<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>So it's come down to final decisions, and I have to select either Brandeis University, Bucknell University, or Colby College. I'd have to pay about the same for all three, so I'm having a lot of trouble picking a school.</p>
<p>I'm interested in eventually going to dental school, and I'll probably major in bio. I've visited all three schools, and all seem to have things I absolutely love and absolutely detest. What do you think???</p>
<p>Thanks!!!</p>
<p>What do you love/detest about Brandeis? I’m an alum, and it’s long been known as a great school if you aspire to med or dental school. Everyone I know who was premed got into professional school and is successful now.</p>
<p>Yes tell us what you love/hate about each school. That will help us give advice or see what your priorities are. </p>
<p>And btw you can’t go wrong with any of them, but it’s important to get the right fit. </p>
<p><strong><em>Brandeis</em></strong>
Pros: very close to a major city, high rate of students accepted into dental school, emphasis on social justice, very liberal, very little greek life, nerdy/geeky students (or so I’ve heard), not too much emphasis on sports (I don’t like sports), diverse (or so I’ve heard), little Greek influence
Cons: ugliest campus of the three, dorms felt squashed and small, lottery system kind of blows, bad food, some difficulty getting in and out of boston</p>
<p><strong><em>Colby</em></strong>
Pros: gorgeous campus, very healthy student population (iPlay, etc), JanPlan (internship/study abroad options), friendly student population, great food, most dorms are pretty okay, very outdoorsy, most selective of the three, smallest of the three
Cons: FAR AWAY, cold, I’ve read there is a pretty big drinking culture, in the middle of nowhere</p>
<p><strong><em>Bucknell</em></strong>
Pros: gorgeous campus, friendly students, really nice dorms,
Cons: huge Greek influence, big sports culture </p>
<p>Basically, I’m a gigantic, uncoordinated nerd and I don’t like watching or playing sports. I do, however, like physical activity/the outdoors etc (I like hiking but not football). I don’t like schools with a lot of Greek life (I’m not going anywhere near a sorority). I also like smaller, more intimate schools. I am not a party girl – drinking and all of that is highly unappealing.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I didn’t get to talk to many current Brandeis students because they were on break for Passover when I visited.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!! Thank you!! (also sorry for spelling/grammar errors I’m kind of falling asleep as I’m writing this, haha)</p>
<p>Based on what you’ve described, I would say Brandeis.</p>
<p>I agree, based on your description Brandeis sounds like the best fit to me. I wouldn’t worry too much about the dorms – it is much more important to be in an environment you like and be with people you like and feel comfortable with than to have a great dorm room. </p>
<p>Really they are all great schools so go with your gut.</p>
<p>Brandeis also has some newer and refurbished dorms available to upperclassmen, so even if the freshman dorms seem eh, you’ll soon have better options.</p>
<p>It’s really the feel of the school. Though I love Boston I personally like the whole LAC things and both Colby and Bucknell fit that mold better for me Too bad you did not feel the campus vibe at Brandeis, what kind of kids are there. My take is that there are more type A students there, it’s more directed and intense in comparison to the LACs. I don’t like that “edge” so I would be inclined to go with either Bucknell or Colby Do check out how the Greek scenes are at those schools as I have no idea about that. My son turned down Rhodes, also a great LAC, because he really felt that he would feel left out if he did not go Greek and felt he would be left out.</p>
<p>@ cptofthehouse</p>
<p>You’re totally right on the Type A thing – Brandeis was listed as one of the most stressful schools in the country. Colby seemed a lot more laid back. </p>
<p>If Colby was just a little bit closer, I’d go in a heartbeat. I worry that I’m giving up an amazing opportunity because Colby is more selective than the other two. </p>
<p>What if I end up being miserable in Brandeis? Would I be able to transfer to Colby?</p>
<p>Look at the transfer stats. THe bigger question is if you have scholarship and fin aid in the picture. Those usually go away when you transfer. I don’t know what the town outside of Colby is like. I know that with Bucknell, not much of a town to go strolling through which took it off my son’s list while he liked Dickenson and Gettysburg because there is a little (very little in a way of a town for Gettysburg) right off campus whereas Bucknell is really out in the suburbs with a strip mall the closest thing to the campus. If there is a cute little town (yeah, an old lady talking here), I’d pick Colby. But I REALLY hate type A infested schools. </p>
<p>I don’t think of Brandeis as being more intense or cut-throat than Colby.
Bucknell is in the middle of nowhere, has huge Greek and sports presence, and I think is the worst option based on your stated preferences.
If I were you I would go to Brandeis. Campus architecture and mediocre freshman dorms do not have a huge impact on your overall college experience. Being close to a city is a huge plus.</p>
<p>I disagree that the greek influence at Bucknell is HUGE. It is a significant part of life, but there is plenty of other social life. But if you’re not into sports and like the geeky vibe, maybe Brandeis is a better fit. Also FWIW, Bucknell is in a cute town - there are plenty of stores and restaurants, but you do have to get in a car to get to a chain or big box store, although the school runs a shuttle to Walmart. I think you can survive just fine without needing to go to a strip mall with the indie stores and restaurants (and CVS and B&N) in town</p>
<p>I concur: Bucknell sounds like the least likely option based on your preferences. Brandeis sounds like a good choice if you prefer Boston to ugly campus, and Colby is a good choice if you prefer pretty campus to isolated.</p>
<p>Also, I really doubt that Colby is that much more selective than Brandeis. Brandeis is known as a great school for premeds. You have to be smart to make it there.</p>
<p>Bucknell has a very large Greek scene that dominates the social scene there. It is a very good school but sports and Greek life are VERY important there. Between Brandeis and Colby why don’t you take some time and spend it on each campus before you have to decide. Sit in on a class in your potential major and talk with people in that department. Get a coffee and just hang out. Talk to as many people as you can. Students, staffers, employees and just not all the folks in Admissions. At the end of your time you should have a clearer picture of which place will be the better fit for you. Best of luck! </p>
<p>I would have loved to visit Colby with my parents, but it’s too far and too late…though when I was there in October as part of Experience Colby, I really liked the students and the overall “feel” of the campus.</p>
<p>I didn’t get to meet any Brandeis students because it was Passover so everyone was away (which I was really disappointed about). </p>
<p>On Colby: are the Hillside dorms really as bad as everyone says they are?</p>
<p>Go to Brandeis because the educational and social experience is just amazing!</p>
<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I ultimately decided on Brandeis – I loved Colby when I was there, but being close to a major city is really important to me.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input!! I feel a lot more at ease with my decision than I did just a few days ago!</p>
<p>Good luck and congratulations!</p>
<p>Update: I totally lied and I’m actually going to Colby! Turns out I misread the financial aid award and Colby is the cheapest option! Am I dumb or what? </p>