<p>Howdy! I have narrowed down my college choices to University of Virginia and Case Western Reserve University. My intended major is Biomedical Engineering. At case, I received a 22500 per year scholarship (making money not a significant issue) and have been recruited to be on the soccer team. At UVA I was accepted to the engineering school, where you have to competitively apply for your major after a year of general engineering. On paper, Case Western has all of the numbers and attractions over UVA. However, I am from virginia and all of my friends are going to VA schools: VCU,VT,UVA,JMU. I have no family or friends in Cleveland, and although Case's campus was surprisingly very nice, it is very hard to beat UVA's campus. Additionally, Cleveland, although it rocks, has some (very) rough spots, some of which are in close (not super close) proximity to campus. What are your opinions on the two schools and my situation?</p>
<p>It looks like you prefer UVA, so why is Case still on the list?</p>
<p>It does sound like you prefer UVA. It seems like you have two factors in your decision:</p>
<ol>
<li>The chance to play soccer at Case.</li>
<li>The chance that you don’t get into BME as a second year.</li>
</ol>
<p>You can play club at UVA, and I don’t like discouraging people from pursuing their goals at a school just because you have to apply once you get into the school. If you want something bad enough, you’ll work for it.</p>
<p>Go to UVA and enjoy your first year on Grounds.</p>
<p>Select UVA : good environment - prestigious - competitive</p>
<p>will prep you on how to get along and work with others.</p>
<p>besides you are Virginian - why the indecision?</p>
<p>^Part of the OP’s indecision is the fact that Case has a highly ranked BME program. Case’s program should have better bio/biomed industry connection and recruiting, making it easier to get internship/offer when the time comes. Yes, UVA has more prestige in general but unless you are in the world of Harvard, Yale, engineering firms wouldn’t be impressed when the school isn’t known for engineering and they really want engineers that have solid training while at schools.</p>
<p>If getting into BME at UVA is the primary concern, I’d call the school and get some stats.</p>
<p>UVA is huuuge. Case is only about 5,000 undergrads. UVA is state, Case, private.</p>
<p>Case is upping their demographics, read Strategic Plan for Case. Since Barbara Snyder came on as president, she is making amazing upwards strides with Case, in reputation, quality of students, faculty, recruitment, aid, etc. Case is on the cusp of something big and they’re putting $ behind it!
Read especially Goal II of strategic plan.
<a href=“https://www.case.edu/president/opir/pdf/ForwardThinking0708.pdf[/url]”>https://www.case.edu/president/opir/pdf/ForwardThinking0708.pdf</a></p>
<p>UVa is 14,000 undergrads, which is relatively small for a state flagship.</p>
<p>I had to check that you weren’t MY kid posting that, except that he’s terrible at soccer and he’s leaning civil engineering. We are in Arlington, and his choice came down to those two also (out of the 11). Of course by now you’ve probably chosen - which did you choose?</p>
<p>My kid ended up with Case because of the smaller size, the potential for coops and yes, the hefty scholarship. We feel really good about the choice, and I’m able to transfer his VA prepaid tuition plan to his little sister.</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Colleague’s daughter got into Cornell and UVA but chose UVA as a better “fit” for her. She majored in civil engineering. She’s graduating this month and already has a job in NYC with a major engineering firm at a good enough salary to be looking for an apartment there. Her friends from UVA all have jobs to go to.</p>