Brandeis University

Brandeis University was founded in 1948, and it is located just nine miles west of Boston, in Waltham, Massachusetts. It is named for Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Part of the Boston Consortium, Brandeis is one of 20 Boston-area schools that allow students to take classes at member colleges. Brandeis is well known for programs in English and history, as well as in social policy, health policy and management, and international development. Notable alumni include renowned mathematician Karen Uhlenbeck, and Friends co-creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman.

Ranked 41 nationwide, Brandeis is a selective school. Its acceptance rate is 33%, and its graduation rate is 89%. The tuition rate for undergraduates is $61,724 per year, plus fees; the tuition rate for graduate students is $52,060 per year, plus fees. Brandeis comprises the College of Arts and Sciences and four graduate schools. Students can choose from 44 undergraduate majors and over 50 graduate programs. A total of 5,440 students are enrolled. Brandeis follows a semester-based academic calendar.

Brandeis’ 235-acre campus, students experience a deep sense of community. They are guaranteed housing for their first four semesters. Students can participate in over 200 clubs and organizations, including student-run TV and radio stations, religious and performance groups, service organizations, cultural awareness groups, performance groups, and more. There is no Greek Life at Brandeis. The Shapiro Campus Center is the central location for student resources; it boasts a theater, bookstore, cafe, library, meeting rooms, and a student art gallery. Students spend time at the campus coffee shop, Cholmondeley’s, which also produces concerts and comedy shows. About 50% of students study abroad, traveling to one of 70 partnering countries. The Steinhardt Social Research Institute studies and publishes information about Judaism and the Jewish community. The Brandeis Judges compete in the NCAA Division III events, and their men’s soccer team is especially successful. Off-campus, students can explore Waltham or visit Boston’s historical sites, including museums, landmarks, local coffee shops, or restaurants.