Hi everyone! I know this is really late but I’m still on the fence about where I should commit to next year. I’ve been accepted to Brandeis as a International Business School Scholar so I’ll be able to get a BA/Master’s in International Economics and Finance. This is compared to UMD College Park where I’ve been accepted to the Smith School of Business as a Finance major and their University Honors Program. I’m a MD resident so going to Brandeis will be a bit of journey and consequently I won’t have my family as a immediate support system like I would at UMD.
Academically, Brandeis is probably superior and I’m attracted to their smaller class sizes and the idea that my professors will actually get to know me. However, I feel like the alumni connections and DC internship availability at UMD makes a strong case. Another concern I have is that the major that I put down (finance/econ) is not what I may want to end up with, (I’m considering picking up a Psych major or switching majors completely) and I feel like switching majors might be easier at UMD than Brandeis.
In the end, I think my main issue is the difference in campus and social life. UMD is a large public state university compared to the small private university that Brandeis is. A lot of my friends will be going to UMD so I’ll immediately have connections, but if I go to Brandeis I will be kinda isolated from friends/family, so I feel like the initial transition will be harder. Additionally, I know that Brandeis has a fairly large Jewish population and I’m concerned I may not feel “as home” as I would at UMD where there is a larger Indian and Hindu population (which I am). Also, this may seem silly but I’m not sure if I’d be able to handle the cold weather of MA.
If anyone has some insight to my concerns or input I’d appreciate it!