Brandeis University 2025 Admission Statistics

Brandeis University Admission Guide — Class of 2030 (Applying 2025‑26)

“Small classes, Boston‑area energy, and a research‑level brain with a liberal‑arts heart.”
— Brandeis admissions officer, September 2024

Why read this?

You are a rising senior preparing to hit “submit” in the 2025‑26 admission cycle.
Brandeis just published its 2024‑25 Common Data Set—the freshest, most granular look at who got in, what it cost, and why. We digested the 50‑page PDF so you don’t have to. What follows is a narrative‑style brief— no tables, no fluff, just actionable insight—that will help you decide whether Brandeis belongs on your list and, if so, how to craft a compelling application.

The Admission Landscape — Numbers in Plain English

• Volume and selectivity. Brandeis reviewed 10,462 first‑year applications and admitted 4,234 students—an overall admit rate of 40.5 %, down two points from the previous year.
• Early Decision advantage. Of the 765 Early Decision files, 323 were admitted, yielding a 42.2 % admit rate. That’s only a hair above regular action, but ED applicants enjoy faster feedback, priority housing, and a clear demonstration‑of‑interest signal.
• Who actually enrolled? Just 739 of those admitted chose to enroll (a 17 % yield). Brandeis therefore monitors “demonstrated interest” to protect its yield—visits, interviews, and ED all boost perceived commitment.
• Domestic vs. international. U.S. citizens saw a mid‑40 % admit rate, while international applicants dropped to 20 %. Visa‑holding readers, calibrate your list accordingly.

Academic Profile of the 2024‑25 Admitted Class

• Course rigor matters most. Nearly every admitted student maxed out AP, IB, or dual‑enrollment options. The admissions rubric labels curriculum strength “Very Important.”
• Grades, then tests. The average unweighted GPA for those who reported was 3.90. Half of admits ranked in the top decile of their high‑school class, and four out of five sat in the top quartile.
• Tests are optional—but powerful. Only three in ten enrollees submitted SAT scores, yet the middle fifty percent ranged from 1,415 to 1,510. Ditto ACT: a narrow 31 to 34 band. Translation: if you can crack 1450 SAT or 33 ACT, send the score; otherwise lean on GPA and essays.
• Diverse by design. Among U.S. citizens, the class breaks roughly 19 % Asian, 9 % Hispanic/Latino, 6 % Black/African‑American, and 46 % White. One in five students carries an international passport.

What Brandeis Values (and How to Show It)

Brandeis was founded in 1948 on principles of social justice and open inquiry. In practice, the readers look for three attributes:

1. Intellectual curiosity. Evidence: research projects, academic competitions, original art, or advanced coursework beyond graduation requirements.
2. Community impact. They prize depth over breadth—leading a single voter‑registration drive will outshine a résumé stacked with ten passive memberships.
3. Reflective voice. Essays that dissect a belief, show growth, or connect personal passion to a broader societal need land well in committee.

Tip: A generic “diversity essay” is Brandeis‑reader kryptonite. Replace abstractions with sensory detail: the mango‑leaf shadows on your grandmother’s porch while you translated Yiddish verbs.

The Money Question

• Sticker price (’25‑26). Tuition stands at $69,934, mandatory fees $1,023, and a standard double room with 19‑meal plan costs $19–21 K. All‑in: just over $90 K.
• Actual out‑of‑pocket. The average need‑based package for first‑years hit $57,507, combining grants, subsidized loans, and work‑study.
• The Brandeis Commitment (new).
  • Family income ≤ $75 K → automatic grants covering full tuition.
  • Family income $75–200 K (with “typical” assets) → grants covering at least half tuition.
• Merit aid. Roughly 20 % of freshmen without need received scholarships averaging $15,000.
• Key deadline. Submit both the CSS Profile and FAFSA no later than January 2, 2026 to maximize institutional funds.

Anticipated Timeline for Class of 2030

• Summer 2025.
  • Lock in a final SAT/ACT sitting by August if you intend to test.
  • Build an “impact résumé” quantifying leadership and results.
• September – October 2025.
  • Draft your Common App essay; workshop with teachers before ED‑I.
  • Attend a Brandeis virtual info‑session; ask a thoughtful question.
• November 1  2025. ED‑I application, CSS, and FAFSA due.
• December 7  2025 (est.). ED‑I decisions released.
• January 2  2026.
  • ED‑II and Regular Decision applications due.
  • Final chance to upload test scores (Jan 15 arrival deadline).
• March 21  2026 (est.). Regular decisions posted.
• May 1  2026. Enrollment deposit deadline.

Life on the Hill

• Residential vibe. Ninety‑nine percent of first‑years live on campus; themed housing includes Global Living, Creative Arts, and Sustainability.
• Location sweet spot. Brandeis’ commuter‑rail stop puts you in downtown Boston in 20 minutes—internships at Mass General, biotech startups in Cambridge, or art‑museum gigs all within reach.
• Clubs that pop. Model UN, student‑run film society, Bad Grammer comedy troupe (intentional spelling), and research assistantships as early as sophomore year.
• Outcomes. First‑year retention sits at 87 % and six‑year graduation at 86 %. Recent grads join Deloitte, Mass General Hospital Research, Google, Teach for America, and an eclectic list of PhD programs.

How to Decide If Brandeis Fits

Ask yourself:

• Do I thrive in seminar‑style classes? With a 9:1 student‑faculty ratio, discussion drives learning.
• Am I drawn to social‑justice or interdisciplinary research? Signature programs span Environmental Studies, Business + Social Impact, and Neuroscience.
• Can I handle Boston winters and a 24/7 intellectual buzz? Brandeis is book‑ish but not stuffy; the average weekend blends lab work, slam poetry, and Waltham‑based food trucks.

If you answered “yes” more than once, Brandeis deserves a serious look—especially in Early Decision.

Quick‑Hit Checklist

• Aim for 3.9 GPA and a rigorous senior schedule.
• Send scores only if ≥ 1450 SAT or 33 ACT.
• Lean into one or two high‑impact activities; quantify results.
• Submit financial‑aid forms by Jan 2  2026—no exceptions.
• Use ED‑I or ED‑II if Brandeis is your clear first choice and the aid formula works for your family.

Final Word

Brandeis offers a rare blend: research‑level resources, liberal‑arts intimacy, and Boston’s professional playground. With transparent aid commitments and a holistic review that genuinely rewards intellectual curiosity, the school is a smart target for ambitious students seeking both rigor and community.

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