind about certain colleges after visiting and others were pleasantly surprised with. Goood luck</p>
<p>Edit: If you like Brandeis or are considering schools in that area, take a look at Northeastern and Tufts (the latter of which you need higher stats). I really liked Northeastern the 2 times I have visited. It has a great campus feel despite being in the middle of the city</p>