Case Western Reserve University Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Casey

Case prides itself on its diversity, but you don't really see it as much as you hear about it. A lot of the students are upper middle class if not flat out rich. I come from a lower middle class background, and I felt like I was sometimes left out of events/activities with my friends because I simply couldn't afford to do things with them.

Alex

Case is extremely LGBT friendly. The only type of student who would feel out of place at Case is somebody who's attached to home or their high school. When you come to Case, you have to totally start anew. People who go home every weekend to watch their old high school football games and hang out with their high school friends tend to be unhappy at Case because they haven't really moved on with their lives at all.

Winston

I cannot write accurately on Case's student body, being such an outsider from the norm. What I can say is that the greatest, most absorbing, and most common activities on this campus are studying, complaining, and intoxication; the last two being caused by the first. In all other respects we are quite average. We have our share of trust fund kids, a good collection of sports fans, an assortment of visionaries, and enough alcoholics to support the Heineken Corporation for the next twenty years. All social, economic, and political classes are well represented, but we are all connected by the singular, desperate dream that Case flogs into us from the moment it breaks our spirit, as it inevitably does: after four years of this, a normal life sounds like paradise.

Andy

Too many people here live in little hazes of sameness and overwork. Though this is an extremely diverse campus with a truly interesting student body, many of the cliques are based on ethnicity and major, both of which can potentially form the whole core of a student's extracurricular and social life, a rather sad though understandable fact.

Ari

The campus is pretty diverse, but it could be better. There is a strong LGBT community, many religious and cultural groups, as well as many academic groups. Students are pretty laid back. There are some weeks where the work load is so intense, students care less about what they look like. The campus isn't too divided among social groups. Often, Case students appear to be apathetic about many issues, but when something comes up, students really stand up for what they believe.

Morgan

I dig the diversity. Dumb jocks and witchy girls would feel out of place. Yeah, the whole Uppity Collar-Popping high class people wouldn't feel comfortable around all of these down-to-earth folk. One table is a fraternity, another is the football team, and the rest are just the rest of the badass student body. Most Case students are from the Cleveland/Ohio area...like, a shiz-ton. I'm running out of time so I might not be as funny or clever anymore. Very left politically. Obama '08! Luckily, only a few kids I've talked to really discuss future salaries.

Jennifer

There are a million groups on campus to get involved with. All it takes is an open mind and a few hours of free time. I think that students who want to get involved have a great time at Case and really start to feel at home and passionate about the school. Students who want everything handed to them will never like it and will be the students who complain all the time about what everyone else does. Case offers a great financial aid package so there are all types of financial backgrounds represented. Students are very politically aware-- in 2004, the Vice presidential debates were held on campus and we had a presidential debate right down the street from us this year.

Alex

The student body is mostly made up of geeks and the mercy-accepted athletes who are here because somebody thinks they will help Case teams start to win (they don't), and a few normal people. There are LOTS of asian and indian students, quite a few gay ones, and a fair number of religious nuts. There are vast differences in socio-economic backgrounds here, ranging from the poorer kids who get lots of scholarship money (Case gives a lot of merit aid, which is why a lot of kids come here) to the rich kids who didn't get into their first-choice Ivy League schools. I would say there's a lot of interaction between groups, except for the international students and the black kids who both pretty much just hang out by themselves. I don't know why. Kids here think they are liberal, but mostly they're just completely apathetic. Overall, the attitude here is mostly focused on getting through school and starting to earn money, not enjoying the ride.

Brandon

Nerds... and some cool people. Viral sucks, but I like Xixi.

Elizabeth

The student body is amazingly diverse. There are people of all different races, religions, political, and religious beliefs. You can easily find a niche if you put your mind to it. Most students are from Ohio, however there are many people from New England too. Of course there are people who are all the way from California or even Thailand. The student body is very mixed.

Andi

case is a pretty diverse campus. because it's such a big pre-med school there are extra asian and indian students, but all racial groups are represented. there are religious groups that i know of for protestant, catholic, mormon, and orthodox christian students as well as for jewish, muslim, and skeptic students. i'm sure there are others that i'm forgetting. the majority of students here are from upper-middle-class or higher families.

Cassie

When your at Case, you are racking up a lot of student loans, so we all talk about how we want to make it big and get rich some day. I think the kids that would feel out of place at Case are the kids that refuse to go out of their way to find friends. It's not hard to find friends at Case, I have about 6 different major friend groups, and that leads me to more friend groups, and now I know about 2/3 of the campus. If you live on your computer, Case may seem like the nerd haven that you've been waiting for, but it's not. 1/3 of the population is Greek, another 1/3 is involved in special interest groups, and the last 1/3, the 1/3 I don't know, are those that live in virtual reality. If that's how they want to live life that's fine, they don't bother people and we don't bother them.

Blake

There are the usual stereotypes. There are probably less countercultural types. There are a lot more "asians" and "indians". Everyone is pretty liberal-minded (except for the econ majors, of course). Most people wear comfortable clothes, with little variety from person to person. There are a few people who dress like trendsetters...indie rock. People come from a variety of places here. Financially, everyone has to be pretty well off. I'd say everyone is either middle class or has a free ride because their parents work here. A lot of people I run into are strong in their opinions and sometimes this makes them come off like jerks. But I don't really think that makes them jerks. They're just a lot more opinionated (and equally informed) as most college kids. There's definitely something refreshing about a lot of them people here when I mentally go back 4 years and compare them with my friends from other schools or especially those who didn't go to college.

Jessica

Not terribly diverse, unless Indians and Asians constitute diversity. Big religious presence in undergraduate student groups. Very casual campus, unless there is a presentation where people tend to go all out and get very uptight.

Ryan

Case's student body is very diverse and generally a nuce group. Some stay in their rooms and study all the time, and some make time for fun. College is what you make of it everywhere, and Case is no exception.

Andy

I think this campus is fairly liberal. At least from what I've noticed. Of course, there are the highly conservatives too. I think everyone fits in somewhere on campus here. There's the jocks, nerds, art, and music "types" here.

Robert

More recently there has been some anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish sentiments on campus (I notice since I am in a Jewish fraternity), but beyond this, the students are overall friendly, but most students are "fake". Most students here put on their happy face while behind the smile they are plotting on how to screw you out of a job that they want. There are more resume builders here than can possibly be thought to exist at a school.

Richard

Its pretty diverse. More or less... If you are a Stalinist transgendered radical, Case is very welcoming. If you are a Jew, you may have your door beat open in the middle of the night, only to be beaten with a baseball bat.

Ryan

You can have a discussion about almost anything with anyone here at Case. There have been times when I have been in a room of engineers, classics majors, political scientists, business majors, and we have all been listening to Vivaldi and discussing ancient Greek theater. Then, thirty minutes later, the same group will go and party. Students are mostly white, upper-middle class. There are some middle class and some upper class, but very fewer lower class. There are also a ton of Asians, and then the next most represented demographic is middle eastern (a very distant third - students from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan etc). The campus is generally apolitical, but in conversations most students will be left leaning. I'd like to stress the apolitical part again though - politics are not a big deal here at case. The only vocal political organization are the Case Libertarians. They are very outspoken and very present. Students are generally far more introverted at Case than elsewhere. That's the binding characteristic.

Miriam

Case has a variety of people and moderate leanings. There are just as many religious groups as LGBT groups on campus. Neithr are very prominant though as most people tend to stay in the middle of the political spectrum. I have many friends in both groups and neither provoke each other. Most students are focused on their work more than anything else. There is a decent size Indian and Asian student body, however the African American student body is pretty small. Students are jeans and T-shirts people. A lot of stuendents come from the middle class, although you get a range of students since Case gives great financial aid. Students tend to make friends with people in their academic department or residence hall since those are the people they see most. Although, there are not really distinct cliques, people divide themselves into three types. Those that are very social and party people who are miserable here, those who are social but enjoy Cases quieter party scene, and those that are anti-social and play nothing but video games. Most students do not care about being super rich as the do about being intellectually versed. And we all share the bond of being a poor college student.

Gene

The students, in general, are liberal and open to discussion of ideas. That doesn't mean that conservatives would feel out of place - well, just the closed minded ones. In terms of personalities, the pre-meds are probably the most career oriented lot. They will compare scores within tenths of a percentage, claiming that only the higher one will get into med school. The math majors argue with logic, similar to how they would prove by contradiction a statement in one of their classes. Chemistry and engineers will talk about labs or physics, respectively, and the physics majors will try to sum up many laws. Despite these differences, the Case students all look the same. Jeans or shorts, hoodie, sweatshirt, jacket or T-shirt. Those are all common in the middle of February. Everyone wears what they need to to survive Cleveland's unpredictability.

Cameron

There is a group for everyone, but interaction between groups often times is lacking. There are also many groups that ultimately serve the same purpose (pre-med and cultural groups for example). There is a large percentage of students who are of Asian descent as well as white. Gender is evenly split. Politically the left is more active and aggressive than the right and much more visible on campus. Most students are from middle to upper class families. In general the different colleges are isolated from one another with the nursing school being almost completely independent. Engineers have the most demanding work load, followed by the Science majors. Liberal Arts majors and Business majors like to feel important but typically are a joke.

Julie

The campus is very diverse and has many different racial, religious, LGBT, and other types of groups on campus. The only type of student that I think would be out of place here is someone that wants to be in school just for the social aspects, if they aren't here to learn then they will be out of place. Students usually were jeans and tee - shirts, sometimes sweats and sometimes they dress up. All types of students interact with each other, usually it will be the people in your classes or that you live with. I don't think that there would be four different tables in the dinning hall, I think they would all have the same mix of people. Our students come from all over the United States and from other countries as well. I don't know the financial back ground of other students here, its never really been brought up. Some students are politically active, but most students are accepting of other views and will not bring up there own beliefs unless questions. Some times students will talk about how much they think they'll earn - we all like to think that one day we'll be rich.

Dawson

Case is very diverse in terms of religion and ethnicity - however I feel like due to the fact that most students are from the general area, there isn't much diversity in socio-economic class. Most everyone is from lower-middle class and middle-class backgrounds. A student from upper-middle class and upper-class would feel out of place at Case unless the demographics of the school change. Most students do not put as much into their physical appearance as they put into their schoolwork. Most people wear ill-fitting jeans and generic give-away type t-shirts to class. This has changed over recent years a little bit, as the younger students seem to be more chic and have more fashion sense. Lots of different types of students interact - Case is very big on tolerance, and considering how sheltered most students are before they get to Case - I think they do very well. Since I grew up in a Blue State close to New York City I found a lot of people at Case to be "crazy-christians" or Religious Right. There are too many people at Case like that for my liking. Most students do not seem financially ambitious

Bevan

-Racial Body: Verry diverse -> Have just about everything across the board -Out of Place: Person looking for typical/state-school college campus social experience -Most Students: Not the latest fashion; anything -Different Types of Students tend to NOT interact outside of classroom -Most students: Cleveland/Ohio area -Financial backgrounds: Everyone has been given some merit/needed aid -Politically aware?: Can be/Is a strong mix between left, right, and center -Students do talk about how much they will earn

Sarah

There is a great diversity of students on the Case campus. I've learned so much about other cultures through me short time on campus and it really excites me to learn about all these different cultures and religions. No one really feels out of place hear because there are so many different religious and social groups. If you can't find a group that you like, then you can start your own! Most Case students are from out of Ohio and come from all over the country and the world. Most students come from financially well off families, but there are so many different financial aid packages available, that almost any hard working student can make it into Case. Students are very tolerant of other beliefs and religions and everyone's opinion is respected. People are very open and accepting of different ideas.

Catherine

Students mostly wear jeans/sweatpants and sweatshirts or a nicer shirt to class. If it's nice out, more girls will dress up, but for the most part, it's a casual campus. The four tables in the dining hall are probably divided by dorm. The sports teams eat together a lot because of their schedules. Most Case students are from Ohio, Pittsburgh, or Buffalo area. Us East-Coasters aren't always comfortable in this midwestern environment. Most are middle class, but on scholarship. Students are somewhat politically aware, and most are left. There is a sold group of conservative students, but they tend not to be very active.

Devin

Case's Student body is fairly diverse. I've interacted with different racial and religious backgrounds. I feel a liberal arts student would feel out of place at Case. Most students wear t-shirt and jeans to class. Most students interact predominantly with similar students, but interaction does occur. Most Case students are from Ohio or Pennsylvania. Most financial backgrounds are middle class. Some students are politically aware and active. These students cover a wide range of political views. Overall, the student population is more moderate than expected. Students really don't talk seriously about much they will make one day.

Tim

While these groups usually are not an issue, I really don't like it when people try to hand me condoms and flaunt homosexuality around, like Spectrum does. I do believe in treating all people with respect regardless of whether or not have respect for their choices, but I just don't want to hear about it all of the time. I deal with issues like this on a personal basis if necessary and don't like "tolerence" rammed down my throat. As far as condoms are concerned, I have no control over what choices people make and it is s free country, but I certainly hope Case isn't using MY tuition money to purchase them so people can fornicate risk-free. I know they probably don't cost much, but it's the principle of the thing. I think a studemt who is really strict and tight-laced might have problems here with the issues outlined above, along with the prevalence of drinking. Most students wear jeans and t-shirts to class, much like in my high school. I think clothing is basically a non-issue and Case students aren't shallow enough to make it an issue. The four tables in the dining hall are made up of Case students, Case students, Case students, and Case students. While there may be different groups of friends, we don't really have cliques, as most of us were in the same clique in high school. I would say that the similarities amongst Case students far outnumber the differences. Most Case students come from middle or upper class financial backgrounds because $44,000 a year is prohibitably expensive. Politically, most humanities majors lean left and most engineers lean right. I would say that Case's university policies sound particularly liberal, but Case students themselves have a wide range of different political opinions.

Kyle

Case has a pretty diverse student population. All are welcome. Most students wear avg. clothing, tshirts, jeans, sweatshirts, etc. Nothing too fancy. Different types of students interact, yes, but a lot of groups are cliquey. Four Tables: Stereotypical, antisocial Case Nerds, Jocks/sports teams, average students, CIA/CIM students. Most case students are from the MIdwest, Pa, Mi, OH, IL, IN, WI. Lower middle to lower upper class are most predominant; tuition is high, people have to be wealthier to afford it. Yes, many students are politically aware, some are active. Many vote. Predominantly Left or center. Some students do talk about potential salary, most talk about grad/post secondary school.

Taylor

The most out of place students at Case are the liberal arts majors. They seem out of place among the engineers and science majors, but are actually well received. Engineers may gripe about how easy hte english major may have it, but it seems that all students here are very polite and well-mannered enough to never bash other students, at least to their faces (unlike some professors I have seen do that). The appearal is very relaxed. Sweats and PJ's are common. You will still see some students trying to be professional all the time, but they are just putting on a show. Most Case students are from Ohio. I am from PA and I know a good number of others in the same situation. Case is very good about giving financial aid to students so there is a wide variety of students to attend Case. They want your mind to make them better and in turn give you back a lot of the money if you don't have it.