Named after Louis D. Brandeis, the U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, Brandeis University was opened in April 1948 under Abram L. Sachar’s leadership. The next year, the former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt joined the Board of Trustees. By 1985, the private, nonsectarian institution was welcomed into the elite AAU and the Boston Consortium. Endowed for $866.8 million, Brandeis educates more than 3,500 undergrad and 2,200 post-grad Judges with a liberal arts tradition. Sponsored by the Jewish community, Brandeis University occupies a 235-acre suburban campus in Waltham, Massachusetts, near Cambridge’s high-tech corridor. Affiliated with two MacArthur Fellows, the College of Arts and Science has 24 divisions, including the Michtom School of Computer Science.

According to the U.S. News, Brandeis is the 34th best national university, 30th top value, and 42nd best pick by high school counselors. Brandeis is specifically recognized for America’s 82nd top computer science degrees. Forbes graded Brandeis “A” for the 66th most grateful grads and 36th best research centers. On Niche, Brandeis University was applauded for the 50th “Best Academics” and 61st “Best Professors” nationwide. The Princeton Review placed Brandeis #7 for “Most Engaged in Community Service.” Kiplinger’s Personal Finance crowned Brandeis University the 34th best private value. The Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index included Brandeis in the top 20 small research universities. Globally, Times Higher Education ranked Brandeis University 198th too.

Brandeis University Accreditation Details

Continuously since 1953, Brandeis University has earned 10-year regional accreditation without probation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). This is one of six agencies approved under the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In particular, the Michtom School of Computer Science has specialized approval from the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Brandeis University Application Requirements

Classified as “most selective,” Brandeis University had an average acceptance rate of 34 percent in Fall 2015. Freshmen pursuing a bachelor’s in computer science must finish their high school college-prep curriculum for a diploma. Having at least three units each of math, lab science, social science, and foreign language with four units of English is requisite. Most undergrads rank in the top 15 percent of their graduating class. The average accepted GPA is currently 3.87. Freshmen present a mean SAT score of 1995 (1400 New) and ACT score of 30. Unless students are homeschooled, Brandeis has a test-optional policy though.

Leaving other regionally accredited colleges to become a Brandeis Judge will require holding at least 15 college-level credits. Transfers must spend at least two years on-campus, so a maximum of 60 credits are allowed. Minimum GPAs aren’t listed, but competitive transfers will carry a “B” average and have good standing. International computer scientists who are non-native English speakers must submit four TOEFL iBT sub-scores above 24. Master of Arts applicants should already possess a baccalaureate degree in a closely related, ABET-accredited field. Admitted graduates generally have a minimum 3.0 GPA and GRE scores in the 85th percentile.

Brandeis University has an Early Decision deadline of November 1st and Regular Decision deadline of January 1st. Graduate students can apply until June 1st for Fall enrollment. Please submit the Brandeis Application or Common Application online with the following:

• Check or money order for $80 fee

• Official academic records and diplomas

• Copies of SAT I, ACT, or GRE scores

• Two or three recommendation letters

• English proficiency tests if international

• Resume or curriculum vitae (grad only)

• One-page statement of personal goals

Tuition and Financial Aid

Regardless of Massachusetts residency, full-time B.A./B.S. students at Brandeis are charged annual tuition at $49,586. Mandatory fees add $1,659 each year for all learners. Living on-campus brings room and board costs to $8,060 and $6,164 respectively. Undergrads should budget at least $1,500 for computer science textbooks and supplies. Therefore, total annual cost of attendance is roughly $65,954. At the graduate level, Brandeis University bills $45,900 for two full-time semesters. Studying part-time costs $5,910 per course. Doctoral candidates also pay the $2,955 post-resident fee during their dissertation.

The NCES states that Brandeis gifts assistance to 63 percent of new, full-time scholars. The mean financial aid package is worth $32,822. Institutional awards, such as the Edward Fein Scholarship, Stroum Family Waltham Scholarship, Justice Brandeis Scholarship, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship, are numerous. Federal financial aid programs like the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant are available. Residents may obtain the MASSGrant, Gilbert Matching Grant, or Massachusetts Part-Time Grant. The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill Yellow Ribbon Program can help veterans switching to computer science. Federal Work-Study positions are offered for 10 to 20 hours weekly. Carefully borrowing the Perkins, Stafford, PLUS, or private/alternative loans is another option.

Studying Computer Science at Brandeis

Housed in Volen Hall, the Michtom School of Computer Science offers two bachelor’s, three master’s, and one doctoral program within Boston’s Route 128 Tech Corridor. Thanks to the 10:1 ratio, students form mentoring relationships with PhD-level faculty trained at Brown, McGill, Chicago, Stanford, and other elites. Brandeis has been connected with several innovations, such as the Genetically Organized Lifelike Electro Mechanics (GOLEM) Project. Partnerships also exist with tech giants like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, and Bloomberg. Consider pursuing these programs:

B.A. or B.S. in Computer Science

Retaining 93 percent of freshmen, the B.A. or B.S. in Computer Science at Brandeis introduces students to the fundamental concepts for designing and analyzing technological devices. The nine-course B.A. major includes courses in programming and data structures for entering the workforce. The 14-course B.S. major features more in-depth mathematics, computation theory, and research methods courses for graduate school. Students can practice their skills in the DEMO Lab or Alterman Lab. There’s also a combined bachelor’s/master’s option offered.

M.A. in Computer Science

Spanning three semesters full-time, the M.A. in Computer Science gives Brandeis graduates a technological edge by fine-tuning their expertise in programming digital innovations. The nine-course program integrates courses in database systems, dialog management systems, software development, computational linguistics, and IT entrepreneurship. Students often complete a 10-week master’s research internship before the capstone thesis project. Those lacking a computer science background could pursue the 12-course M.A. in Computer Science for Non-Majors.

Brandeis University also features similar degrees like the M.A. Computational Linguistics, M.S. Bioinformatics, M.S. Information Security Leadership, M.S.E. Software Engineering, M.S. Technology Management, and M.S. User-Centered Design along with a PhD in Computer Science.

Related resource:

Top 10 Online Schools for Computer Science Degrees