Hi I’m Jahnavi. I’m a first year at Brandeis University. One of the things I like most about Brandeis is its location offers the best of both worlds. Located in Waltham, MA, Brandeis has a college campus environment with a medium sized class (about 900 freshmen). But, it is also only a 25-minute bus ride away from Boston and Cambridge. Brandeis provides a free shuttle service to Harvard and Boston 4 days a week. This makes it very convenient for students to access museums, entertainment, food and events at the dozens of colleges in the Boston area. It is also part of a consortium which allows students to cross-register in classes at universities such as Tufts, Boston College and Boston University.
The most popular department and majors are within the pre-health fields. These students often volunteer in the Waltham branch of the Boston Children’s hospital, but there are other volunteer opportunities in Waltham including groups like ‘Hospital helpers’ and ‘Family Van.’ Boston is a leading center in medical care and technology across the States, and top companies and hospitals offer work experience to students in the area.
One of the main reasons I chose Brandeis is because it is a combination of a liberal arts college and a research university. Science professors are very focused on their research and often incorporate their lab work into lectures. However, a focus on liberal arts pushes students to broaden their education with requirements in arts and humanities as well. As someone interested in taking classes in diverging fields this was appealing to me.
Finally, Brandeis was founded in 1948 with a mission of providing an equal education to all, particularly the Jewish community. It has been determined to maintain diversity and awareness to other cultures in the student population. People I met throughout my first year were welcoming, and helpful rather than cut-throat or competitive. The variety of clubs and small-scale events can help you meet new people and find a community that suits you.
Good luck for your college selection and congratulations!
Jahnavi
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