<p>@looking forward, I will do some extra research and ask some Asians. Great idea! Thank you!!! :></p>
<p>How would you rank these four schools in Prestige and Education Quality? Really wanna hear as many opinions as possbile.</p>
<p>Bump!!! : D</p>
<p>Still struggling. Furman or Brandeis? Willing to hear any suggestions.</p>
<p>I know very little about Furman–it is not well known in the Northeast.</p>
<p>I can tell you that Brandeis is very well respected in the Northeast.</p>
<p>I suspect that the dominant cultures of the two are very different. I also suspect that most Brandeis students would not be all that comfortable at Furman, and visa versa. You should visit and see which is more comfortable for you.</p>
<p>Not that you should base your decision on this, but you asked about prestige. US News rankings aren’t the best methodology, but just a quick glimse:
national universities:
-Brandeis #34
-U. of Rochester #37
-RPI #41</p>
<p>liberal arts have their own rankings:
-Furman #41</p>
<p>Basically your schools are all very close in terms of prestige factor. So, now its’ really just a matter of looking at every schools site and begin to make comparison’s that are important to you personally. I don’t like the rankings, but just wanted you to see that you have schools that really are very close. Good luck with your decision making!</p>
<p>ExAdmitCounselor -</p>
<p>If cliffordwu is like most international students, he won’t be able to decide whether or not he is going to stay in the US after graduation. He will HAVE to leave the US after he finishes his education and any visa extensions for professional training. Very few international applicants find H1B (work) visa sponsors. The question that he needs to address is which of these universities is most likely to help him get a job WHEN not IF he goes home.</p>
<p>There’s a lot of misinformation on this thread. First, Brandeis is and always has been a secular/non-religious school, although founded in the tradition of Harvard, Princeton etc by a religious-affiliated group. Currently its Jewish population is actually closer to 40% if you fairly count grad students who are integrated into the campus. And around 25% of the student body is minority and international students (about 106 different countries are represented)–in fact the majority of its International Business school students are internationals. So, it is quite diverse with a strong international flavor and growing international reputation. Brandeis’ secular culture is not “white bread.” It strives to be accomodating of all cultures and has been very successful at that especially given its short history. At this stage, its total Jewish population and the nature of its student body is very similar to schools you might not single out as “Jewish” because of their founding–e.g. Barnard, NYU and Penn. The so-called Jewish culture is there for those who want it but definitely beneath the surface overall for those who don’t.</p>
<p>In terms of academics, prestige and culture, there is no comparison between Brandeis and Furman. Furman is a good Southern liberal arts college with a homogeneous, conservative Christian student body (I have to wonder if an international student would feel comfortable there, but that, of course, is a personal choice). In contrast, Brandeis combines a nurturing, small liberal arts college and world-class research university-with the smallest student body I believe (800 in a class) of any top tier national research university. And that small student body is matched with high-powered professors who actually teach in small classes (this recent Newsweek article featuring a Brandeis professor, William Flesch, is an example of a great professor who can positively change the lives of undergrads: [Four</a> Great College Professors - Newsweek](<a href=“http://www.newsweek.com/2009/08/11/in-search-of-great-professors.html]Four”>Four Great College Professors)).</p>
<p>As you can imagine, the research opportunities are tremendous. Plus by being very close to Boston but on its own suburban campus, its full of campus activities and gives you easy access to the city–the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>As I’ve mentioned to others on CC, for undergraduate students, Brandeis is truly amazing. 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.</p>
<p>Despite Brandeis’ small size and relative youth, Brandeis’ alumni are very distinguished–to name just a few: Nobel Prize winner for chemistry Rod Mackinnon, Fields Medal 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), Jeff Lurie, billionaire owner of the Philadelphia Eagles football team and Christy Hefner, former CEO of Playboy). Also, if you’re into theater/music/art or social justice, it’s a very exciting place to be (FYI Angela Davis and Abbie Hoffman are alumni as well.)</p>
<p>On the subject of social life and whether Brandeis is the right fit for you, I believe the kind of person who would feel comfortable at Brandeis is an intellecutal and/or creative sort who is friendly and comfortable with himself or herself and not competitive or pretentious. Intellectual but down-to-earth and friendly I think is an apt description of the student body. Unlike some preppy place or frat-oriented environments where social interraction is based on the “exclusivity” of the frat system, Brandeis has a welcoming, relatively-nonjudgmental environment–yet there are some off-campus frats for those who like what they have to offer. There is no pressure to party, but parties are there if you want them. Often social interaction centers around the numerous clubs and other terrific extracuriculars like theater and music. </p>
<p>Forgive my enthusiasm, but as a Brandeis alum, I loved it! Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>I think we all like Brandeis, for all the right reasons. It would be a good choice.</p>
<p>But, bear in mind: I suspect Clifford needs “reputation” for particularly Asian reasons- if he is choosing a school for the “wow factor” back home, after graduation, it makes his question a bit different than for an ordinary American kid. In that respect, B, ROC and RPI might have an edge.</p>
<p>Clifford, you need to make a new thread that asks Asians: something titled to get their attention. “Asians, I need advice about college choice.”</p>
<p>I have two daughters, one a graduate of Brandeis and one a graduate of Rochester. Both are outstanding schools and very well known. Neither of mine studied math so no first-hand experience but both departments appear to be strong. I do think that Brandeis has a greater number of international students. This could be because there are perhaps more scholarship opportunities or perhaps the desire to be closer to Boston in general, also for easier travel opportunities.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you. You are all really friendly. </p>
<p>Now I just want to pick one from brandeis and furman. Brandeis’s academics is Sooo strong, much stronger than Furman’s, maybe more well-known. But Furman is a place make me feel i am highly valued: admission officer is extremely friendly. They also give me financial aid (money is not the main issue, but it really makes our family less stressful), so it is much cheaper. But i do think they are both nice choice. I still can not make up my mind.</p>
<p>If you want to return to your country after undergrad, go to a globally known/famous college. The employer at your home country would love to see a degree from a globally recognized college.</p>
<p>Personally, I would pick Brandeis. I applied and there’s like a 70% chance I’m attending. The academics are top notch, the student body is amazing, and its very well known and prestigious. I’m going to study economics, which is great there.</p>
<p>Thank you. confidential 2015 and collegecc4. @collegecc 4 Maybe we will become classmate this fall! Looking forward to meet you in person.</p>
<p>Bump!!!</p>
<p>Brandeis has a great international reputation and a very strong grip over Economics and Mathematics. Go to Brandeis. :)</p>
<p>@ confidential2015 Wow! Sounds good. I may arrive there on July 5th because I have to finish my Gateway Program there. PM me your skype or gtalk so that we can chat.</p>
<p>Cliffordwu, your admission to the Brandeis Gateway Scholars Program shows the university values your academic skills and is investing in your successful transition to an English-language curriculum and the American culture. I assume you’ve seen this information:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/gatewayscholars/[/url]”>http://www.brandeis.edu/gatewayscholars/</a> </p>
<p>Also, this:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/acserv/isso/[/url]”>http://www.brandeis.edu/acserv/isso/</a></p>
<p>Sound like fun and a great opportunity! Good luck!</p>
<p>Furman is a good Southern liberal arts college with a homogeneous, conservative Christian student body </p>
<p>This is not anymore a representative statement about Furman. Furmans roots, like many schools, had a religious base. They broke off from the Baptists about 15 years ago. They are trying very hard to diversify so international students would be most welcomed. They have a new President who agrued freedom of speech in front of the Supreme Court. He was the lawyer who represented Larry Flynt in court</p>
<p>Thank you everyone. I decide to go to Brandeis!!!</p>