Case Western Reserve University Top Questions

Case is a largely science and engineering based school. After spending two years here I have noticed that the Arts and Humanities departments tend to be overlooked and underfunded. I know that the Dance department especially compared to it's sister/brother theater department is extremely underfunded and is constantly struggling to survive. Regarding the students, I would say that the stereotypes are overexaggerated. If you simply get to know the people most of them are decent human beings, I would highly recommend looking past exteriors.

To be completely honest the stereotypes aren't that far off. I have to say though, I'm really impressed at the amount of socializing I see compared to what I thought it would be, the "typical Case kid" is actually pretty rare, but as for Case itself, I vastly underestimated the work load. The amount of work I have has had a huge impact on my social life and general mental health (not in a positive way).

For the most part, my freshman year I was asked on a "date" to go and play chess with some kid who I swear has still not left his room to this day. The LAN parties are ... well they are lame ... and before Case I honestly had no clue what a LAN-party was. The occasional students who are obsessed with Dance Dance Revolution... all night long in the dorms... HOWEVER, since I started at Case things have gotten a little better. The recruiting has brought more social people who maybe don't fit into the academic standards that were set for my class...but to get one thing I guess you have to give up another!

For the most part, no. You do find these stereotypes and there are a lot of engineers, but Case students definitely have fun and go out.

Too often they are. I like to think that I love it here, but seeing people in Wade and KSL on most Friday and Saturday nights is rather disheartening.

The truth is that Case is a very rigorous school with opportunities to shine in extracurriculars for students who are willing to do the work. I have found my most fulfillment in meeting people in organizations and have had an amazing time at Case because of my willingness to see beyond my own boundaries and try new things.

Well, most of them are engineers, most of them are losers, and most of the girls are ugly. That doesn't mean that most of them are smart.

There are a good number of people here who fit that description, or at least seems like more than other schools, but there are also a lot of really interesting and nice motivated people.

All stereotypes are to an extent true; however, many of those listed above are aspects of the university but do not fully characterize the school as a whole. For example, most everyone at Case is serious about his/her studies, but that does not mean people are nerdy or anti-social. Sure there are people like that, but there are also lots of students who go out on the weekends, go to sporting events, attend Greek life parties and other campus-wide events. If you are looking for a good balance of work and social events (partying) Case is a good school to go to. The notion that Case is a high-stress and very studious environment is true. The work load is difficult in all of the schools, not just engineering. Yet, there are ways to deal with that stress and relax--many campus organizations hold study breaks. And the stress is worth it in the end, because students who come out of Case have worked hard for their grades and have really learned a lot about managing their time and life in general. Case is typically refered to as an engineering and medical school by many people, especially adults. Although those schools may receive the most money from the budget, they are definitely not the only schools worth noting. Many of the arts and science programs as well as the business school are nationally ranked and have access to many great resources. Being an art history major in Cleveland is awesome, because I have direct access to the Cleveland Institute of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art, all within less than a few miles of the university. The humanities and business programs are often overlooked when compared to the engineering and medical schools, even though they are top areas of the university as well. People always seem to give give Case a hard time for being located in Cleveland. Honestly, I love the location. The campus has an urban feel that is enjoyable, but not too crowded or overwhelming. It really feels like living in the real world instead of isolated on a private campus somewhere out in the middle of no where. Being in an urban setting grants you access to many cultural and entertainment centers. There really is a lot to do in Cleveland if you actually take the time to go look for something. Being in the city does mean that crime is higher than a college in the suburbs, yet the crime at Case really isn't that bad. Campus security and police have a large presence on campus. The university has also just added cameras to previously unwatched areas, as well as large brand new emergency phones all over campus. University Circle and Cleveland police are often seen around the premises as well. Nonetheless, you do have to be more careful, especially at night. Make sure you travel with at least one other person or have a phone readily available in case something happens to you.

we are definitely not all nerdy or depressed. but case can be stressful, because classes are hard and there is a lot of competition, especially among the pre-meds. there are also a lot of type a people here. almost everyone i know is either an only child or the eldest child.

nerds, overachievers, and some people are introverted, but not everyone

Pretty much.

To a degree, though there are people here for everyone, whether it be a nerd or a hard partier.

Some Case students are not very sociable, and the work load makes it impossible to party during the week. However, there are many Case students who do fun things on weekends and have a group of really close friends.

sometimes. everyone seems to be really intelligent, you don't get into case by accident, but for just as many nerdy weird people, there are lots of normal fun people too. you just have to be willing to get out of your room and go find things to do. greek life is HUGE at case, and really fun, people get super into greek week and greek events. athletics are a great way to get involved, there are endless clubs and groups too, so you're able to find other "normal" people with your similar interests

To a point. I think anywhere you go, you're going to have to make your own fun. Here it just takes a little bit of effort. There's usually at least something going on Wednesday-Sunday, it just takes some digging. Most of the students here are really nerdy. But there's still the everyday college student who enjoys partying more than spending time at the Library.

Not anymore. The last "Case" class is graduating this year. From my class and younger there are more students who are athletic and some even borderline unintelligent, while the sample of females has become more and more attractive.

More or less accurate. Also, campus is a growing hotbed of anti-semitism. One kid was attacked simply for being a Jew. Case is not a Jew-Friendly campus, at least for those who are openly religious.

Yes, we're nerdy. We do have social lives, but the scene is much quieter than at a state school. Women to men ratio is 40-60, and improving. That's just a statement about quantity though. No, everyone is NOT an engineer, and Case has excellent programs not in the engineering school.

For the most part, they are true. Case students tend to be very academically driven and less party driven. Many students had gotten into Ivy League schools, but Case gave them a lot more money in financial aid so they chose to come here. The parties are smaller and usually only on weekends as that is the only free time that students have. If you are looking for a party school, here is not the place to be.

While it is true that many students here are getting engineering degrees, many are in the College of Arts and Science for physics, chemistry, biology, history or a foreign language. Sure the math and science intense students get lots of tests, quizzes and labs, but we don't have hours of reading every night like the humanities majors do. When people aren't studying, you can find students at the frat and sorority houses, having snowball fights, LAN parties, playing video games, piano, pretty much anything you could find at other colleges.

Let's face it, no one comes to Cleveland for the weather, so there are many nerds on campus but there are also a large amount of normal people that are highly driven and motivated and actively involved on campus. School pride is definitely lacking as compared to most schools but with increasingly more competitive athletic programs the trend is starting to correct itself. The campus has been getting more attractive since enrollment has increased but seems to have compromised in terms of academic selectivity.

Well I think that everyone is a little bit nerdy in their own way - but that isn't a bad thing. To me a nerd is someone that is really interested in a particular subject and this means that you get to meet lots of interesting people and there are a lot of people that are just like me here. We defiantly have social lives too, just not like something out of Animal House. If you want to get out and do stuff there are plenty of opportunities, however you actually have to get out there and participate - we won't knock on your door and drag you out. The majors here are equally good. In the past we have been more known for our sciences and engineering programs but the other programs here are great too. Unfortunately as an engineer I don't know too much about the specific humanities programs.

Some are. We do study a lot and have a lot of homework. Case certianly is not an easy school. People care a lot about their academics, and I feel unlike a lot schools, people spend more time on academics than anything else. There are some socially awkward people, but I'm sure there are socially awkward people at every school, and are probably just more visable at Case because Case is smaller. Most Case students do have a social life but I feel that it is more muted than at other schools. Most people don't party every night of the week because they have a lot of work to do and take their work seriously. Students at Case tend to be more responsible so parties aren't as crazy as I'm sure they are at other schools - nobody is overdosing on drugs, falling off of roofs, etc.

Some are: There is a significant percentage of the student body on campus that does just stay in their room but then there is another significant percentage of students that can have conversations with people and are looking to have a social life.

No, Case students work hard and study a lot, but we also love to hang out with our friends and go out and party.

Some. Stereotypes come from people and surveys and the people who fill out the 'I hate Case' surveys are mostly people who sit in their room not looking for the fun and excitement that is constantly going on around Case.

For some people, definitely!

Not really. Quite a few students are normal, cool, and non-engineering majors.

For the most part-yes. There are a decent number of people around here who will get into a heated argument over physics before normal things like the Browns and Steelers or the presidential race, so I would say Case students as a whole are more nerdy than the general population. Case students are definitely pretty smart. I think there are some people at Case with no social skills and definitely more than the population in general, but plenty of Case students do have social skills as well. I think the high Greek life membership here shows that people are incapable of making friends on their own, so they need a frat or sorority to do it for them. The technology stereotypes are definitely true, as a someone here seems to know the answer to any technology related question you can possibly imagine. I also think a lot of Case students would have difficulty living without the internet for a week.

Yes, some of these stereotypes are true, otherwise they wouldn't be stated in the first place. But these don't hold true for the entire population of Case, just the minority. If you're out going and seek others who are like you, you won't notice many of the stereotypical students because you won't ever see them, except in classes, and its not like you're forced to interact or be friends with every one in your classes. I think being a part of a varsity sport has helped a lot with the social scene at Case. Most of the varsity sports teams are pretty tight, so there is always stuff to do on weekends and things going on. I can't confirm the diffculty of the work load, since I haven't attended anywhere else, but I can say that many students believe it is true. The professors usually demand a lot from their students, but you are expected to collaborate and work on weekly and daily homework with other students. THIS HELPS TREMENDOUSLY! At other schools, collaboration is frowned upon, perhaps giving the image that their work load is harder/more time consuming than ours.

#1) Yes and No. The women are probably not as attractive as your average state school, but for a University so strong in engineering as case, the male/female ratio is not bad for males. The same goes for the men. If you are coming to college for the women/men, don't come to Case. In fact, if that is the case, don't go to college. #2) Yes and No. If "nerdy" to you includes knowing your way around a computer, then yes, case is full of nerds. However, things like varsity athletes, greek life, etc. still exist. There are many well rounded people. #3) YES. If you hate snow/cold, don't come here. Cleveland has a Lake Effect that screws with the climate. From about November through mid april, it snows frequently. The worst snow is in March. #4) Yes. There is a large Indian (dot, not feather) community at Case. If you feel uncomfortable about that, don't. They are just like anybody else.

for some, but not for everyone. The campus is becoming much differen over my 3 years here.

That stereotype is pretty accurate because we all still do it to some degree. There are even people that tell perspective students that all they will do is study and it sets them up to follow the same path. There are many people who try and break from the stereotype (mostly athletes and greeks and a few select others), but meet opposition from the university due to their very strict noise and alcohol policies.

These stereotypes are not accurate at all. Just as at any school, people occasionally play video games and the like, Case does have some people who do that a lot. However, the overwhelming majority at Case enjoys getting outside, socializing, and going to normal, not LAN, parties.