http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html Life at BRU - Comments en http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html Brandeis is a very weed-friendly college 8)... Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:55:25 GMT StudentsReview 567-57473 Copyright 2009 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 567-57473 567 52 Undecided Male Undergraduate Class 2012 1st Year Neutral Brandeis is a very weed-friendly college 8) Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:55:25 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html Brandeis was a warm, caring, amazing environment where I learned a lot and was really given the tools to grow and challenge myself. That said, it's totally not for everyone. The social life, while vib... Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:38:43 GMT StudentsReview 567-54145 Copyright 2009 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 567-54145 567 6 Biology Female Undergraduate Class 2008 4th Year Neutral Brandeis was a warm, caring, amazing environment where I learned a lot and was really given the tools to grow and challenge myself. That said, it's totally not for everyone. The social life, while vibrant in its own way, is definitely not party school material, and some people want that out of college. It's not in Boston, but it's also not that hard to get into Boston; you just have to be self-motivated. I'd say visit Brandeis and if you feel like it's the right place for you, it almost definitely is. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:38:43 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html I transferred from another liberal arts university and I am so glad I did. I love Brandeis. I realize it's not perfect, but I don't think you could get a better education or grow more as a person anyw... Wed, 07 May 2008 09:09:51 GMT StudentsReview 567-46796 Copyright 2009 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 567-46796 567 43 Perfomance Arts Female Undergraduate Class 2008 3rd Year Positive I transferred from another liberal arts university and I am so glad I did. I love Brandeis. I realize it's not perfect, but I don't think you could get a better education or grow more as a person anywhere else. Yes, the campus isn't pretty, but jeez how much does that really matter? It's not depressing, just inconsistent...looking... True, the nightlife leaves something to be desired, but I'm not much of a party person and I'm generally very busy (theater major) so that didn't bother me. The theater department is excellent. You can cater your classes to your needs, learn a variety of different things that are often taught in a conservatory program, while still having the time to double major, minor, study abroad, etc. You'll likely get a role in at least one department show if you audition. The undergraduate theater clubs allow you to grow and really come together as a team. They are all student run and they are more often than not magnificent productions.

Brandeis' focus on global issues and social justice is impressive. I respect not only the students and professors that go here, but also what the university stands for.

As far as the faculty goes, not only are most very available outside of class, but they are incredibly helpful. I've had both faculty and staff really listen to me and help me bend the rules on more than three occasions. They're great

Brandeis attracts a certain type of student. On open house, you can kind of pick out who won't be going here. Yes, some are incredibly socially awkward, but that really isn't the majority. There is a group where you'll fit in, just look for them. The best words to describe a Brandeis student: quirky, casual, and intelligent. You will have amazing conversations both inside and outside of class. Come to 'deis with and open mind and give it a chance and you'll love it. Wed, 07 May 2008 09:09:51 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html I liked Brandeis for the first month or so. I have to give props to the planned orientation activites because it gave me genuine hope about the college experience I was in for. Then the semester began... Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:27:02 GMT StudentsReview 567-46531 Copyright 2009 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 567-46531 567 42 Anthropology Female Undergraduate Class 2011 1st Year Negative I liked Brandeis for the first month or so. I have to give props to the planned orientation activites because it gave me genuine hope about the college experience I was in for. Then the semester began, and everyone fell into their own routines, and the novelty wore off.
Half my friends wanted to transfer after the first semester. Some did, some decided that they would be satisfied with mediocrity.
Here are some cons:
Food services. Sherman will make you ill. Eat there at your own risk. Usdan is generally alright (not good, but satisfactory), but they serve the same things every day. If you are vegan or vegetarian, you will find yourself eating a lot of salad and toast. We eat out as much as we eat on campus, which makes the meal plan even more over-priced and unnecessary than it already is. Some people decided to live off campus just so they can avoid the meal plan.

Dorms. This year I lived in what is universally known as the worst dorm on campus, so I guess my experience is not necessarily the one you would have. It also depends heavily on the people you have in your hall. I hear sophomore options are much better.

Social life. This is the big one. Before I came to this school, I didn't believe what people told me about the complete and utter lack of night life at Brandeis. I thought they were exaggerating. At the beginning of the year, there are some "frat" parties, but 90% of the time you will get there and wonder why you just walked a mile to get to a hot, claustrophobic apartment to have a drunk freshman spill their beer on you. The fact that the frat parties stopped after a while didn't bother me too much.
Unfortunately, if you don't feel like getting drunk on or off campus with a small group of friends every single weekend, there's not much else to do. Besides, of course, doing drugs instead. Many times, you get drunk just because there's nothing else to do. Fun times.

Then of course, there's the Brandeis people themselves. There's a very specific type of person that comes to Brandeis. They're hard to classify at first, but when you meet them, you know them. They are socially awkward to the extreme. I had not met people this socially awkward until I came to Brandeis. I can not stress this point enough. Dropping hints, useless. Subtlety, unrecognized. Sarcasm, a foreign language.
Unfortunetly, more often than not this lack of social development manifests itself as people being absurdly immature and inconsiderate. Though I guess that's something that could be expected of freshmen universally.

Because such a specific type of person comes here, if you recognize yourself as strange and socially awkward, you will love it here. Your people are here.

For anyone else, you will obviously be able to find some people to get drunk with on the weekends, but don't count on being able to relate to the vast majority of the Brandeis population.

Let's talk academics. If you are into biology, chemistry, or you are Pre-med, it will be hard for you to find anywhere as good as Brandeis. Sciences here are top notch.
Personally, being in the social sciences, I was less than thrilled. There are some good classes, and some amazing professors, but I've never felt academically challenged here. That would probably change with classes later on, but I came here largely for the academics and I was disappointed.

If you are looking for a dynamic college campus full of eclectic people, you should not come to Brandeis. If you are looking for a run of the mill college experience or you are a biochem major, you may like it here. If you are expecting dating prospects, you will be disapointed. If you are blind, don't care for personality, or have extremely low standards, Brandeis would be ok for you.
Don't get me wrong, Brandeis works for some people. Some people love it here, and couldn't imagine themselves anywhere else. Personally, it didn't work for me. I'm transferring somewhere where the school and the students have some personality. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:27:02 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html Brandeis is a great place to study. I don't regret coming here.... Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:28:18 GMT StudentsReview 567-46316 Copyright 2009 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 567-46316 567 39 Religion/Religious Female Undergraduate Class 2010 2nd Year Positive Brandeis is a great place to study. I don't regret coming here. Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:28:18 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BRU_comments.html