Boston Battle: Tufts vs. Brandeis???

[Mackchops]

---

Members don't see this ad.

The difference between these two programs seems, at first glance, to be almost non-existant... private, structured, and expensive. But Tufts does offer a "joint acceptance" option to their DO and Dental schools. Brandeis, however, offers some MD linkages but none for DO or Dental hopefuls. All linkages aside, what's different about these two programs? I feel I need a structured program with good strong advising and plenty of opportunities for research and upper-level coursework. Any comments, biased bashing of one or the other, or praise directed toward either program would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Emu

 

[ockhamsRzr]

The difference between these two programs seems, at first glance, to be almost non-existant... private, structured, and expensive. But Tufts does offer a "joint acceptance" option to their DO and Dental schools. Brandeis, however, offers some MD linkages but none for DO or Dental hopefuls. All linkages aside, what's different about these two programs? I feel I need a structured program with good strong advising and plenty of opportunities for research and upper-level coursework. Any comments, biased bashing of one or the other, or praise directed toward either program would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Emu

Well I had the choice as well and chose Harvard. I agree that both Tufts and Brandeis (my wife works at Brandeis) are very similar programs and equally expensive. Here's how I saw it:

1. LINKAGES -- The Tufts linkage for DO is to Univ of New England, which has no affiliation with tufts other than this linkage. A decent MCAT score, good GPA and New England residency gives you a pretty good shot at UNE anyway so I didn't see the value of Tufts in that capacity. Tufts also has linkage to their own med school and, as you mention, to their own dental school. Anecdotally, those linkages are insanely competitive. As for Brandeis, I don't know about their linkages, but you say that none exists.

2. STUDENTS -- I had read on SDN from other Tufts folks that many of the classes are pretty full with undergrads. For me, at 34, that was a turn off on two fronts. First, the notion of a structured post-bacc with other post-baccers is pretty much mitigated, and secondly, I have to compete with kids who have no other lives outside of competing for grades. While neither one of these things scared me, I thought it imprudent to pay a premium to have to live with them.

3. LOCATION -- Not sure if you'll be relocating but Tufts is in Somerville and is fairly accessible to Boston, the T, busses, and some cool areas to live like DAvis Square. Brandeis is in the suburb of Waltham and you'll either need to take the commuter rail, get a car (20 minutes out the Mass pike from Boston) or live out there which compared to Boston is brain dead.

4. RESEARCH OPPS -- I have to think that Tufts has it all over Brandeis when it comes to research. With their own dental and med school, plus an incredibly strong engineering program, you're sure to find a number of opportunities to find a niche for research...plus the fact that you're just outside of Boston. Brandeis is a smaller entity with no professional schools (well they do have an MBA program), and no immediate reach to the urban/hospital sprawl that covers Boston.

Like I said, I had this choice too and after looking into Harvard, I didn't look back. I think they're both good programs but if I HAD to choose one or the other, it would be Tufts for the simple reason that they have a med and dental school and all the assiciated insight and benefits that come with that.

Good luck,

OckhamsRzr

 

[blankguy]

My take on this was both Tufts and Brandeis are very expensive. Both schools you will be surrounded with 18-22 yr olds a prospect that I didn't particularly like. It makes you feel like you are too old plus those naive kids looking at you as if there was something wrong with you. The key for me was finding an environment in which I could excel, being very uncomfortable being surrounded by gunners I went to UMass. Don't get me wrong you still have to be competitive but I prefer a more laid back environment to do it. Harvard you are dealing with people who are older just like we are and just as focused, and it is very competitive. I think this is far more important than having any linkages. They won't do you any good with weak grades but being for the purpose of this thread the choice of Brandeis and Tufts. I'd lean on Tufts because as the previous poster said that there are more resources available at Tufts by virtue of having a medical school and dental school. That is not to say that Brandeis is a bad choice they have a really high acceptance rate.

 

[sidewalkman]

I'm coming from the Brandeis perspective on this. I asked myself, ‘Even if I could go back to my alma mater for free, would I go?’ My answer was probably not.

Brandeis IS structured, make no mistake about that. You will be taking classes with the undergrads. I took gen chem there at age 22, and it was completely awkward; couldn’t imagine someone in thir 30’s there. FYI I could not recall a single post-bacc, and all of my pre-med friends (at least a dozen) couldn’t recall one, either. So for me, that’s a huge drawback. However, the quality of education is excellent. As for upper-level classes, like anywhere else, I got the impression that some were easy and some were brutally hard. As a non-science major, I never personally took any of them (unless you count neuropsych).

Location. I actually preferred Brandeis’s location; it’s calmer and is still close to Boston (skyline can be seen from campus). As for transit, don’t forget the Riverside stop on the Green line, which is only a few minutes drive from campus. Also, Brandeis has a free bus to Harvard and BU Thursday through Sunday.

As for the general advising, all of the people in my circle thought that it sucked. The vast majority of profs, though, will be highly receptive to truly curious students. The advising committee does meet with you before writing that committee letter, as I recall. Since I feel SDN is better than most advisors, I give a school’s advising limited consideration.

Research. Tufts has ‘more,’ but there are also ‘more’ students competing for those slots. The real advantage is in the number of unique research programs at Tufts; if you don’t know what you want to research, Tufts will give you more breadth. Tufts Med is not on Tufts’s undergrad campus; you still have to get there, and get a prof to work with. At Brandeis, your classes will be in the same building as where your science research will be. Then again, basic science is all that Brandeis has, so you have to weigh those factors. I wound up going off-campus for my research, and got great opportunities with no prior experience.

Like Ock, once I found Harvard and all its advantages, few programs came close. Since I’m pre-dental, I would choose Tufts if I was strong enough going in to get the linkage. If I was an MD applicant, Brandeis would probably be my pick if I had to stay in MA and could guarantee myself a linkage. Then again, my stats aren’t the best, so I do not have to make that choice.

 

[Mackchops]

Stupendous replies, my friends. Much appreciated, really. I am curious now as to why you feel that Harvard's program is leaps and bounds above the programs offered at Brandeis and Tufts. Thanks for addressing my questions directly, but now I would like to know more about why I should consider Harvard (or UMB for that matter) above what I considered to be well-recognized, formal programs. Harvard's program is through the extension school, isn't it? Don't they have separate faculty for the extension school and the college (at least in many cases, if not all)? I will read some of the Harvard threads on this board but building on the excellent insight you have already provided, could you talk about these other Boston programs as well?

Mucho gracias,
Mack

 

[Law2Doc]

Stupendous replies, my friends. Much appreciated, really. I am curious now as to why you feel that Harvard's program is leaps and bounds above the programs offered at Brandeis and Tufts. Thanks for addressing my questions directly, but now I would like to know more about why I should consider Harvard (or UMB for that matter) above what I considered to be well-recognized, formal programs. Harvard's program is through the extension school, isn't it? Don't they have separate faculty for the extension school and the college (at least in many cases, if not all)? I will read some of the Harvard threads on this board but building on the excellent insight you have already provided, could you talk about these other Boston programs as well?

Mucho gracias,
Mack

Harvard's postbacc program is through the extension school. Classes are given in the regular university's science center, but in the evenings and not with the undergrads. My understanding was that Tufts is the most formal and organized (i.e. closest to the Bryn Mawr/Goucher models) postbacc program in the city, with attentive advisers who actively work with you and make sure you are taking everything required and doing what you need to be doing, and a director who actually meets with med school admissions people to try and market its candidates, etc. I don't know much about Brandeis or UMB.
Harvard Ext School by contrast takes a very hands-off approach. They truly don't coddle you. Advisers can be found if you seek them out, and if you get the grades and MCAT score required they will write you a sponsor letter, but other than that, you are really on your own. No one tells you what classes you should take when, no one makes sure you fulfill all the requirements in any sort of time frame, etc. But Harvard seems to work well for a lot of self-motivated people, and the professors are top-notch.

 

[ncalcate]

I struggled with nearly the exact debate about 2 and 1/2 years ago. I was strongly considering Tufts or Brandeis. I ultimately chose UMass Boston, and looking back, it was the right decision.

I won't rehash what previous posters have written; I agree with everything that has been stated. But here's another thing to consider: I feel that Tufts/Brandeis are only worth the money if you are interested in their linkage programs. If Tufts Med is your dream school, then maybe it would be worth it to spend the extra money on the Tufts post-bacc program. But if you're still undecided, or you might want to shoot for UMass Med or UConn Med, then I don't think Tufts/Brandeis are worth the money. This is the conclusion I reached.

At the end of the day, what will get you into school are your MCAT scores, grades, and letters of rec. School reputation will play a role (and Tufts and Brandieis have great reputations), but a candidate with strong MCAT scores and grades will be successful regardless of where he/she did his/her post-bacc classes. When I was interviewing at med school, no one ever questioned the reputation of UMass. At my interview at Tufts Med, they never said "Why didn't you do your post-bacc at Tufts?". If you consider this, then the only inherent advantage that Tufts/Brandeis can offer to justify their pricey tuition are their linkage programs.

Anectdotally, when I was at UMass I encountered 4 former Tufts post-baccers (two premed and two prevet) who spent time at Tufts and left due to various reasons. They all came to UMass to complete their pre-health classes and three out of four are now in school.

I chose UMass because I felt that I could excel in that enviroment. At the end of the day, it was 100% on my shoulders to get me into med school. The post-bacc program gives you the tools; its up to you to use them. All of the post-bacc programs give you the same basic tools (except for linkage programs). So make your decision not because of a name, but based upon where you think you will be most successful.

Just my $.02. Good luck in your decision.

 

[blankguy]

I might add that UMass-Boston you tend to run into a lot of people who are pursuing their bachelors who are not in the traditional 18-22 age range for undergrads. I run into people in their 30's, late 20's as well as those people in 18-22 age group. In this regard if you are a career changer and a nontraditional UMass is much more condusive.