Spring Break
Beating the book monopoly
by Naomi Spector
Staff writer
Op-Ed | 10/7/08
Posted online at 5:52 AM EST on 10/7/08
/ Last updated at 3:17 AM EST on 10/7/08
I was impressed by what I found when I browsed the Brandeis entry in Unigo.com. The Web site was only launched this September, but there is already a wealth of information; I came across around 60 reviews written by students as well as six videos, some pictures, links to student publications on campus and all the important statistics a senior might need.
The student reviews and videos-all of which the site publishes unconditionally-were far more honest and insightful than the literature I have read from transitional sources. I saw one video of a student discussing stereotypes on campus (such as "Brandeis is really Jewish,") and the extent to which he feels they are true. I saw articles that expressed the view that the political culture at Brandeis is dominated by leftist activists and also statements asserting that the liberals on campus are not at all overbearing. I saw truthful (and sometimes harsh) accounts of the quality of the food available on campus.
The reviews I read were thoughtful and told from the point of view of disinterested students, which is refreshing in this day and age. As Goldman told The New York Times, "colleges have been able to have this stranglehold on the P.R. image of their school." If Goldman's operation meets with all the success it deserves, they no longer will. My only regret is that I entered college one year too soon to take advantage of it. Perhaps the Web site could be expanded to include graduate schools?
The student reviews and videos-all of which the site publishes unconditionally-were far more honest and insightful than the literature I have read from transitional sources. I saw one video of a student discussing stereotypes on campus (such as "Brandeis is really Jewish,") and the extent to which he feels they are true. I saw articles that expressed the view that the political culture at Brandeis is dominated by leftist activists and also statements asserting that the liberals on campus are not at all overbearing. I saw truthful (and sometimes harsh) accounts of the quality of the food available on campus.
The reviews I read were thoughtful and told from the point of view of disinterested students, which is refreshing in this day and age. As Goldman told The New York Times, "colleges have been able to have this stranglehold on the P.R. image of their school." If Goldman's operation meets with all the success it deserves, they no longer will. My only regret is that I entered college one year too soon to take advantage of it. Perhaps the Web site could be expanded to include graduate schools?
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