<p>I would not make the decision based upon SAT scores … that’s splitting hairs that won’t make a lick of difference when looking at these two. Both schools are very selective, with Brandeis being the more “heady” place, no doubt.</p>
<p>The 2 major “tie breakers” imo are:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Location, location, location … Boston and Bucknell are both fabulous places and light years apart. One is in the middle of “everything” and the other in the middle of “nowhere.” Of course students have the times of their lives … at either/both … but they are very different times. This is a very important issue in deciding between these two, imo. </p></li>
<li><p>Campus cultures, again nite and day, especially for Jewish students. I’m confident that Bucknell is very inclusive, accepting, and tolerant. They even have a Jewish chaplain. But it’s roots/history if not so much it’s present state are Christian, which I’m sure the great predominance of its students are. Tolerant and Christian. I’m sure your student would do fine there. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>And it’s an very significantly different culture than Brandeis that relates to not only the “where” it is, but also the “who” and the history of the place. </p>
<p>So both are fine, good places but VERY different. Again, I’m confident your student knows his answer. So let him.</p>