Case Western Reserve University Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Bryan

College is what you make of it. For me, I wanted to go to a smaller school so I could walk around campus and seem many of my friends. This has worked out for me and I have made many close friends, but now I am at the point where I know everyone I'm going to know and there is much of a variety. This is not a problem for me, and it is for many. If this may be a problem, then a bigger school is what you should be looking for. Also, don't expect that you are going to be able to party all the time and get good grades, it is not possible. I am not saying to never party, just don't abuse it. Actually, going out on the weekends is a neccesity. It is a stress relife from the week of hard work, and it is a good way to make friends. Basically, do good work and reward yourself by going out on the weekends (just not too often!).

Kevin

The most important thing to look at when choosing a college, in my opinion, is the student's expectation of happiness. A career is imporant, as is academic success, but neither really matters if you're not happy. A lot of students choose their college based on how much money it will earn them in the future. Many of these students either change their minds or end up miserable, because they made decisions based on financial and academic success instead of simply finding out what makes them happy. Happiness and personal interest is also important when picking a major. I'm majoring in Psychology and Mathematics and I'm minoring in Japanese. I chose classes that interested me and built my major around them. As a result, I'm extremely happy with what I'm learning, whether or not I end up in a largely successful career.

Ashley

The best advice I can give is to go with you're gut feeling. If you walk on to a college campus that you are visiting and you can instantly see your self there, that is the place for you. Of course it is important that it has your major, things that you like to be involved in, and so on and so forth, but when your walking around and looking at the buildings and you can picture yourself there just perfectly, that is the place for you! When I first visited Case Westerns's campus I saw who I could be and who I wanted to be all around. There was so many places I could study, hang out, get coffee, and just be myself that I was instantly comfortable. I know it may sound crazy to go off a gut feeling, but you can make pro and con list about each university until you're head spins. Ultimately it is where you feel comfortable being, it is where you can see you're self growing and learning and becoming that adult your parents strive for you to be. The perfect college is where you want to be!

Seraina

I came to Case initially because I could not afford to go to the other colleges at which I accepted; this school was my last resort. I had never even bothered to visit the campus or learn anything about this school; when I came here I knew nothing about this place except that I would spend at least four years here. Now I have been here for over two years . I have loved all my experiences at Case and I am very glad that I went to this school. To that end, I think it is important for one not to worry too much about finding a school that fulfills one's every desire, nor should one fret about not getting into one's college of choice. Anyone can have an outstanding college experience as long as one thinks positively and keeps an open mind.

Devin

College is vastly different from the educational experiences of mose students who went from grade school through high school. These differences are what can make or break your college experience. For students, the difference I believe is most striking is the independece that you gain attending college. You are the one primarily responsible for your education from that point on. You determine the path that you want to take, and shape what will be the pathway for the rest of your walk in this life. That independence can be good for some, and allows room for you as a person to grow. For others, it can be taxing and stressful. If you feel stressed and alone, always remember to keep in touch with people that you know will help. Call your parents, and keep in touch with friends and family. Seek help on campus, and if you fall behind, seek every bit of help that your college offers you. Never be afraid to ask for help. And remember, college is an opportunity for you to decide what you want in life. It's never to late to change your direction. Just make sure you are doing what makes you happy.

Alan

The school that gives you the most aid may not be the right school for you. Financial aid is important, but it should not be the deciding factor of what school you enroll. When you're visiting colleges, ask students other than your tour guide questions about the school, the workload, the dining halls, and the dorms. Campus tour guides got their jobs because they think that their college is flawless; they won't tell you the imperfections of the school, but many other students would be willing to let you know about the school's imperfections.

Marie

I would tell students and parents that the most important part of the college search is visiting the campus and talking to the students there. Brochures and websites are designed to market a college's best attributes, so beyond the hard facts and numbers they won't tell you what you really need to know about campus life. Unfortunately, it's impossible to know exactly what the experience will be until you live it yourself, but when all the regional and academic considerations have been weighed already, the final deciding factor should be how happy you think you would be at that college. There's really only one way to make the most out of college, and that is to BE INVOLVED. Every campus has more organizations than you have time for, and there is something for everyone's interests. Pledge a Greek organization, run for student government, take up a martial art, play ior sing for the band/orchestra/choir/glee club. Whatever you do, don't keep yourself cooped up in your room studying all the time! To paraphrase Twain, don't let schoolwork interfere with your education. The college experience is about discovering your own identity.

Katherine

Be sure to visit your top few colleges and talk to current students. The atmosphere on the campus is one of the most important things and you can only really decide if that atmosphere is a good fit for you by visiting. Also, current students will know things about a college that you can't find out in any way but talking to them.

Zac

Nowadays in our society, anyone who wants to be successful needs to go to a graduate school as well as obtain an undergraduate degree. Because of this, don't fuss too much over the "brand" of schools like Harvard. The brand is meaningless in the real world, and the person who you are and the experiences that have contributed to your growth matter much more than the name of the university you attended. Remember, in the situation in which you really don't like a school, you always have the ability to transfer. Don't stress too much- it'll be just fine! Enjoy your senior year and hang on to those people that matter most. Good luck! :0)

Kayla

In order to choose the right college for yourself, make it your own decision- who knows you better than you do? Try to avoid choosing schools based on where your significant other or friends go, or where your parents went. Think about your own personality, social/academic needs, and financial situation. Then, use the internet, college books, and guidance counselors to find schools that cater to your preferences. I saved every college letter and flyer I received so I had names to base my searches. This kept my mind open to schools that have great programs, but may not have the name-recognition that others have. Narrow your choices based on those resources, then visit as many as you can. Once you see the campus and realize what the lifestyle will be like first-hand, the decision should be easier to narrow even more. Remember, even if you feel you may have made the wrong choice upon move-in, people are amazingly well-quipped to adapt to their surroundings. College life is only as good as you make it- so get involved, meet new people, and you will be sure to find a niche in your new school?s community.

Anastasia

Research everything about your serious choices. Visit the school, try an overnight stay.

Margaret

I would suggest finding a school that feels like it could be home. Look beyond just the academics and what's on paper, and don't really pay attention to rankings and such. Visit the school; meet the students, faculty, and staff. Pick up a campus publication and truly get a feel of the place. try and imagine yourself there as a student. This is most important for the STUDENT to feel at home, it really is the student?s choice and life that is starting. Make sure that the school you choose has what the student wants, and make sure the student chooses the school for more than just one program. It's hard to imagine as a high school student, but changing majors is really common and you don't always know as a teenager what you want to do for the rest of your life.

Joshua

visit the school and explore on your own, don't take the school's word for fact, see what the students have to say and take it as fact, because students know best what is going on at their school. make the choice you want to make, not based entirely on financial aid, or what your parents think is right, but what YOU feel is right for YOU.

Alyssa

Visit the school before you choose it. You'll get the right vibe from the right school. MAKE FRIENDS, appreciate your social life over academics, but still, don't screw up.

Jillian

First of all, when deciding on college, I hear too many kids saying that they are basing their decisions on money. This is a little sad to hear. If you really want to go to a certain college, but do not think that you can afford it, don't let that deter you from going to that college. Work with the financial aid office and find every outside scholarship for which you are eligible. Finances should not be the reason you don't attend your first choice college. Secondly, when you get to college, find a job right away and get involved in a student activity in which you are interested. Don't wait on either of these. It's much easier to find a job your first year if you don't wait for a job fair. It's also easier to get involved in student activities at the beginning of the year when people are still meeting everyone and just starting to make friends.

Svetlana

The advice I would give parents and students about finding the right college is to focus on the most important ideals for the family, but especially for the student. I highly recommend that the parents allow the student to make their own choice of career or path of study. In the end, things always have a way of working out. When the student is pressured to choose the course of their next four years, and possibly their entire life, under the influence of the parents, life becomes stressful, difficult, and intolerable on multiple levels for all members of the family. Making the most of the college experience means that the student becomes involved, finds their convictions through meeting different people and exposure to as much novelty as possible. This is how one grows. It means giving as much as you wish to receive, whether in terms of time or effort. College doesn't always mean moving on to the rest of your life with a degree certifying you or recommending you to employers. The most important part, as most students find out, is the connections they make. The individuals you meet and references you are vital for a succesful future.

Chioma

Be careful and take your time to search and truly discover what you like and what you're looking for. VISIT THE CAMPUS!! Everything looks good on paper but you want to see it for yourself. IF you can visit during a time when the university DOESN'T have a planned weekend. When they host parent and family weekends, things are usually scheduled to go very pristinely in order to make the best impression, but if you want to see how things really are, you need to be there when there isn't a university scheduled orientation or tour or anything of the sort. Just ask to be matched up with a campus student if you're coming alone. If coming with parents, still ask for someone to help you. Universities are usually in abundance of students who are willing to show newcomers around so take full advantage of that opportunity. Search hard to find your best fit, and then stick with it. This is the next four years of your life and a degree that you carry with you for the rest of your life, make good of it

Megan

A Balance between school work and social life