Brandeis University
Reviews

HSSP

The HSSP major is probably the most practical and applicable major offered at Brandeis (I did the BA program, not BS). I cannot say enough great things about the major and the faculty. In particular, Professors Altman, Stimell and Curi are truly top notch educators (especially if you're interested in health policy). Due in large part to my major, I had a job in the field 3 weeks after graduation and continue to hold that position. Unlike a hard science or humanities major, HSSP drew a variety of students, which made the overall experience that much better. Professor Altman and others at Heller really believe in the major and in developing students and it shows.

Brandeis Diversity

You make your own experience at Brandeis. I grew up in an affluent Jewish suburb and knew that I wanted a more diverse group of friends in college and find this at Brandeis was not difficult.

If you want the typical Jewish experience, it is there for the taking (and quite a few people, including some of my closest friends took this route). If you only want to hang out with internationals, that's also doable. I can't say enough good things about the students from the Posse Program and the TYP Program.

My best friends were Jewish, Catholic, scattered across the socio-economic spectrum, from Latin America and Asia.

As Diverse as It Gets

One of the huge deciding factors for me in choosing Brandeis was its diverse student body. Many schools will brag about the statistics of the percentages of different racial and ethnic minorities, yet the students will self segregate themselves. Brandeis is extremely special in that all of these different types of people are extremely close knit. Students of all colors are very accepting of each other, along with warm and welcoming.

Moody Street Is a Great Eat

Moody street and Main street are great places to eat, covered in restaurants. They are also very convenient to get to with the Branvan.

Brandeis = Academics

The academics here at Brandeis are top-notch. Academics at Bradeis, regardless of your major, are second to none. You may not always be taking the classes you want or the professors may not be the type that you would prefer BUT you are always guaranteed to learn a lot as long as you are applying yourself.

Boys Boys Boys

Are very cute on campus. The girls are mediocre, however, there are a few exceptionally beautiful girls.

The SCC Is My Home

Brandeis's main student center, Shapiro Campus Center (SCC), has everything you can possibly need. In fact, I have spent 24+ hours there on more than one occasion. The SCC is home to all of the club offices, a tv lounge, an atm, Einstein's Bagel, a quiet study room, the bookstore, a spacious atrium, and the undergraduate theater!

Meh

I work in financial services and I Can say from experience, we don't have as much aide as we'd like. But that being said, BRandeis does a lot for minority and low income families.

Amazing Academics

Academics are really why people come to Brandeis.Our professors are helpful, the resources are abundant and students have a lot of engagement in the classroom.

Brandeis Gets a Bad Reputation

I think the guys and girls at Brandeis get a bad reputation. I love the people at Brandeis, I find the people who go here extremely friendly and intellectual who can also have fun.

This Ain't No Easy Ride

For the most part, the academics are on with Ivy League. The science curriculum is rigorous and competitive, especially for the pre-med students. Students here are serious about their work and often grade-grub to get the desired grade-this is not to say that they have some kind of self-entitlement. You must work hard to get a grade. With that said, be prepared to work.

We're Jewish

Mad mad mad mad jewish

Nah just kidding we're pretty chill. not everyone is actually that jewish

Not Bad

somebody tried to punch one of the cops, all we got was an email

It's Great Here

Coming to Brandeis was one of the best decision I've ever made. I was not expecting to like it so much. But the moment I arrived, the orientation program helped us get comfortable and I met one of my best friends. To do well, you have to study, but the classes are interesting and engaging and most professors are great lecturers who want to help you do well.

Ha Ha Ha

Brandeis is not that athletic. I think some of our teams are decent, but athletes are a very specific crowd and not the majority. If you enjoy athletic schools, probably don't go to Brandeis

Could Be Worse

definitely gets old quickly, but really isn't that bad. sherman is realllly hit or miss, but if you have meals it's kind of worth it. parts of usdan are really great... the salmon in particular is awesome. and the c-store has lots of good stuff. i think it's gotten better over the years i've been here. don't get a meal plan if you don't have to. if you have to, the best one is all points. also dom's in the international business school is not connected to aramark and has THE BEST food.

Classes Are Great!

one of the main draws of brandeis. professors are very often engaging and approachable... classes are usually quite interesting and thought-provoking. workload totally depends on your major, but most of my classes have been fairly difficult workwise. classes are also usually on the smaller side unless it's an intro. popular/well-known majors are econ, international studies, and neuro.

Tickets Suck

Parking is alright, but tickets are $25. Not cool.

Wireless Is Sometimes Shotty

The dorm I live in (Charles River Apartments) sometimes has not-so-great internet connection. It often cuts out or slows down.

Bit of a stoner school

Lots of pot (people smoke pretty much whenever/wherever they want to). Some drinking (very easy to find, if you want it). Like most competitive schools, there is some "study drug" use though it isn't wildly popular. Very little hard drugs.

Close to Perfect

Brandeis is great about transportation. There are multiple on-campus and off-campus shuttles. The Branvan runs until early in the morning, as does the Boston/Cambridge shuttle, so you're never stuck walking late at night. Also, the MBTA public transit system can get you in and out of the city quick and cheap.

Can't Complain

Lots of Jews, lots of international students, some racial diversity, some economic diversity (Brandeis is actually really great about giving scholarships to underprivileged students), active queer community. Can't complain too much.

Waltham -- Not Too Shabby

Okay, so Waltham is a bit run-down, but it has a lot of personality. There's tons of restaurants (Indian, Thai, Cambodian, Italian, etc.) and bars on Moody Street and the path along the Charles River is really beautiful. We're also really close to Boston and Cambridge.

Chill Atmosphere

Brandeis is pretty chill about drinking/partying. That being said, the cops break most on-campus parties up by 1 or 2. Off-campus parties, however, generally last longer. Also, you can smoke pretty much anywhere (except in the freshman dorms).

Great Place to Find a Partner

Despite the stereotype that "Brandeis girls are ugly," I have found many people here (the women in particular) to be beautiful and interesting. I found my boyfriend here, and a lot of friends have met their partners at 'deis as well. I guess I would say that we are a "relationship school." There is some casual hooking-up, of course, but if you're looking for a whole lot of fooling around, I would go elsewhere.