Overview of Brandeis University

Brandeis University is a private research institution with an acceptance rate of 34%. Brandeis takes pride in its Pulitzer Prize-winning alumni and faculty and 10-to-1 student/faculty ratio. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. Because of its accomplishments in STEM and the liberal arts, Phi Beta Kappa granted the university membership.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 5,801 (3,639 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 39 percent male/61 percent female
• 99 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $57,561
• Books: $1,000
• Room and Board: $16,080
• Other Expenses: $1,500
• Total Cost: $76,141

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 68 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 62 percent
  • Loans: 43 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $35,228
  • Loans: $6,433

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Economics, General; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Business/Commerce, General; Experimental Psychology; and Computer Science

Retention and Graduation

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 92 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 9 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 80 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 88 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of Brandeis University Admissions

Brandeis University boasts a competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high mean SAT/ACT scores. The institution is test-optional, meaning that students can choose whether to submit scores from the SAT or ACT. This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. It also requires at least one supplemental essay. Your essay needs to convey your unique qualities and abilities. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range.

Admissions Data

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Brandeis University had an acceptance rate of 34%.  for every 100 students who provided applications, 34 students gained admission, making Brandeis’ admissions process competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Brandeis has a test-optional policy that allows students to choose which scores to send with their application for admission. Applicants may provide SAT or ACT scores, 3 exams from an approved list of AP, IB, and SAT Subject tests, or an academic portfolio. During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 69% of admitted students provided SAT scores.

This admissions data reveals that of those who provided SAT scores, most of Brandeis University’s admitted students score within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the reading and writing part, 50% of students admitted to Brandeis scored between 630 and 720, while 25% scored below 630, and 25% scored over 720. On the math part, 50% of admitted students scored between 650 and 780, while 25% scored below 650, and 25% scored over 780. Applicants with an overall SAT score of 1500 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Brandeis.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Brandeis has a test-optional policy that allows students to choose which scores to send with their application for admission. Applicants may provide SAT or ACT scores, three AP, IB, or SAT Subject test scores from an approved list, or an academic portfolio. During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 32% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

This admissions data reveals that of those who provided ACT scores, most of Brandeis University’s admitted students score within the top 9% nationally on the ACT.  50% of students admitted to Brandeis received an overall ACT score between 29 and 33, while 25% scored over 33 and 25% scored below 29.

GPA

The average high school GPA for incoming Brandeis first-year students was 3.84 in 2019, and over 90% ranked in the top 25% of their class. This information suggests that admitted students to  Brandeis have primarily A grades.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Brandeis University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Brandeis University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Stony Brook University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, American University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Drexel University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Brandeis University, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York University, Boston University, Boston College, Villanova University, Binghamton University, University of California, Berkeley

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Brandeis University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Stanford University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Tufts University, Duke University, Northeastern University

Applying to Brandeis University

Application Deadline: January 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://www.brandeis.edu/admissions/

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://www.brandeis.edu/admissions/apply/index.html

Graduate Admissions Website: https://www.brandeis.edu/gsas/

Graduate Application Link(s): https://www.brandeis.edu/gsas/admissions/apply/index.html