Case versus Georgia Tech

<p>I have been accepted to Case with a merit scholarship that makes it significantly cheaper to attend than Georgia Tech (out of state) which has offered me no merit aid at all. Major at this point is undecided engineering. I am from the south and am very familiar with Tech and its reputation but know less about Case. Does any one have any advice? What advantages would Case offer over Georgia Tech besides the obvious monetary one?</p>

<p>Case is HUGE in engineering! Our biggest departments are in engineering, and i’d say a good half of the student body is in one of hte engineering departments! I would definitely suggest coming for an admitted student overnight (we have them for the next 4 Thursday nights)-- you can meet with students in engineering, meet professors, sit in on classes, etc. It really helps to get a feel for the department, school, and students!</p>

<p>Malp25
My son was also admitted to GT and Case, We are choosing Case because Case is offering 3x more aid. Because after going to a GT Alumni’s reception in NJ, was not impressed. GT sports is big if you want to go to big sport school. GT has alot of local Georgians and not as diverse because it is a state school. Case is offering way more aid. BTW, was told by GT, that irs transcripts had to be in by April 15 to them or else they were gonna cancel aid, FYI. Alumni told us majority of kids DO NOT graduate in 4 years. School is very hard and challenging, although this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for us. And, maybe stupid reason, but website, with Buzzport log in for admitted students seemed like some kid made the website… not aesthetic nor user friendly. not professional looking and lastly, Financial Aid person assigned to us, sounded like I woke her up everytime I called. Talked very very slowly and sounded not very educated.</p>

<p>jujumak - I think you are making decision based mostly on financial package. But in terms of engg program and reputation, GT is one tier above Case. But again it depends how much of $$ will cost more to graduate from GT.</p>

<p>I just came back from overnight program with my son (April 12/13). Overall, I am impressed with Case. Small school environment, small classes, get to know your profs on first name basis.</p>

<p>But, except BME, I don’t see Case in any way far superior or ahead in its field. Case has lots of money, no doubt, and its show up in the merit scholarship, but in the end, I didnt see that kind of money trickling into the engg departments and the labs. Almost all the labs I visited (thinkBOX, robots, aeronautics, etc) - all are funded by Alumni or private donors. Even all the RFPs are paid by private or Alumni.</p>

<p>My son also got in GT, and we are OOS too (California). For us, GT will be about 5-6k$ extra per year. We didnt get any money from GT, and got “tons” from Case. But that “tons” of money makes the COA of Case just 10-15% lower than GT.</p>

<p>We are visiting GT this Saturday for their 22/23rd program. Hopefully I can give more input after I come back from GT.</p>

<p>BTW – Cleveland and Ohio state in general – hard hit due to recession. Entire Euclid ave is sort of closed after Cleveland Clinic till the downtown. Same as Chester ave. Also in downtown Cleveland, more than 1/2 stores are closed/boarded, same as buildings. Looks like the major employers in downtown cleveland are banks (PNC, Key) and lots of federal building. The downtown looks like a ghost town after 6pm. Only eating places aka pubs are on 4th Street. But nothing much else otherwise. Lots of industries surrounding cleveland are shut or limited work force.</p>

<p>Overall - impressed with college in general, but let down by the city. If GT was not in equation, could have made strong case for Case. But, now will have to goto GT and the decide.</p>

<p>First of all I will say I have never visited GT, only Case. But as we were researching Engineering schools, I asked my Aunt why my cousin (3 years older than my DD) was not attending GT. They live in Atlanta and so it seemed like a good option for him. Point blank she said it was not in a safe part of town and her son did not want to go there because of that. He’s over 6’ tall and so I figured if he doesn’t feel safe, then I am surely not going to send my Daughter there. So we never visited. </p>

<p>I was very unhappy about DD considering Cleveland for her school, but we visited Case this last week and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the surrounding area is by the University. DD will more than likely not venture too far off campus unless it is by the local transport system and even that would be with friends. We have found a church a few miles away and overall I feel comfortable with the location. Two weeks ago I would not have felt the same way. Plus I much prefer a smaller student body like Case over a larger State school like GT. But of course everyone has different preferences.</p>

<p>Case Crime Stats : <a href=“Public Safety | Case Western Reserve University”>Public Safety | Case Western Reserve University; (till 2010)
Gatech Crime Stats: [url=&lt;a href=“http://police.gatech.edu/crimeinfo/crimestats/]GT”&gt;http://police.gatech.edu/crimeinfo/crimestats/]GT</a> | Police Department - Crime Statistics<a href=“till%20dec%202011”>/url</a></p>

<p>I dont see anywhere the gatech is high crime area vs Case. One should always look at real numbers to verify the hearsay (thats what us engineers are taught).</p>

<p>There are many reasons someone may not goto a college nearby (one of them is no chance of getting in – like UCBerkely for Silicon Valley). If you look at UCB crime stats, Gatech will look like heaven to you. But, given a chance, all kids in silicon valley and beyond will die to goto UCB. So, plsss dont give me reason for not attending a college due to crime stats.</p>

<p>Anyway, I am keeping my options open and not ruling out any college right now in which my son might be interested. So, we are going to Gatech next week and then may be a quick day trip to UCSanta Barbara too.</p>

<p>BTW - when comparing the crime numbers above in Case vs Gatech, remember Gatech is 5 (FIVE) times bigger than Case (student population, area etc). So, remember to multiply Case numbers by 5 and then compare to Gatech.</p>

<p>At urban schools, campuses tend to be pretty safe because their location mandates the use of ID-based locks on the dorms, security cameras and armed security/university police patrols. The ugly reality of college life is that crime on most campuses tend to be either student-on-student: thefts (computers usually) and assault (typically male-on-female). For the latter especially, it is important to see how the college would handle accusations by a female student upon a male student. Some colleges are very strict about privacy, codes of conduct, etc. Others try to play the cover-up game, especially when athletes are involved.</p>

<p>Georgia Tech’s main strengths are its larger size, which allows for plenty of research dollars (although this primarily benefits grad students) and co-op program for engineers. Case’s main strengths are its smaller class sizes (you will notice this most of all as an undergraduate) and graduate school placement record. Besides these differences, I think the main issues for an prospective student are atmosphere (North vs. South, Division III vs. Division I, private vs. public) and yes, cost of attendance.</p>

<p>I don’t think you can go wrong either way, although I as a college consultant, I try to tell my students that “Smaller and farther is better”. It’s good for kids to be in an environment far from the nest, so that can learn to become more independent.</p>

<p>MWAHAL, actually I wasn’t giving YOU any reasons why to consider or not to consider a college. I was giving my reply to the OP. Your son may go where ever you two decide. </p>

<p>But I AM going to consider the concerns of someone who LIVES there! </p>

<p>I agree there are MANY reasons why someone would choose not to attend a college in their own community. I was told his reasons and I have no reason to believe otherwise concerning his choice to not apply to GT.</p>

<p>Case and GA Tech are similar academically, with USWR ranking GA Tech 36 and CWRU 38 but they are different in many other ways. </p>

<p>Does the student want big (GA T) or small (CWRU). Warmer climate (GT) or cold (CWRU)? Both are urban. Are big time sports important (GT)? Does the student want to have a higher chance to graduate in 4 years (CWRU)? Does faculty to student ratio matter (CWRU is half of GT)? Does money matter?</p>

<p>There are lots of things to consider. This one is easier because the schools are academically similar and different in other ways.</p>

<p>You should be looking at the opportunity the school presents. We did visits to Case and found a lot of positives. The city of Cleveland may have bad sections, but so do all large cities. STAY OUT OF THEM.<br>
What you put in is what you will get out of it. Stuff will not be handed to you…you will have to seek and pursue. My son will be attending Case and is excited to get there.</p>

<p>Other considerations in our decision… last 5 years of endowment avg: Case: 1.62, GT 1.2, (Case has more $ for aid?)</p>

<p>Case undergrads: 4200, 53% male, 47% female, 37% ohio residents, 55% oos, 8% intl, [Undergraduate</a> Admission : First-Year Profile](<a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Case Western Reserve University”>Undergraduate Admission | Case Western Reserve University)
GT undergrads: 14,000, 70% male, 30% female, 60% ga residents, 30% oos, 9% intl.
[Class</a> Profile | Admission](<a href=“Blow the Whistle! (404 error: page not found) | Undergraduate Admission”>Blow the Whistle! (404 error: page not found) | Undergraduate Admission).</p>

<p>Case is smaller and has a more balance male/female ratio. Case has more out of state students, whereas as GA is mostly instate residents.</p>

<p>Faculty/Student ratio: Case 9:1, GT 19:1 [Georgia</a> Tech | Georgia Institute of Technology | Rankings | Best College | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/georgia-tech-1569/rankings]Georgia”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/georgia-tech-1569/rankings)
Case as better ratio.</p>

<p>Also, drove around Cleveland, and Cleveland Heights is the most richest, opulent neighborhood I have ever seen, literally mansions, for miles. The slums did not look so bad, and we did not see many hobos walking around, unlike Troy (RPI).</p>