Hello! I’m currently a senior in high school and am trying to weave through my college decisions. My top two schools right now are Lafayette and case western. I was recently accepted into case with a scholarship (surprisingly!) and I haven’t heard back from Lafayette, although I think my outcome is going to be positive as well.
My intended major is biology and I will possibly be on a pre-med track. Currently, I intend to go to medical school in the future as well. I live in NYC and I also have family in Cleveland, so I am familiar with the city as well. I visited both campuses and loved both of them, despite their different “feel” in terms of location and student-body.
In your opinion, which school do you think is best? Which has the highest prestige? Which school do you think would help prepare me for medical school in the long run?
I would be happy going to either so at this point I’m looking to see which school will help me succeed in the future.
For more information about me: I’m relatively introverted; I’m not much of a partier, but not a “nerd” either. I would like to be with down to earth people who are intellectual, but aren’t so cut-throat that they can’t have fun every once in a while. I’m not a huge fan of the cold but it’s livable. I would like to visit NYC relatively often.
Please give me some insights into both schools! I might be overthinking but I want to make sure my college choice is right for me, while still having the highest chance for me to succeed in the future. Thank you!
The first thing that pops to my mind is that you will have more opportunity to volunteer and shadow at Case since you have the VA, University, and Cleveland Clinic Hospitals within a super easy 1 mile radius of campus.
I like both of these schools a lot. It’s true that Case has the hospitals nearby , but I think Lafayette makes it easy for its students to get involved in research, and I am sure their pre-med kids do just fine getting into medical school.
Weather is not a factor- will be similar.
I kind of like city campuses for more introverted kids, since on weekends there is more to do than just go to parties and drink. That said, Laf did not strike me as a real party school.
I think Case is much more generous with merit $ than Laf, so if they gave you a nice chunk and Laf doesn’t, seems like decision is easy. If Laf surprises you with a generous scholarship as well, then we have some soul-searching to do.
My impression is that Case kids have fun, but I felt Lafayette kids seemed particularly maintream and balanced, in a good way. not that they were all the same, but they just seemed happy and normal and comfortble.
Sounds like you are in a great situation. Both are excellent schools. With the high cost of med school possibly awaiting you, finances are definitely a consideration, all other things being equal. Both seem to offer very good pre-health advising, although you might get a slightly more personal touch at Lafayette. With respect to MD applicants, each year Case generally has about 200 (about 4% of undergrads), while Lafayette generally has a couple of dozen (about 1% of its students), but their MD admit rates are virtually identical. As you’ve probably read on other forums, what really matters to med schools is your personal performance, so pick an environment where you feel comfortable that you can excel - and where you can develop a good “plan B” if the med school thing doesn’t pan out.
Of course! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one deciding. Right now, I’m leaning more towards Lafayette because although Case has more medical opportunities, I feel I might be happier at Lafayette than I would be at case. This might just be from my open house experience, but I really felt welcomed (from students and professors alike).
I’m still flipping back and forth but if I make a final decision I can update you! If you have any questions I can try and help too
My girl is in her third year at Laf on a premed track. Access to professors has been wonderful. She started researching in her freshman year as many of the professors are eager to have students working with them. And of course it is an easy trip into NYC. She is in a sorority, but only goes to events once a week. Studying in the library can be a social thing too.
