Local kids attending Case Western? Recent grads?
I went there for grad school, but I know a little about the undergrad scene. It is a school that really concentrates on the sciences and engineering. It is a great school for pre-med. Their School of Medicine is one of the best in the world and their teaching curriculum (more "hands on" clinic based) has been adopted by many medical schools. Undergrads can take classes there. The Cleveland Clinic/University Hospital system is also first class and known the world over. It is a medical mecca if that is his area of interest.
It is an intense place for undergrads; not a party school at all and work load is heavy and demanding. Kids that go there are driven, bright and competitive. They study a lot. They are there to get an education and many move on to prestigious careers and grad schools. If I were to compare it to other undergraduate schools, I would say places like Washington University in St. Louis, Carnegie Mellon, Emory, Tufts.
As for Cleveland, it is a much nicer city than its reputation. The art museum and Institute of Music border the campus. Cold and snowy winters though - makes it easier to stay inside and study!
No direct experience with Case, but agree with bettyd's suggestion that pre-med students generally are very driven. And admission to American medical schools is very competitive. So I don't know that someone can go through the system anywhere without a relatively high level of intensity.
There might be an advantage at also looking at strong liberal arts schools to get a more rounded curriculum experience, something which some med schools are looking for in applicants. Schools like Swarthmore have a very high % of premed students who gain acceptance into med school. If he likes Ohio, perhaps look at a school such as Kenyon. That said, as bettyd also states, I think there is some advantage in being with "like-minded" peers who are into science and medicine and to have some level of access to a medical center. In addition to the other schools she mentions, I would add U of Rochester. However, to measure and compare/contrast the level of intensity at these places, I'm not sure that's possible. One way to potentially lessen intensity is to be involved in an extra-curricular activity(ies), but really, almost any school offers that.
CWRU has the Pre-Professional Scholars Program where some HS seniors accepted into the school are also granted conditional admission to one of the professional schools (Medicine included) if they satisfactorily complete a prescribed undergrad program:
https://case.edu/ugstudies/pre-professional-programs/pre-professional-scholars-programs/
Wow pretty neat but I'd be stressed out too if I had to maintain a 3.6!
You also have to devote 8 years to the school and the curriculum, but the reward at the end is fantastic.
Betty-
How would you describe the campus--as a city campus, is it more like Columbia (self-contained) or NYU--open? They have not visited yet and can't get a feel from the Internet/website so far.
Thank you!
Was only there once, but my sense was it is more self-contained like a Columbia, but also close to cultural institutions like the orchestra and museum. Kind of like the Oakland area of Pittsburgh which has Carnegie Mellon and Pitt.
You can't overestimate the importance of being next to a world class art museum and a music school (went there as a kid) and Severance Hall for concerts. It's really more cosmopolitan than Columbia, not so claustrophobic (went there, too) and much greener and leafier. Picturesque. Lovely.
Overestimate, I meant...
hmmm, interesting. Do kids live off campus? Not familiar w Oakland/Pittsburgh...sounds something like McGill/Montreal.
My sense is that most top-tier schools are more residential (on campus) than commuting, but perhaps kids live in on-campus university residences first year or two of undergraduate, then have the option to transfer to apartments near the campus. Don't know about Case, but would be surprised if it is different.
In NYC, even campuses that are pretty "open" like NYU, Pace and Fordham Lincoln Center have on- and near-campus residence halls.
The campus is on the edge of the city, in an area known as the University Circle area, with the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music, Severance Hall, Museum of Natural History and other institutions bordering the campus. There is also the Little Italy section a short walk away.
http://www.universitycircle.org
Here's some info on campus living:
http://students.case.edu/housing/
Students must live in university housing the first two years.
My nephew is looking there for next year. He will be pre-med but hoping for an environment that is not overly intense...They know all the national college related websites but if you are willing to share your personal experiences, that would be helpful.
Thank you!