Tranferring to Brandeis University

Transfer Students
1

I am a current freshman at Bennington College, where I study politics, and I’m interested in applying as a transfer student to Brandeis University. I am a Pacific Islander, and as a homeschooled student, I worked with tutors and pursued a number of competitive internships in high school.

Prior to arriving at Bennington, I was very active in politics and political organizations on Guam. I secured an internship at the Judiciary of Guam (as a member of the Justice Corps, a division of AmeriCorps), and interned at the Public Policy Institute, where I worked under Judith Won Pat, the Speaker of the Legislature. The Speaker has continually advocated for Chamorro women’s rights and founded a coalition which addresses cultural and social issues impacting Guam’s women and girls. During my time at the Speaker’s office, I researched several public policy issues relating to women and girls, including the state of the maternity ward at the Guam Memorial Hospital, and sex education within the public school system.

Here at Bennington, I have received several academic merit scholarships and I’m taking a full course load. I’m on very good terms with a number of professors and I except excellent letters of recommendation. Bennington requires students to participate in a winter internship for a seven week period, and I will be spending this winter term interning with Emerge California (a branch of Emerge America), a political leadership training program for Democratic women, and attending leadership conferences focused on campaign strategy and preparing women for the unique challenges they will face when running for office.

As a transfer student, I’m searching for a more rigorous and diverse college with an urban campus that will give me opportunities to further develop my commitment to social justice. I am looking for a vibrant academic community with challenging courses.
Does Brandeis seem like the right fit for me? Do I represent a competitive applicant? I’m also considering Eugene Lang College, Simmons College, and Wellesley College

2

For starters, neither Brandeis nor Wellesley is what I’d consider truly urban, although Waltham’s technically a city. Is that important? And just how much financial aid are you looking for?

3

I have applied to Brandeis University and I have also been there as well. Yeah, Pheebers is right. Brandeis isn’t particularly urban however it’s about 30 minutes from Boston. They have a shuttle that will take you to Boston whenever you want to go by the way. To be honest, you sound like a Brandeis student. I can definitely see you going there. You fit what they’re looking for as well. Boston & Northeastern University both are in the city of Boston. They offer a good political program however Boston U would be better for you. You should try Cornell. They have a good transfer rate for an Ivy school and since all of your activities are within your passion. If you see yourself as being a great fit for their political science or social justice (if they have one) program, I don’t see why you wouldn’t get in. But I feel Brandeis will embody your passion more than all the colleges I listed. Did you apply? I know it’s been months ago since you made this thread. I applied in November.