Case Western Reserve University (CWRU)

Case Western Reserve University is a nationally recognized research university offering a "hands-on interface between curriculum and real-world situations." It is also a "very interdisciplinary school that encourages multiple majors/minors" and, to that end, offers "research opportunities in very different fields, various opportunities for publications and conference presentations, [and] experiential evidence-based learning strategies." Case has particularly strong engineering and medical programs, and "the academics and education provided by CWRU are excellent and intensive, which draws attention from employers." Students also note that "the SOURCE office is extremely helpful in finding research offices, and most hospitals are open to students getting involved in volunteering and research."

Classes tap into a variety of teaching methods, including "recitation sections, where students ask questions and work through practice problems in small group settings...and are a way of connecting with peers," and "reverse lectures where you watch lectures on your study time and then go to the lecture time for questions." One student gives an example from their intro engineering course's labs, which "involve working in groups of 4 to design prototypes for problems involving different types of engineering, such [as] designing a set of wheel-legs...for a robotic car to help it traverse obstacles." The professors at CWRU are "extremely enthusiastic about the material they are teaching, which goes a long way to making the class engaging." As one student notes, "the amount of professors at CWRU that are incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and excited to teach is far greater than the number that are not." In addition, "For introductory classes, additional resources like teaching assistants, supplemental instructors, and tutors are easily accessible and helpful." Another student says, "Overall, this school and the professors have fostered my passions and are what led me to end up pursuing medicine as a career."

Students at Case are described as the sort of overachiever who is "probably minoring in like 2-3 different things if not double majoring already because just having your major isn't enough." Luckily, this is a "very supportive environment of peers pushing each other to be their best," and that "is what makes the experience enjoyable." Additionally, the size of the school makes it so "the student body as a whole is very connected within themselves and it's impossible to go a day without seeing someone you know on campus." Attendees also speak toward the school's diversity, in that "you will meet people of lots of different backgrounds and countries," all of whom bring "the best of their cultures and [aren't] afraid to express themselves." This active "community really motivates others to work hard for their professional goals," and provides not only "a lot of ways to relax and have fun, but plenty of people to study with as well."

Case students "find a lot of meaning outside of the classroom," and "everyone is in at least one club but often more, [and] many people are working or are in a research lab." As some students note, since "everyone is so intensely busy, most socializing happens either during extracurriculars or at weekend parties." In addition, the student board provides activities such as "trips to New York on breaks, food tours around the city, and many fun giveaways." Many students "are also part of varsity sports or intramural sports. Our school's ultimate frisbee team is quite competitive." As for getting off campus, the school is located in Cleveland's booming Arts District, and students say that "going to the CMA [Cleveland Museum of Art], MOCA [Museum of Contemporary Art], the Botanical Garden, and History Museum are huge." They also like "to eat out at the various restaurants throughout Cleveland and go out to areas such as Little Italy, Ohio City, and the Flats." Between the city and the "myriad of clubs and organizations on campus," students express that "there is truly a place that everybody belongs."