Need Help Right Now! (got passed waitlist of a school and now in a conflict)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>OK, so I got passed the waitlist for Brandeis University without making any effort to get passed it and then they offer 10,000 (yes, I know its wierd for a school that waitlisted me to offer so much more money) more to go to Brandeis than to BU (the school I'm currently enrolled in).</p>

<p>I have visted Brandeis (and of course BU) which gave me alot more insight into the school, but in the end I'm still very divided. </p>

<p>Ok looking at both schools, despite being very different types of school, my personality let me see most of the things as largely "trade-offs" meaning that most things I'll be happy despite the difference such as I like BU Urban Campus setting and I feel the same in suburban scenery of Brandeis too and so on.</p>

<p>I believe I'm a computer science student, which I believe Brandeis offer more of a chance to get to know the professors while BU have alot more resources (plus it have a strong engineering nearby). BU seems to be alot stronger overall with more resources devoted to the program than Brandeis, but Brandeis CS program does have its ammenities with professors. Plus I have heard even the most adamant people going to have something have changed their minds, so basing my decision on CS which I maybe not even end up and the difference is not deciesive enough for my decision (looks like moderate vs strong, but Brandeis may counter that with better chance to know the professors). Just to note I'm a history person too (part of the reason why I'm not discriminate enough despite the difference between the schools) and I noted that Brandeis is at least more famed (likely stronger) than BU in the humanities (basically it is strong vs. very strong).</p>

<p>Currently, I have to admit the largest rift between Brandeis and BU for me is probably social life as Brandeis as in terms that BU being the heart of Boston next to Fenway and so many colleges seems to offer alot more life, but I'm sure how much importance (especially in a 10,000 difference) I should put on it. My visit at Brandeis and talk with students reveal that while there is a difference in social life, Brandeis empahsis on community and number of activities could very well offer enough to satisfy me. Also BU may not be all that crack up, researching online and going by the worse case scenario which are the horror stories that I risk running into rich, snobby, stuck-up people at BU while getting burnt at the hard classes with not-so-friendly professors and grade deflation. Brandeis seems a bit better on that with the worse stories is having issues with the social aspect of the school and never the academic.</p>

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<p>Social life at Brandeis will tend to be more "communal" and more school-centered, while at BU, you will need to make more of an effort and create your social life on your own. With Boston right there, kids are out the door more often. However, it's really easy to get into Boston from Brandeis; there's a commuter rail station right across the street and Brandeis has its own shuttle. So if you want to create your own social life centering around Boston, you can. Brandeis is certainly within the heart of Boston's "college town" feel.</p>

<p>Also, look at your own learning style. Do you prefer interactive, discussion based classes? Then Brandeis is a better bet. Larger, more anonymous lectures? Go to BU.</p>

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<p>Ok:</p>

<p>BU has very good CompSci from what I know and excellent engineering.
Class sizes are NOT as big as you think. You'll have no problem connecting to your profs.
Boston>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Waltham
Many people complain about BU being non-communal, no school spirit..I dont see that at all. We all love our school and care about it a ton.
Rich, snobby, stuck up people. Yeah, we're not all like that. If you have a problem with wealthy people, going to school in Mass. is a bad idea. As for snobby and stuck up--Yes, some of us are like that, but i'm sure Brandeis has people like that too. Dont think you'll escape it. Everyone I know there and people ive talked to are all incredibly chill and about as far from that stereotype as possible.</p>

<p>I think you got a bad perception of us and our school. That probably ruined your feelings towards the school which I would say are unfair and mostly untrue.</p>

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<p>I vote Brandeis...maybe because I'm going there. :)
Seriously though, what Chedva said - consider your learning style and consider the size of each school. Which is a better fit for you? Unless money is a big concern, try not to be focused on the $10,000 right now.</p>