Denison v Brandeis

Hey!

I’m trying to decide between two schools now- Brandeis and Denison. I’ve visited Brandeis twice actually and liked the kinda, accepting vibe there. I also love the fact that it’s close to Boston and has a good education program- something I’m interested in. Unfortunately, due to corona, I never got to visit Denison (so if anyone wants to drop any info abt Denison and the vibe there it’d be much appreciated). Despite never having visited, I’m still very interested in Denison. I like the fact that they have a school spirit in their sports- something Brandeis severely lacks as well as they have Greek life. I guess Denison just seems more like your classic college to me. I guess I worry that at Brandeis people will tend to be more academic than social. However, I don’t know if Denison has as good of an education program or if people really ever go out to Colombus often. Both colleges seem to have kind, diverse, and motivated students. Pls help!!

Hi, sorry, I haven’t been keeping up with CC recently, but I see you have been getting some good advice from @Midwestmomofboys . Your description of Denison as a class college is really spot on. My son is a first year at Denison and has been very happy. He is an athlete, and you are right, for a D3 school they have a lot of school spirit. He has friends in the frats but did not pledge himself. He describes the Greek scene as being open and friendly. He has also been having a very good experience academically - small classes, committed professors, lots of engagement. Classes are all online at the moment, of course, and I have been impressed with how the school and the professors are handling this challenge. I don’t know that much about Brandeis, although I have noted that people complain about the campus. The campus at Denison is beautiful, designed by the same firm that designed Central Park in New York, and I think the students really benefit from and appreciate being in that environment. The village of Granville is also very nice and an easy walk from campus. The city of Columbus is close, about a half hour away, but it is my sense the kids don’t go there a lot unless they have a specific internship or other commitment.

On Educational Studies major at Denison, I encourage you to email either the chair of the Department Karen Graves or Suzanne Baker (see the department website https://denison.edu/academics/educational-studies) and ask for more detailed information about the department. You could also ask your Admissions counselor for students in the department to talk to about their experience. I know that Admissions and the entire community is trying to create alternative ways for admitted students to get a strong sense of the community.

On Columbus, I think it really depends on the student. My senior went to Easton for movies, special celebrations etc first year through junior year, then as a senior, he and his friends went to OSU football etc. There were other students he knows who went in more regularly. Have you seen the new Admissions video, about a 15 min campus tour? It is a a detailed depiction of campus life.

The Village of Granville is charming and students may not feel the need to go much further. For restaurants and food, there is: Broadway Pub is a student and family favorite, Moe’s for barbecue and (trivia night and karioke), Aladdin’s for diner-style breakfasts and burgers, Day y Noche for Latin American food, Village Coffee for coffee, muffins and bagels, Steamroller bagels, Prospect St smoothies, Mai Chau asian food, New Dragon for quantity over quality Chinese food, Alfie’s natural/healthy food. Taco Dan’s is the local dive bar. There’s a grocery store down the hill, plus River Rd coffee, Joe & Mimi’s pizza, plus another Italian prepared foods place. 10 min away are national chains like Panera, Chipotle etc (door dash delivers).

At the same time, there is lots of opportunity to go to Columbus – the 1st year program sponsors free events with transportation throughout the year, from gallery hops to winter nights at the Zoo. I have heard Pres. Weinberg talk about continuing to expand connections with Columbus so there is continued growth in building connections with Columbus. Denison realizes its good fortune in being located 25 minutes from the state capital, when many other LACs are located far from “civilization,” and continues to build on the opportunities in Columbus.