International Students
Q. I'm not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Is there anything special that I should do?
A. Yes. There are special procedures related to admissions for international students as well as specific U.S. government regulations and policies concerning entry into the country and student conduct while here.
When applying to the program, international applicants whose native language is not English or who have not previously attended an English-speaking institution must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). TOEFL scores should not be more than two years old.
To assist international students before and after arriving on campus, Brandeis University's International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) is available to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is housing available on campus?
A. In general, Brandeis University does not provide on-campus housing for graduate students. There is housing for international students on a limited basis. Typically, students live in various communities around Boston, depending on their needs and financial constraints. Some popular areas include Brookline, Brighton, Cambridge, Allston, Somerville, Watertown, and Waltham. Graduate Student Services holds a house-hunting weekend in July. The following are helpful online resources to assist you with finding housing in Boston.
Q. What does a Hornstein class look like?
A. The size of any incoming Hornstein class is, on average, about 12 students. Students come to Hornstein from a variety of professional and religious backgrounds. While it is best to have had some work experience prior to coming to Hornstein, some students enter the program with little professional experience, while others, perhaps pursuing a career change, enter later in life. Hornstein prides itself on fostering a pluralistic community and embraces any level of Judaic knowledge.
Q. How much does the program cost? What kind of financial aid and/or scholarship opportunities are available to me?
A. Brandeis University's full tuition and fees are estimated at $37,590 for the 2009-10 academic year. To encourage the most talented students, the Hornstein Program considers all applicants for many full and partial scholarships and stipends.
There are special full scholarships and stipends for students with backgrounds and interest in:
Additionally, many national foundations and other organizations offer scholarships and should be examined carefully for their specific requirements. Of particular note is the The Wexner Graduate Fellows/Davidson Scholars program. (Note February 11 deadline)
Q. What types of professional opportunities have Hornstein alumni pursued?
A. Hornstein alumni find employment in a wide variety of Jewish communal institutions, including federations, JCCs, synagogues, family foundations, Jewish education settings, camps, and Hillels. Hornstein boasts an exemplary job placement rate and has a supportive alumni network in North America and beyond. Read about our alumni to learn more about where Hornstein alumni are today.
Q. What does a typical semester at Hornstein look like?
A. Hornstein students take four to five classes a semester and participate in numerous co-curricular activities, many of which the students plan themselves. Classes are chosen with the student's Hornstein faculty advisor. Course offerings
Q. Where do Hornstein students have professional field experiences?
A. Boston offers a wide range of dynamic organizations such as federations, JCCs, Hillels, community relations organizations, camping institutions, synagogues, and educational institutions. See our listing of current sites.