We looked very closely at CWRU and Rochester (cannot comment on Brandeis as S did not apply there) and both are very comparable. Ultimately placed Rochester over CWRU (though S did not end up at either, partly for cost reasons) for the following reasons: student body seemed more cohesive and engaged, programs S was interested in (CS and Economics) were more highly ranked, campus is beautiful, food was decent with an international twist (Goan fish curry?). Main downside for Rochester - location was less accessible for us (higher airfares, very long car ride) and the town is a bit depressed and a bus ride away. An urban environment ended up being a primary qualifier for S. There is a university ‘town’ that has been built with the usual Chipotle, bookstores, coffee chains etc a bit of a long walk away (I’m sure they have shuttles going there). Of people we know (not well) who have attended Rochester, the university is great but the area is boring over the four years. One transferring after two years for this reason. They both have Greek and it is not a dominating feature in either university. Both seemed collaborative.
Music - of course Rochester has the well-known Eastman School of Music - but it is not on campus and you have to take a bus into the city. That being said, there were many opportunities for ensemble playing on campus. Opportunities with the Cleveland Institute of Music would be easier to take advantage of as they are right on (interspersed) with CWRU.
While S did not apply to Brandeis, he was admitted to BU and just loved Boston, the university, and the campus area. Had the cost been not so much higher than the other options, I feel he would have attended BU.