Brandeis University: Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Go

What: Brandeis University

Where: Waltham, Massachusetts

When: Founded in 1948

Who: 5,825 students

Brandeis University is Great and Here Are 10 Reasons Why…

FYI: This was written by current psychology student, Helen Lee. So whether you’re contemplating to apply to Brandeis or at home missing it, this post is for you. And as any Brandeis student will tell you, Brandeis is an amazing school and is one of the best in Boston.

1. Social Justice

Sure, a lot of schools are committed to making the world a better place, but none are as committed to the mission as Brandeis. The school encourages students to think critically about issues of inequality and provides tons of opportunities (e.g. scholarships, internships, fellowships) for them to actually go out and make a difference in the world. There is also a week-long festival of social justice called ‘Deis Impact, where the university celebrates and raises awareness about different issues through talks, workshops, and performances.

2. Location, location, location

The campus is close enough to Boston to visit whenever you want (free shuttles!), but the distance also provides students a quiet, suburban refuge to enjoy college life and grow closer as a community. In addition, the surrounding town of Waltham is an absolute gem to explore with weekly farmer’s markets and small local businesses that know and love Brandeis students (aka discounts).

3. Diverse Major Options

Don’t know what you want to study? Brandeis has got you covered with 43 majors and 46 minors ranging from the traditional, such as Biology and English, to the newer interdisciplinary majors, such as Health: Science, Society, and Policy (yes that is one major, also known as HSSP). In the case that you still can’t decide what you want to study from the given categories, the Independent Interdisciplinary Major allows you to create your own major and curriculum!

Think you know everything there is to know about Brandeis? Take this quiz and find out!

4. The Castle

Not many college students can say that they have a real life castle on their campus, and even fewer can say that they actually got to live in one. Thanks to Usen Castle, the kings and queens of Brandeis can boast about both. The oldest building on campus is open as a housing option to sophomore year students, and is also home to Cholmondeley’s (Chum’s to the locals), Brandeis’s coffeehouse and late night snack bar.

5. Shapiro Campus Center

Fun Fact: There are 7 buildings on campus named Shapiro. Only one of them offers delicious bagels smeared with thick slabs of cream cheese and that is the Shapiro Campus Center (aka the SCC. We also love shortening long titles here at Brandeis). The 24-hour SCC is always bustling with student life. Students can watch plays in its theater, grab a bite to eat in Einstein’s, and pull all-nighters in the multiple study rooms.

6. Clubs and Student Organizations

There are over 250 student-run clubs on campus providing the student body with a myriad of ways to get connected and involved. You can help the community with service organizations, become worldly with the cultural awareness groups, or downright just enjoy yourself with fun clubs like the Cheese Club (free cheese tastings, for real). Like acappella? Brandeis has over 10 a cappella groups, with a wide selection of musical styles for your viewing (or participating) pleasure. No aca-drama here!

7. Springfest

When it comes to inviting amazing musical guests to help celebrate the end of a long academic year, Brandeis takes the cake. Awesome artists from a variety of genres have performed on Chapel’s Field over the years, including Icona Pop, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, fun, American Authors, and Far East Movement. Best of all, it’s for free. Gotta love college!

8. Helpful Career Center

One day, the magical college life will come to an end and we’ll all be living the adult life, paying bills and working real jobs. To make the transition to the real world easier and less like a forced push into the deep end, the Hiatt Career Center offers its career services to students and alumni for the rest of their lives. Need help with a first time resume? Hiatt can help. Practice interview for your dream job? No problem. Career change at 50? What part of “for the rest of their lives” didn’t you understand? Hiatt has got your back!

9. Food

All you can eat dining hall with gourmet sushi? Four different brands of coffee, including Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts? Chipotle, Five Guys, and Panera Bread down the block? Mexican, Thai, Spanish, and Chinese restaurants all within walking distance from campus? What more can a college student who can barely boil water properly want in life?

10. Community

From orientation (when a million people will ask you if you’re having fun) until graduation (when a million people will ask you if you had fun), Brandeis is all about welcoming everyone who steps foot on campus like they are one of their own. The residence advisors are even called community advisors here! During your time at Brandeis, you can be guaranteed to meet some of the most wonderful and inspirational people in the world.

For all of you prospective students, I hope this gave you a nice little insight to why you should apply to Brandeis.  And don’t worry about getting in, here at ExamTime we want to support you by offering as many resources as possible to help you study for your SATs, ACTs, APs, and class exams.  For all you guys who already go to Brandeis, I hope this was a nice reminder of why you love Brandeis, and remember if you need any help studying, check out ExamTime.

ExamTime is a free online learning platform that offers you numerous study tools and resources that are proven to be effective, such as Mind Maps, Flashcards (like the one above), Quizzes, and Study Planners.  Sign up now to get free access!

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