<p>Even putting prestige aside (where Brandeis far exceeds BU), the two schools are extremely different from one another. To begin with BU is a large and impersonal urban school with no distinct campus of its own. In contrast, Brandeis combines a nurturing, small liberal arts college and world-class research university-with the smallest student body I believe (about 800 in a class) of any top tier national research university. And that small student body is matched with high-powered professors who actually teach in small classes . As you can imagine, the research opportunities are tremendous. Plus by being very close to Boston but on its own suburban campus, its full of campus activities and gives you easy access to the city–the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>BU is a good university, but, as I’ve mentioned to others on CC, for undergraduate students, Brandeis is truly amazing. Its intellectual environment is comparable in many ways to its University Athletic Association sister school, U Chicago (perhaps no coincidence that the President of U Chicago is a Brandeis alum). Yet its students are down-to-earth, friendly and non-competitive with one another. </p>
<p>With respect to the sciences, Brandeis is first rate with a spectacular new science center housing professors, doctoral candidates and undergrads in many cases engaged in ground-breaking research side-by-side. BTW, in addition to the new science center, and the recent and fabulous student center and admissions building, there is a brand new humanities center. </p>
<p>Despite Brandeis’ medium/small size and relative youth, Brandeis’ alumni are very distinguished–to name just a few: Nobel Prize winner for chemistry Rod Mackinnon, Fields Medal winning physicist Edward Witten (often called “Einstein’s successor”), 3-time Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Friedman of the NY Times, The Earth is Flat etc; Mitch Albom of Tuesday’s with Morrie (about his Brandeis professor), the Creators/Producers of Friends; actress Debra Messing; Robert FX Sillerman (billionaire businessman–currently owner of American Idol and Graceland), Jeff Lurie, billionaire owner of the Philadelphia Eagles and Christy Hefner, former CEO of Playboy). Also, if you’re into social justice (Angela Davis and Abbie Hoffman are alums as well, I could go on) or theater/music/art, it’s a very exciting place to be.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>