Student Profile
Anya
- Class: Sophomore
- Major: Russian Studies
- Gender: F
- High School: Notre Dame High School, San Jose
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
Academic Life
Academics is one of the best parts of Brandeis. There are almost no "general ed" requirements, which allows students to take what they want, when they want, and still graduate on time. The requirements that do exist, ensure that each students gets a sampling of different types of thought, but even within those requirements, there's so much leeway, you're unlikely to be stuck taking a class you weren't interested in in the first place. Also, we can elect to take a class "pass/fail" which means that if, at the end of the semester, you don't like your grade, you can "cover" it with a P. This means that we can take classes normally most of us wouldn't consider because it is hard, isn't required, and would "ruin our GPA". Classes are interesting, professors (with a few exceptions) are spectacular, and I generally find myself struggling to cut down to the maximum course load of interesting classes I want to take, rather than struggling to find one or two more that wouldn't bore me to tears.
Student Body
What kind of student would feel out of place at Brandeis? Some people feel out of place geographically, but everyone finds their niche socially. There are so many clubs or activities and events and different types of people that there's a place for everyone. At the same time, not even an antisocial person would feel out of place at Brandeis - you'd kinda just end up finding one other person that's perfect for you to hang out with and stick with them. People who would be most uncomfortable here I guess are ones that don't like hearing controversial opinions vocalized - Brandeis does have its opposing groups and occasional drama.
