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i'm thinking of applying to Brandeis University... any feedback on the school? Like what are the chances of admission, and if I do get in, what is it like to be a student there? Thanks!

By Lilly Ostrovsky on Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 05:25 pm: Edit

Hey...anyone tell me how my chances are...

1340 (700V)
4.167 GPA
5/150
5 APs total...sister alumnea of Brandeis...
SAT II...scores not back yet bio, writing, literature

Gread ECs...

By aimee on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 05:15 pm: Edit

i think that you would have a great chance! it seems pretty much a match school for you! i also am applying with similar stats.

By IK on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 10:38 pm: Edit

Princeton Review ranked it as the school with the fourth unhappiest students in the nation...

By master on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 12:34 am: Edit

youll get in.

but in my opinion it is a •••• school. both my parents went there, and they gave me a full ride for 4 years and i still wont go.

By li on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 07:38 am: Edit

I know lots of kids who go to Brandeis. They all love it.

By Anngold (Anngold) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 11:43 pm: Edit

We just got back from visiting Brandeis and we were not impressed, The campus is not maintained - peeling paint on buildings, trash everywhere, smells, etc. We scratched it off the list after visiting. I highly recommend you see it in person before accepting.

By Gum (Gum) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:54 am: Edit

im scared.. i already said yes and have no chance of visiting since i live in bolivia.. how are the dorms? the people? is it THAT small? plz.. help

By Nitebirdmom (Nitebirdmom) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 07:47 pm: Edit

My son will be going to Brandeis in the fall. We were at the open house a few weeks ago. The people were all friendly and pleasant. My son stayed overnight in a dorm and had a great time. I don't know what you consider big or small, but there are over 3,000 undergrads and about 1200 graduate students. As the school was founded in 1948, the buildings are modern, you will not find any old, ivy covered buildings at Brandeis, but the campus is not unpleasant. Having gone through the college search process with 2 kids, we've seen at least 20 schools. Brandeis was right up there among most of the schools as far as maintenance, etc. The Princeton Review "unhappiest students" thing is a device to sell books. It is extremely anecdotal, so if 1 person goes on their website 100 times and says they are unhappy, it will count as 100 unhappy comments. All the students I've known of who went there loved it. The faculty is outstanding. The dorms are average - some are nicer than others, but nothing awful compared to other schools. There are lots of international students, tons of clubs and organizations. It's a politically involved and active campus. Relax. It's a great school.

By Annajason (Annajason) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 02:08 pm: Edit

Brandeis is a great school. That Princeton Review stat about how Brandeis is the fourth least happy school is both outdated and not true anymore. In the last five years, Brandeis has turned into a rather fun school. It's academics are outstanding, and as an alumni, let me say, it was fun. A lot of people who graduated 10 or 20 years ago remember it as not very fun. Trust me, there is plenty of good time to be had. Most weekends I was out until dawn partying. There is a ton of extracuriculars to participate in. Also, though there is a large amount of social life, it is in a warm and fun atmosphere, verses some schools which have a very aggresive and chauvistic idea of partying. Brandeis is a great school...don't let a few sour people convince you otherwise.

By Dumbuket (Dumbuket) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 03:44 pm: Edit

I was once adamently against the notion of going to Brandeis. I thought I was too good for the school, that I would be unhappy there, and that it was ugly. Well, the buildings are unconventional, (in that they aren't all 12,000 years old), but the professors are among the topin their fields, (all Ivy or Brandeis educated) and its science department is absolutely top notch. Perhaps one reason that some of the students there rag on Brandeis is that for many Ivy-prepped students, it is a safety or a level school. As a result, a lot of people rejected from Ivies, (or in my case, people who are offered more money than Ivies) end up going to Brandeis. Thus, the complaints. Brandeis is not a school that you need to make the best of. It's better than that.

By Spookysculder (Spookysculder) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 11:08 am: Edit

stupid question, but is the student population predominately jewish? and if so, does it have any effect on the social aspects of the school?

By Robin (Robin) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 03:20 am: Edit

Brandeis is 50% Jewish, mostly non religious. The school is much more diverse that people think it is or want to believe it is. The school is non sectarian, so that there is no effect either socially or religiously. Brandeis deserves a much better reputation that it has both academically and especially socially.

By Nemom (Nemom) on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 08:03 pm: Edit

Brandeis is not the prettiest campus around, but it is nicely spread out with reasonable amounts of green space - more , in fact, than Harvard, I would estimate (from having been on both campuses fairly often). Some buildings could certainly use some paint and "The Castle" , although wonderful to see, is rather decrepit. Waltham is a fun and lively suburb of Boston, with tons of great places to eat, a nice cinema and a funky air. With public transit (or a car) you can be in downtown Boston (or Cambridge) in just about 20 minutes.
There is a strong Jewish presence which can be quite beneficial for those who keep kosher, but it doesn't dominate the school.
Academically, it is quite strong.

By Catalinakc (Catalinakc) on Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 05:02 pm: Edit

Does anyone know when Regular decision letters are mailed??

By Nitebirdmom (Nitebirdmom) on Monday, February 09, 2004 - 09:15 pm: Edit

Last year, my son's acceptance letter was dated March 18 (I still have it ). I think we received it March 21 (we live in NY). Hope this is helpful.

By Rachie3953 (Rachie3953) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 03:13 pm: Edit

Would the strong Jewish population be a problem for me considering I attend a Catholic school right now? I have no problems whatsoever with the Jewish religion but one Jewish person I know who went there said that the school was too Jewish even for her. Any thoughts?

By Sjg1786 (Sjg1786) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 06:11 pm: Edit

Hi.. I was wondering if anyone who knows about Brandeis University could tell me my chances of getting in.

3.7 GPA
rank = 46/334 (top 13 percent)
all accelerated classes
ACT = 30 (equivalent to a 1340 on the SAT)
President of Spanish Honor Society
Class Treasurer
National Honor Society
many other clubs and activities & volunteer work

By Robin (Robin) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 10:16 am: Edit

Rachie 3953,

According to an article in the Boston Globe on 2/22/04, Brandeis is 54% Jewish, which means that 46% of the campus is not Jewish. The article states that there are 200 Muslim students, 200 African American students, about 9 or 10% asian, international students from 101 countries and 17 different religions are represented at Brandeis. They are trying very hard to diversify while still trying to keep its Jewish identity. Based on this article, there should be no reason that you wouldn't be comfortable at Brandeis. There is also a Catholic chapel on campus with a full time priest.

Sig1786,

My son was accepted with a 3.7 GPA and a 1410 SAT score. His extra curriculars were not as extensive as yours are. I think you should have no problem getting into Brandeis.

By Macadamiamin (Macadamiamin) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 05:50 pm: Edit

Whatabout SAT II's? Does Brandeis require them? What range of SAT II scores does Brandeis usually accept?

By Sjg1786 (Sjg1786) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 07:25 pm: Edit

I'm almost positive SAT II's aren't required. I think they are recommended if SAT I scores are submitted but the ACT can replace the SAT I and SAT II. Did you apply regular decision to Brandeis?

By Macadamiamin (Macadamiamin) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 04:24 pm: Edit

I haven't applied, I'm only a junior. I've seen some sources state that the SAT II's are required, and some sources say they're only recommended. It is a little late, but I guess it would be a good idea to take the ACT instead of both...

By Abrandel05 (Abrandel05) on Sunday, March 07, 2004 - 11:40 am: Edit

does anyone have any insight into what the campus is like? ive heard its not the most beautiful and im going in april to visit.

By Chump25 (Chump25) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:21 pm: Edit

i just got in, if neone else did too that's thinkin of goin n wants to chat, IM or email me.

By Noangel164 (Noangel164) on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 11:50 pm: Edit

"Candidates for admission to Brandeis must take the Scholastic Aptitude Test: SAT I and three SAT II: Subject Tests. One of the SAT II: Subject Tests must be the SAT II: Writing. All SAT I and SAT II: Subject Tests should be completed by the end of January of the senior year. You may submit the ACT as a substitute for the SAT I and SAT II: Subject Tests. Applicants whose first language is other than English should take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) The TOEFL bulletin for 2001-2002 failed to list the Brandeis undergraduate code number; our code number is 3092."


From: http://www.brandeis.edu/admissions/apply1.html

By Lenk58 (Lenk58) on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 01:38 pm: Edit

Brandeis doesn't have a great campus. The student population is very heavily Jewish, more than half. It wasn't so well maintained when I saw it. There is little doubt that it has a fine rep but so do many schools.

By Sulskman (Sulskman) on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 01:17 pm: Edit

WTF are you racist lenk? Why does it matter if the population is Jewish? Please give me a good reason.

By Shoshie (Shoshie) on Sunday, May 09, 2004 - 04:09 pm: Edit

I really liked the campus when I visited. Sure, there were drearier parts, but all campuses have that. It's a newer campus so the buildings don't have Ivy crawling up the walls, but it's still a pretty campus. The view from the top of the hill is incredible.

By Lenk58 (Lenk58) on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 11:53 pm: Edit

Sulskman what kind of question is that? I state an admission stat and you ask if I am a racist.What race are you talking about?Are you of the opinion that being Jewish is a different race?

By Mehditaha (Mehditaha) on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 10:56 am: Edit

Hey guys,

I was wondering which college campus looks better: Boston College or Brandeis. I have heard so much good on BC and nothing for Brandeis. How come???

By Lenk58 (Lenk58) on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 11:36 am: Edit

BC LOOKS AND IS BETTER.

By Shoshie (Shoshie) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 03:13 pm: Edit

It depends a lot upon what you are looking for. I wanted a small school that was also a University because of my interest in science. I never visited BC. Lenk, just a question, why are you so deadset against Brandeis? Did you have a bad experience there?

By Blinkeve1826 (Blinkeve1826) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 11:11 pm: Edit

Hi, I'll be a senior in the fall, and I was wondering what my chances are for Brandeis, as an Acting major with a minor in Music, or a double major in Acting and Music. I'd also like to know how difficult a double major in those two subjects is at Brandeis.

GPA: 90 UW, around 93 W (but not sure)
SAT: 1260, 610 V 650 M, retaking October
SAT II: 610 Literature, 690 Math IC, 750 Writing
PSAT: 57 V 67 M
Junior year, one AP and 3 IBs; senior year, one AP and 3 IBs (but I'm taking several AP tests [Statistics, English, possibly Spanish, maybe Music Theory]; I'm taking the AP English exam even though I'm taking the IB English course)
AP US History: 3 (only one I've taken so far)
Outstanding EC's, including a few leadership positions, good community service too, great recs (most likely, anyway)
Awards: 1st place at Hofstra University's Annual Spanish Poetry Contest, 2nd place at Nassau Community College's Annual Monologue Contest, 100/100 Level IV NYSSMA (which guarantees a spot in the All-County Chorus, and gives me a 99% chance of making an All-State ensemble), Who's Who two years

Just giving you the very basics, since I don't feel like listing every single thing like I have done on past posts. :P Any comments are appreciated. Thanks!