Hi! I was recently admitted to both CWRU and a 5 year’s masters program for engineering at University of Rochester. I looking to study mechanical or biomedical engineering while being at a school that is friendly and lively. Also, the location is important to me as well. I was hoping to be at a school with a lively music scene which apparently is more present in Cleveland than Rochester. I’m not sure whether I should look to go to the school with a higher degree or to be in a more lively city that is more susceptible to opportunity since it is in the rust belt. Thanks!
Cleveland has more going on, and better food choices and entertainment choices compared to Rochester.
Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Institute of Music concerts are on campus, other types of music not far away.
Case offers five year masters programs too. Case students apply in the junior year to do the BS/MS program:
http://engineering.case.edu/current-students/academic-programs/bs-ms
Mechanical engineering at Case offers great co ops:
http://engineering.case.edu/coop/participating-employers
Case offers Think Box for engineering students interested in innovation:
http://thinkbox.case.edu/
I’m Rochester, my dad got his masters in engineering there, and I’m studying mechanical and aerospace engineering at CWRU. I didn’t even consider applying to UR, and my parents didn’t even suggest it. While Case and Rochester are good for engineering, UR engineering is heavily based in theory, while Case places an emphasis on practical application of skills. As someone who wants to be involved in design work someday, being able to apply my learning as an undergrad was a big factor in choosing Case and not applying to UR.
As for Cleveland vs Rochester, both are in the rust belt so have a history of not being a great place for opportunity. While both are bouncing back, I feel that Cleveland is the better choice over Rochester. Apart from having more opportunities as a larger city, you can just feel the pride and grit that people have here. It’s a really cool time to be here, and I wouldn’t trade it for Rochester for the world.
While Rochester does have a decent music scene (Eastman, Hochstein, and my favorite bands have been stopping there and not Cleveland lately), I believe that Cleveland’s is bigger and better, and Case’s location is better than UR’s for music. Apart from what @Coloradomama said, we are a short RTA ride from major concert venues (House of Blues, Wolstein Center, QuickenLoans Arena), whereas Rochester doesn’t even have public transportation.
From what you said, I think that Case is the right choice. I do have a bias seeing that I’m a student there, but it seems to make the most sense from the information you gave. Good luck with your decision!