<p>Now that I’ve gotten all my decisions, Brandeis is more of an option than I had assumed when I first endeavored on my college applications. My mother made me apply to Brandeis even though I didn’t know much about it (it seems as though she did, however) and ended up being accepted with a good amount of money thrown my way. So now it’s essentially come down to Brandeis and BU.
Could anyone just give me a bit of insight into the school itself? I know most of the basics, but not much more. I’m also looking to study international relations, so anything on the IGS program would be lovely, too.</p>
<p>MySerenePilot, I have shared my perspective with others on this site; so allow me to share it with you.</p>
<p>Of course you need to choose a school where you would be comfortable. However, in terms of both education and prestige, I believe the easy choice to be Brandeis. Brandeis is a 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 (less than 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. Plus it’s very close to Boston, which is the world’s best college town, but on its own suburban campus.</p>
<p>Its intellectual environment is comparable in many ways to its University Athletic Association sister school, U Chicago (perhaps no coincidence that the President of U Chicago is a Brandeis alum). Yet its students are down-to-earth, friendly and non-competitive with one another. FYI in a recent Forbes national college rankings survey, Brandeis was ranked 15th among research universities and 30th overall among all private univerities and LAC’s–a testament to its focus on undergraduate education. Larger schools, including some Ivies, were ranked much lower. </p>
<p>Despite its small size and relative youth, its alumni are very distinguished–to name just a few: Nobel Prize winner for chemistry Rod Mackinnon, Fields Metal winning physicist Edward Witten (often called “Einstein’s successor”), 3-time Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Friedman of the NY Times, The Earth is Flat etc; Mitch Albom of Tuesday’s with Morrie (about his Brandeis professor), the Creators/Producers of Friends; actress Debra Messing; Robert FX Sillerman (billionaire businessman–currently owner of American Idol and Graceland) and Christy Hefner, former CEO of Playboy). Also, if you’re into social justice or theater/music/art, it’s a very exciting place to be.</p>
<p>Finally, the school is very diverse undergraduate and graduate, with a strong international flavor (in fact the majority of its International Business School is international students). With respect to the issue for some of the school’s Jewish population, you should understand that less than 50% of its student body is Jewish. Brandeis is a non-sectarian school that embraces students from all types of backgrounds based on merit. The school has no religious affiliation, although it was founded and is funded signigicantly by the Jewish community. </p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!.</p>
<p>I can’t say enough about Brandeis - budget problems or not, it’s a great school. My D is a freshman now. Last year at this time she wasn’t even considering Brandeis. Because of the scholarship she eventually decided to attend. We were a bit worried about this decision, but she is having the time of her life. I can’t imagine her being this happy anywhere else. She has just the right mix of studying, partying and theater. It all worked out well at the end.</p>
<p>workingmom hit it right on the head. brandeis students are just happier than they would be at other schools because so many of the pressures that exist at other schools–to fit in with everyone else by looking or acting a certain away–simply aren’t prevalent here.</p>