I was accepted into both Brandeis and UConn. I’m very into history and old town Connecticut and Massachusetts appeal greatly to me. I only have a few hours to decide so please let me know! Brandeis is small, less opportunity, more expensive, a bit better academics but not by much?? (UConn is now considered a public ivy). UConn is perfect size, a bit cheaper, sop much opportunity, but a bit lower academics perhaps? Please some feedback. I’m double majoring in History and Poli Sci on pre law track.
I’m also out of state from Illinois so UConn acceptance was a bigger accomplishment than in state students.
No offense to anyone at all that went to Brandeis, as it’s a good school, but very very few people or employers outside of New England have heard of it. So UCONN has much much higher brand recognition for when you are out there in the wider world. I am from California originally, and have lived in Midwest, Rust Belt, and Mountain West…trust me that no one has heard of Brandeis outside of those in academia. Everyone’s heard of UCONN…it is most likely due to the brand recognition they get from sports, but it is what it is. What did you decide? Both are strong choices no matter what, but you asked for feedback.
@becautious I agree that name recognition is very very important. I would go to UConn since the OP said it is cheaper. I think Brandeis is pretty well known in the entire northeast region since I live in NY and have heard of it a lot. The academics are similar, but Brandeis has a better history program. Brandeis also sounds more elite than UConn at least in NY because Brandeis is private.
@historyluvr1776 where did u end up going?
Brandeis is known nationally as an exceptional school in Neuroscience (that’s the field I am the most familiar with from friends who are there). Research opportunities are incredible. They have a very very high success rate of their graduates earning acceptances to top-ranked graduate school programs in science/medicine and law/government/economics. Sounds like the OP is going to UConn, but for others reading this thread, definitely consider Brandeis if you are pre-law, pre-med, economics/public policy/social justice, or science major. It is a highly ranked National University by USNews (for those who care about such things, Brandeis is #34, and UConn is #57).