StudentsReview :: Brandeis University - Extra Detail about the Comment
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Brandeis University

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityF Faculty AccessibilityC
Useful SchoolworkB+ Excess CompetitionB
Academic SuccessA Creativity/ InnovationB-
Individual ValueD- University Resource UseC
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyC FriendlinessC
Campus MaintenanceC+ Social LifeF
Surrounding CityC+ Extra CurricularsB
SafetyA-
Describes the student body as:
Friendly, Broken Spirit, Snooty, Closeminded

Describes the faculty as:
Friendly, Helpful, Unhelpful, Self Absorbed

Female
SAT1550
Quite Bright
Lowest Rating
Educational Quality
F
Highest Rating
Academic Success
A
She cares more about Educational Quality than the average student.
Date: Aug 26 2007
Major: Neuroscience/Cognitive Science (This Major's Salary over time)
Brandeis University had a lot of negatives for me. It is pretty much full of upper middle class white kids, which really shows from the yearly drama as one dumb kid or another makes some racist comment or worse (this was before my time, but apparently some idiot was slurring Asian women on the campus radio station). I found the people I associated with to be nice… but woefully ignorant (one girl asked me if India could be lumped in with China, Japan, and
those other countries
at a cultural event she was planning, because they were basically the same).

As far as social lives go… err, they're almost nonexistent. Parties aren't a big thing around here, and many students are extremely socially awkward, although I have only had one or two experiences where my safety felt threatened—it was by a student who most likely still attends Brandeis and had a history of stalking/borderline stalking female students. I understand nothing was done about him; rather, my concerns and the concerns of my friend (who was also one of his targets) were mostly dismissed because he had Asperger's.

Everything shuts down on weekends, which is part of a larger problem: the school really skimps on a lot of little things that could make going here a lot better. Transportation to Boston is by shuttle (weekends) or commuter rail (it can be up to two hours between trains), making getting around difficult. The shuttles into Waltham are chronically late. The cafeterias half shut down during Shabbat, leaving non-Jewish students with very limited options for food. The meal plans are mandatory. On the other hand, the entire campus gets a makeover (complete with rented flowers) when the campus tours for high school students start. The people at the Registrar's office can be downright nasty. And as for job propects after graduation… if your major is not one of the big ones (economics, law, etc.), tough cookies. You're pretty much on your own because there are so few events where employers come to campus. Housing is a mess.

As for professors, I have a feeling the liberal arts profs are overall kind, interested in what students have to say, and helpful (although insanely busy). However, many of the Neuro department professors pretty much only stop to give you the time of day if you're one of their favorite students. My opinion? Take Japanese with Prof. Sekino… preferably without grading if you're not good with languages. The workload is INSANE and it is tough (well, not for me), but all the students, even those that drop out in horror, end up being good friends.

There are professors that really shine at this university. But the stupid administration, some of my fellow students, and my own department really took away from my experience. And I DEFINITELY don't think it was worth $20,000 a year (I had a scholarship—it's really $40,000).

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