<p>So I was just accepted RD to Brandeis and I’d say it’s my top choice after Barnard, meaning it’s very likely that I’ll end up there. The only thing is that people keep saying I’ll be isolated because I’m not Jewish. They seem to think the campus is mostly centered around Jewish life and I guess they just think I won’t fit in. I’m making this thread because I’d like people who know the school to explain that this isn’t the case. Also, I’d like to be reassured, because I’ve started to get paranoid after hearing the same story from a bunch of people.</p>
<p>There is plenty of room at Brandeis for non-religious people, right? I understand that Jewish life is fairly prevalent, which is totally fine with me, but I guess I’m just confirming that I’d be able to fit in fine without being involved in Jewish life on campus. Thanks everyone :)</p>
<p>It is my understanding that about 1/2 the kids are not Jewish, so I think you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>And even among the jewish kids, there will be plenty of non-religious jews there, who will be indistinguishable from you.</p>
<p>Certainly many jews go to Brandeis because it is “jewish”. But many other jews go just because it is a top school, and is located in the Boston area.</p>
<p>I would visit for a weekend, and hang around the campus.</p>
<p>Do these people know anything about Brandeis? I’m guessing they don’t. Floridadad is right, you should visit. But he’s also right that Brandeis’ student population is about half Jewish and half non-Jewish, and most non-Jews do just fine there.</p>
<p>Diana2012, here’s a similar thread from yesterday that should be helpful in dispelling the misinformation you’ve been given–it includes a comment from a current student. The first part of the thread addresses the “nerdy” misnomer and the second the so-called “Jewish culture” issue:</p>
<p>My take, as an alum, is that Brandeis is quite diverse with a strong international flavor (in fact the majority of its International Business School is international students). Less than 50% of its student body is Jewish (40% overall if you count the grad students who are on the same campus and often work alongside undergrads in research. That percentage is similar to Barnard). There is not an overt feel of Jewish culture on campus unless you are looking for it. Many top schools have a significant percentage of Jewish students and certainly more in numbers than mid-sized Brandeis. Brandeis is a non-sectarian school that embraces students from all types of backgrounds based on merit. The school has no religious affiliation (i.e. it’s not Notre Dame or Boston College or Georgetown), although it was founded and is funded signifiicantly by the Jewish community. Of course, you should visit the campus to judge for yourself.</p>
<p>I guess that current student you’re referring to is me? (I’m not quite sure why I’m on CC; I never used it last year when I was applying to colleges…) :P</p>
<p>I’ve heard 30-40% tossed around, but I think 50% is believable, if a bit high. It’s one of those things that you wouldn’t even notice unless someone told you or you’re on Facebook during Purim and wondering why so many of your friends are psyched.</p>
<p>The campus isn’t mostly centered around Jewish life; it’s certainly an integral part, and Brandeis would be very different without its Jewish population, but by no means is it the focus of campus activity.</p>
<p>You can PM me with any specific questions if you’re worried. I’m not Jewish (or white), but I don’t feel left out of anything at all.</p>
<p>Brandeis is no more Jewish than Georgetown is Catholic. There are plenty of Jews at Georgetown and plenty of non-Jews at Brandeis. But Brandeis is a Jewish school and if you are offended by Crosses everywhere you will not like Georgetown. My son is graduating from Brandeis and over the years he has brought home loads of friends who are not Jewish or from other countries. Brandeis has been great for my son. If you choose to go there you will be fine.</p>
<p>Actually, Brandeis is less Jewish than Georgetown is Catholic. Brandeis was established by the Jewish community, but it was not established to be a Jewish university. Georgetown, on the other hand, is operated as a Catholic institution by the Society of Jesus.</p>
<p>There’s actually a MORE prevalent Jewish population in other schools, namely NYU, Cornell, BU, etc. (Check this link for more info: [Top</a> 60 Schools by Jewish Student Population](<a href=“http://www.hillel.org/about/news/2011/aug/31AUG11_Top60.htm]Top”>http://www.hillel.org/about/news/2011/aug/31AUG11_Top60.htm))
So, Brandeis being coined as a Jewish school is more of a stereotype than anything else, and shouldn’t affect your decision. There’s plenty of non-religious activities at Brandeis.</p>
<p>Jellypants, I think you need to read your own link more carefully. NYU, Cornell and BU do have more Jewish students than Brandeis, but it’s because they’re much larger. NYU has about 4800 freshmen; Cornell, about 3300; BU, about 4000. Brandeis has an entering class of about 850.</p>
<p>Scroll further down your own link to where colleges and universities are ranked by the percentage of Jewish students. Brandeis follows only List College of the Jewish Theological Seminary, Yeshiva, and American Jewish University. Brandeis is about half Jewish. NYU is pretty darn Jewish, at around 30%; Cornell, less than a quarter Jewish; BU, around 20%.</p>
<p>By no means do I want to scare Diana away from Brandeis. Brandeis has a thriving religious scene for many non-Jews (my neighbor’s kid went there agnostic and will come out a pretty fervent Roman Catholic), and a vibrant cultural life for non-religious students. And, as I stated above, Brandeis has no established religious affiliation; it isn’t a Jewish university in the way that Yeshiva is, or the way Notre Dame is Catholic. But I think it’s probably just not correct to describe BU as more heavily Jewish, or at least more densely Jewish, than Brandeis.</p>
I’m not Jewish (or white), but I don’t feel left out of anything at all.</p>