COLLEGE SUCCESS FOR ALL
June College Success Newsletter
Welcome!
​​
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela​
As summer approaches and the transition to college draws near for many families, this issue is packed with timely advice and resources. We explore how students and parents can navigate the common challenges of adjusting to college life, from academic pressures to homesickness. You’ll also find a myth-busting spotlight on pre-law pathways, practical tips to avoid scholarship scams, and a look at the surprising benefits of volunteering for teens. Whether your student is preparing for their next academic step or looking for ways to grow and give back, we hope this newsletter offers encouragement and actionable insights for your family’s journey.​
​
Take a look at what’s inside—and as always:
We're here to support you every step of the way!
College Spotlight
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Brandeis University, located in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a private research university renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and interdisciplinary education. Founded in 1948 by members of the American Jewish community to provide educational opportunities to those facing discrimination, Brandeis has always had a reputation for intense progressive thought. Today, it is recognized as a rising star among research institutions, attracting a well-rounded, eclectic group of students from all backgrounds. Brandeis is the only nonsectarian Jewish-sponsored college in the nation.
​
By the Numbers
-
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,675
-
Women: 60%
-
Men: 40%
-
Admission rate: 39%
-
Average High School GPA: 3.84
-
Student Faculty Ratio: 10:1
-
Campus Type: Suburban
​​
Student Quotes
-
"The small class sizes make it easy to connect with professors and get personalized attention."
-
"Brandeis has a strong sense of community where students genuinely care about each other."
-
"The campus is beautiful, and being close to Boston offers endless opportunities."
-
"Academics are rigorous but rewarding, and there’s a lot of support available."
-
"Brandeisians are friendly! Everyone here is very warm and always willing to meet new people."
​
​​​Academics
Brandeis University offers over 40 majors and 50 minors through its departments and interdepartmental programs in the School of Arts and Sciences. About half of the students graduate with double majors. The Brandeis core curriculum is rooted in a commitment to developing strong communication, digital literacy, foreign language, and quantitative-reasoning skills and an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspective. Freshmen must take a writing seminar and attend at least one of several Critical Conversation events held throughout the year, in which professors from different disciplines discuss major issues in a moderated setting, in an effort to “model civil discourse.” Other gen-ed requirements include credits in health and wellness; life skills; diversity, equity, and inclusion in the U.S.; and difference and justice in the world.
With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from small class sizes and close mentorship from distinguished faculty. Fifty-eight percent of classes at Brandeis have fewer than 20 students. All incoming freshmen are assigned a student advisor, an academic advisor, and a faculty advisor. A peer advisor has lived through the Brandeis experience and is a wealth of information. Experiential- and service-learning offerings are also expanding.
Neuroscience, biochemistry, chemistry, and physics are top-notch programs; economics, biology, business, and psychology enroll the most students. The university caters to premed students with special advisors and access to internships and research opportunities. With the largest faculty in the field outside of Israel, Brandeis is virtually unrivaled in Near Eastern and Judaic studies; Hebrew is a specialty. The program in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies is strong too. A growing number of interdisciplinary programs are becoming increasingly popular, particularly the international and global studies major and the health: science, society, and policy major. Brandeis also maintains a commitment to the creative arts, with strong theater offerings and a theory-based music program founded by Leonard Bernstein.
Rising juniors and first-semester seniors have the opportunity to earn credit through study abroad related to their majors. Forty percent of undergrads take advantage of more than 200 off-campus programs in nearly 60 countries, including two university-run summer programs: an economics program in Copenhagen and a studio art and art history program in Siena, Italy. The Justice Brandeis Semester allows groups of 10 to 15 students to earn credits while focusing on topics of personal interest, such as bio-inspired design, ethnographic fieldwork, or mobile app and game development. The linked courses feature fieldwork, internships, or research under faculty supervision.
​
​Campus & Residential Life
Brandeis University’s attractively landscaped 235-acre campus is set on a hilltop in a pleasant residential neighborhood nine miles west of Boston. The campus boasts many distinctive buildings. The music building, for example, is shaped like a grand piano; the theater looks like a top hat. The 24-hour Shapiro Campus Center includes a student theater, electronic library, and bookstore. The Shapiro Academic Building houses the International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life; the Mandel Center for Jewish Education; conference rooms; and faculty offices.
Thirty percent of Brandeis undergraduates are from Massachusetts, and the population is heavily bicoastal otherwise, with sizable numbers of New York, New Jersey, and California residents. Twenty percent hail from foreign nations. Housing options include traditional quadrangle dormitories, where freshmen and sophomores live in singles, doubles, or triples. Juniors and seniors can opt for singles, suites, or apartment-style housing. Freshmen and sophomores are guaranteed housing, while upperclassmen play the lottery each spring. Seventy-six percent of students live on campus, and the rest find affordable off-campus housing nearby. As for campus dining, a business major says, “Some days the dining halls have pretty good food, and other days it is terrible.” The food court in the Usdan Student Center provides decent alternatives, and there are always kosher, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-safe options. The university has opened a prevention, advocacy, and resource center on campus aimed at addressing sexual harassment and violence.
​​
Random Facts
Founding Values
Brandeis was founded on principles of inclusion and social justice, inspired by its namesake Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Diversity
Three chapels on campus—Roman Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant—are placed so that the shadow of one never crosses the shadow of another. It’s an architectural symbol that students say reflects the realities of their diverse campus community. Less than half of undergraduates are Jewish. Muslim students, with an enrollment of more than 200, have their own dedicated prayer space, as do followers of Dharmic religions. African Americans make up 5 percent of the student body, Hispanics 8 percent, Asian Americans 14 percent, and multiracial students 4 percent.
Social Justice Focus
Social justice is a big emphasis on this progressive campus. “Students care a lot about women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, intersectionality, race relations, and a number of other issues," explains a theater arts major.
Social Life
Weekends often feature live entertainment at the on-campus Cholmondeley’s Coffee House (a.k.a. Chums) and small dorm parties.
Annual Events
Annual events include ’DEIS Impact, a social justice festival; the Springfest outdoor concert; and the 24-Hour Musical, in which students learn and produce an entire musical in just 24 hours (“It’s a total disaster, but it’s hysterical,” says a sophomore). Also well attended are the homecoming soccer match and carnival and the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts.
Start-Up Culture
Ranked as one of the top universities for student entrepreneurship, Brandeis encourages its students to explore innovation through its many resources, clubs, and research centers dedicated to fostering a vibrant start-up culture.
​
Few private universities have come as far as Brandeis so quickly, evolving from the bare 235-acre site of a failed veterinary/medical school to a modern research university of more than 100 buildings, a $1 billion endowment, and ever-growing academic opportunities. At the same time, it has cultivated a highly supportive atmosphere. One student sums it up this way: “Brandeis is a haven for students who are seeking academic challenge and an environment where social justice is revered, where they can hold leadership roles and collaborate with professors.”
​
Major Spotlight
Not a Major - Pre-Law
If you’re thinking about becoming a lawyer, you might assume there’s a specific “pre-law” major you’re supposed to choose. But here’s something most students don’t realize until later: there’s no such thing as a pre-law major. In fact, law schools welcome students from nearly every academic background—from political science to physics. What matters most isn’t what you major in, but whether you’ve developed core skills such as critical thinking, persuasive writing, strong reading comprehension, and logical reasoning.
​
That said, you can begin preparing for a legal career while you’re still in high school. You can get a taste of what studying subjects like economics, philosophy, or political science feels like before you commit to a major later on. Joining your school's mock trial or debate team is a great way to develop research and persuasive public speaking skills.
​
When selecting a college major, choose a field you genuinely enjoy and in which you are confident you will excel academically. Law school is academically rigorous, and getting good grades in college matters more than the specific subject you study. For example, if you're intrigued by finance law, a major in economics could be a great fit. If you’re more interested in the psychological aspects of the courtroom, such as jury behavior or bias, then psychology might make more sense. Or maybe you're drawn to reading, writing, and culture. English majors do extremely well in law school, too, thanks to their writing and analytical training
​
Some of the most commonly chosen pre-law majors include political science, history, philosophy, economics, English, and psychology. But that doesn’t mean you can’t major in biology, computer science, the arts, or even sport management and still end up thriving in law school. For example, students interested in intellectual property or environmental law might benefit from a science or tech background.
​
When researching colleges, ask about the availability of dedicated pre-law advisors, LSAT preparation resources, mock trial or debate teams, and opportunities for legal internships or externships. Find out if the school tracks law school acceptance rates for their graduates and whether they offer workshops on law school applications, personal statement writing, and interview preparation. When it’s time to choose a college, don’t panic about picking the “right” school; instead, focus on where you will find academic, social, and emotional success. There are many paths to law school and a legal career. For perspective, check out Harvard Law School's list of diverse feeder schools.
​
Just like undergraduate institutions, law schools vary in admission rates and costs. If law school is indeed your trajectory, remember that high LSAT scores, undergraduate grades/rigor, and letters of recommendation are essential. A strong application will also include a compelling personal statement along with a resume that includes internships and volunteer activities related to the field of law.
​
If you’re looking for something more affordable or closer to home, some large public universities have excellent pre-law support. The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor Comprehensive Pre-Law Advising (LSA) provides extensive pre-law advising services to students. The University of Maryland has a Law and Society Minor that complements a student's major, focusing on the relationship between law and various societal factors, and Binghamton University has a Pre-Law Concentration. While not a formal major, the pre-law concentration is an educational goal that allows students to tailor their coursework towards law school preparation.
​
Students who prefer small classes and close mentorship might want to consider liberal arts colleges. Amherst College, The University of Rochester, Pomona College, and Dickinson College consistently send graduates to law schools. Claremont McKenna College even offers a government major with a legal studies sequence, Occidental College has a unique “Lawyering for Social Justice” program, and Gettysburg College has the Eisenhower Institute.
​
Other colleges that offer excellent outcomes for future law students include: Fordham University’s Pre-Law Institute, which has a summer program providing an introduction to foundational U.S. law subjects, legal writing, and research skills; American University in Washington, DC which has a well-established path into public policy and law; The University of Richmond, which features a PPEL track (Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law); and Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, which is especially good for students interested in entertainment or immigration law.
​
No matter where you go to college or what major you choose, the goal is to build key skills and explore the field of law in ways that feel meaningful to you. That might include joining the debate team, volunteering with a legal aid organization, or interning at a courthouse. Along the way, you’ll want to develop strong relationships with professors, particularly in writing-intensive or analytical classes, since their recommendation letters will carry serious weight when you apply to law school.
​
Thinking about law now gives you a head start, but there’s no need to lock anything in yet. Focus on building strong academic habits, asking good questions, and staying curious. Law will still be there if you decide to pursue it, and you’ll be all the more ready when the time comes.
​
Careers in Law
-
Corporate lawyer
-
Family lawyer
-
Intellectual Lawyer
-
Civil Litigation Lawyer
-
Legal Technology and Innovation Lawyer
-
Compliance and Risk Management Specialist
-
Legal Journalist and Writer
-
Law professor
-
Arbitrator
-
Mediator
-
Judicial Law Clerk
-
Judge
-
Sports Agent/Entertainment Agent
Money Matters
Scholarship Scams Targeting Families
As the cost of college continues to rise, it’s understandable that families are eager to find financial aid opportunities. Unfortunately, scammers know this too, and every year, they take advantage of well-meaning parents and students, costing families millions of dollars in lost money and stolen information.
​
You may receive official-looking letters or emails claiming to “guarantee scholarships or your money back,” or inviting you to a “free financial aid seminar.” These offers often appear legitimate, but many are designed to pressure families into paying for services that provide little to no value, or worse, lead to identity theft. Phrases like “act now – this offer won’t last,” “you’ve been selected,” or “exclusive opportunity just for you” are often red flags that the offer is too good to be true.
​
One common tactic is the claim that “millions of dollars in scholarships go unclaimed every year.” While this sounds promising, most of that money is reserved for very specific groups, such as the children of company employees or members of certain organizations. It’s not generally available to the public, and reputable scholarship programs never require families to pay upfront fees just to apply or receive awards.
​
Additionally, some services begin with what appears to be a free seminar but quickly shift into high-pressure sales tactics, urging families to sign costly contracts on the spot. While some companies do charge fees, they should always be transparent about their pricing, never make promises about guaranteed scholarships, and certainly never pressure you to make immediate decisions.
​
Another tactic to watch out for is any message claiming your child has won a scholarship they never applied for, especially if you’re asked to pay a processing fee or provide personal banking information. No legitimate scholarship program will ever ask for payment to release an award. It’s also wise to be cautious of websites or organizations that aren’t affiliated with a recognized institution—resources that end in .gov or .edu are generally more trustworthy.
​
If you’re ever unsure whether a scholarship opportunity is legitimate, talk with your child’s school counselor or college advisor. They can help you evaluate the offer. You can also report suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 877-FTC-HELP. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education has a hotline for reporting fraud at 1-800-MIS-USED (1-800-647-8733), or you can file a report at the OIG Hotline.
​
Despite the scams that exist, there are also many legitimate sources for scholarships. For example, Fastweb, College Board’s Big Future Scholarship Search, and Going Merry are great places to start looking for scholarships without spending a dime.
​
No organization can guarantee scholarship money, but with a cautious approach and the right tools, families can confidently avoid scams and focus on real opportunities.
Now is the Time
Why Giving Back Gives More Than You’d Expect
Even though some high schools require community service to graduate, the best reason to volunteer has nothing to do with resumes, applications, or future plans. The best reason is that you care.
​
You don’t have to travel far to make a difference—some of the most powerful acts of service happen right in your own community. Whether you're tutoring a younger student, walking dogs at a shelter, or helping at a food pantry, showing up consistently makes a real impact.
​
And here’s something else that’s real: volunteering doesn’t just help others, it helps you, especially when it comes to mental health.
​
Teen years can be tough. School pressure, social stress, constant notifications, and uncertainty about the future can pile up quickly. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or even isolated. Volunteering can be a powerful way to shift that experience. When you're helping someone else, you naturally take the focus off your own stress.
​
Studies show that people who volunteer regularly report lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Teens especially benefit from volunteering. Helping others gives you a sense of purpose. It gives you a reason to get out of the house and connect with others, whether you’re chatting with a new friend during a food drive or exchanging laughs with kids you’re mentoring.
​
Volunteering can also boost confidence. Every time you learn a new skill, solve a problem, or realize someone is counting on you, it adds to your sense of self-worth. Over time, you start to see yourself differently—not just as a student or a kid trying to figure things out, but as someone who can make a real difference.
​
And yes, volunteering actually makes you happier. That “helper’s high” people talk about? It’s real. Doing good triggers feel-good chemicals in the brain, like dopamine and oxytocin, that boost your mood and make you feel more connected and optimistic.
​
Getting started is easier than you think. Websites such as Volunteer Match and Do Something list opportunities by age and interest, including virtual options. You can also ask around at places you already know: your school, local nonprofits, shelters, or even the library.
​
If you’re not sure where to begin, try asking yourself: What do I care about? What kind of change do I want to see? Who needs support right now, and how can I help? Follow those answers, and you’ll find your way.
​
Whatever you choose, make it yours. Invest your time and energy into something that feels right for you. Keep a journal or log of your experiences, not just what you did, but how it felt. You might use those reflections later in a college essay, or simply as a reminder of the impact you’ve made.
​
The most meaningful service comes from doing what matters to you. Don’t just do it to build a resume—do it because it makes a real difference. And in the process, you might discover new strengths, new friendships, and a new way of seeing the world.