Brandeis, Haverford, and Boston College VIBES

College Search & Lists
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Hello! So I’ve gotten into Brandeis and I’m most likely going to deposit there and then wait for results on Haverford and Boston College. But the truth is, I’m not that hyped when I think about going to Brandeis-- I mostly chose it because I realized I really wouldn’t have fit at the other schools I got into (like Trinity and Colgate). I’m asking about these colleges because in the event that I need to make a quick decision about whether to accept a college I got waitlisted at, I want to be prepared!

To give you a sense of what kind of a person I am, I’m a Northern Californian, Asian American girl. I’m not set in my future plans, but I might double major in psychology/English and start the path to become a teacher (maybe abroad?). I’m definitely planning on spending a year abroad, since I love travelling and experiencing new culture. A big reason I want to go to college on the East Coast is so I can experience what it’s like. In college, I’m planning on joining a Christian fellowship, an outdoors club, and whatever else I have time for (dance team? some sort of photography or film club? community service?). Just to be clear, although I am Christian and am faith-focused, I’m not conservative compared to traditional Christians. In terms of partying, I’m not a partier, but I do want to go to some classic college parties-- I wanna live a little :stuck_out_tongue:

Starting with Brandeis, I’m gonna come right out and say it: I think their campus is pretty ugly, except for that one castle. When I visited, it was during a break so I didn’t really get the true vibe of Brandeis, but the campus seemed kind of lifeless to me (and it seems like that’s what other people think even with the students on campus). I’m also the type of person who likes either old Hogwarts-style buildings (BC) or just a lot of plants (Haverford), so the modern (yet not artsy) buildings were not very appealing to me. But the bigger issue is the vibe. I’m a little concerned about how serious the students sound. It sounds like the people at Brandeis tend to be more introverted, socially awkward, and nerdy, and though I’m a quieter extrovert myself, I’d like to be around some lively people! I’m also kind of worried about the big Jewish population there. I know that I probably won’t feel like an outsider, necessarily, but I still have some concerns about fitting in, and about dating.

When I visited Haverford, I LOVED the campus-- it’s so beautiful! The people there seemed very nice, and the Honor Code interested me. When we went into the dorms, our guide mentioned how people feel comfortable enough with the Honor Code that they just leave their electronics out without having to worry about them being stolen, which surprised me. Still can’t decide whether this is a pro or a con–it’s nice, but the real world isn’t this perfect. I remember being encouraged to see t-shirts on a clothesline, painted in protest of rape culture. However, while I do have an interest in social justice, I’m not ultra-left and don’t want to feel afraid to speak my opinion at Haverford if everyone else thinks differently. I have to admit, I’m slightly worried that the people at Haverford kind of the “very politically correct” type of people, if you know what I mean, especially after my interviewer told me a difference between Swarthmore and Haverford was that Haverford students “think before they speak” more often. I’m not one to do things like cheating or trash talking people behind their back, but I’m also not a goody-two-shoes. Oh, I’m also curious about what the party scene is like at Haverford, especially since the Honor Code includes self-policed underage drinking…

Boston College honestly looks like Hogwarts in some places, which was a big pro. Again, when I visited BC, the students were on break, so I didn’t get the full effect of what it’s like with actual students. I’m a bit concerned because I don’t fit in with the BC stereotype-- white Catholic drinker. I know it sounds harsh and I’m sure it’s not true for most of the BC students, but I’ve heard that there are a lot of rich, preppy kids. I’ve also heard that there’s a big drinking culture on campus, and I don’t drink, so I’m concerned that I won’t be able to have a lot of fun if I’m not a drinker. Also worried about students being very conservative in terms of social justice and politics.

Ahhh I don’t know how this became so long, but if you have the time to tell me your thoughts on anything I’ve talked about, I’d greatly appreciate it! I’m not really sure which college I’d choose if I had the choice between all three (I’m leaning towards Haverford), but I’m sure I’d be happy at any of them :slight_smile:

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Based on your preferences, I would go Haverford > Brandies >= BC. Even at very liberal colleges, people are usually willing to have conversations when you approach them from a place of genuine questioning/respect. I think a lot of the polarized things you see when it comes to liberal colleges and protests/controversy is when people are militant to the other side and they refuse to listen, and it becomes a shouting match. At a personal level, that will happen a lot less than what you see with a highlighted news story here and there, which is already an overrepresentation.

From my experience, as you said, the BC stereotype isn’t a steadfast but it’s a significant effect on the whole. Given your options, I wouldn’t be considering it nearly as much.

Brandeis is tricky - my visit there was the same situation as you. It just felt “too quiet” and not like a lively campus, even if there were students on it. That’s the same speculation as you of course, so take that with a grain of salt. The significant portion of opposite faith is also a very odd complication. I think in the end, you’d find people at Brandies and get some interesting perspectives compared to BC, their programs are solid, and they have good study abroad program with high involvement.

When you say waiting on results, do you mean off the waitlist?

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The reality is that BC and Haverford are not options right now, so best not to worry about them really. The odds of getting off waitlists aren’t too high. If you’ve determined that Brandeis is the best choice of the options you have, just go with that, mind and heart. Do your best and you can always transfer if it doesn’t work out to your liking. No school will tick off every single preference. There aren’t prefect schools but ,with the right attitude and effort, you can get a good education and have fun at Brandeis. Try not to overanalyze. :slight_smile:

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@wonglia, let me try to allay your concerns about Brandeis and get you more excited about it. I went there, and right now it’s at the top of my son’s list (he’s a junior). You said you visited during a break. That makes a huge difference! The campus definitely is not lifeless. Kids there are upbeat and engaged in a lot of different things. Not everyone is going to be a lively type, but you certainly will find people who are! My advice? Join at least two clubs. In addition to the friends you’ll make in your dorm, you’ll then have a ready-made group of people who share your interests. My daughter is at a small LAC and has made many of her best friends in clubs. There are parties at Brandeis even if they’re not as in-your-face as they might be at a Big 10 school. There is Greek life, albeit a little bit underground. While there are many Jewish students, there also are many Asian ones. Brandeis, in fact, has one of the highest percentages–if not the highest–of Asian students out of schools its size. I can’t pretend that Brandeis looks like Hogwarts, but the castle is special. And I’m guessing that once you get settled in, the modernity of the buildings will not bother you at all because you’ll be too busy learning and having fun. Good luck!

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If you felt you wouldn’t fit in at Colgate, i don’t think BC would suit you. The locations are vey different (urban vs very rural), but there is a lot of overlap in student population, social aspect, Div 1 sports.

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Elite privates like BC and Haverford have very low acceptance rates off waitlist so honestly don’t worry about it unless you somehow get off of one.

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Brandeis is a wonderful choice!

On our visit and from our talks with studentS, we saw it as plenty lively- clubs, activities, special events galore. Boston is very close and provides endless entertainment options, too.
Everyone was friendly and welcoming.
Most, though not all, Jews at Brandeis are secular, nonreligious, just culturally Jewish in the holidays they celebrate and that kind of thing. I don’t think you will feel left out. And you will find your religious Christian fellowship there as well; as you may be aware, Brandeis is very focused on religious tolerance and even built chapels of three different faiths so that one’s shadow will never fall on the other two, as a symbolic point about respect for all religions.
You will also find community service opportunities galore; it is a social justice minded school. And there are study abroad opportunities.
Sit in the cafeteria. You will see many Asians and Asian Americans; we noticed that when we were there! You will hear kids talking with friends and having fun. It is not an all-work, no-play type of place. I am sure there will be plenty of parties if you want them… but it is nice to know that there are lots of social options there for kids who would run screaming away from a big frat party, unlike at some other schools.
So… you are left with: the buildings are modern. Well, yeah, they are. Can you live with that for an awesome education that suits you in many ways?

8

Thank you all so much for your input! You’ve been really helpful and are probably right…I really shouldn’t be worrying about this too much. I just want to be prepared for the slight chance that I do get off of a waitlist.

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Hi everyone, I’d like to thank you all for your help again. Today I was accepted off the waitlist at Haverford and am committed! I am ecstatic to be attending Haverford and am much more confident in my decision because of your comments.

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Sounds like a great fit. Good luck!

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@wonglia Congratulations! Tell us how you like it next semester!!! :-bd