Though Brandeis University is not a religious institution, it was founded by members of America’s Jewish community in 1948 who wanted to do something about the discrimination Jewish students faced in U.S. higher education. The school, while not immersed in anything sectarian, still proudly embodies Jewish traditions of scholarship, community service, and civic responsibility. Now more than ever, these traditions feel strikingly important. 

If you’re reading this right now, it’s likely you and your child have your eyes on Brandeis. Let’s get into the details of how you can turn that dream into a reality. 

About Brandeis University 

Located in the charming Massachusetts suburb of Waltham, Brandeis is just twenty minutes outside of Boston. And, with a little over 3,600 undergraduates, Brandeis is ideal for students who want a small-sized campus community but also wish to remain plugged into a bigger city. 

The acceptance rate to Brandeis University’s Class of 2028 (the most recently available data) was 35.31%. This makes Brandeis a moderately selective institution. It also means that getting in will require some strategic planning (and the help of the college admissions experts at Ivy Coach certainly wouldn’t hurt!).

Brandeis Admissions Requirements

Just like with any other college, there’s no copy-and-paste format for a successful Brandeis application. Obviously, stellar grades, strong test scores, and impressive extracurricular achievements form the bedrock of strong applicants. But Brandeis maintains a holistic review process. That said, admits to Brandeis do share some familiarities. Reviewing them will give us clarity about what it takes to get into Brandeis. 

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into Brandeis College?

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Brandeis’ Class of 2028, as reported in Brandeis’ 2024-25 Common Data Set:

GPA	Percentage of Brandeis University Class of 2028
4.0	33.8%
3.75-3.99	31.4%
3.5-3.74	22.9%
3.25-3.49	7.4%
3.0-3.24	2.4%
2.5-2.99	2.1%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99	0%

Brandeis admissions officers review GPA in the context of the quality of the high school and the rigor of the coursework. Since some high schools weight GPA and others do not weight GPA, any single figure listed as a GPA needed to get into Brandeis would be misleading.

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into Brandeis? 

For the Class of 2028, the average SAT score for admits to Brandeis University was 1460, and the average ACT score was 32. But it’s important to note that Brandeis has been test-optional since 2013. Only 40% of applicants to the Brandeis Class of 2028 submitted test scores. 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into Brandeis?

According to the Brandeis admissions office, the minimum academic preparation of Brandeis students is “four years of English, three years of math, three years of social sciences, and a minimum of three years of a foreign language, including study during the senior year whenever possible (two years each of two languages is acceptable).”

Of course, we would never recommend a Brandeis applicant complete only three years of history, three years of science, and three years of foreign language.

Admissions officers at Brandeis want to see students excelling in each core subject (English, history, math, science, and foreign language) all four years of high school. In fact, they expect to see five years for foreign language since most students begin their first level of foreign language in eighth grade.

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does Brandeis Like To See?

We’re going to clear up a common misunderstanding: highly selective colleges are not looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking for a well-rounded student body comprised of students who are each singularly talented. 

In terms of extracurriculars, that means Brandeis is looking for depth over breadth. If you’re a member of the debate team, the robotic team, the field hockey team, and the drama department…well, then, you’re merely a member of those groups. You don’t stand out in any of these pursuits. Brandeis would much rather accept a nationally ranked debate champ than a kid who spent an hour or two on debate a week because he spent the rest forgetting Shakespeare lines and fumbling the ball in football practice. 

Brandeis Application Requirements

Brandeis accepts The Common Application or The Coalition Application with Scoir. Brandeis applicants are asked to submit two letters of recommendation. For international applicants, there’s a 250-word supplemental essay: What excites you the most about being an international student at Brandeis University?

Who Should Students Ask For Letters of Recommendation For Brandeis? 

Brandeis applicants should ask two teachers, ideally two junior year teachers in core subjects. Obviously, the applicant should have a good relationship with the teacher or at least have performed well in their class. In addition, at least one of the recommenders’ subject area should be related to the student’s hook: if a student’s singular hook is studying fruit fly DNA, it wouldn’t make sense if their recommenders were their History and English teachers. 

Does Brandeis College Require An Interview? 

Brandeis does not require an interview and, in fact, only offers interviews by invitation only. 

What Are Brandeis’ Application Deadlines? 

Early Decision I and Early Action applications are due to Brandeis on Nov. 3. Early Decision II and regular applications are due Jan. 15. 

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Brandeis College

If you’re interested in discerning if your child has a shot of getting into Brandeis, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into Brandeis, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.