Case Western Reserve University Top Questions

Case is a hard school, there is no getting around that, but it is a school that challenges you and keeps you thinking. Because Case is so hard, we have less competition and more of a "lets all get out alive together" feeling with students, it is not cut throat, other students want to help, it really brings the students together. Some of the freshmen classes are very large, but as you go to more specialty classes for what your studying you get into much smaller classes, where you get to know professors extremely well.

This really depends on what area in which you choose to study. The academic experiences can be completely different depending on whether you choose Engineering for example, or Political Science. Case has been known as a science and engineering school (although the humanities are making a comeback!) so those areas are good, but tough. Professor quality varies (so I've heard) but overall you'll be taught by faculty well-accomplished and recognized in their field. One downside: big classes in lecture halls for much of your time at CWRU. If you choose the humanities you are more likely to have a more personalized feel to your classes (I did and still do) with faculty who know your name. Professors are generally excellent and with small classes, seminar style discussions are common. One downside: Case really isn't recognized for excelling in the humanities and liberal arts despite the fact that I find the program to be excellent so be wary of that fact, especially for after graduation.

Academics at Case are overall very difficult, and high standards must be met by all students. That said, you will sit in large auditoriums for introductory science and engineering classes and may find yourself floundering to keep up or be noticed during your first and second semesters. However, once you begin to hone your major and minor choices as you progress through the undergraduate years, most find themselves content in a department in which most professors know you by name and are willing to talk to you whenever, so long as you have an appointment. Maybe I'm just spoiled because the geology department is so exceedingly small, but I love all my professors.

Case is a great school for those who are driven and self-motivated, and a nightmare for the lazy. I am a student of Electrical Engineering which is extremely challenging, and at times can be very trying on one's patience and mental capacity. For some it can be difficult to transition from a high school experience where one can slide by near the top of their class with minimal work - that's simply not the case here. With very few exceptions, the students that excel are the ones that are not in it for the degree, but for the learning experience. I've been in the undergraduate design lab for electrical engineering on quite a few nights were students are working on assignments early or tinkering with their own projects. With that said, not every discipline is as grueling as the next. Many of my friends study Management and Psychology and can do rather well without an enormous amount of effort. However, very few students party on weekdays, and many work on either Friday or Saturday night as well.

Case is known to be a difficult school, but it really depends on your professor and the teaching assistant who does all the grading. I've had classes that were a joke and I've had classes that were impossible, it really depends. Some of the professors are too smart for their own good and cannot simplify concepts for teaching. Some professors make their class impossible on purpose, so they can find the biggest nerd in the class. Most of the classes are only easy if you already know about the topic being taught. Teachers treat new concepts more as review, so it's hard to keep up if you're learning something totally knew. My hardest semester was first semester of freshman year, I got grades that I've never gotten before in my life and thought I was going to fail out of school, but I resolved to relax and just do my best and the next semester I got all A's, so don't freak if you don't do as well as you think you should.

Most of your professors will know your name, even in a lecture class. They are invested in you as a person and student. We are ranked ( I believe) third in the amount of work expected in and out of class. Expect to do work, but it is not life consuming. If you manage your time, you can do it. Many of the best students are involved with sports or other activities.

Since I study Economics and International Studies, with a minor in Spanish I often feel that I attend a small liberal arts school within a bigger university--I've never had any of the huge lecture classes that other students talk about, and I like that. Many professors know me by name because I've taken more than one of their classes, or because I work for them, or because my classes were just small enough that the professor knows all the students. I know that this isn't the reality for all students but I think it can be if you put a little effort into it--even people in big lecture classes can get to know their professors if they go to see them in their office hours enough. Many students are very competitive, although I can't say that I am.

As with every college, you get smaller classes as the years go on. In the small classes you will definitley establish a pesonal relationship with the teachers

The academics at Case are top notch. While there are a lot of larger classes, they are usually taught by very amiable professors that are very willing to help students. Most students come to Case for the academics, and it does not disappoint. While there is a certain amount of competition amongst the students, everyone is always very willing to help each other. Also, 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of Case students participate in research, so that is a good thing if you are interested in research.

Class participation for general education classes consists of going to class and staying awake, which becomes very difficult for most students due to the dry nature in which the classes are taught. Most of the classes claim to teach you how to learn but are just thinly veiled lessons in memorization and regurgitation. In Biomedical Engineering, Case prides itself on its Top-10 ranking; however, many of the faculty that was at Case that got them their high ranking have either left the institution or have become research-only professors that may teach one graduate level class. Almost all of the undergraduate level classes are taught by professors who have to teach in order to fulfill their teaching requirement in order to be faculty and be able to research at Case Western Reserve University. The main chance for learning at Case comes from the ability supplement lectures with research opportunities. The research opportunities are very helpful and indispensable when it comes to learning in this day and age, especially when one considers the competition in the job market for Biomedical Engineers (aka. If you haven’t done research you don’t get a job). The bottom line however is that while the research is amazing at Case, it does not make up for the dry, slipshod and uncaring attitude taken by the professors who teach the undergraduate classes nor does it make up for the philosophy that lectures are there for memorization.

All of my professors know my name. Many of the liberal arts professors reach out to try to get to know their students. They organize individual meetings and are eager for students to share their ideas and opinions. Students are always studying. Intellectual conversations outside of class are common. A lot of the people are interested in hearing and discussing subjects outside of their majors. Students work hard and focus on themselves - they don't seem overly competitive with each other. They tend to be very helpful and commonly collaborate on projects and homework. There are always really great visiting lecturers and other intellectual activities to get involved in. I have spent time with a lot of my professors outside of class. Many of the philosophy professors have stopped by at philosophy club meetings. Other professors will stop and talk with students when they see each other around campus. The Cognitive Science department is awesome! All of the professors are eager for students to get involved in the most current research and express ideas and research proposals of their own! There are always really great visiting lecturers and involvement in the Cognitive Science Student Organization. The Philosophy department is awesome! The professors are brilliant. They are very friendly, involved, and encouraging towards their students.

Academics at Case are rigorous. I was an engineering student, and I made it through, but it was difficult. I didn't spend all my time in the library, but I have pulled my fair share of all-nighters. I've noticed that lots of students come into Case and are used to being the top students in their respective high schools. When they get here though and see that the other students at Case are just as smart, if not smarter than they are, it can be a difficult transition for them. I didn't like most of my classes. I didn't like my major. I chose my major because I didn't know what else to do and it seemed like a safe bet. It is easy to switch majors at Case, but I decided I wanted to stick it out since I new I would be going to law school and it didn't really matter what my undergrad degree was. The classes that I've liked the most, however, have been a result of the professors teaching them. I hated thermodynamics, but I loved the professor (Iwan Alexander) so the class was ok. I took a music class for fun (MUSC 230, Roots to Rock, like a history of rock-and-roll) and LOVED the course and LOVED the teacher (Mary Davis). I would definitely reccommend both that class and Professor Davis to anyone, no matter their major. To talk specifically about my department (Biomedical Engineering) I have seen a strong correlation between the students who work in a lab and how well they do in the classroom. I'm not sure if it's because they are able to apply what they learn, or they are just inherently smarter and are drawn to volunteering their time in a lab. I was involved in other activities and worked part time and was unable to find time to work in a lab (and I wouldn't have known who to ask), so that was kind of annoying to me. The department, overall, I would say is good though. The faculty and staff are friendly and helpful. I haven't had a chance to get to know that many professors very well, but the ones I've had I like, and they all make an effort to get to know their students and help however possible. One thing I feel that is strongly emphasized, both in this department and the school of engineering as a whole, is teaching classes that are structured around the points required for ABET accredidation. I understand why it's important to be accredited, but it seems to take away from the "learning for its own sake" aspect.

Most of my professors know my name. My best professor was Chris Butler (Calc 1,2). He knew many students names (in a class of ~250 students). He taught well and had a great sense of humor. Kids respected him even though the average grade was ~75 {4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. Overall, there is not much competition. People study together and freely give help. The chemical engineering department is fun. The professors are mostly friendly. A lot of undergrads do research, which helps students relate to professors better. I've been happy with the professors. The students are great. It feels like we're all going through the tough stuff together. The education at Case seems geared toward getting a job. I like that. The co-op program is encouraged. The work load is heavy. However, it's possible to do well.

Since I am in nursing, the professors know who we are because we are with the same people for 4 years. Case is a lot of work, but it doable and worth it. The key to success at Case is time management. You can't wait to do something until the night before. Instead you must plan ahead and not only look at the current week, but also the weeks to come. If you ever do need help, there is plenty of people who are willing to help you: other classmates, past students that have taken the class, the professors.

I have been able to approach and meet individually with most of my professors. They always make time for the students and are not afraid to approach you first if they see that you need help. The accounting department especially at Case is a tight knit community. I have worked with a professor in a financial literacy initiative, have attended regional conferences and invited out to lunch to catch up and discuss future plans. The education is definitely focused on getting a job but also having the right experiences to be more than ready for a job.

All my professors know my name. Academically, Case is a great school. There are some really great Professors and the classes are very interesting.

Case professors are intimate and care about their students greatly. I've enjoyed most all of my History and Religious Studies classes (these are my majors). Students study ALL the time (often for tests which are weeks away), and class participation is common and EXPECTED. Regarding "intellectual conversations" outside of class, I'd have to say you need to find the right group of friends, and this is hard. Deep conversations don't often happen with the engineering students, which make up most of the student body - hang out with people more focused on learning for its own sake rather than students who are learning for a job. Students are MASSIVELY competitive, so expect almost everyone around you to strive for straight A's. Case's educational system, as stated above, is really focused on technical, mathematical, and scientific learning, so don't expect to find too many humanities majors.

My first semester here was dedicated to being pre-med, but Case changed my mind immediately. Speaking from one semester of experience, the science and math curriculums here are rigorous. I absolutely hated it because I had so much homework and studying to do. Since then, I've been taking more liberal arts courses, which carry a polar opposite work load.

They're pretty tough, but we learn a lot from some really smart professors, so it's OK

I love the academics at Case. That is what drew me here and what kept me here. The classes are the perfect size to get to know your fellow classmates and your professors. My two favorite classes over the past four years here were Physiology of Behavior and The Horror Film. Both of the professors were able to teach me with very little background in the two areas. The best part about Case is that almost every professor you have a class with will learn your name (whether you want them to or not). The other day I was walking to class and my film professor actually yelled out of his second floor window to stop me and say hello. Even when I don't have a question about a class I still go to my professors' offices to just talk. Students here also study all of the time. Oddly enough I really enjoy this. Often times I'll find myself in an intellectual conversation with my roommates, and this is actually a great way to study. While the classes may be demanding at time, the material is usually interesting enough that you won't mind studying in the evenings when you might normally be watching TV. The Case Career Center is also amazing at finding and helping people get jobs. When I found myself at a loss I went there and they helped me set up my resume and advise me on the best methods to find what I wanted.