<p>I go to a competitive Jewish day school, and I'm a pretty strong student (looking at about a 3.75 or so this year). I'm thinking about 2100-ish on the SATs.</p>
<p>With that out of the way, here's the dilemma. I've been assured that I will get in to Bucknell and Trinity. That is to say; I have huge connections at those schools. But my favorite school that I feel I have a chance at is Brandeis. I'm going to work really hard this year to bolster my application to Brandeis, but I have a question. Is Brandeis considerably more presitigious than either Bucknell or Trinity? Which of the schools do you believe is strongest in academics?</p>
<p>All 3 have very good academic reputations, with Brandeis perhaps being considered the best of the 3. I think Brandeis is also considered to be a much more serious place, whereas the other two combine a good deal of preppy/frat frivolity with their good academics. All 3 are in very different neighborhoods, if that makes any difference.</p>
<p>The atmospheres at the three schools are very different. Bucknell is located just this side of nowhere in rural Pennsylvania. Trinity (CT) is in an older, small city. Brandeis is in a lovely suburb of Boston, with excellent transportation to Boston - it's on a commuter rail line and there's also a shuttle to the local subway. My d loved the feel of Brandeis, hated the isolation at Bucknell (although it does have a beautiful campus), and wouldn't even visit Trinity.</p>
<p>Brandeis is also a Div. III school with no Greek life at all. Bucknell is Div. I, so sports play a big part of the social life, and it has a very active Greek life (I think of about 40%).</p>
<p>Academically, I think TourGuide is correct - Brandeis is considered more academically rigorous. I believe it is also more selective than the other two.</p>
<p>cant really compare brandeis and trinity because of uni vs LAC. (and not familiar enough with bucknell). trinity is more of a 'college-y' experience: big on school spirit, some decent sports teams, excellent for humanties. however, not a huge jewish presence. tends to be more preppy.</p>
<p>but if brandeis is your favorite, go for it!</p>