Brandeis University Top Questions

"What kind of student would feel out of place at Brandeis?" Some people feel out of place geographically, but everyone finds their niche socially. There are so many clubs or activities and events and different types of people that there's a place for everyone. At the same time, not even an antisocial person would feel out of place at Brandeis - you'd kinda just end up finding one other person that's perfect for you to hang out with and stick with them. People who would be most uncomfortable here I guess are ones that don't like hearing controversial opinions vocalized - Brandeis does have its opposing groups and occasional drama.

We have way more Jewish kids than anything else religiously, lots of LGBT kids, mostly white, mostly middle/upper class, very left wing and politically aware. Right wing kids, conservative Christians, might be a little left out. Jewish holidays are more recognized that Christian- we didn't have Easter Monday off, but we get off for Yom Tov Sukkot/Simchat Torah. Works for me, not for my Christian friends. Money we'll earn one day is only discussed in terms of the boxes we will live in after we graduate. And we mean literal cardboard boxes.

Brandeis students clump: this group, that group, no interaction. I'd like to think that it's better here than at most schools, but people are just very comfortable in their own bubbles. I've never seen anyone be out and out mean to anyone else, and any type of hurtful racial/religious/LBGT comment or discrimination is unheard of. I think the only type of student that might feel out of place would be one who held opinions of intolerance. I also feel for conservatives and christians: they are underrepresented here, but aren't necessarily left out of the student body. That's not to say that there is no interactions among groups- there is, just not enough in my opinion. People are generally upper-middle class, and either very politically aware or deliberately indifferent. Most groups or clicks are undefinable through just a description. The real truth is that people just like sticking close to their friends.

Nobody would feel out of place at Brandeis, kids wear anything, you've got everything here, and different types of students definitely do interact. The only 'tables' of students in the dining hall is where one fraternity sits, and ehh, not even really - other kids sit there a lot. Mostly upper-class students from New England, students are not politically aware, but anyone who is at all will be a huge lefty. Students do not talk about how much they will earn one day.

Probably the racial minority feel out of place. I know in one class, a black girl said it was really hard to meet other people outside of the group because of unconcious racism. Most students wear regular clothes to class.

Jewish, predominantly. Lots of artsy types, and not a lot of jocks. Not a huge LGBT contingent, but definitely there, and well-liked and supported on campus. I think the only students who would feel out of place at Brandeis are the ones who spend all their time trying to fit in. A lot of students are very politically active, staging protests and making noise. Very left-leaning campus, but a few high-profile republicans, as well.

Most students are from the Northeast. Some have a sense of entitlement but most are pretty down to earth. Almost all of our students are the activist types, they care about our world and want to make a difference.

Brandeis is very centered on social justice. Student groups that work for everything from environmental sustainability to ending global poverty are constantly in action doing all kinds of cool events.

Brandeis can only be described as super liberal, sometimes to the point of irritation. If you love dead baby and racist jokes, you might want to keep your voice down here. Not that people will automatically hush you, but that type of stuff just doesn't fly here (see above about campus controversy). With that said, Brandeis excepts EVERYBODY, no matter what race, gender, or whatever. I even have a friend who was in my all-male a cappella group who quit, became a woman, and is now pushing the administration for gender neutral housing successfully. That's awesome. Nonetheless, there is some class and racial tension. Brandeis is predominantly white, and sometimes social groups arrange themselves according to ethnic lines. I don't think it's really a racism issue, just the fact that people become close with others who have shared experiences. Who would feel out of place: A complete party person who doesn't care at all about academics. Someone who has never met a jewish person. Perhaps some ethnic and racial minorities (keep in mind this is coming from the perspective of an upper-middle class white jewish male. This no doubt skews the perspective). What people wear: Anything. Not an issue at all, although punk and emo styles are a little under represented. It's mostly typical college stuff (sweatshirts and sweatpants, jeans, t-shirts) with a little conservative edge (button up shirts, slacks). One nice thing is that it is DEFINITELY NOT PREPPY. I am so happy everyday I don't see a pink polo or a popped color or argile sweater vests. That's probably what irritated me the most about Duke. One last thing: It's cold, so heavy jackets are a must. Do different types of students interact: Wow, that's a huge question. I could write an essay about social interaction among different groups (as a brandeis student might). All I can really say is I have friends who are loud, video game players, friends who are fraternity brothers, friends who are musicians, and friends who know more about world of warcraft and fantasy than their classwork. Sure there are different groups that have varying degrees of overlap, but in general I have no problem crossing the bridges between them. Nonetheless, I find certain group more comfortable than others. 4 tables of students: 1) The close friends: always eat together, maybe even arranged their schedule so they could get lunch. It's awkward if you don't know them really well and you try to sit with them, because you are not a part of their little world. Often included fraternity bros, although they can be really receptive to new people chilling with them. 2) Loose friends and second-degree friends: You just came in to grab something to eat before recitation, and you don't want to eat alone. You spot that person you know pretty well from you on-campus job and their sitting with someone you kind of recognize from Bio. You decide to sit with them. Repeat 4 or 5 times with different people, and you end up with a table of loose friends. This has potential to be awkward, but more often then you would think you end up meeting cool people. Just remember to say hi next time you see them, or there might be some awkward eye contact every time you pass them on the way to class. 3)In our kosher dining hall, you'll walk in during the dinner hours and see tons of well-dressed, modest looking folks in kipas (skull caps for you goyim). We're the only school with an integrated kosher eatery, so in theory non-kosher and kosher students should be able to eat together. What actually happens (for the most part) is the conservative jews sit with their conservative friends, and except for a few exceptions, that's that. It's an insular society and unless your a part of it, don't expect to sit down there. Not that you're missing much if that's not your thing. 4) Lonely person. Either someone doing work who doesn't want to be deserved, or someone from category 2 who couldn't fins someone to sit with. It sucks to eat alone, so if you find that none of your friends are eating at the same time as you, just grab your meal to-go and go do something else. Just don't make a habit out of this. Eating meals socially is one of the most important parts of having fun and being successful in college. Where are most students from: Geographically, the east cost, predominantly NY, NJ, MA, FA. Some from midwest, and a fair amount from california. Internationals are mostly from Turkey, with a good representation of many cultures. Student financial backgrounds: middle to upper-middle class. One of the most common stories at brandeis goes like this: I got into *name of fantastic school* but Brandeis gave me a scholarship, so I didn't have much of a choice. One of Brandeis' priorities is making is financially possible for students to get a world class education without going broke. It's a good policy, and it keeps interesting and intelligent people coming. Students are extremely politically aware and socially active. Having just entered the realm of philanthropy by starting my own NGO, I cannot praise brandeis for offering more support and help. It must be noted that this help came from other students, not the admins. The drive for social activism is 99{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} students. We were 3rd place in the university ONE campaign. We try to live up to the motto and legacy of Justice Brandeis: "Truth, even unto its innermost parts." If you want to do social activism and you are self-motivated, brandeis is for you. Brandeis students are SUPER LIBERAL. it's a little sugary and restrictive. Conservatives, be ready to be berated for some policy or something the republican party came up with. Still, most people are respectful.

Unambitious and lazy people will not have a great time at Brandeis. True, my first-year roommate was a bum, but when we were both excited about things, we really made them happen (...notpron...). The student body here is so involved and so dedicated to various interests that if you come here with a desire to party or sit around all the time, you'll miss out on the real Brandeis experience. Be prepared to try new things, and if you're not prepared, you'll just get pushed into them. There is a lot of quirk in the student body, but there still are cliques just like high school. You can never eliminate that, but to Brandeis' credit, the cliques are fluid and interact positively with each other. You will have a first-year hall with people of all ranges, but you will most likely get along with all of them and realize that you span multiple cliques, just like everyone else. The connotation of "clique" is usually negative, but at Brandeis, it means that you can always find a niche for yourself, and you're never stuck in that niche. There are a lot of Jews, which can be frustrating at times, but it's so much more fun to adapt to Jewish difficulties (Friday night and Saturday sabbath, religious holidays) than to deal with the more typical Christian difficulties. Whatever school you go to, there will be religious challenges, but Brandeis is unique in that the challenges here involve Jewish traditions, which is different than a lot of other places.