Brandeis University
Waltham, MA
Brandeis University, founded in 1948, is a private, liberal arts university. It offers the intimacy and faculty engagement of a small liberal arts college and the scope of a world-class research university. An extensive merit scholarship program assists talented students to discover intellectual routes through discussion and research, through established concentrations or interdisciplinary studies, to success in advanced studies in the nation's leading graduate and professional schools. Programs are offered through the Schools of Creative Arts, Humanities, Science, and Social Science. Its 235-acre campus is located in Waltham, 10 miles west of Boston.
Website: www.brandeis.edu/
Admission
- Entrance Difficulty
- Most difficult
- Overall Admission Rate
- 31% of 11,798 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Decision Offered
- Yes
- Regular Admission Deadline
- January 1
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- Average GPA
- 3.83
- SAT Math
- 650-780 range of middle 50%
- SAT EBRW
-
680 average
630-720 range of middle 50% - ACT Composite
- 31 average
29-33 range of middle 50%
Money Matters
- Cost of Attendance
- $76,141
- Tuition and Fees
- $57,561
- Room and Board
- $16,080
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 94%
- Average Freshman Award
- $42,102
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $29,785
Academics
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
- 366
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 18% of classes
10-19 students: 44% of classes
20-29 students: 15% of classes
30-39 students: 8% of classes
40-49 students: 5% of classes
50-99 students: 6% of classes
Over 100 students: 4% of classes
Campus Life
- Waltham Population
- 62,227
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Boston
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students in College Housing
- 76% of all students
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division III
- Mascot
- Owl
- Sororities
- Fraternities
Students
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
17.5% Asian
6.6% Black/African-American
10.4% Hispanic/Latino
4.3% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.2% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
57.6% White
3.2% Unknown - International Students
- 19.9% from 56 countries
- First-Year Students Returning
- 92.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 80.1%
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 55%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- Not reported
Freshman Admission Requirements
Entrance Difficulty
Most Difficult: More than 75% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1310 on the SAT I or over 29 on the ACT; about 30% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
- High School Graduation
- High school diploma required and GED is accepted
- High School Program
- College preparatory program is required
High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
---|---|---|
English | 4 | |
Mathematics | 4 | |
Science | 4 | |
Foreign Language | 4 | |
Social Studies | 4 | |
History | ||
Academic Electives |
Examinations
Exam | Required Units | Scores Due in Admissions Office |
---|---|---|
SAT or ACT | Required | January 1 |
SAT Only | ||
ACT Only | ||
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | ||
SAT Subject Tests Only | ||
SAT Essay Component Policy | Accepted with or without essay component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Accepted with or without writing component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | SAT: No policy as of now ACT: No policy as of now |
Applying for Admission
Admissions Office
- Address
- 415 South Street
- City, State, Zip
- Waltham, MA 02454-9110
- Phone
- (781) 736-3500
- Fax
- (781) 736-3536
- admissions@brandeis.edu
Application Dates and Fees
- Regular Admisson Deadline
- January 1
- Application Fee
- $80
- Application Fee Waiver
- Available
- Regular Admission Notification
- April 1
- Accept Offer of Admission
- By May 1 or within 2 weeks if notified after May 1
- Waiting List Used
- Yes
- Defer Admission
- Student can defer admission
- Transfer Admission
- Transfer applications accepted
Early Admission
- Early Decision Offered
- Yes
- Early Decision Deadline
- November 1, January 1
- Early Decision Notification
- December 15, February 1
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Action Deadline
- Early Action Notification
Application Form
- Common Application
- Accepted, supplemental forms required
- Universal College Application
- Not accepted
- Electronic Application
- Available
Other Application Requirements
- Interview
- Not Required
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Required for all freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation
- 1 required for all freshmen
- Other
- Financial Need
- Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
Academic GPA | X | |||
Standardized Tests | X | |||
Class Rank | X | |||
Recommendations | X | |||
Essay | X | |||
Interview | X | |||
Level of Applicant's Interest | X | |||
Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
Volunteer Work | X | |||
Particular Talent/Ability | X | |||
Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
First Generation to Attend College | X | |||
State Residency | X | |||
Geographic Residence | X | |||
Relation with Alumnus | X | |||
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
Ethnicity | X | |||
Work Experience | X |
Profile of Fall Admission
- Overall Admission Rate
- 31% of 11,798 applicants were admitted
- Women
- 32% of 7,181 applicants were admitted
- Men
- 29% of 4,617 applicants were admitted
- Students Enrolled
- 858 (23%) of 3,675 admitted students enrolled
- Women
- 550 (24%) of 2,314 admitted students enrolled
- Men
- 345 (25%) of 1,361 admitted students enrolled
- Early Decision Admission Rate
- 39% of 851 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Admission Rate
- Students Offered Wait List
- 1,844
- Students Accepting Wait List Position
- 721
- Students Admitted From Wait List
- 1
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
- Average GPA
- 3.83
- 3.75 and Above
- 64%
- 3.50 - 3.74
- 22%
- 3.25 - 3.49
- 8%
- 3.00 - 3.24
- 4%
- 2.50 - 2.99
- 2%
- 2.00 - 2.49
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- SAT Math
- 650-780 range of middle 50%
- Score of 700 - 800
- 60%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 26%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 12%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 2%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
- SAT EBRW
- 680 average
630-720 range of middle 50% - Score of 700 - 800
- 38%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 52%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 8%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 1%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- ACT Composite
- 31 average
29-33 range of middle 50% - Score of 30 - 36
- 75%
- Score of 24 - 29
- 23%
- Score of 18 - 23
- 2%
- Score of 12 - 17
- 0%
- Score of 6 - 11
- 0%
- Score of 5 or Below
- 0%
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- High School Class Rank
- Top tenth: 56%
Top quarter: 91%
Top half: 99% - National Merit Scholar
- 2%
- Valedictorian
- 2%
- Class President
- Not reported
- Student Government Officer
- Not reported
Tuition and Expenses
- Cost of Attendance
- $76,141
- Tuition and Fees
- $57,561
- Room and Board
- $16,080
- Books and Supplies
- $1,000
- Other Expenses
- $1,500
- Payment Plans
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
- finaid@brandeis.edu
- Web Site
- Financial Aid Web Site
- Net Price Calculator URL
- Net Price Calculator URL
Application Process
- Application Deadline
- January 1
- Award Notification
- On a rolling basis beginning -100
- Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
- Institutional Methodology
Forms Required | Cost to File |
---|---|
FAFSA Code is 002133 |
Free |
CSS/Financial Aid Profile | $25 for first college, $16 each additional |
Noncustodial (Divorced/Separated) Parent's Statement |
Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid
Freshman
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 522 (65.4%) of freshmen
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 404 (76.4%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 403 (99.3%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 325 (94.5%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 94%
- Average Award
- $42,102
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 380 (98.3%) of aid recipients, average amount $38,944
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 365 (87.5%) of aid recipients, average amount $5,940
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 30 (11.5%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 154 (14.3%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $12,912
All Undergraduates
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 1,941 (55.7%) of undergraduates
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 1,707 (87.9%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 1,701 (99.7%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 1,050 (71.6%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 94%
- Average Award
- $45,125
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 1,622 (96.9%) of aid recipients, average amount $40,634
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 1,573 (89.5%) of aid recipients, average amount $6,897
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 97 (9.0%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 465 (10.7%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $14,776
Borrowing
- 2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
- 46%
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $29,785
- Parents of Students Receiving Aid
- 5.0%
- Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
- Not reported
Financial Aid Programs
Loans
- Federal Loans
- Direct subsidized Stafford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans
- State Loans
- Available
- Other Loans
- College/university loans
Scholarships and Grants
- Need-Based Available
- Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships
- Non-Need–Based Available
- None
Non-Need Awards
- Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Characteristics Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
Employment
- Work-Study Programs
- Federal work study available, other work study available
- Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
- $2,532
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- Summer Session
- Offered
- General Catalog/Bulletin
- Online Catalog
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Majors
- African-American/Black Studies
- American/United States Studies/Civilization
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics, General
- Art History, Criticism and Conservation
- Biochemistry
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Biophysics
- Business/Commerce, General
- Chemistry, General
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Science
- Creative Writing
- Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
- East Asian Studies
- Economics, General
- Education, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Environmental Studies
- European Studies/Civilization
- Experimental Psychology
- Film/Cinema/Video Studies
- Fine/Studio Arts, General
- French Studies
- German Studies
- Health Policy Analysis
- History, General
- International/Global Studies
- Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Mathematics, General
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Music, General
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics, General
- Political Science and Government, Other
- Russian Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish and Iberian Studies
- Women's Studies
- Most Popular Disciplines
- Social sciences, Biological/life sciences, Business/marketing
- Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
- Engineering
- Special Programs
- Student-designed major, Double major, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad, Summer session
- Study Abroad
- Offered
- Online Degrees
- No online degree programs
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Computer
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Foreign Language
- Required
- Math/Science
- Required for all students
Faculty and Instruction
- Full-Time Faculty
- 366
- Part-Time Faculty
- 175
- Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
- 64%
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 18% of classes
10-19 students: 44% of classes
20-29 students: 15% of classes
30-39 students: 8% of classes
40-49 students: 5% of classes
50-99 students: 6% of classes
Over 100 students: 4% of classes - Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
- Not reported
Advanced Placement
- International Baccalaureate
- Accepted
- Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Accepted for placement and credit
- Sophomore Standing
- Available through AP examinations
Academic Resources
- Library Available on Campus
- Yes
- Holdings
- 2,161,483
- Computer Ownership
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Computers Available on Campus
- 130
- Internet/E-mail Access
- Not reported
Academic Support Services
- Remedial Instruction
- Not Offered
- Tutoring
- Available
- Services for Learning Disabled Students
- Available
- Services for Physically Disabled Students
- Hearing impaired services, speech disorders services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access
Graduate/Professional School Education
Master's Degrees Offered
Master of Education, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Professional Science Master's, Master of Science, Master of Public Policy, Master of Arts in Teaching
Master's Programs of Study
- Anthropology
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences--General
- Cell Biology
- Child and Family Studies
- Computer Science
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation/Peace Studies
- Cultural Anthropology
- English
- Gender Studies
- Genetic Counseling
- Genetics
- History
- Jewish Studies
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Music
- Near and Middle Eastern Languages
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies
- Neurobiology
- Neuroscience
- Public Policy
- Sociology
- Sustainable Development
- Theater
- Women's Studies
Doctoral Degrees Offered
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Programs of Study
- Anthropology
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences--General
- Cell Biology
- Computer Science
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation/Peace Studies
- Cultural Anthropology
- English
- Gender Studies
- Genetics
- History
- Jewish Studies
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Music
- Near and Middle Eastern Languages
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies
- Neurobiology
- Neuroscience
- Sociology
- Women's Studies
Location and Setting
- Waltham Population
- 62,227
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Boston
- Campus Size
- 235 acres
Weather
- Temperature
- 21.6 average low in January, 76.3 average high in September
- Rain
- 127 rainy days per year
Getting Around
- Campus Map
- Map
- Nearest Bus Station
- 10 mile(s) from campus in Boston
- Nearest Train Station
- 10 mile(s) from campus in Boston
Housing
- College Housing
- College offers housing to students
- Types of Housing
- Coed housing, disabled student housing
- Students in College Housing
- 76% of all students
- Housing Requirements
- Freshmen are required to live on campus
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
- 24%
- Off-Campus Housing Assistance
- Assistance in locating off-campus housing is available
Security
- 24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
- Available
- 24-Hour Security Patrols
- Available
- Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
- Available
- Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
- Available
- Other
Personal Support Services
- Health Service
- Offered
- Personal Counseling
- Offered
- Child Care
- Not offered
Sports and Recreation
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division III
- Mascot
- Owl
- School Colors
- Royal blue and white
Intercollegiate Sports Offered
Sports | Women | Men | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Offered | Scholarships | Offered | Scholarships | |
Baseball | x | |||
Basketball | x | x | ||
Cross-Country Running | x | x | ||
Fencing | x | x | ||
Soccer | x | x | ||
Softball | x | |||
Swimming And Diving | x | x | ||
Tennis | x | x | ||
Track And Field | x | x | ||
Volleyball | x |
Women's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | ||
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Fencing | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | x | |
Swimming And Diving | x | |
Tennis | x | |
Track And Field | x | |
Volleyball | x |
Mens's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | x | |
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Fencing | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | ||
Swimming And Diving | x | |
Tennis | x | |
Track And Field | x | |
Volleyball |
- Women's Club Sports
- Men's Club Sports
Recreational Sports
- Intramural Sports
- badminton, soccer, softball, water polo
Student Activities
- Activities and Organizations
- choral groups, drama theatre, radio station, student newspaper, television station, waltham group, undergraduate theater collective, mountain club, student union, bemco - student emts
- Sororities
- Fraternities
- ROTC
- Army ROTC is offered off campus, Air Force ROTC offered off campus
Student Body
- Coeducational
- Yes
- All Undergraduates
- 3,639
- Women
- 2,205 (60.6%)
- Men
- 1,434 (39.4%)
- Full-Time Undergraduates
- 3,619
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
17.5% Asian
6.6% Black/African-American
10.4% Hispanic/Latino
4.3% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.2% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
57.6% White
3.2% Unknown - International Students.
- 19.9% from 56 countries
- Average Age
- 20
- All Graduate Students
- 2,162
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Students Returning
- 92.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 80.1%
- Students Graduating Within 5 Years
- 85.1%
- Students Graduating Within 6 Years
- 90.0%
After Graduation
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 55%
- Average Starting Salary
- 55%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- Not reported
- Disciplines Pursued
- Not reported
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