Middlebury VS. Brandeis?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>It's really hard to decide between these two.</p>

<p>For college, I was looking for a school on the small side, with great academics, upbeat social life, and with strong advising/support for the students academically and professionally. I'm undecided major wise, but I have contemplated marketing once.</p>

<p>Middlebury seems like it's really rigorous academically, and that students there are happy with their clubs and sports. I have trouble with its remote location, the fact that I might not find my desirable major in the limited curriculum, and the fact that it doesn't seem very well known to the public. Whenever I mention its name, I get blank stares. I'm very worried about this- the small network and the lack of public recognition can hinder my job prospects greatly.</p>

<p>Brandeis seems like a wonderful school as well, with strong academics, large network, and strong advising system for those indecisive in majors and classes. However, I'm worried about fitting in this largely Jewish school as an Asian American and the fact that it costs me twice as much to attend her than it would at Middlebury. This is the finaid I get after I have appealed. I can try again, but I doubt I'll have enough time. </p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Middlebury is a better school at a lower cost. People also know that it is a good school. It has no less name recognition than Brandeis IMO.</p>

3

<p>I would definitely pick Middlebury. Middlebury is very well known, and is a great school. I’m sure the school offers a laundry list of activities so don’t worry about the remote location.</p>

4

<p>Midd hands DOWN! Everyone I know recognizes Midd’s name more than Brandeis… and it’s better ranked.</p>

5

<p>Brandeis</p>

<p>this coming from ze Jew btw :D</p>

6

<p>While I would prefer Middlebury personally, the two are different enough atmosphere and sizewize that I would think one would much more readily stand out to you. At least, on USNWR, the two schools aren’t even in the same category, so it’s not a matter of Middlebury being “ranked better”, whatever that actually means. The student body quality is similar as median SAT at Middlebury is 1375 vs median SAT of 1370 at Brandeis. You’re not going to find any major like Marketing at Middlebury, although I’m not sure you will at Brandeis either. These two schools are close enough that your job prospects are going to be determined much more by you, happenstance, luck and what you ultimately choose to pursue than any perceived reputational differences between the schools.</p>

7

<p>cecikuna, both are fine schools, but very different experiences. Middlebury is a small liberal arts college. Brandeis is a small liberal arts college functioning wihin a world-class research university. It’s a trick to pull that off, but they do, and the undergraduates benefit from that special combination.</p>

<p>As an admittedly biased Brandeis alum who chose Brandeis over two other liberal arts experiences, Tufts and Colgate, here’s my take. Brandeis is truly an amazing school. Its small student body- the smallest I believe (less than 800 in a class) of any top tier national research university–is 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>With respectto your interest in marketing, you might be interested to know that this coming year, in conjunction with its graduate International Business School, Brandeis is launching an innovative undergrad Business major. The international focus of the grad business school–incredibly appropriate for the international economy in which we live–undoubtedly will add international flavor to the new undergrad Business major. You might inquire as to whether marketing will figure into that curriculum. That major will have a liberal arts focus unlike a lot of undergrad Business programs. Here’s a link to an article discussing it:</p>

<p>[Brandeis</a> Business is practical, unique - Op-Ed](<a href=“http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2009/03/03/OpEd/Brandeis.Business.Is.Practical.Unique-3656072.shtml]Brandeis”>http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2009/03/03/OpEd/Brandeis.Business.Is.Practical.Unique-3656072.shtml)</p>

<p>Despite its 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) and Christy Hefner, former CEO of Playboy). Friedman recently returned to teach and I understand that Hefner may soon do so as well. Also, if you’re into social justice (FYI Angela Davis and Abbie Hoffman are alums as well, I could go on) or theater/music/art, it’s a very exciting place to be.</p>

<p>Finally, with respect to your concern about fitting in as an Asian American, 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). 20% of the student population identify as a minority and there are a significant number of Asian Americans. You might want to check out the Brandeis Asian American Student Association: <a href=“http://people.brandeis.edu/~baasa/history.htmlor[/url]”>http://people.brandeis.edu/~baasa/history.htmlor&lt;/a&gt; any other cultural club that interests you listed here: [Clubs</a> and Organizations | The Intercultural Center | Brandeis University](<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/icc/clubs.html]Clubs”>http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/icc/clubs.html) E-mail club leaders to find out about their Brandeis experience. </p>

<p>With respect to the 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>Forgive my enthusiasm, but I loved it.</p>

<p>Good luck with your decision!.</p>

8

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<p>Wouldn’t Rice be in this category too?</p>

9

<p>How is Brandeis a world class research institution? it’s overrated with extremely high costs.</p>

10

<p>I think the money decides it, go for Middlebury.</p>

11

<p>Your decision should come down to what feels right for you. Academically, there is not that much difference, both are excellent schools. The environment will be what distinguishes the two. Brandeis has a suburban location near a great college town (lots of cultural and nightlife options), internship oportunities, and is a wonderful research university (like Rice).<br>
Middlebury is a rural experience, beautiful campus and surrounding areas, terrific sports programs, great abroad programs, good match for an outdoorsy type, 45 minutes from Burlington, one of the best college towns in the country.
Which environment feels right for you? I went to Middlebury and loved it. I have lived in Vermont ever since.</p>

12

<p>Unless you just gotta be near a big city, this is a no brainer for Middlebury.</p>