At Brandeis, we empower our students to do great things. It all starts with a close-knit, welcoming community — and a shared commitment to changing the world.
Applying to Brandeis is about much more than transcripts and test scores. Our admissions process helps us to get to know you not just as students, but as individuals and members of your communities.
A Brandeis education provides you with a broad-based, liberal arts education within a research-driven, intellectually rich and experiential environment.
Brandeis is for students who aren't afraid to admit they have a lot to discover. Life here is about trying new things — lots of new things — until you find the ones you love.
Our highest priority is protecting the health and safety of all our community members.
The COVID-19 Response website outlines how the university is operating this academic year and answers many questions about residential life, how classes will be taught, testing protocols, and health and safety measures.
The spring 2021 semester is being conducted in a hybrid fashion, with some students living on campus and taking a portion of their courses in person and some students studying completely remotely. Our sustained low infection rates, the advent of effective vaccines, and our community’s demonstrated solidarity in embracing public health practicesgive us the confidence to plan to offer a robust, safe, in-person experience in fall 2021.
Below you will find answers to questions related to admissions and enrollment. If you have questions that are not answered below, please email us at admissions@brandeis.edu.
Above all, we hope that all students and families remain safe and healthy through these challenging times.
We look forward to welcoming back all students to be on campus experiencing and contributing to our community this fall. The majority of classes will be taught in person, using the most appropriate tools and physical distancing measures. We expect all our students to attend classes in person, as offered. First-year students will live on campus for the 2021-22 academic year. We will work to address the needs of students who may have medical constraints or difficulty obtaining visas.
For updates on planning for the 2021-2022 academic year, and for information about how Brandeis is currently operating, visit the COVID-19 Response: What's Now, What's Next website.
The Office of Admissions is offering small, in-person campus visits for admitted students. Learn more about visit availability and health and safety requirements.
We are also hosting a wide range of virtual events for the Class of 2025 to meet your future classmates, current students, professors, and staff. Visit the Admitted Student website for more information on all of the events offered.
The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) at Brandeis continues to monitor the situation within the U.S. Department of State and the pause to consular services at many U.S. missions around the world. We encourage all international students to apply for a visa and complete the VIDOF. We will work to address the needs of students who may have difficulty obtaining visas.
If your high school, college or university has moved to an alternative grading system (i.e. pass/fail, credit/no credit), our office is fully prepared to accept these changes as made by individual schools. Any information explaining these changes is always welcome, whether on the transcript itself or in a communication from your school counselor.
Brandeis is committed to ensuring that students receive credit for the rigorous coursework they completed this year. Brandeis will accept appropriate AP scores received on the in-home or at-school exam administrations of the AP exam offered in Spring 2021 for credit transfer.
For students who had externally administered exams (such as IB or A-level) canceled due to the current world health situation, the University will accept the calculated marks/results that are awarded this year for transfer credit evaluation.
Our longstanding Test-Optional Policy offers an alternative to standardized tests and allows students to choose the option that best demonstrates their academic ability and potential.
Brandeis faculty, staff and students are working together every day to meet the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Collectively, we are keeping campus safe and vibrant, inspired by social solidarity during this time we won't soon forget.