<p>I sent in my deposit today…but I’m not sure if Brandeis is right for me. The huge amount of Jewish population and their religious practices on campus are not what I want. I also heard bad things about the science professors and people who undergo premed (like me) will not survive at Brandeis. The science professors are uncaring and they grade harshly. Also, the social scene is also horrendous. And lastly, the dorms are small and cramped and the buildings are old and dirty.</p>
<p>Are these rumors true? Did I make the mistake of sending in my deposit for Brandeis? (turned down U of Rochester, NYU, Boston College, and Uconn)</p>
<p>We really can't tell you much because obviously we all really love Brandeis. Different strokes for different folks. I know after I toured Brandeis, I was going to a tour of BC right afterwards and when we drove around it, I decided I hated it off the bat and didn't even bother touring... but other people might be the complete opposite.</p>
<p>And think of it this way, going to Brandeis is like getting a cultural education for free. Most people never really look too deeply beyond their own set of beliefs, but when going to a school with any kind of strong religious backing, it's kind of like osmosis. I've met plenty of people in the class of 2010 who are not Jewish or who are like me and are Jewish but raised exclusively secularly. I don't really see it as a big deal as long as you're willing to keep an open mind and maybe check out some of the ceremonies and stuff.</p>
<p>And if you think the dorms are small and cramped, go check out most large state schools. UGA's dorms are like prison cells and I went to band camp at North Georgia College whose rooms were at least half the size of 'Deis (as in the beds were sofa beds that when pulled down you couldn't walk between). </p>
<p>Have you toured? Because really, you can't just pick a school without touring it first.</p>
<p>If you are plagued by serious doubts then, perhaps, Brandeis isn't for you.</p>
<p>That being said, I'll offer the following comments. Consider the source of your doubts. If you arrive at them from what you've read from others, you have to discount them to a degree. If you've visited Brandeis and have observed and talked to students, faculty, and administrators, that's another matter.</p>
<p>I'm entering in the fall and plan to major in one of the life sciences. Haven't decided whether I'll go to medical school or follow another path. The science profs I've spoke to are nice people and seemed genuinely interested in me as a person. Are they uniformly representative of all science profs at Brandeis? Probably not. But you are going to find good ones and bad ones everywhere. You'll also find that pre-med is a pressure cooker to one degree or another pretty much everywhere. Nature of the beast.</p>
<p>Dorms are fine and in decent shape. Space is more than adequate in a double. Triples are crowded, but you'll live unless you are seriously claustrophobic. Rest of the buildings aren't architectural classics, but they are functional. Remember, they are subject to pretty heavy use. You'll find pockets of disrepair on most campuses.</p>
<p>As far as your comfort with the number of Jews at Brandeis and prevalence of religious practice, that's something only you can answer for yourself.</p>
<p>Finally, if you haven't visited, do so. The admissions office is very helpful, so call them to arrange something that will address your concerns.</p>
<p>Good luck and I hope it all turns out well for you in the end.</p>
<p>Many people dislike the sciences at Brandeis...I don't think they're any worse here than anywhere else. Anywhere they're going to be a ton of work. Most profs that I've had seemed genuinely interested in me. Maybe I've just had good luck. I don't know.</p>
<p>Also, I've found that Brandeis dorms are generally larger than those of my friends at other colleges, specifically those at Tufts, Case Western, and UNC. The Harvard ones are bigger, but I think that's just 'cause it's Harvard.</p>
<p>Regarding the Jewish population...it is what it is. It exists. I don't think anyone tries to push religion on anyone else. The observant Jewish community is wonderful if that's what you want...and can be avoided if it's not. Though I do encourage you to approach observant Jews with an open mind. Many of us are good people. :) To be honest, many of my friends here didn't realize I was observant until it specifically came up, sometimes weeks into our friendship.</p>