Reservations about Brandeis? I need advice/guidance/HELP

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brandeis University
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I was recently accepted to Brandeis undergrad for the fall 2017 term. I am really excited about getting in, but I’ve been reading a lot of negative things about the college (on this forum lol) and was wondering if anyone could prove, disprove, or just give me the honest truth? I know the academics are great, but certain nuances make me nervous… I am planning to visit in a few weeks, but I’d like to get all this settled so I don’t go in with bias!! I really want to love it :slight_smile:

First of all, does the school have a good biology major? This is my intended major, it’s my passion, and I am looking to go to a school that will enhance my interest.

Is the school attractive? I’ve been browsing the internet for pictures but nothing makes me go “wow” and I don’t know if this “dull vibe” is accurate…

The general consensus on college confidential leads me to believe that the food isn’t all that great. While this probably won’t be a determining factor for me (I value my education over food any day) it would certainly be disappointing (I am a foody at heart).

I know Brandeis is a relatively new school; is it accurate to say that this “newness” also comes with downsides (like a not-as-strong reputation to grad schools, or less amenities)?

Are the dorms nice? Again, I’ve only seen pictures (and I know dorms won’t look like you want them to unless you take them by the reins) but I don’t get a wow sensation.

I am really hoping to make good friends in college, and I’m a pretty agreeable and outgoing person, but I’ve also read that students are cliquey?

I am a really focused and driven person… I don’t tend to partake in distractions, so frats and sororities, as well as a lot of parties, are drawbacks… I’ve heard that Brandeis has them but that they are subdued and not in your face (which is good). Is this true?

The reason I ask all these things is the only other school I am really considering is Mount Holyoke, and I can definitely say that the dorms there are nice, the food is good, the people their are nice and helpful, and the biology major/all science majors are excellent. All of these things I am sure about there but not sure about for Brandeis. Makes me uneasy because Moho has really big downsides for me… Thanks for any knowledge!!

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My husband and I are graduates, and our son is seriously considering Brandeis as well. His main reason for doing so is that it has an incredible science program, with biology at the top of the heap. Attractive? Well, it depends on what you like. Come see it in the fall, with the leaves in full bloom, Massell Pond sparkling, and the rolling hillside landscape bustling with eager students, and you’ll fall in love. The castle is a work of art (currently under construction). But the rest of the buildings could probably be considered Modernist Blah. Dorms are adequate, some nicer than others. Nothing awful, but nothing that will wow you. That never bothered us, but if you’re looking for physical beauty look elsewhere. The food is just fine–certainly better than when I was there. Lots more options. No worries about Brandeis grads getting into top grad schools. My husband went on to an Ivy law school, and plenty of our friends went to similar-caliber law and med schools. The reputation is stellar. I would argue that, with the lack of fraternities and top sports teams, students are less cliquey than elsewhere. I met some of my best friends (and my husband!) there. I can’t really speak to the frat scene as I am not a student there any longer, but it was always somewhat underground and in no way dominated the social atmosphere. I think that’s still true. Brandeis is not a party school at all, but there are still great parties and students tend to make their own fun, to some degree. Do not discount Boston as a draw, either. Personally, I never considered a single-sex school because I think it’s important to live with and learn with men. Some of my best friends at Brandeis were men, and I’m so happy I had that experience. It’s not for everybody, but I do encourage you to visit both places and then choose. Good luck! Let us know.

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I never visited Mount Holyoke, but I have visited Brandeis. To address some of your questions:

We actually liked the food at Brandeis the most of any college we’ve visited so far, but we have more visits to come. We thought the food was plentiful, varied and delicious.

The buildings are modern, except for the lovely castle. Mount Holyoke will have a more ‘traditional’ look to its buildings that most people will find more attractive. That said, Brandeis isn’t ugly, just modern and functional.

The worst thing about Brandeis was definitely the lofted triples-- three students in a room designed for two.

Other than the triples issue, we really like Brandeis. The students are bright, the professors are well regarded, opportunities abound. Brandeis students routinely get into top graduate schools. Reputedly, biology is one of its strengths, so you should be fine.

Socially, the feel seems to be bright, hardworking students with intellectual interests. A lot of the student tour guides the day we were there were prelaw or premed. Generally it is a liberal and socially active campus. It was visibly diverse in terms of race and ethnicity. It is also a fully secular nonreligious college with lots of religions represented on campus as well as atheistic and nonreligious kids… and without the large Christian majority of most other nonsectarian American colleges. There are plenty of activities in which to get involved and lots happening on campus, as well as proximity to Boston.

A great aspect of Brandeis is that it combines the research opportunities of a top research university with the small classes and accessibility of a liberal arts college. If she wants to do research in biology, I am sure she will have a lot of opportunities.

Mount Holyoke, although all female, is part of the five college consortium, so she can attend classes and clubs with boys from Amherst, Hampshire, and U Mass, if that matters to her.

She has two great choices. Both should meet her academic needs.

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@lauriejgs Thank you for your input! I’m super pleased to hear about Brandeis’s undeniable reputation and good biology program (that is priority for me, after all). I hope/am planning to go to med school after undergrad so this is good news :slight_smile:

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@TheGreyKing I have heard about the lofted triples situation but I don’t think this will be an issue for me. One of Brandeis’s biggest draws is its proximity to Boston. I really love the city and am definitely weighing all the opportunities I could have by attending a school so close. Thanks for your insight I really appreciate it!

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@iloveepee I couldn’t help but notice your username. Brandeis has one of the best Div3 fencing teams in the country.

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@stencils ahhh yes this is one of the big reasons I am attracted to the school! While Moho has great things to offer, it certainly does not have a comparable reputation when it comes to fencing

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Goodness @iloveepee . All this time I’ve been reading your user name as I love pee. ~X(

Not gonna lie, MOHO is much, much more beautiful than Brandeis, but Brandeis has some areas that have an incredible view. I think the previous descriptions are spot on.

I’m following this thread with interest as my D has a similar choice.

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@redpoodles I hadn’t even realized that my username could be easily mistaken for another, more obscene phrase #-o Good luck to you and your D in the upcoming months! I’m anxiously waiting to visit both schools mentioned; hopefully then I will be able to commit to one without hesitation

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There’s nothing wrong with your user name-- I have learned a new term!

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Hi - my son is currently a sophomore at Brandeis and couldn’t be happier. He is a math/computer science major, so I can’t speak to the biology department. I can address some of your other questions. Attractiveness of campus - grounds are beautiful, buildings meh. Dorms - adequate, but nothing special. Food - my son absolutely loves it, and I’ve been pleased when I go to visit him. He is vegetarian and is really pleased by the variety of fresh food available to him (a lot of places the only veg option is pizza). As for the students being cliquey, that has not been his experience at all. He’s found everyone to be incredibly welcoming and friendly. I hope that helps.