Video opens with a shot of Admissions' glass door from inside the Admissions building.
Title screen that says 26 Q’s with Ayden Novick ’24.
Ayden, a student at Brandeis, opens the door and walks inside the building.
Voice offscreen says, “Hey Ayden, how are you?”
Ayden says, “I'm great, how are you?”
Voice offscreen says, “Good. Do you have a moment for us to ask you some questions?”
Ayden says, “Yeah, that sounds awesome.”
Ayden pauses at the end of the carpeting at the entrance of the building.
Voice offscreen says, “Where did you grow up?”
Ayden says, “I grew up in Denver, Colorado.”
Voice offscreen says, “Does that mean you love the snow?”
Ayden says, “Yeah, I love the snow, and I love snowboarding.”
Voice offscreen says, “Sherman or Usdan?”
Ayden says, “Definitely more of a Usdan fan, Sherman is great, but I really love some of the online ordering opportunities we have.”
Voice offscreen says, “Starbucks or Dunkin?”
Ayden says, “Definitely more of a Dunkin fan. I grew up with so many Starbucks back home, and Dunkin is really just great to get in the New England atmosphere.”
Voice offscreen says, “Where are we right now?”
Ayden says, “Right now we're actually in our Admissions building. This building is where all tours begin and where all interviews are held.”
Ayden starts walking further into the building and towards the chairs at the opposite end of the lobby.
Voice offscreen says, “What's your favorite tour stop?”
Ayden says, “My favorite tour stop used to be when we stopped at the Castle but right now it's definitely the library. Going into the library really shows prospective students how amazing our campus is and everything about it.”
Voice offscreen says, “What's your favorite TV show?”
Ayden says, “My favorite TV show is definitely "Fauda." It's all about the Israeli Mossad, it's on Netflix, and it's really amazing. Speaking of the tours, I actually have to start getting ready for a tour. Would you guys mind following me to the office?”
Ayden points in the direction of the offices and starts walking.
Voice offscreen says, “Sure.”
Ayden says, “Awesome.”
Voice offscreen says, “Milkshakes or bubble tea?”
Ayden says, “Definitely more of a bubble tea fan. We have a place called Kung Fu Tea right near campus that a lot of students love to hang out at.”
Voice offscreen says, “Early mornings or late nights?”
Ayden says, “I'd love to be an early morning person, but I am all about late nights; I go to bed pretty late.”
Voice offscreen says, “Favorite color?”
Ayden says, “Definitely dark green.”
Voice offscreen says, “TikTok or Instagram?”
Ayden says, “I actually, believe it or not, don't have a TikTok, I'm much more of an Instagram fan.”
Voice offscreen says, “Podcast or music?”
Ayden says, “Hmmm...Music for sure. Podcasts can get a little boring for me sometimes and I love listening to music when I walk around campus.”
Voice offscreen says, “What are your everyday essentials?”
Ayden says, “Everyday essentials are for sure headphones for any music needs, I always also have my calculator as well as my water bottle. There's a lot of walking that happens here at Brandeis so it's important to stay hydrated.”
Voice offscreen says, “What are you studying?”
Ayden says, “I study economics and psychology and I'm minoring in legal studies.”
Voice offscreen says, “What do you do on campus?”
Ayden says, “On campus I give tours and I'm also part of the Brandeis Mountain Club, which does hikes and ski trips.”
Ayden turns into one of the offices and sits at a table.
Voice offscreen says, “Favorite class you've taken?”
Ayden says, “The favorite class that I've taken here, we lovingly call it "tree class," and it's our introduction to environmental studies. It's really an amazing class, the professor is super interesting and it offers a lot of different things to learn about.”
Voice offscreen says, “What are your summer plans?”
Ayden says, “This summer I'm actually studying in Copenhagen with the Brandeis study abroad program and I'll be learning a lot more about economics.”
Ayden grabs a box to his left and starts to take out a headset. He begins fidgeting with it and prepping them for a tour.
Voice offscreen says, “Favorite spot on campus?”
Ayden says, “I love going near the Louis Brandeis statue. It's always really awesome to hang out there on sunny days and they have really nice chairs to lounge in.”
Voice offscreen says, “Favorite thing to do in Boston?”
Ayden says, “Eat. I love going into the different restaurants all around Boston, and I just love trying new foods.”
Voice offscreen says, “Favorite thing you're involved in at Brandeis?”
Ayden says, “Honestly giving tours. I really love offering prospective students everything they need, showing them how awesome our campus is.”
Voice offscreen says, “Most meaningful thing that happened to you this year?”
Ayden says, “This, believe it or not, was on a tour. A few students came up to me after and told me about just how interested they were in Brandeis. So, it felt awesome to have represented my college.”
Ayden puts on the headset and adjusts the microphone.
Voice offscreen says, “What class has impacted your life the most and why?”
Ayden says, “The class that's impacted me the most has definitely been Native North America with Professor Emily Connelly. This one just offered a really unique perspective on Native Americans in North America and everything that they go through.”
Voice offscreen says, “Last concert you went to?”
Ayden says, “I went to Alison Wonderland. I actually flew home to see her, she's one of my favorite artists.”
Voice offscreen says, “One piece of advice you'd give your 17-year-old self?”
Ayden says, “My 17-year-old self was very focused on the future, and he had a hard time living in the moment, so I would definitely tell him to live in the moment more, and enjoy every day as it comes rather than focusing so much on the future.”
Voice offscreen says, “Three words your best friend would use to describe you?”
Ayden says, “My best friends would definitely call me crazy, empathetic and fun.”
Ayden is setting up the speaker for the headset and looks down at the device and then looks back up.
Voice offscreen says, “Last question, why Brandeis?”
Ayden says, “For why Brandeis, it's really all about the community for me. The high school I went to was an extremely competitive environment in which students would put down other students in order to get ahead, and it's the complete opposite here. Students lift each other up, students are always willing to help out other students, and students are just always nice, always willing to help, and just the best to be around. I actually do have to start getting ready and go on my tour in a few here. I really appreciate the interview, and I'd love to talk to you guys more later.”
Voice offscreen says, “Of course. Thank you so much.”
Ayden says, “Have a great rest of your day.”
Voice offscreen says, “Bye.”
Ayden stands up and gets ready to go on the tour. The camera pans out of the doorway and into the hall of offices in the Admissions building. Video fades to black.