Case vs Pitt - BioEng

<p>Looking for help to make the decision between Case and Pitt for BioE. Dd was accepted to both with a good merit awards so both from the financial side are nearly equal, Case being a tiny bit more and also farther from home. Unfortunately have not had the chance to visit Case but may in the next few weeks. She has visited Pitt a number of times - that city vibe is what she's been looking for. This is the thing - dd is extremely focussed on BioEng on the stem-cell/tissue end and not the mechanical or imaging side. Of course this may change over time but I want to be sure the program that she chooses will have that focus or track within the major. I have not been able to find much online about Case being involved in that side of BioE, but I know that Pitt has alot of funding from NIH and multiple profs and research centers on stemcell and tissue engineering.</p>

<p>Any pros to Case that I should consider? Does anyone know of cell/tissue focussed research going on/profs involved that I can look into? Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>Can only post a quick reply. But yes, CASE would be an excellent choice for BioMedical in the stemcell/tissue side. My daughter is focusing on the orthopedic side of BME but any of those tracks are possible at case. And have university circle with all of the access to the hospitals for internships, volunteering and co-ops will definitely help her decide. There is an intro class for BME that will help her decide which of the branches she is most interested in too. So that is the plus for CASE.</p>

<p>Now, I will add this. My DD also an OOS student and she has to fly home for breaks. So keep that in mind that the distance can be an issue for budget. My dd flew home in Oct for fall break, Nov for Thansgiving and Dec for Christmas break and now again this March for spring break. I have a feeling we will skip the fall break next year to reduce costs and it is such a short time now that she has friends I am sure she can find something to do with them in Cleveland. But I had her come home since it was her first time away from home and we were both missing one another terribly. But the cost for that many flights was something that you need to consider depending on where you live and that she can’t come home just whenever she wants for a weekend. Then you will have to make arrangements for visiting her if you want for parent weekend. </p>

<p>I don’t know about the other school you are asking about but I know CASE is ranked #8 Nationally for BME if that matters to you.</p>

<p>Thanks BluePoodle! Any other input would be great, like socially, what’s the vibe, safety issues? Is workload heavier than the typical engineering heavy load?</p>

<p>As far as Case engineering vs other schools, well that’s hard to answer since I only have one child and she’s at case. Engineering is difficult in any school, IMHO. I have a cousin at Clemson who is a Junior this year and spoke with him compared to my D’s first year experience at Case and they both seem similar in that engineering requires work and there is no way to get around putting in the time to study. But both my Cousin and D still love their schools and their programs.</p>

<p>Socially, I feel Case has a lot to offer. But you have to make time and put effort into getting involved, like anywhere else. If you want to sit in your room week in and week out and study, you can do that. But Case offers just about any club you could want and it they don’t offer it they are very willing to let you start a club. My D is in a Sorority and usually has to choose a few things not to participate in because there is so much going on. Greek week is coming up and that will keep her busy preparing for that. Her roommate is an athlete and they just got back from spring break training in California with the team. All of her friends seem active in their various interests.</p>

<p>Lastly, safety is always a concern but that is just because she is in a large city and not at home. She spends most of her time primarily on campus and just took a safety class that Case offers. It is really about common sense, traveling in small groups and using the campus transportation late in the evening, etc. So she has not had any incidences. Her roommate had her bike stolen but then she didn’t lock it up either, so what do you expect. My D uses the public transportation to/from the airport during daylight hours but I won’t let her use it late at night (I have her take a taxi then) but she has traved both in groups with other students and alone and not had any problems so far. No thefts in the dorm and for the most part everyone seems to get along with everyone. They had one guy that was being a bit inappropriate with the girls that lived in her building and that was addressed quickly and it has stopped being an issue.</p>

<p>We are both very pleased with her first year experience at Case.</p>

<p>Thanks again BluePoodle, my ds is at Pitt in engineering so I appreciate you providing the Case side.</p>

<p>Just visited Case over the past few days with son who was accepted and will be attending. Can’t speak about Pitt (he applied to CMU), but Case has a very unique and interesting environment. Much smaller than Pitt, much less partying from what I can tell. Very studious and science occupied group - which he liked. It has a reputation for close professor/student engagement and we found this to be true on our visit, when professors made themselves available to speak about departments/opportunities. From biomed engineering standpoint, it absolutely excels. It sits in the center of a large medical research complex with University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic abutting the campus. From what we can tell there are huge opportunities for undergraduate research at both of these institutions. Also, we were very impressed with Cleveland Museum of Art on our visit - truly world class - if that is something that would be of interest to your daughter. Son is very settled with decision after this visit. Both Pitt and Case receive very high federal funding for research. In addition, Case is also very high (within top 25 universities) with highest rates of going on to PhD - not sure where Pitt stands with that - and if that is a consideration for your d. Both are great schools - Good luck!</p>

<p>I’d say Pitt for you</p>

<p>As a current Case student, I’d encourage your daughter to look at the social aspect of both schools. They are radically different (I am in state for Pitt and was accepted but turned it down the day I got my letter because I knew it wasn’t the right school for me). Case is a much smaller very individualized and focused atmosphere, less focused on partying. You can find it but more students are focused on academics and extracurricular life certainly. That would be a deciding factor for me if I were in her shoes, as both are great for what she wants to go into.</p>

<p>Thanks Steve and Jkrtist - very helpful perspectives, planning a visit out next wk because I do think the social feel is completely different. Failatlife - Any reasons why you say Pitt? Appreciate the advice!</p>

<p>Can’t talk about Pitt. But as for Case, the workload is indeed heavy. D says that most of the kids are nerds, but very likable nerds. She is stressed out quite often and says that is true of most of her friends, but says they like being “stressed out”! Go figure! They do party a fair amount and I am sure you can find one if you wanted to on any given night. D is big into volunteering with the different groups on campus and always has something to keep her busy!</p>

<p>Safety was a concern for us. Case is located in this tiny pocket of University Circle - if you venture out too far in one or the other direction, you could find yourself in a not-so-good part of Cleveland. But as long as you use common sense safety measures, you should be fine. Like BluePoodle, we always make sure she arrives early in the day when she’s flying in so she doesn’t have to be on the RTA late at night. She usually walks around on campus with a group of friends.</p>

<p>Pitt is known for their BioE program. I believe it ranks above Case, although that’s not such a big deal. It sounds like you are hoping both of your kids are not at the same school. It really sounds like Case is a viable option.</p>

<p>Both are excellent. Look at the programs, the type of research being done (because your d will want to get involved in that as much as possible) and which place and environment will make her happiest and, therefore, likely the most productive and successful. There is no wrong choice between the two.</p>

<p>Thanks guys, it isn’t that I hope they are not at the same school - but they are two very different personalities and social fit with a large state uni is more a concern for me with dd.</p>