Brandeis University

Brandeis is a fine school academically. This is underappreciated by a lot of people on the outside. Students go to the top graduate schools in all fields, and in general are pretty smart to brilliant. There are some boneheads there, however. They really stand out in class. Don't know why they get in, but I would guess money. I conducted an alumni interview with one of the dumbest people I had ever met, and I wrote in all the details of the horrific interview and she got in. I later learned her family had a lot of money. That same year I interviewed a young lady who was very, very bright, interesting, engaging, etc. They rejected her! It was Brandeis' HUGE loss because she ended up at Stanford! Good for her. I would hate for her to be in class with the idiot that got in.

Having said this, if one is not Jewish, it will not be a friendly environment. Essentially, there is the Jewish community and everyone else. It runs about 65/35 Jewish/gentile. This can make life very difficult in the classroom. For instance, I took complex variables with a small group. About ten or so. Well, 7 or 8 students were Jewish, and they gathered before and after class to discuss homework, test preparation, etc. I felt invisible. I don't think the students recognized me around campus. I would greet them and they would either not respond or look at me as if I were crazy. I honestly believe that some of them simply did not realize I was in class with them. I had to work the problem sets alone. So I was at a serious disadvantage.

The liberalism that is claimed is not extant. Those who thought of themselves as open minded, etc. I found to be condescending, xenophobic and racist. They just smiled alot and said "What up, bro!". But don't try to socialize with them. The pain will come quickly and in big doses. I will never forget a dining hall conversation. This Jewish guy who thought of himself as a really lefty from San Francisco asked this black kid with a rather large Afro hair style where he bought his hair. After a lot of wrangling, the Jewish guy finally asserted that he asked because black people cannot grow hair longer than an inch. I was flabbergasted. But this is what you get from the lefties at Brandeis, so imagine what the conservative Jews are like.If you are Jewish, it is a great place to study. The academics are superb, and the professors will send you to the best graduate schools in the world. If you are not Jewish, be prepared for a long, enervating, disorienting experience that tests your ability to spend an entire day in class and not have a single student say anything to you. Be prepared for invisibility. If you can handle that, you will survive, and maybe even get good grades if you don't take classes with professors who do not believe that you do good work, or that it isn't yours if it is good.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

The benefits: Really intelligent faculty that will really help you out if you approach them. A lot of excellent, challenging classes. Peers that really care about their work and are motivated. Excellent for the sciences, politics, international and global studies and Judaic and Middle Eastern studies. Close to Boston. TONS of student resources. Campus is fairly pretty in the spring and fall. Great theatre/arts departments.The drawbacks: Total rip off in terms of tuition. Buildings are old and in need of renovation. Not enough on campus housing esp for upperclassmen. Food is pretty bad and during breaks it's almost impossible to get food on campus. South Street can be a little unsafe at night (always travel in groups.) VIRTUALLY NO PARTY/SOCIAL SCENE. Occasionally there will be a good frat/sports party but it is rare to find something big to do on the weekends. Not much diversity- almost everyone is either Asian or Jewish and rich.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2015

Extracurricular Activities: A+, Social Life: D+

Brandeis University is an amazing university that offers many desired traits to perspective students: it has a rigorous academic program, a fabulous orientation program, an active and passionate student body, a great proximity to Boston, and much more. I am a senior and have loved my years at brandeis so far, and strongly believe that brandeis is what you make of it.

People who do not like brandeis complain that it does not have enough parties or that there are too many jewish people. I would like to state that Brandeis acknowledges that it is not a party school and that it does have a jewish background.

please read the following and decide whether this sounds like you:

STUDENT BODY: the students at brandeis are very open, liberal, and passionate about their interests. You may see someone walking around campus barefoot or demonstrating something they feel strongly about, and that is relatively common. Some people say that the people here are "weird", but that just shows how some people have a harder time accepting difference than others. Brandeisians are very accepting of minorities, other ethnicities, and gay rights. We have a very liberal and accepting environment here where people are free to express themselves. (shown by "the less you wear the less you pay" dance). We also have co-ed dorms and bathrooms. Also, we have a large percentage of international students. This does include students from the middle east who are not Israelis. There is no conflict between religious groups on campus.

ACADEMICS: The academics are challenging, especially pre-med. As a double-major in Anthropology and International and Global Studies and an independent minor in Arabic, I feel that my professors were always available and that my courses were excellent. I've always been able to get into all the classes I wanted. Registration is not a problem here. Many languages are available as well.

CLUBS/SPORTS: We do not have a strong sports program, so if you would like that, do not go here. We are D3 in most sports. However, the student body is VERY ACTIVE in clubs. I am a board member of a club and a founder of another club. Becoming active in club administrations is not too difficult (i was on the board my sophomore year). Joining clubs is EASY! I also founded my own club. Getting funding from the school was not difficult either.

WHAT TO DO: Lots to do in Boston. Brandeis has a free shuttle that does into boston every hour and a half for Thursdays-Sunday. Great way to go shopping, eat out, or visit/attend parties at other schools.

One complaint is that many campus activities revolve around Jewish-related themes. However, I took that opportunity to start a new club to add to the non-jew feel. Lots of jewish people does not mean that you will only have jewish friends. if you join a cross-cultural club or take a language, you are sure to be involved with people who are not jewish.

Again, Brandeis is what you make of it. Noone will make you go to class. Noone will make you join a club. So if you are unhappy at Brandeis, I truly believe it is a reflection of yourself and not upon what the university has to offer.

Male -- Class 2000