I visited Case Western’s campus back in April. I’d like to go there for pre-med, and with the school being surrounded by three large hospitals, I think it’ll help me academically. However, Case Western’s campus is definitely not the best. I’d like to hear from any former or current Case students about the campus, and whether it bothers you or not during your time at the university. Also, is the city of Cleveland exciting? I lived there for a few years around 10 years ago, but I’m not sure what there is now. Thanks!
I am a parent who visited Cleveland a lot to see my Case student. Case is an urban campus like MIT. There are advantages in that Cleveland is your playground. Students watch a lot of great sports (Think Indians and Cavs), go to the Cleveland Orchestra and Art Museum for nearly free, and have a variety of city dance clubs that are apparently fun. LIttle Italy and Coventry are interesting for a meal out. The neighborhoods are nice and edgy. Its not a huge city which makes it easier to get around by bus or train. Every Case student does volunteer work with their SAGES classes, so there are inner city options, such as tutoring kids from lower income schools. Students learn a lot by being in an urban environment and not a BUBBLE that might be say Wash U St. Louis, very safe but boring if you ask me! The lake area is attractive and students do go downtown via the Euclid bus. There is apple picking and ice skating close by. Bringing a car is helpful to get to do more fun things, and most juniors and seniors have cars on campus, no issues with parking at all. There is enough to do but its not New York City or Chicago.
Also you get a free bus pass! and you can take the train (Rapid Transit) to the airport.
Case offers some brand new dorms and suites for upper class men and four years of on campus housing:
https://students.case.edu/housing/facilities/newhall/
There is an amazing performing arts center in a former historic synagogue, and a new attractive park
between main campus and west side of campus:
https://case.edu/maltzcenter/
The most advanced interdisciplinary medical education center brings nurses, dentists, med students, biomedical engineers and social workers together to do research at Case Western, this is also on the west side of campus near Cleveland Clinic, don’t miss this new part of campus:
I find the urban campus to be attractive.
Health Education building on west side of campus:
http://cwru-newmed.com/info/
http://thedaily.case.edu/case-western-reserve-and-cleveland-clinic-expand-education-project-to-include-dentistry-and-nursing/
There is a feeling of energy on an urban campus, and Cleveland is a strong community.
Time lapse camera showing the nearly completed Health Education building at Case Western. Lake Erie in the far top of photo. Main campus is to the right in this photo, Cleveland Clinic on the other side of the old historic church in the foreground.
My husband is a Case grad and I have been to campus many times. We looked at Case for DD2016. I guess I am not clear what is “not the best” about the campus. Pretty buildings (many new), green space, outstanding access to museums and cultural events (University Circle, the Botanical Gardens and Museums are phenomenal). I attended Ohio U, a “traditional” campus, honestly Case never seemed to lack in anything by comparison, even back in the day. Back then there wasn’t the new construction on Euclid, students headed to Coventry or Little Italy for food and entertainment and off campus housing. Cleveland is experiencing a Renaissance, I would think being at Case right now sound ideal to me.
I am a parent of a current CWRU student. We are not from anywhere near Cleveland. and I had heard the “Cleveland jokes” when growing up. We’ll anyway, it is time to put those jokes and misconceptions about Cleveland to rest. The place is incredible. I am considering retiring there. There is lots and lots to do; easy public transportation. The area near the college is a wonderful area. You should see it for yourself. I can tell that CWRU has always been a great college, now it is in a truly great city.
If you haven’t been to Cleveland in 10 years, you definitely should visit again. A lot has changed in that time. More people are living downtown. A lot of old buildings with great architecture being converted to apartments/condos and hotels. More very good restaurants than its size would indicate. And a lot happening on and around Case campus. Definitely an urban campus which appears to some kids and not others.
Cleveland, once called the mistake on the lake, is on the cusp of cool
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-cleveland-20170716-story.html
Why Cleveland Is America’s Hottest City Right Now
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petertaylor/2016/10/27/why-cleveland-is-americas-hottest-city-right-now/#235aef506488
I remember talking with people who came to Cleveland for the republican convention and seeing things in the media said by them. And they were all very positive and what was amazing was how many of them said they were totally surprised. They had images of the mistake on the lake and the burning river in their heads. Many of them talked about coming back and suggesting to their friends that they visit as well. From hotel traffic it seems to be working.
Case’s campus is not even a campus at all. It is a messed up hodgepoge of crummy buildings in a crappy urban area of Cleveland. It’s true that there are museums in the area, but they have nothing in them and go there within a day. Building are so old and crummy that there are problems with them. Do not come here if you want a good education on a bad campus because it is ranked relatively low in terms of academics and everything else.
I have toured museums all over the world- London, Paris, New York, LA, Chicago, Rome, Florence, just to name a few, and I can say from firsthand experience that Cleveland’s museum collections are among the best I have seen, and include exhibits that everyone should see.
The Cleveland Art Museum is always ranked extremely high- #6 in the country on this listing, for example: (AND IT’S FREE to VISIT- the others on this list often cost $25 a person…) :
https://www.tripsavvy.com/top-art-museums-in-the-united-states-3301103
The Cleveland Symphony is typically ranked in the top 10 in the WORLD… On this poll of experts it was ranked #7—
http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2008/11/cleveland_orchestra_is_no_7_in.html (And CWRU students can attend concerts for free.)
About most importantly for this site, CWRU continues to climb the rankings- #37 in the country in US News Rankings and higher in rankings that take into account what the college does for the public good @ #12- http://case.edu/about/rankings.html. Ranking are dynamic and always changing… the thing about CWRU that is important to see is that it has consistently been moving up in recent years…
Really, as others have said above, if you have not been to Cleveland recently, you really don’t know Cleveland, and its especially true for the University Circle area (where CWRU and Lots of Museums are located).
@SuperAzn264 Are you from Pittsburgh by chance? 
I too have been to museums all over the world and was pleasantly surprised at the Cleveland Art Museum. It’s lovely! There are first-rate exhibits, and it is free and right next door to the campus. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is also a great experience, and Cleveland is a foodie town.
I was in Cleveland last weekend for the parents weekend/homecoming events. It was great to see how much has already been completed on the new Nord Family Greenway, a partnership between CWRU, the city, and the Cleveland Art Museum.
Looks like it will be finished by this coming spring.
This is really great, @Wizard2 ! Thanks for sharing.
Case Western is also very well located as far as buses and trains, and easy to get to and from campus to airport without expensive Uber rides. The students fees cover all public transportation, its included in the fees, so students use the city as their playground. Its not as big as Chicago, and is friendlier than Chicago, and arguably safer near CWRU than most bigger cities. The variety of sports, clubs, music, art and stuff to do , as well as the “east coast” architecture and neighborhoods grow on the students. Most of my son’s friends want to stay in Cleveland , they like it so much, after learning their way around.
Its still affordable too, for after graduation and very easy to fly anywhere from the international airport. The good housing prices will not last long I bet given the financial/health sciences/ high tech focus of Cleveland.