Brandeis University (Brandeis)

At Brandeis, learning goes beyond the classroom. Our liberal arts education has always been defined by curiosity, rigor and a commitment to social justice and inclusivity. Today, it's also shaped by real-world experience and career readiness for the digital age. Through the Brandeis Plan to Reinvent the Liberal Arts, you'll pair big ideas with hands-on learning, building career-ready credentials and sought-after skills. From your first semester, you'll work with both an academic and a career advisor to chart your path. Along your academic journey, you'll earn microcredentials that highlight your achievements — creating a verified second transcript of your strengths alongside your academic transcript. This proof of your skills and leadership will show future employers or graduate schools that you have what it takes to succeed. At Brandeis, you don't just earn a college degree. You graduate with proof of what you know, what you can do, and the difference you're ready to make.

Brandeis has more than 200 student-run clubs and organizations, including service organizations, cultural awareness groups, performing groups, spiritual and religious groups, sports and games clubs, student leadership and activism groups, student publications, a radio station (WBRS) and an active Hillel. As a member of the University Athletic Association, Brandeis also fields 19 Division III varsity athletic programs.

Brandeis has more than 200 student-run clubs and organizations, including service organizations, cultural awareness groups, performing groups, spiritual and religious groups, sports and games clubs, student leadership and activism groups, student publications, a radio station (WBRS) and an active Hillel. As a member of the University Athletic Association, Brandeis also fields 19 Division III varsity athletic programs.

Students at Brandeis describe their peers as “very engaged and involved,” and “completely passionate about whatever it is they commit themselves to.” The “student body is special in that it is truly a community” full of “unique, interesting, passionate, motivated, inspiring, and intelligent” individuals. Indeed, one student reports, “Everyone here is very welcoming and supportive,” with another adding, “It was surprisingly easy to make a ton of friends on this campus.” While some undergrads readily admit that they “do have the tendency to be a little more on the introverted and nerdy side,” they are also “very caring, genuine people” who are “quirky and a little weird in the best way possible.” As one student explains, “I love that…everyone’s attitude is kind of ‘do whatever you want to/need to do.’” Ultimately, “the best part of Brandeis is the people.” As one student shares, “We are a quirky campus, where no two students are alike, but the student body is collectively [filled with] down-to-earth, driven knowledge-seekers who care about the community and the world at large.”

While academics are central to the student experience, “Brandeis thrives on its campus club and student activities culture.” Students describe an atmosphere where involvement is the norm rather than the exception. “We have so many students who get involved on campus and participate in clubs and other activities,” one student explains, while another notes that “volunteer-work is a big deal here.” There are numerous opportunities for engagement—ranging from community service clubs and cultural or religious organizations to special-interest groups, theater productions, musical ensembles, and sports teams. “Most clubs don’t have any barriers to entry so it’s really easy to get involved.” When they’re not attending class or club meetings, students “enjoy the green spaces on campus and have fun connecting with other students.” Weekends are lively, as “there are always shows going on, whether it’s theatre, a cappella, or improv,” as wells as “sports events and guest lecturers.” Some undergrads also enjoy “Greek life events off campus,” and many appreciate the school’s “[close] proximity” to Cambridge and Boston.” Brandeis is a vibrant, fast-paced community where, as one student puts it, “the average person would probably tell you they are a part of five clubs or groups, have a job, and have a very active social life. It’s kind of crazy, but I love it.”

Hiatt Career Center at Brandeis helps undergraduate students and alumni implement career skills and strategies to develop and harness the adaptability, creativity, entrepreneurship, and resiliency needed to succeed in an ever-changing professional world. The Career Center works to create an ecosystem of partnerships and collaboration across faculty, alumni, and employers, allowing students to form relationships at all stages of their career education. This is made even easier via the online Rise Together Mentor platform, which is dedicated solely to connecting Brandeis students and alumni for advising and networking purposes. The center also offers position postings, industry meetups, job treks, company information sessions, discovery tools, on-campus interviews, and career fairs, and stresses the importance of experiential learning and adaptability of skills in the modern world. Brandeis is generous with funding for internship experiences; for example, the World of Work Fellowship program awards approximately $200,000 annually to undergrads who pursue summer internships with organizations unable to provide a salary. Brandeis alumni who visited PayScale.com reported a median starting salary of $70,000 with a median mid-career salary of $148,900, and 46 percent say their jobs give them a high level of meaning.