<p>My D was accepted to both schools. We have researched both and plan to visit within the next few weeks to make best determination. However, since these two schools are frequently compared and tend to admit a similar student profile, can anyone give us some ideas as the differences. (aside from the obvious Boston vs Rochester).</p>
<p>In particular, I am looking for student stress levels, academic support, supportive faculty.</p>
<p>D tends to be introverted and casts a small social net, so we are sensitive to her needs of a close knit community environment.</p>
<p>at present, she "thinks" she would like to major in Brain/Cognitive science/Neuro</p>
<p>Plus anything you can suggest to look for during our visits would also be greatly appreciated</p>
<p>I read the post title and was going to refer you to the relatively numerous past discussions of the topic. Then I saw the intended major. The answer for that is UR. Lots of reasons. UR gets a ton of money for research in the field. The students are bright and motivated. </p>
<p>So rather than doing the usual, which on the UR board is information instead of selling, let me describe this from the perspective that UR is the right choice. Can UR satisfy the rest? </p>
<p>One answer is that UR is a very good size and breaks down well into not very intimidating groups. That means lots of kids join lots of activities and these groups combine people so you can fit into the groups you are comfortable with. This may be related to the organization of the curriculum - which gives more freedom - or it may simply be the culture. </p>
<p>BTW, if your D is Jewish, there is an active Hillel. I know a number of kids who have been and are involved not only with Hillel but through that to the larger Jewish community.</p>
<p>D2 is neuro/BCS graduate of UR. If you have specific questions about the program, I can answer them for you.</p>
<p>UR’s neuro dept is very well regarded among graduate programs and routinely sends neuro/BCS students into highly ranked grad programs at Yale, Pitt, Michigan, Emory, JHU, etc. Also to NIH’s fellowship program.</p>
<p>As Lergnom states above, UR has a major research center for cognitive sciences and there are plentiful opportunities for an undergrad to get involved in research.</p>
<p>D2 found nearly all of her profs to be approachable. Profs in both her majors were supportive and encouraging, and they readily wrote strong, enthusiastic LORs for summer programs, grad school/med school.</p>
<p>You said she “thinks” that’s what she wants to major in. That could change in her first 2 weeks.</p>
<p>My D also has been accepted to these 2 schools. Good problem to have.</p>
<p>My guess is she will know by seeing the other students and what they are like. I think Brandeis is probably pretty strong in the sciences, but that said our impression is that Rochester is more science-y but comfortable for a humanities type student, and that Brandeis is more social justice and maybe cause-oriented, but also comfortable for a more science-y student. I think a strength of both schools is that most kids would find themselves comfortable there and find their way in terms of fitting in. Perhaps Brandeis is a little more intimate. Maybe Brandeis is a little quirkier while UR is a little nerdier. UR probably has more different types of kids, running the gamut a little more. Maybe Brandeis has a slightly more “intellectual” feel, but certainly the kids at UR are just as smart. My D likes both a lot although probably prefers UR. She also is a pretty outgoing kid who likes to have her foot in a lot of different groups of people.</p>
<p>When my guy was contemplating his final college pick he took a look at what profs were researching and what classes were offered. URoc won for him, BUT he never considered Brandeis, so didn’t look to compare. He hasn’t been disappointed at URoc, but is just a freshman (a very happy with no regrets about his choice freshman currently deciding between neuro and BCS).</p>
<p>You will see my kid but I can’t give you any details because my kid objects. Hillel dinner is in the Interfaith Chapel. One thing going on now is UR is looking to remake that place to better serve the various groups that use it. </p>
<p>The director for the Rochester area colleges, Judy Abelman, is very nice.</p>
<p>Neuroscience is a track within the biology dept; BCS is its own separate dept.</p>
<p>For neuroscience, the emphasis is on the brain as a biological system. For BCS, the area of study is broader an encompasses things like computer intelligence, mathematical modeling of cognition, sensory processing and integration, a philosophical exploration of ‘what is intelligence?’, and perhaps some BME. (NOTE, however, BCS does not require students to take either computer science or mathematics. It depends on what track in BCS a student decides to follow.)</p>
<p>There is HUGE overlap between the 2 majors. So much so that nearly all upper level neuroscience classes are cross-listed with BCS and vice versa. A student cannot double major in both neuro and BCS because the 2 majors share a common core of required classes.</p>
<p>On practical level, neuro requires 2 semesters of gen chem; BCS requires 1. Neuro requires 2 semesters of calc-based physics; BCS doesn’t. Neuro has a required senior research seminar and lab; BCS doesn’t. Neuro majors are required to take additional biology breadth coursework; BCS doesn’t required that. (But it has its own breadth requirements.)</p>
<p>A neuro major will fulfill all the pre-reqs for medical school; BCS won’t. (Though BCS majors are certainly able to take the missing pre-reqs using their clusters or as part of their breadth requirements for BCS.)</p>
<p>D2 was a neuro major. According to her, neuro includes more fundamental science than does BCS. (But remember she’s neuro major so she’s got a bias!)</p>
<p>As a parent of alum at each school although not in neuroscience… I have already posted a response on the Brandeis forum and do suggest looking at the previous threads and discussions of the Brandeis vs. Rochester… by the way, these are two great acceptances!!</p>