How to Write the Brandeis University Essays 2024-2025
Brandeis requires general applicants to submit just one essay. However, international students and students applying to the Myra Kraft Achievers Program are each asked to submit an additional essay. Regardless of how many essays you’re writing, you want to make sure your response gives Brandeis admissions officers a clear sense of who you are beyond the numbers, so that you stand out even in a talented applicant pool
Read this Brandeis essay example written by a real student to inspire your own writing!
Brandeis University Supplemental Essay Prompts
All Applicants
Brandeis was established 75 years ago to address antisemitism, racism, and gender discrimination in higher education, and today, the university remains dedicated to its founding values of inclusivity and justice. How has your educational experience shaped your perspective on these values? (250 words)
International Applicants
What excites you the most about being an international student at Brandeis University? (250 words)
Myra Kraft Achievers Program Applicants
This is a program to guide you toward adjusting to the rigors and challenges of the college experience with a small cohort of peers. What strengths will you bring to the group and in what areas will you benefit from the strengths of others? (250 words)
All Applicants
Brandeis was established 75 years ago to address antisemitism, racism, and gender discrimination in higher education, and today, the university remains dedicated to its founding values of inclusivity and justice. How has your educational experience shaped your perspective on these values? (250 words)
Brandeis prides itself on its foundation as an institution that has promoted inclusivity since day one, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that their essay question is centered around diversity and inclusion.
Before you begin writing, it’s important to understand the prompt fully. There are two key things to take notice of:
- The first thing is “your educational experience.” This means that you need to draw from your own personal experiences to answer the prompt. It shouldn’t be an English-class style essay picking apart different perspectives on justice—you need to use your own lived experiences to support your opinions.
- The second thing is how the prompt specifically asks for educational experience. Don’t make the mistake of limiting yourself to only experiences in the classroom—educational experiences can take the form of independent research, books, academic extracurriculars, conferences and contests, volunteer work, summer programs, and more.
The other notable phrase in the prompt is “your perspective.” This goes back to the aforementioned idea that you need to draw on your personal experiences to explain your position on the topic of inclusion. Admissions officers don’t want to hear about the dictionary definition of inclusion or how an acclaimed civil rights activist viewed it. They want to hear directly from you.
In this sense, the essay can be thought of like an English-class essay because you are required to take a stance on what values like diversity, inclusion, and justice mean to you, and to support your opinion with evidence from your own experience.
While some students might find it easy to think of an example where they encountered or overcame antisemitism, racism, sexism, homophobia, or xenophobia, other students might not have a personal story come to mind so quickly. However, this essay isn’t optional and for many students it’s the only opportunity for Brandeis to hear their voice directly, so you’ll need to come up with something.
Even if you aren’t directly related to such a situation, think about a time you witnessed the harmful effects of discrimination or the positive effects of inclusion. By engaging in a brainstorming exercise to recall moments involving the topics of the essay, you’ll hopefully be able to trigger memories that are more meaningful to you. If you still have nothing that directly involves you, it’s okay to use a story where you were on the periphery—just compensate for your lack of action in the example with extensive reflection on the situation.
Remember, your educational experience could be in the form of a debate you participated in on the effects of public housing policy on exacerbating racial discrimination, or a book you read about the psychological dynamics behind mass genocides—it doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical interaction you had with others. As long as you communicate that you’ve had some academic exposure that has influenced your perspective, you can choose just about any educational experience to support your essay.
We can’t really tell you how to write about your perspective on Brandeis’s core values because your perspective has to come from you! However, we can give you some tips to keep in mind and things to emphasize in your essay.
- Don’t lie about your opinion. There is no one right or wrong way to approach the nuances of inclusion and justice. Obviously, you should regard inclusion as a good thing—Brandeis doesn’t want to admit closed-minded or prejudiced students—but your take on it could vary from others. Be authentic and true to your beliefs; believe us, it’s easier to tell when someone is lying in an essay than you might think.
- Tie your perspective to the experience you discuss. For example, a student who attended a summer program in another country and experienced what it felt like to be welcomed by people from other cultural backgrounds should share that she thinks inclusion is critical to forming relationships that otherwise wouldn’t occur. It wouldn’t make sense for her to write about her experience and then talk about her views on why religious tolerance is important. Make sure there is a natural logical thread running through your essay.
- It’s better to be more focused. You aren’t expected to provide a dissertation on the importance of all types of inclusion in just 250 words. Home in on a particular issue you feel strongly about that also relates to your experiences. The more focused your topic is, the more detail you can provide and the more your genuine passion for what you’re saying will shine through.
- Highlight how you personally embody the values. Going beyond the experiences that shaped your perspective, demonstrate to the admissions committee that you live by values of justice and inclusion. Explain how simple choices in your life are guided by these values or share how you’ve grown from embracing these values. This will show how ingrained Brandeis’s core values are in you, making you shine as an applicant.
If you have the space at the end of your essay, a nice way to conclude is to explain how you will carry these guiding principles with you to Brandeis. Go deeper than a generic response that says something like, “I will continue to prioritize inclusive communities as a Brandeis student.” Instead, aim for something more descriptive like, “Whether it’s prioritizing minority voices in articles I write for The Justice or inviting all my hallmates to the weekly floor dinners I’ll cook, I’ll strive to make every student feel welcome.”
International Applicants
What excites you the most about being an international student at Brandeis University? (250 words)
Essentially, this prompt is asking, “Why do you want to attend Brandeis as an international student?” Brandeis prides itself on its diversity and wants to continue enriching its campus culture with different perspectives. As an international student, your admissions reader wants to know why you most want to be a part of that community and to bring your perspectives to Brandeis. In other words, this is essentially a standard “Why This College” prompt with an international twist, meaning a lot of the same advice applies.
Before answering this prompt, you need to do your research. Read up on the major you’re planning to pursue, learn about student organizations that exist on campus, look into research opportunities, and figure out how you can get involved in campus life.
Whichever angle you choose for your response, make sure to reference something specific to Brandeis, whether that’s a club you are eager to join, an accelerated BA/MA business program that perfectly suits your academic goals, or the University’s commitment to volunteering and tracking service hours that inspires you.
When it comes to planning your response—a brief 250 words total—you need to first realize that the question does not simply ask why you want to attend Brandeis, but what makes you most excited to be there.
Think about how your life experiences so far can contribute to the overall Brandeis community and how you feel like your perspective will be represented on campus.
For example, if you are pursuing International and Global Studies, you can write about having lived abroad in the regions you will be discussing in class. You can share that you feel as though you can provide a firsthand perspective on how locals view the issues in question and that you know that perspective has a place at Brandeis, which places a lot of emphasis on International Studies, both domestically and abroad.
Continuing the above example, you might also write about how Brandeis would provide you with a home base to conduct your studies of globalization, and that the importance that Brandeis places on interning and studying internationally would allow you to continue your understanding of the globe.
If you are planning to work toward the accelerated BA/MA business degree that Brandeis offers, for example, you can discuss your country of origin’s economic system and fundamental financial practices, and describe how learning about the American market at Brandeis through such a specialized program would give you important insight that your peers at home may not have.
Or, if you are a future Studio Art or Theatre Major, you can share how you’re excited to share your country’s folklore through the art you complete in the program. You can get specific about what your country’s culture, art, or history may look like, as well as note exactly which programs you’re excited to participate in. For instance, you can write about how you’re excited to showcase your work in Brandeis’s 10-day Festival of Creative Arts, and to bring your culture to an American audience.
What you’re most excited about may be outside the classroom! Spend some time perusing the extracurricular offerings at Brandeis. And remember, don’t just name-drop—do thorough research on these organizations and write about why they excite you. Consider the following example:
Perhaps you were heavily involved in your local women’s rights advocacy club back in high school in Taiwan. Write about the challenges you faced in trying to change the perception of women as homemakers that is ingrained in the local culture and how you addressed them. Then detail how Brandeis offers a plethora of opportunities to continue helping women, such as Brandeis’s chapter of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, and the International Business Women Leadership and Networking group.
If religion and spirituality are important to you, see if you can find an organization that practices your faith. Talk about the way your religion’s practices vary from country to country, and the specificities that your country brings to worship. Tell the admissions committee how you’re excited to foster a better understanding of your belief system among your peers.
Alternatively, if you find that your faith is not well represented at Brandeis, tell the admissions committee how Brandeis’s spirit of diversity and inclusivity makes you excited to bring your religion to its campus. Talk about how you might start your own religious student organization to bring together a new community of people and to educate the rest of the student body about your beliefs.
Brandeis sports a variety of cultural societies, from the German Club to the Taiwanese Student Association. Do other students who hail from your country of origin have a place to come together and promote their culture? If not, think about creating such a space! You can frame your aspirations in terms of multicultural understanding and dialogue, and share some ideas you may have for spreading your culture on campus—whether it be through film screenings, dinners, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Perhaps you come from a country where journalists are marginalized and free press is stifled. You may wish to join a media organization on campus to let your voice be heard and to advocate for the continued protection of free speech in the United States. You can write about how you’re excited to share your perspectives with your classmates and to discuss the importance of giving everyone an opportunity to voice their opinions and beliefs by grounding the discussion in your own experiences at home.
Although you don’t have a lot of room in your response, don’t be afraid to combine the various academic and extracurricular excitements you have to form one cohesive essay. Just remember to ground your response in the unique perspective that your origins will allow you to share with other students!
For example, you can first delineate how you’re excited to provide insight into your country’s domestic policy in the classroom, and then pivot to your plans for joining Brandeis’s Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance to piggyback off your previous experience in your home country.
Myra Kraft Achievers Program Applicants
This is a program to guide you toward adjusting to the rigors and challenges of the college experience with a small cohort of peers. What strengths will you bring to the group and in what areas will you benefit from the strengths of others? (250 words)
Understanding the Prompt
This prompt is asking you to reflect on two things:
- The personal strengths you can contribute to a peer group
- The ways in which you could draw on your peers’ strengths.
In addition to your collaboration skills, admissions officers will be assessing your self-awareness: they want to see how well you understand your unique strengths and weaknesses.
Brainstorming Questions
- What are your top strengths, both academically and personally?
- Have you been in situations where your strengths have helped others in a group setting? How?
- What challenges do you anticipate facing in college, and how could others’ strengths help you overcome them?
- Are there specific skills or qualities you admire in others that you hope to develop?
- How do you typically function in a team? Are you a leader, a mediator, a creative thinker, etc.?
What Makes a Good Response
Specificity: Clearly identify your strengths and how they will benefit the group. Avoid vague statements like “I’m a hard worker.” Instead, choose traits that will be more specific to you, and provide examples or context, to concretely show how your strengths have made a difference in the past.
Self-Awareness: Demonstrate a deep understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, so that admissions officers can see you’re both already mature and willing to keep growing.
Balance: Discuss both your strengths and the areas where you see yourself learning from others in college. Showing that you value both giving and receiving in a group is crucial.
Contribution to the Group: Emphasize how your strengths will enhance the college experience of everyone in the group, not just yourself.
Growth Mindset: Show that you are eager to learn from others and grow in areas where you might be weaker. You want to come across as adaptable and open to new experiences.
Hypothetical Student Examples
Lena, a Creative Writing Major: Lena is known for her creative storytelling skills. She could discuss how her ability to think outside the box will bring fresh perspectives to group discussions, and cite a piece she wrote for a creative writing class of which she was particularly proud. However, she might also admit that she struggles with time management, and hopes to learn from peers who excel in organization and meeting deadlines.
Carlos, an Engineering Student: Carlos has a strong analytical mind, which he has used in situations like determining which material would hold the most tension when designing a slingshot for a physics project. He could highlight how he hopes to help keep the group focused on the task at hand, by cutting through potential distractions. At the same time, he might acknowledge that he sometimes struggles with voicing his ideas out loud, and hopes to improve by learning from peers who are more comfortable presenting ideas.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Being Too Vague: Avoid general statements like “I’m a good team player” without providing examples that contextualize that attribute within your personal experiences. Specificity is key–remember that the point of the essay is to set yourself apart from other talented students, so you don’t want to say something that could’ve been written by anyone.
Focusing Only on Strengths: Don’t only talk about what you can offer; also be honest about where you can grow and learn from others. Being vulnerable with strangers can be uncomfortable, but they aren’t going to judge you–in fact, they are specifically asking about your ability to do so, as that will reflect positively on your ability to thrive in this program.
Overemphasizing Weaknesses: On the flip side, don’t downplay your strengths or focus too much on what you’re lacking. You still want to present yourself as an overall competent person.
Ignoring the Group Aspect: Make sure your response shows how you’ll interact with the group, not just how you’ll benefit personally from this program.
Good and Bad Examples
Good Example:
“One of my greatest strengths is my ability to bring people together through empathetic leadership and active listening. In high school, I was the captain of the debate team, where I often mediated conflicts between team members who had different approaches to preparation. By taking the time to understand each person’s perspective and facilitating open discussions, I helped create an environment where everyone felt valued and motivated, and as we became more supportive of each other, our performances also improved. I’m excited to bring this collaborative spirit to our cohort, by fostering an inclusive atmosphere–perhaps even through informal, fun debates about things like Taylor Swift’s best era–where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas.
However, I sometimes struggle with overcommitting myself, especially when I’m passionate about multiple projects. I’ve always been someone who wants to be involved in everything, from volunteering to organizing events, but this instinct can lead to poor prioritization of tasks, and eventually burnout. I admire peers who have mastered the art of balance and time management, and I’m eager to learn from them, so that I can contribute to our group without spreading myself too thin, as I’ll be able to dedicate myself fully to each task.
By mediating even minor conflicts and refining my organization skills, I can help build both a close community within our cohort, and a better structure for my own life in college.”
Why This is Good:
Specificity and Detail: The student provides concrete examples of their strengths, such as their experience as a debate team captain, where they successfully mediated conflicts to create a more collaborative team environment. The admissions committee can see exactly how they’ve applied their strengths in the past.
Self-Awareness and Honesty: The student is candid about their challenges with overcommitting and acknowledges their need for better time management. They come across as mature and genuinely willing to grow, which are qualities that any admissions committee will value.
Balance: The essay effectively balances the student’s strengths with their areas for improvement. We can clearly see both what they have to offer a group and what they hope to learn from others.
Contribution to the Group: The student emphasizes how their collaboration abilities will benefit the group dynamic, and even provides a concrete example of something they might do (informal debates) to make the cohort an inclusive, supportive one. They are clearly thinking about the group’s success, not just their own.
Growth Mindset: The student expresses a desire to learn from peers who excel in areas where they are weaker, particularly in time management. This openness to learning indicates that the student is adaptable and eager to grow, qualities that are crucial for thriving in a college environment.
Coherence and Clarity: The essay is well-structured, with clear connections between the student’s strengths, their past experiences, and their goals for the future. This makes the response easy to follow and compelling to read.
Bad Example:
“I believe my main strength is that I am a hard worker. Throughout high school, I’ve always put in the effort to get good grades, even in subjects I find challenging, like math and science. I’m confident that my work ethic will help me succeed in college, and I’m eager to bring this dedication to the group. I always make sure to finish my assignments on time and try to help others when they’re struggling.
However, I sometimes find it hard to collaborate with others. I tend to work better alone because I like to do things my own way, and I sometimes get frustrated when others don’t meet my standards. But I know that I need to work on this, and I hope to learn how to be more patient and open-minded by interacting with people who are more easygoing. I also think I can benefit from others who are more outgoing because I’m a bit shy and have trouble speaking up in group settings.
Overall, I think my strong work ethic will be an asset to the group, and I’m hoping to improve my collaboration skills and become more comfortable in social situations by learning from my peers. I know that I have some areas to work on, but I’m confident that I’ll be able to grow through this experience.”
Why This is Bad:
Vagueness: The strengths mentioned, like “hard worker” and “good grades,” are generic and could apply to almost any student. The student doesn’t provide specific examples or details that make their strengths unique or memorable.
Limited Self-Awareness: The student acknowledges struggles with collaboration and shyness, but the descriptions are superficial. There’s no deep reflection on why these are challenges, or how they have impacted the student in the past.
Lack of Specific Contribution: The student mentions helping others and completing assignments on time, but doesn’t clearly explain how these actions will benefit the group. The essay lacks a strong connection between the student’s strengths and the group dynamic.
Negative Tone: The student’s focus on their inability to collaborate and frustration with others could give the impression that they struggle in team-oriented environments. While you want to acknowledge areas for growth, your tone should remain optimistic and focused on improvement.
Missed Opportunity for Growth: The student expresses a desire to improve their collaboration and social skills, but there’s no clear plan for or example of how they intend to do this, so their growth mindset isn’t particularly convincing.
In Conclusion
A good essay will do three main things:
- Have a balance between your strengths and areas for growth
- Demonstrate a genuine desire to be part of a group
- Incorporate specific examples to make your points personal to you
If your draft checks these three boxes, you’re well on your way to wowing Brandeis’ admissions committee!
Where to Get Your Brandeis University Essays Edited For Free
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