Brandeis V. Swarthmore

<p>I really like the small university appeal of Brandeis. I also like the small liberal arts college appeal of Swarthmore. Any opinions?</p>

<p>I think Brandeis has a better location and job placement...</p>

<p>i can't speak about swarthmore, but i love brandeis. i'm a first-year, and i'll be happy to answer questions (specific or broad) if you PM me.</p>

<p>why I love Brandeis:</p>

<p>-interaction with professors. the crem-de-la-crem are here for undergrads (and even underclassmen). We have faculty with a litany of prestigious honors, but what makes our school unique is the fact that those at the top of their game (pultizer-prize winners, genius grant winners, nationally-known people) LOVE to have relationships with students.</p>

<p>-LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Best of both worlds. Beautiful, lush, suburban campus with easy access to the bustling city of Boston by free shuttle and commuter rail.</p>

<p>-The student body. Kids here are just nice. It sounds simplistic, but it's true and so great.</p>

<p>OK I have some Questions.</p>

<p>-Universities often boast about being in the "#1 college town" Boston, but how is that an advantage? Can Brandeis students attend lectures or seminars at Harvard or MIT or BC or Tufts?</p>

<p>-Can you get good internships or summer jobs in the Boston Area?</p>

<ul>
<li>Do you find the workload very difficult? (I'm interested in econ btw)</li>
</ul>

<p>-What about social life, I know people often complain but is it really that bad?</p>

<p>Thanks!!</p>

<ul>
<li>Being in a college town is an advantage because there are always new people to meet. As for cross-registration, you can take classes at Babson, Bentley, Wellesley, BC, BU and Tufts</li>
</ul>

<p>-In short, yes.</p>

<p>-The workload is manageable. What's tough to one is easy to another. It depends on what your used to. i.e. I went to a rigorous public school, so I feel prepared. I'm not an econ person, so I can't speak specifically to that major. I've heard good things about the econ department; it's a very popular major.</p>

<p>-No, social life is not bad. go to <a href="http://my.brandeis.edu/btime/day-view%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://my.brandeis.edu/btime/day-view&lt;/a> Tonight, there are three dances, a fashion show and two theatrical performances. Don't like that? You can find parties to drink at. If not, there's no pressure to drink at all. You can just chill. Go to Chum's, the coffeehouse with bands playing nightly.</p>

<p>okay, you shouldn't ask this question in a brandeis thread because people here go to/like/know more about brandeis... SO go to a general college thread and ask the question... people will be a lot more impartial there. I personally think both schools are great, but get a more unbiased crowd (no offense, brandeis is cool, guys..) to answer your question.</p>

<p>alright?</p>

<p>Yeah...I mean...it depends on your personal preference. I wanted a research University...but then I'm a science major. Working in labs and having research going on around me was a very important factor. I'm also used to having a city nearby. As far as your specific questions, I agree with sulsk. The econ majors I know have a decent time managing work. I've found that workload is very major-dependent.</p>

<p>Brandeis!!</p>

<p>I would love to know more about why you love brandeis, specifically socially. I just got in off the waitlist, and I'm trying to make a decision. You seem to be really happy there, so i was wondering where you were from and what kind of person you are. Do you go into Boston often. I'm a catholic girl from miami (strange profile for brandeis, i know) and i'm a bit worried about what i've heard about the social life. I'm not a big partier, but i do want to have fun!!! Thanks so much for your help!</p>

<p>Ok to the person posting this thread, Brandeis and Swarthmore are completely different. I've read a lot about Swat and heard a lot about it. It seems like it's a GREAT place to go if you're a hard-core intellectual and very very serious about your studies. I think it is ranked first as the college that produces the most PHDs. It is also significantly smaller than Brandeis. Anyway, check the Swarthmore thread under 'CC Top Liberal Arts'. There are some interesting posts. When I read them I thanked God that I'm at Brandeis and not there. I could never be a PHD. Obviously academics are important to me but I don't live, eat, and breathe academics (sadly). Real life is cool too.<br>
To Tara-All right, here's the deal with Brandeis social life: It isn't that bad! By no means is it Duke but there's stuff to do.You will probably make friends in your dorm and do whatever's fun with them. The parties are...eh. I don't know, I haven't been to enough of them to judge! I have met people at them, though. A good thing to do in terms of social life: Join a group or three. Most organizations usually throw parties. There are always performances and plays going on-improv and a capella are popular. Waltham has a ton of restaurants, a movie theater, and a banging ice cream place called Lizzy's. And of course, we are near Boston!
Shopping, movies, dinner, and a ton of other colleges to invade. I have been to MIT, Emanneul (near Fenway), Emerson, and BU. My goal for the fall is to check out Harvard and see how they roll.
Anyway, you can definitely have fun, but if you have to be proactive in seeking that fun. I like to drink occassionally but I don't need to get wasted and barf every weekend in order to have a fulfilling life. I love movies and plays and stuff too, so it's a good fit for me.</p>