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General Information

School Contact
Brandeis University
415 South Street
Waltham, MA 02454
United States
(781) 736-2000
www.brandeis.edu
Cost
Tuition: $34,566
Room and Board: $9,908
Books and Supplies: $1,000
Undergrad Student Body
Full-Time: 3,242
Total Male: 1,453
Total Female: 1,814
Part-Time: 25
Founded:
1948 		Control:
Private 		Setting:
Suburban 		Academic Calendar:
Semester 		Religious Affiliation:
None

Overall Experience

It may seem like a lot of Brandeis students really hate their school, but deep down, most know they would not be happy anywhere else. Some students seem to be bitter when they first get to Brandeis because they are either here since it made financial sense—Brandeis is quite generous when it comes to financial aid allotment—or because Brandeis was their third or fourth choice, and they got rejected from the Ivies or NESCAC schools. But after a little time to get adjusted, that bitterness soon subsides. You must work to have a positive experience at Brandeis, more so than at a lot of other colleges. There are so many opportunities out there, but you need to be willing to put forth the effort to get the most out of them. If you sit in your room and do nothing, you will get nothing out of your experience at Brandeis. Students are very studious, but they are also very involved, so the best way to meet people and have fun is to join clubs and be active in them.

There is a stigma attached to Brandeis of not being a school that knows how to party, and certainly there are schools that do it better. The administration and faculty here sometimes seem to have the position that the cheapest way to do it is the best way. Parking, religious influence, and a shortage of “hot” students may be the other things that people complain about, but there are many ways to get around these and have a good time. And more often than not, Brandeis students find a way to do just that. Many students come in and have no clue what to expect, and many of them leave with memories that will last them a lifetime. Brandeis gets a bad reputation because of the homogenous population, but the students at Brandeis, though awkward, are friendly and welcoming, more so than at schools with a “hotter” or “cooler” student body. And the academics are starting to reach the level of the top schools in the country—Brandeis continues to be ranked among the top 30 schools in the nation in many academic polls. The University is constantly changing and improving, sometimes radically, which should inspire many new students to apply.

 

Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:
I love Brandeis. I’ve made amazing friendships, have learned an enormous amount, have decided what I want to do with my life, and feel that on a day to day basis, I’m happy and lucky to be where I am.
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Anonymous says:
I’m very happy at Brandeis. It’s really easy to get involved and it’s a very active campus. Brandeis is definitely a great, friendly place to be. I love it!
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Anonymous says:
I love Brandeis, but if I could’ve done it again, I probably would’ve gone to another school. The social and sports scenes are both lacking, and there is a lack of overall school unity. While the small size of Brandeis allows for students to have a more hands-on experience in their classes and with the activities they are involved in, you do not get to constantly meet new people, and there is also a limit in what a liberal arts university can provide in terms of course offerings.
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BraMM says:

March 21, 2009
I'm a freshman, so who knows how I'll feel in a few years, but I absolutely adore Brandeis. Most of the time the classes are wonderful, and every now and then the professors are truly inspiring human beings. Really, it's the student body that makes this place great. Brandeis students have the intelligence and accomplishments of an Ivy-league student body but are also remarkably down to earth. I have had the experience of knowing a friend here for months before suddenly finding out that he is a United States fencing champion or she is a violinist who has played Carnegie Hall. In my first week here, I learned more about the state of society in Africa from my South African hallmate than I ever have from any form of institutionalized education. You will make friends with truly astonishing human beings, and I love Brandeis for making that happen.
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BraJa4 says:

March 17, 2009
I had a hard time fitting in a Brandeis at first. I am a Christian from a small town in Maine. I got called shiksa several times during my first semester and had to ask my friends what it meant. The campus basically shuts down on Friday nights for Shabbat. Brandeis also has a particular kind of awkward where most of the students won't make eye-contact when walking, and signs of affection such as hugs or even shaking hands doesn't seem to exist. I love the challenging classes and the awesome professors, and while I have begun to adjust to life at Brandeis, if I could do it all over again, I would not choose Brandeis.
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Admissions Stats See more admissions statistics

Contact Admissions
Phone: (781) 736-3500
E-Mail: admissions@brandeis.edu
Web Site: www.brandeis.edu/admissions
Dates To Know Deadline Notification
Regular Decision January 15 April 1
Must-Reply-By May 1
Acceptance Rate:   38% Application Fee:   $55 Common Application Accepted?   Yes

Financial Aid Stats

Contact Admissions
Phone: (781) 736-3700
E-Mail: sfs@brandeis.edu
Web Site: www.brandeis.edu/offices/sfs/finaid
Other Stats
Financial Aid Forms Deadline: February 1
Average Financial Aid Package: ? $27,354
Students Who Applied for Aid: 57%
Applicants Who Received Aid: 82%

Standardized Tests

Scores Verbal Math Composite (out of)
SAT I * 630 - 720 640 - 720 1270 - 1440 (1600)
* 25th - 75th Percentile
Other Stats
Top 10% of HS Class: 74%
SATI / ACT Required? Either
SAT II Requirements: Two subjects required