Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH, USA

Reviews

Case Western Reserve University

Meaghan from Harrah, OK

a current student here
22 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes are very challenging and you definitely have to earn your grade, but when you look back at all you've learned, its worth it!
Am enjoying being here
Case has become like a second home for me! The atmosphere is that of a close knit community!
Bang for the buck
Its expensive, but if you apply for financial aid and some scholarships it will work out great. The degree you get will be worth it!
Tips for prospective students
Study really hard and apply for tons of scholarships and you'll work yourself to a degree that'll be from a school with an excellent reputation!
Great for these types of students
Prospective engineers, people who were overachievers and involved in everything possible in HS.

Josh from Kettering, OH

a current student here
16 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This school presents academic challenges that I feel other schools do not offer. I have been pushed to learn the most I possibly can and also to be able to apply that knowledge.
Am enjoying being here
I have met many people with the same interests as me both academically and socially. Everybody works together to accomplish their goals. I have joined Greek life and enjoyed it tremendously. My biggest complaint is the weather.
Bang for the buck
My financial aid package was much better than what other schools were offering me. They do their best to make it as affordable as possible. The education is one of the best and there are opportunities everywhere.
Tips for prospective students
Make a list of what you look for in a school. The weather in Cleveland is very cold and windy during the winter which can make it difficult to motivate yourself to go to class at times. The education is great but the social life can be slower than a lot of other schools as a result of the workload.
Great for these types of students
Academically motivated students with a clear goal.

Brittany from Macungie, PA

a current student here
14 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
You will definitely work harder than you ever did in high school, but at the end of every class, you will also know that you actually learned something. Everyone at Case is very focused on their career goals, and the coursework teaches you exactly what you will need to achieve those goals.
Am enjoying being here
Case has become a second (or first) home to me. Despite the amount of work, students do still have fun. And, even if we are working on a problem set together, the pain is negated by how much I enjoy working with my wonderful friends.
Bang for the buck
I'm sure you know that Case is expensive, but they are also very generous with scholarships. However, keep in mind that all merit-based scholarships are GPA dependent, and you will have to earn your 3.0. Also, your admission application (common app) is the scholarship application, so you might as well apply!
Tips for prospective students
Don't be afraid to check out Case Greek life. It doesn't fit the normal stereotype, and you will meet a lot of great friends.
Go to the book swap for super cheap used textbooks.
AND develop time management skills early freshman year. If your GPA starts high, then you never have to pull it back up.
Great for these types of students
Students who thrive in an academic environment.
If you are content discussing pokemon and star trek for hours, then you will fit right in.
If you want to party with friends, then you will also fit in. However, you might have to limit yourself to one night during the weekends, and do work during the other.

Sarah from MEDINA, OH

a current student here
9 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Case's classes are challenging, and you definitely have to put in your fair share of work and studying, but if you're committed to learning, it's nothing you cant't handle. Unless you're taking a pre-med requirement or an engineering prerequisite, the classes tend to be on the smaller side and there is a lot of opportunity for one on one time with professors and TA's. All are very helpful and are willing to meet with you after class or schedule a meeting to discuss any further questions you might have about class. The material is accessible so you're not completely in over your head.
Am enjoying being here
I love Case's campus life! Case is located in University Circle in Cleveand, Ohio. There is a younger vibe around campus from little Italy to Coventry. Getting around campus as well as getting off campus is so easy and accessible given the many modes of transportation around and off campus including Case's 'greenie' system (buses), the RTA buses that run regularly around Cleveland as well as the Rapid train station. There are countless groups on campus that get you involved and help you meet new people, so it's not just all studying. I love walking through campus. There is the college campus feel mixed in with the rush of the surrounding city, which makes for a very satisfying effect of being an individual.
Bang for the buck
Case is a private institution, with this years grand total adding up to about $55, 000 if you choose to live on campus. However, don't let this staggering number effect your decision to apply to Case. Case gives out huge amounts of financial aid to help those that need it, making this fantastic institution available to everyone. The money spent here will be worth it in the long run. You'll come out with a fantastic education from a university that has an upstanding reputation for producing some of the country's top engineers and nurses along with many other professional candidates.
Tips for prospective students
If you are planning to attend Case Western Reserve University be prepared to spend most nights staying in and studying. Being a student here demands tremendous time management skills, as well as knowing how to study. Tips for future students include learning your best study techniques before you actually attend, not only this university, but any college. This will help you so much in the long run so you won't be spending your first semester fumbling through you classes because you never learned what study habits work best for you. Another tip; join any club you can. This is a great way to meet new people outside of your dorm and your major. Its a great way to learn how to network as well.
Great for these types of students
Case is a great school for anyone, but I feel that those students who are going to school to prepare for grad school will especially thrive. Case is a great foundation school when considering continuing onto law school or medial school. Also, students that love city life, but find New York or Chicago to overwhelming will love what Cleveland has to offer as an academic setting.

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Case Western is a fantastic science and engineering school. It's location in Cleveland seems unappealing, but the campus has a way of setting itself apart from its surroundings. Case gives its students great opportunities for success.
Tips for prospective students
Case is a great school if you like a somewhat small student environment. You tend to recognize faces after a short time, but its big enough that not everyone can know everyone. Make sure you have an idea of what you want to do before coming to Case.
Academic Rigor
Case is a very academically challenging school. Nevertheless, the caliber of students who apply tend to be able to handle it.
Dorm Life
The dorms aren't the nicest in the world, but they offer a great opportunity to bond with your floor mates and create a decent enough social experience.
Food and Dining
The dining halls offer spectacular food.
What to do for fun
Case is surrounded by museums, which are always fun to visit. You can also take the Cleveland RTA, which is paid for in tuition, to see things in downtown Cleveland.
Bang for the buck
Case is very expensive. The opportunities, however, live up to what you are paying.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Case police are very friendly with students, and will likely not get any student in trouble, even if they catch you doing very illegal activities. They are more concerned with protecting the student body from the criminals of the surrounding area.
Great for these types of students
Smart, dedicated, know what they want to do.
Clubs and Activities
Case offers a very wide variety of student organizations for how small the campus is.
Greek Life
Case's Greek Life is one of the best in the nation. They inspire even the people who come in hating Greeks to join.
Campus Safety
Although the neighborhood is dangerous, Case police do a decent enough job of keeping things safe for students. Just remember to always take some precautions.

PF from Cleveland, OH

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
CWRU has a rigorous schedule especially for engineer and science majors. The university has no restrictive policy on taking course work in outer colleges (a student in the engineering school could take a arts and science course). The professors are experienced in the subjects they teach either through trade or research.
Am enjoying being here
Cleveland has a lot of culture to offer students visiting. The campus is located within 'University Circle' the locations of the Art Museum and Natural History Museum. Little Italy is a short 2 minute walk east. The Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals are located nearby. There is easy transportation downtown to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center, House of Blues, and Tower City... along with connections to all the sports stadiums (MLB, NBA, and NFL teams).
Bang for the buck
CWRU is an expensive university. It is a private institution. However, from what I've heard in comparison the university does have good services for students especially in research and job attainment. Furthermore, there are many student affair's divisions for active participation such as the office of multicultural affairs, career center, or women's center.
Tips for prospective students
Prospective students should consider the type of school they wish to attend. CWRU is unique in that the graduate school is larger than the undergraduate school. This means there is usually a lot of opportunity to complete research and attend graduate schools. The biggest help, is to perform well in high school and research the many schools you are interested in.
Great for these types of students
This school is great for student who enjoy cold climates. Cleveland receives tons of snow from November to April. Students who are interested in Medicine, Art, Music, and Engineering will find a home at CWRU.

Chill Murray

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Regardless of what you come into Case to learn, you will learn above and beyond what you ever expected from a college classroom. The classes are all very informative and challenging. I've yet to have a class where I did not enjoy some part of it (even if it was just my Calculus professor's sick beard.)
Am enjoying being here
Case is a wonderful place and will blow your mind if you give it a chance. Cleveland is home to many delicious dining establishments and a thriving music scene. LeBron may be gone but that doesn't mean Cleveland is dead. Trust me.
Bang for the buck
Sure, CWRU is a pricy private school. However, with the amount of financial aid and merit scholarship available, the price of attendance is easily offset. You will get your moneys worth.
Tips for prospective students
Winter is coming Make sure you bring a winter coat and snowboots because the lovely Cleveland winters will surely come. Also, don't head in to Case making the assumption that you are the smartest person in the world. (We already have enough of those sorts)
Great for these types of students
Highly motivated, hard working students.

Christy from Boise, ID

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes here at CWRU are absolutely amazing. Even in the classes that the majority of the freshman class are taking at the same time (CHEM 105/106, BIOL 214), the good professors make an effort to stay available and make sure you understand the material. The CHEM 105/106 professor even gives out his cell phone number so that you can text him questions during class or any time afterwards! A lot of the larger classes are also recorded by MediaVision, which means that you can re-watch the lectures online. If you're willing to apply yourself, there are always resources available to help you get the most out of your time here.
Am enjoying being here
You will hear some people on campus complaining about the school, but if you dedicate yourself to taking advantage of all it has to offer there should be nothing to complain about. The opportunities for academics, extra-curricular activities, and community service are so abundant that most freshmen have trouble deciding how to limit their involvement. There's always something going on around campus - you just have to find the time to go.
Bang for the buck
The biggest thing that I've found here at CWRU that none of my other prospective colleges offered is the comprehensive support network they've established. There are people and groups waiting to give you advice and strategies for any part of the college experience and the life changes that accompany it. Although the school is primarily focused on the sciences, the wide range of classes and clubs lets you easily explore interests in almost any discipline. And even though it does come with a fairly large price tag, there are plenty of scholarships available through the school to help cover it.
Tips for prospective students
Do your research. CWRU excels in the sciences, especially with the research and internship opportunities offered by the school and nearby hospitals. A lot of the students here are planning on careers in engineering or the medical fields, so that should send up some flags if you're an English major. The breadth is great for exploring, but make sure CWRU has strong programs in what you're interested in pursuing.
Great for these types of students
Most of the students here are high achievers and have strong intrinsic motivation. We've got a place for the nerdy and geeky, but there are also a large number of performance-based groups and community service organizations. If you're looking to get everything possible out of your college experience - even if it means starting an organization - look into coming to CWRU.

Maria from Cleveland, OH

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Beautiful campus, awesome campus life, and a phenomenal education. If you have the merit for scholarships and can handle the Great Lakes winter, this is a great school to attend!
Tips for prospective students
If you don't know how to study yet because you never had to in high school, really try to learn how to do that. I didn't learn until my junior year, and my GPA suffered a bit from that. Don't be afraid to study, because studying is almost like a contest here! But also be sure to SLEEP; it'll make your studying more effective, you'll feel great, and everyone will be jealous if you manage to get 7 hours a night. Decide what kind of activities interest you, and when you come in, go to the student activites fair and get information from a few campus groups! I promise, there is SOMETHING here that you will enjoy.
Academic Rigor
Classes are hard, especially if you're a STEM student. I'm now going into my senior year as of writing this review, and I can count on one hand the number of classes I've taken that weren't curved. That being said, that also makes it a little bit easier to succeed. If you can avoid it, don't take more than 17 credit hours for your first semester or two. You'll thank yourself halfway through the semester, because it is a lot of work.
Dorm Life
I've only lived in freshman housing and then one of the nicest Greek houses on campus, so I can't speak for the sophomore or upperclassmen housing from experience. However, what I do know is that you are paying a lot of money for some ehhhhhh housing. Freshman dorms were pretty drab. Sophomore housing is in a suite style which is nice, but the singles are horrifically small and cramped. Maintenance is pretty unreliable; I had a friend whose heat went out in January, and it took two maintenance requests, two phone calls, and finally a visit to undergraduate services to have something done about it. And if you know anything about winter in Cleveland, you don't want your heat out for ten minutes, let alone three days. However, DON'T take that as a reason not to come here or to live on campus. The way the dorms are laid out makes it so easy to socialize with friends, especially in your first year. Laundry is FREE!!! Overall a positive experience that I have loved, especially being in my Greek house. Be sure to bundle up in the winter because it is about a 15 minute walk to the main quad from north side and 10 minutes from south side.
Food and Dining
If you visited, don't be fooled by the food you were served on prospective student day. Bon Appetit claims they don't serve better food when we have prospies, but anyone who has ate at the dining halls more than once will tell you that is absolutely a lie. The food is extremely... mediocre. Not terrible, but certainly nothing to write home about. If you have dietary restrictions, you'll get even less of your money's worth. When I was on the meal plan my freshman year, I lived off of the vegetarian chili and the pasta bar in Leutner; those are actually usually pretty good! Waffles and fresh fruit at breakfast go quickly, but are worth it if you're able to get there before class.
What to do for fun
There are tons of campus groups for all interests: music, fencing, anime club, you name it! But besides campus groups, CWRU offers its students a really awesome free access program. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Natural History Museum, and Botanical Gardens are all on campus, and they're all free admission for students. If you are a music junkie, Severance Hall is on campus and is home to the Cleveland Orchestra, a world-renowned ensemble, and they have a student membership program where you can get really awesome seats for only $10 a few days before a show. Or, if you prefer rock and roll, I believe students also get one or two free passes to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a year. If you're a little more athletic, both sides of campus have volleyball and basketball courts outside, south side has tennis courts, and Veale Athletic Center has racquetball, swimming, rock climbing, and indoor track, and a bunch of stuff to exercise and play. Students are also given a free RTA pass every semester they're enrolled full-time, so the entire city is in your hands!
Bang for the buck
Case, as you probably know, is an EXTREMELY expensive school. A common complaint from students every year is that they hike up prices about 4% every year, which is certainly something to consider when you are considering enrolling. However, they are also extremely generous with their financial aid packages. If you do well in high school and you have great enough financial need, like me, it's likely you won't have to pay much, if anything! Many of my friends and I actually manage to get reimbursements every semester, which can go towards books, food, and campus group fees. Just keep your grades up to keep any scholarships you're given, fill out the FAFSA every year, and you will be fine. For the education and bragging rights you will be receiving, it will likely be worth it.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
If you live on north side your freshman year (which you will unless you commute), you will hear a lot about The Ugly Statue. And you will be confused, because there are at least three very ugly statues on north side alone. Pro tip: THE Ugly Statue is the red and yellow one next to Sherman. There is certainly a lot of interesting architecture on campus, and you either hate it or find it very charming (I am the latter). Humans vs Zombies is a semesterly tradition for a lot of people on campus, and even if you don't want to play, it's incredibly fun to watch people in bright green headbands and arm bands chasing and shooting nerf guns at each other.
Great for these types of students
Great for people who don't mind a little hard work, who are academically inclined. Ideal for those who was to pursue further education, like med school or grad school. If you're shy and want to come out of your shell a bit, become a new person, I've seen it happen time and time again on this campus. Being here really changed me and improved me, between coming out of my shell, discovering myself, and learning how to learn! It's probably just part of growing up, but I like to think I would not be the same if I had chosen to go anywhere else. And if you're LGBT+, this campus was rated as one of the most LGBT-friendly, and for good reason. You'll be welcome here.
Clubs and Activities
I've talked at length about campus clubs and activities, so I don't want to type anymore about that! But go ahead and google CWRU campus activities and see for yourself. Professional fraternities, club, intramural, and varsity sports, interest groups, service groups, anything. You will find it here.
Greek Life
CWRU was recently rated as one of the top ten Greek experiences in the nation. I've never heard of or encountered a serious case of hazing in my time here; it's taken very seriously and even minor offenses like forcing new members to wear their pins everyday often are reported. An astounding 40% of the undergraduate population is Greek, if that gives you any indication of how great it is here. Not only is greek life here an amazing social opportunity, but it's also a great way to learn how to grow academically and personally, as just about every sorority and fraternity has a mandatory scholarship plan and membership development plan. Go to Greek Carnival! If you want to join a fraternity, don't be afraid to go to a few recruitment events. For sororities, go to formal recruitment and go to informal recruitment events for the sororities that have them. Even if you decide it's not for you, no one will hold it against you if you decide not to join, and by attending the events you will have made a few new friends and connections.
Campus Safety
Even though campus is close to East Cleveland, notorious for being an extremely dangerous city, University Circle has minimal crime. We have a few cell phone and bike thefts here and there, but I imagine it's no more than anywhere else. Case Security issues out warnings via email and text if there's a safety concern, and we even have an Android/iPhone app for security purposes. From evening until early morning, Safe Ride is running, which is a program where security officers drive vans and pick up students and drop them off at their destinations anywhere on campus or nearby. So if it's dark and you're alone and need to get somewhere, that is an option. Don't count on Safe Ride if you're in a rush though; sometimes they take five minutes, and sometimes they take 45. Overall, security and the campus as a whole take a lot of precautions to make sure students are safe.

Laurel from North East, PA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
CWRU may be the most underrated university. It's got Ivy League quality academics, a beautiful campus, great athletic teams, and a plethora of clubs and organizations. There's something for everyone.
Tips for prospective students
Check out everything. It's not just a STEM school. It has a joint program with CIM and CIA, stellar English faculty, and a fabulous business school. Come visit, and meet with professors; they're great to talk to. If you like sports, contact the coach. In my experience, they are always willing to discuss logistics with you. Really get a feel for it.
Academic Rigor
That's 5 stars for quality. It can sometimes be a lot, but it's never way too much. I have been balancing double majoring, clubs, and varsity sports just fine. You will be well-prepared for more education or for entering the professional world.
Dorm Life
Dorms are decent quality, and I lucked out with the people I was with. I'm staying with them again next year! They're of average cost, I think. The village is for upperclassmen only, but it's definitely something to look forward to- absolutely gorgeous.
Food and Dining
Not too bad compared to other schools, but it's pretty expensive.
What to do for fun
You are right in Cleveland, and get to do a lot for free as a student!
Parties are always happening.
Go to the Botanical Gardens, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the art museum, MOCA, canoe on the Cuyahoga, walk through Rockefeller park! Go shopping at Beachwood, get ice cream at Mitchell's, watch a movie at Cedar Lee (or with your dorm).
Bang for the buck
Perfect. Expensive, but great academics and activities, looks great on a resume or grad school application. High employment rates and acceptance rates.
Greek Life
1/3 or students are involved. It's a ton of fun, but you won't be pressured if you don't want to join.
Campus Safety
Even though it's in Cleveland, the campus is super safe.