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Brandeis

Brandeis University

Brandeis skips a universal supplement, so most of the weight lands on your Common App essay, with extra prompts for international and Myra Kraft applicants.

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Universal supplement

None

Conditional prompts

2 (250 words each)

Common App essay

Required (650 words)

Testing

Test-optional

What Brandeis rewards

Here is the surprising part: for 2025-26, Brandeis does not have a supplemental essay that every applicant writes. Most students apply with just the Common App personal statement (650 words) and the activities list. That makes your main essay carry almost all of the storytelling weight, so it has to do double duty as both your personal statement and your unspoken "why I belong here."

Two groups do write a short extra essay, each capped at 250 words: international applicants answer a prompt about being an international student at Brandeis, and students applying to the Myra Kraft Achievers Program write about what they will bring to, and gain from, a small cohort. Brandeis is test-optional, with a recent acceptance rate around 40%. The core challenge is that with no required "Why Brandeis" box, your fit has to come through in voice and values rather than a checklist of programs.

01Social justice as a verb. Brandeis was founded on the principle that truth and justice go together. Readers respond to essays where you have actually done something about a value you hold, however small, not just admired it from a distance. Show the action, not the slogan.
02Intellectual independence. Brandeis prizes students who ask hard questions and chase them down. An essay that shows you wrestling with a problem, changing your mind, or refusing an easy answer reads as a strong fit.
03Community and contribution. Both Brandeis-specific prompts ask, in effect, what you add to a group. Even in the Common App essay, the students who land are the ones who clearly bring something to a room, not just take a seat in it.
04Genuine specificity over polish. Because there is no formulaic supplement to hide behind, a vivid, particular, slightly imperfect human story beats a glossy one. Concrete detail signals honesty, and honesty is what gets remembered.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

3 prompts for Brandeis, each broken down with annotated examples.

Common App Personal Statement650 words (choose one of seven Common App prompts)

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

International Applicants250 words

What excites you the most about being an international student at Brandeis University?

Myra Kraft Achievers Program250 words

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?

See all 3 prompts and get a read

Your chance

See your chance

Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at Brandeis and build a balanced list.

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Deadlines

Early Decision INov 3 (notify Dec 15)
Early ActionNov 3 (notify Feb 1)
Early Decision IIJan 15 (notify Feb 15)
Regular DecisionJan 15 (notify Apr 1)

Cost

Sticker price$90,224
Avg net after aid$30,301
Meets full needMost
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How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what Brandeis weighs most Supplemental essays3 prompts, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $30,301/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes Brandeis interview? Format, tips, and practice The Brandeis Reader ProScore your draft against Brandeis's exact prompts
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Brandeis FAQ

What is Brandeis's acceptance rate?

Test-optional. Brandeis does not require any test scores, and fewer than 40% of recent applicants chose to submit them. Submit scores only if they sit comfortably inside or above the mid-50% ranges and genuinely strengthen your file. At Brandeis, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does Brandeis require?

Brandeis requires 3 supplemental essays on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does Brandeis cost?

Brandeis's published sticker price is about $90,224 per year, but the average family pays $30,301 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does Brandeis require SAT or ACT scores?

Brandeis is test-optional: you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, and strong scores are just one factor among many when you do submit them.

When are Brandeis's application deadlines?

Brandeis's application deadlines are Early Decision I Nov 3 (notify Dec 15); Early Action Nov 3 (notify Feb 1); Early Decision II Jan 15 (notify Feb 15); Regular Decision Jan 15 (notify Apr 1). Add Brandeis to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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