New Undergraduate Student Orientation

Midyear Ambassador
giannaborbolla@brandeis.edu
Pronouns: She/her

Some areas of expertise I can discuss with you include:

• The pre-law track and the amazing legal studies courses offered here
• Balancing a job or internship and coursework
• Figuring out what you might want to major or minor in, and knowing there’s no rush
• Transferring credits
• The best places to grab food in Waltham

Hometown: New York City, New York
Class of 2025
Major: Anthropology
Minors: Hispanic studies & Legal studies

Favorite thing about Brandeis: The intellectually stimulating environment, cultivated by the professors, the curriculum, and especially by the student body. The courses offered here compel me to delve deeply into subjects and urge me to think critically rather than merely to memorize facts. But it’s not just the material. It’s also the dynamic discussion fueled by the students here that truly elevates the learning experience and leaves me thinking long after class ends.

One piece of advice for Midyears: Embrace discomfort and uncertainty. Some of the best experiences you’ll have, lessons you’ll learn, and connections you’ll make can happen when you least expect it. Go to that event. Try volunteering. Attend office hours. Go to the initial meeting for that club you’re interested in joining. Take that class that you know will challenge you. Talk to that person you’re in a few different classes with. Adjusting on campus can feel super daunting as a first year and especially as a Midyear. But there’s always so much to learn and do on and around campus and a world of possibilities lie in these experiences that you open yourself up to when you embrace the unfamiliar and step out of your comfort zone.

Midyear Ambassador
emmasadewasser@brandeis.edu

Hometown: Camas, Washington
Class Year: Sophomore
Fields of Study: Theater and Neuroscience

Favorite thing about Brandeis: My favorite thing about Brandeis by far is how welcoming the community is here. I have never felt more free to be myself than once I arrived on campus!

Advice for Midyears: Don’t be afraid to talk to people and get involved! Your fellow midyears want nothing more than to become friends with you, and non-midyears love to see new faces. Arriving on campus in January is super overwhelming, but it is so much easier to figure things out when you aren’t doing it alone. By the end of your first semester it’ll be like you’ve been on campus all along!

Midyear Ambassador
skyespinner@brandeis.edu 
Pronouns: she/her

Some areas of expertise I can discuss during office hours:

• Business Major

• IGS Minor

• Scheduling classes as well as preparing to apply for the major

• Studying Abroad and transitioning back to campus (I studied in Florence before beginning at Brandeis)

• Moving to Brandeis from another state/transitioning to the Northeast

• Brandeis Student Alumni Association

• Real Estate Investment Club

Hometown: Columbus, North Carolina
Class of 2025
Business Major/ IGS (International and Global Studies) Minor 

My favorite thing about Brandeis is the campus: I love being able to sit outside and look at the leaves changing colors and watch the wildlife play. The squirrels, chipmunks and bunnies make my day!

One piece of advice for Midyears: Do not think you were rejected from the school for the first Fall. Brandeis specifically picks Midyears that they feel are strong and independent enough that they can be a part of bigger things than coming straight to school. Take advantage of that opportunity to study abroad, get a job or internship or participate in something you're passionate about.

Midyear Ambassador
evatibbetts@brandeis.edu
Pronouns: she/her

Some areas of expertise I can discuss with you during office hours include:

• Pre-med and pre-nursing tracks

• Psychology courses

• How to plan your science-filled schedule as a Midyear

• Studying abroad (I studied abroad in Florence before coming to Brandeis)

• I've lived all over New England so I can suggest local places to visit

Bio:
My name is Eva Tibbetts, and I am a junior at Brandeis! My major is psychology and I am also following the pre-med path. One thing I love about Brandeis is its location; I love how we have the option to go into the city or stay right in Waltham by going to Moody Street. Brandeis is close to the Boston area without all the dramatics of being near a city. Also being a home-body, I love how close I am to my family. and I know that I am more than just a phone call away.

The advice I would give Midyears is to welcome the feeling of being "new" on campus. Though it may feel like you are much further behind than those in your class, you are not. Enjoy the welcome feeling of seeing Brandeis as it should be now that you are officially here as a student! You are going to be greeted by so many people and have so much to do, and it will feel overwhelming at first so take one step at a time. Sooner than you know, you will be incredibly overwhelmed by the multitude of opportunities to be part of different Brandeis communities, but don't put too much on your plate! Remember that you are not obligated to do anything. Everything will be up to you and what you enjoy. Eventually, you will find your people, and you will find what you want to do with your time, so do not worry!