Case Western - Weather/Safety

<p>Hi I'm a senior in high school and I was accepted early action to CWRU. I received a substantial amount of money but I'm having trouble getting a feel for the school. I spoke on the phone with a current sophomore and asked him what he didn't like about case... He immediately mentioned the weather. Is it that bad?</p>

<p>I'm from Northern Virginia and although we have cold weather (It was 12 degrees last week!) I've heard a lot about cold, rainy, and miserable conditions. I'd like to know if this is an exaggeration or if it actually IS that bad...</p>

<p>Also, my mom is worried about the area. Some reviews I've read mention occasional rapes, robberies, and assaults. Does anyone know how dangerous the school really is? I know crimes happen at nearly all schools but I'm worried because I've heard terrible things about Cleveland.</p>

<p>I appreciate any help you're willing to offer!</p>

<p>I have a daughter there now who is a Freshman. We were originally from Michigan so she is used to cold weather. Yes, it does get cold, rainy, and snowy. Considering Cleveland is close to Lake Erie, it will get a lot of cloud coverage and be gray and rainy. I guess that is a personal decision you will have to make. </p>

<p>As far as where CASE is situated in Cleveland, it is in University Circle which I consider a very pretty area. It is really being built up and although I am not from Cleveland, I really liked the area that the University is located in. I stay in a little bed & breakfast close to the university and have felt comfortable and safe there during my visits. There are bad parts of town and they are close to campus but that is not where the shops, restaurants and businesses are that you would be going to. Campus itself seems very safe and you just have to make sure you use your head and travel in a group in the evening or use the college transportation. </p>

<p>I do worry about her safety but not any more at CASE than if she were at any other college campus. I would strongly suggest a visit. I think you would be pleasantly surprised…but that won’t change the fact that there will be unpleasant weather from time to time. Depending on what you are studying though, it may be worth the sacrifice.</p>

<p>The location is not any worse and probably better than that of any number of city schools. Yes, I’d prefer my child in a nice suburb with much lower crime statistics like at BC or UMich, but that has never been a in the picture in terms of deciding where to go. </p>

<p>As for the weather, it’ will be an adjustment as it will be colder there. But again, you are in a city where things don’t close down as much due to the weather.</p>

<p>I live about 50 minutes outside of Cleveland. As far as Cleveland weather, its not that the weather is bad, it changes constantly. Yes there is lake effect snow. Not near as bad as the 70’s when I was growing up. When we returned our son to campus after Christmas break, it was over 60 degrees. The saying goes “if you don’t like the weather today, wait till tomorrow”.</p>

<p>As far as safety, Cleveland is a city with some really great spots and not so great. Campus is located in University Circle that is just bursting with development between the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital, all the great museums and CWRU and Cleveland Institute of Art. The other day after having lunch with our son as we do often because we are so close (he rarely comes home so we travel to see him), we passed three different patrol cars from his north campus dorm just to Euclid which is only a few blocks. You have Cleveland police, University hospital police, Cleveland clinic police and of course cwru police. That does not mean you leave campus alone at night. You need to be smart about your surroundings as you would anywhere. You travel in numbers or call for campus transportation.</p>

<p>Even as a local, I did not realize all that Case has to offer until after our son enrolled and we attended orientation. I always read the articles on their web site and learn so much about their programs. We are going to a Severence Hall performance in May at our son’s urging for the first time and have seen one show at Playhouse Sq. and will see another one this summer. Sometimes the closer you are the more immune you are to the offerings. Visit and see for yourself, good weather day or not.</p>

<p>I’m glad that no one responded with any negative feedback regarding safety. One review I read mentioned muggings, but they also mentioned that the victims were out walking alone. I’d like to think I wouldn’t be so careless as that.
As for visiting, I’m planning to visit in March so hopefully I’ll be able to see for myself if I feel safe. Maybe the students there will be able to tell me about social activities that make up for bad weather. If not I suppose I’d just have to suck it up. After all, as my mother reminded me, it’s all about the education.</p>

<p>By the way, does anyone recommend a restaurant I could visit? As I mentioned before, I’m visiting later this month and I’d like to go somewhere with my parents for dinner. It doesn’t have to be super popular or big, somewhere casual with great food would be ideal. Thanks!</p>

<p>See this thread from the fall</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/case-western-reserve-university/1414578-where-go-out-dinner-while-visiting-cwru.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/case-western-reserve-university/1414578-where-go-out-dinner-while-visiting-cwru.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Maybe someone has some additional suggestions as well.</p>