Brandeis University

Waltham, MA · founded 1948 · 5,700 students · private research university · UAA

Known for: A nonsectarian university founded by the American Jewish community, Brandeis is a top-tier research institution celebrated for its strong commitment to social justice, exceptional programs in the humanities and social sciences, and a vibrant, intellectually engaged student body.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #60
QS World: #421
Times Higher Education: #201
ARWU Shanghai: #301
Forbes: #112

Top programmes

Neuroscience
Economics
Psychology
Biology
Politics
Social Policy

Notable alumni

Mitch Albom — Author of 'Tuesdays with Morrie' and journalist.
Ha Jin — Acclaimed novelist and poet.
Deborah Bial — Founder and president of the Posse Foundation.
Thomas L. Friedman — Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times.
Marty Walsh — Former U.S. Secretary of Labor and Mayor of Boston.
Tyga — Rapper and songwriter (attended briefly).
Michele Norris — Award-winning journalist and former host of NPR's 'All Things Considered'.

Traditions

The 'Screaming Tunnel' during Orientation
Bronstein Week (freshman orientation events)
Liquid Latex (body-painting art show)
Festivus (winter festival)
Midnight Buffet during finals

If Brandeis University were…

As a food: Shakshuka — Middle Eastern Jewish staple that's become trendy in Brooklyn brunch spots — intellectually rich, culturally rooted, a little spicy, and embraced by the progressive foodie set. Brandeis in a skillet.
As an athlete: Aly Raisman — Jewish American gymnast who used her platform for social justice and speaking truth to power — accomplished, principled, unafraid to call out institutional failures, exactly Brandeis's vibe.
As a person alive today: Debra Messing — Brandeis alumna, outspoken progressive activist on social media, successful in mainstream entertainment while maintaining strong political convictions — the school's entire brand.
As a historical figure: Hannah Arendt — Jewish intellectual who fled fascism, wrote about totalitarianism and the banality of evil, spent her life thinking deeply about justice and human rights — Brandeis's philosophical north star.
As a movie or TV show: The West Wing — Idealistic, fast-talking, intellectually rigorous people trying to make the world better through policy and principle — everyone at Brandeis thinks they're writing Aaron Sorkin dialogue in real time.
As a US president: Barack Obama — Intellectual, eloquent, progressive, community-organizer roots, believed in the power of education and discourse to change society — the president every Brandeis student wishes they could have been.
As a city: Tel Aviv — Young, progressive, culturally Jewish but secular, politically intense, artsy, LGBTQ-friendly, and constantly debating its own identity — Brandeis's spiritual home even if half the students are ambivalent about Israel.
As an element: Sodium — Highly reactive, essential for neural function and thought transmission, explosive when it encounters water — Brandeis students are intellectually volatile, necessary for good debate, and can't stay neutral.
As a car: 1985 Saab 900 Turbo — Quirky Swedish intellectual with activist credentials—safe, thoughtful, unconventional design that refuses to follow Detroit's playbook. Founded the same era Brandeis hit its stride, and still sparking passionate debates

Campus life

Brandeis has a lively, politically and socially active campus culture in a suburban setting near Boston. The vibe is intensely intellectual, creative, and socially conscious, with over 200 student clubs. Social life is centered on campus events, arts, and discussions rather than Greek life or big-time sports.