Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the TYP, exactly?
TYP stands for Transitional Year Program. It is a one-year academic program for outstanding high school graduates. Program participants have shown determination and focus under such circumstances as having to work long hours while attending school, providing leadership in their households, or surviving conflict in their native countries and many are from under-resourced high schools.
2. How many students does the TYP admit each academic year?
Twenty
3. Can students transfer to the TYP from other institutions if they have not performed well academically?
No. The TYP admits students with no previous college experience for fall semester start only.
4. Might the TYP be appropriate for students with learning disabilities?
All students are welcome to apply to TYP, however, although
5. Will it take me longer to graduate college if I go to the TYP?
It depends on the student. Because students take at least two undergraduate courses during the TYP, a student could “catch up” to her/his cohort by taking heavier courseloads and/or summer courses to fit in the other five courses* it would take to graduate “on time”. Most students graduate in 4 ½ years including the TYP year.
*This number of courses applies to undergraduate degree programs at Brandeis. It may be more or less if a student matriculates at another institution after completing the TYP.
6. What classes does the TYP offer?
The TYP offers exclusive courses in Literature, Math, Science, Social Science, and Computer Science. For current course descriptions, click here. In addition to these courses, students also take one undergraduate course per semester. The undergraduate courses are chosen in consultation with the TYP Director according to students’ academic strengths and areas of interest.
7. Are TYP classes mandatory for program participants?
Yes. Each student who matriculates in the TYP must take all of the courses listed above.
8. Are TYP courses remedial?
The courses in the TYP are designed to shadow a competitive liberal arts curriculum. With the exception of undergraduate courses, classes taken during the TYP year are not credit-bearing. Because these classes are exclusive, however, students are guaranteed the benefit of individual attention in a small classroom environment, which they may not have had in their previous schooling experiences.
9. Is a typical day in TYP similar to a typical day in high school?
No. Unlike high school, college courses are offered on a block schedule, which means that rather than having a school day that runs from 7:30-2:30, for example, you would have 5 classes that each meet for three hours per week. Courses often meet for three 1-hour meetings on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, or for two 1½-hour meetings on Tuesday and Friday. With the expectation that students will study for 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour in class in order to be successful, the commitment to the program is full-time.
10. Can I play a sport while in the TYP?
Students in the Program are eligible to play intramural sports, but because they are not degree candidates they cannot join varsity athletic teams.
11. Can I join clubs while in the TYP?
Yes, however, students in the program may not hold leadership positions in clubs as the year is intended to be focused on academics.
12. What expenses does Brandeis cover for students in the TYP?
Brandeis provides students with room (housing), board (full meal plan), and tuition valued at approximately $43,000 for the year that they are in the program.
In addition to these grants, TYP students have access to all undergraduate student services including Student Life, the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences, the
If students remain at Brandeis after the TYP year, they apply for financial aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
13. Can I work while in the TYP?
Yes. Although students in the TYP are not eligible for federal work-study funding, there are other jobs that may be available on campus through the Office of Student Employment. Positions such as lab assistants and office assistants may be available. We also recommend that students entering the TYP try to save money for the costs of attending TYP prior to arriving on campus and budget over the course of the year so that attention can be paid to academics rather than devoted to work. If a student does work, it is strongly recommended that she not commit more than 12 hours per week to her job.
14. What does TYP cost?
All TYP students are required to pay:
a. Mandatory health services fee of $564, which can be paid in two installments of $282 at the beginning of each semester.
b. Student Health Insurance (unless already covered by their own comprehensive plan), at the cost of $1,464 per academic year. This can be paid on a payment plan, for an additional $100, making the cost $292.80 per month for 5 months.
c. Personal expenses, including book costs and any additional living expenses. Our estimate for this category is $2,000 for the academic year.
d. Travel expenses to and from campus, such as airfare.
15. Why should a student go to TYP vs. Community College?
Students in the TYP benefit from a curriculum specifically designed for study at a highly selective college. In addition to the rigor of the curriculum, TYP students also gain from making connections with Admissions officers and the use of all of Brandeis’ campus resources while in the program.
16. What kind of performance are you looking for in high school?
We are looking for indications of a strong commitment to the pursuit of post-secondary education. Characteristics of academic strength and motivation such as an upward trend in high school grades or excellent performance in under resourced high schools (e.g. schools unable to offer AP courses) are given careful consideration. Students who are recognized by their recommenders as ones who are willing to work hard often perform well in the TYP.
17. What type of support do you offer students in the TYP?
Students in the TYP receive close academic advising from the TYP Director in individual semi-monthly meetings. Students can also take advantage of campus resources, such as tutoring and the Writing Center.
18. What will be expected of the students while they are on campus?
Students admitted to the TYP are expected to uphold the core values of the Brandeis Community through compliance with university policies, perform well academically, and make productive use of their time at Brandeis.
19. How are these students included in the Brandeis community?
There is no distinction made between students in the TYP and undergraduates at Brandeis. Students in the TYP typically live in first-year areas on campus and also take undergraduate courses appropriate for first-year students.
20. How does a student apply?
Directions for how to apply can be found here.
21. Are they guaranteed acceptance into Brandeis after this first year?
Students admitted to the TYP are not guaranteed acceptance to Brandeis after the TYP. Students who perform well, contribute to the campus community, and maintain a GPA at or above 3.0 while in the program are most successful.
22. Am I eligible for TYP?
For eligibility requirements, please click here.
23. How do I get more information?
If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.