GSAS Students Arrive for Fall 2024
August 30, 2024
Abigail Arnold | Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
For the 2024-2025 academic year, Brandeis University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) welcomes an incoming class of 195 students. Joining the GSAS community are 55 PhD students, 114 master’s students, and 26 non-degree students. New international students come from fifteen different countries, with the majority coming from China, India, Canada, and Iran, while new domestic students come from 32 states and territories, with the most common being Massachusetts, California, New York, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.
GSAS held an ice cream social for all its students on August 28, 2024, the first day of classes. Lizzy’s Homemade Ice Cream in Waltham provided the delicious treats! Students also had the chance to catch up with old friends, meet new people, and share what they were looking forward to this year with GSAS.
“I am looking forward to teaching my University Writing Seminar class on comics and finishing my dissertation (or at least coming close).”--Rafael Abrahams, fifth-year History PhD student
“I am looking forward to working on fantastic research, welcoming new students, and being a member of the Graduate Student Association.”--Sayan Biswas, fourth-year Molecular and Cell Biology PhD student
“I’m excited to be in New England and to start researching the topics I’ve always wanted to!”--Sagarika Devarayapuram Ramakrishnan, first-year Psychology PhD student
“I’m looking forward to discovering different cultures and learning from different departments.”--Sevinc Dogan, first-year Sociology PhD student
“This semester will be my last first day of classes ever. I’m a Posse mentor and am looking forward to seeing how that will go. I’m also excited about career development. The process of applying for fellowships is always an exciting one because it’s introspective; you get to look back on your work while also looking forward to define your own career path and figure out what you’re passionate about.”--Eric Gomez, third-year Neuroscience PhD student
“I’m excited because GSAS has such a diverse community. Being part of it will be its own kind of learning!”--Jay Ramteke, first-year Anthropology PhD student
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to explore my interests. The faculty and staff have been so supportive so far, especially since my interests are unusual for a literature program.”--Jonathan Schaffer, first-year English master’s student
“I’m looking forward to taking my last class!”--Laura Westhoff, third-year Molecular and Cell Biology PhD student