<p>I was accepted to Purdue and now i'm waiting to hear back from Case. Which school should I choose?<br>
I live in NJ and yes I am aware that both schools are far from me.<br>
I want to pursue a science degree in environmental sciences, chemistry or ecology. In the future I plan to go towards a PhD too. Other factors like party scene and greek life aren't a big deal, but I do enjoy going to parties and i like going to sports games.</p>
<p>Which school do you think is right for me?</p>
<p>Both are excellent schools. Purdue has a high percentage of students from Indiana and the surrounding area, so that can be both an advantage and disadvantage. For sports, you will get the Big Ten experience-great football games, basketball fever, and school spirit regardless of how well the teams fare.
Purdue does have a large and active Greek scene, but it isn’t the only place for parties.</p>
<p>The best thing you can do is visit each school, do an overnight, attend some classes, meet with someone in the department of interest. Then you will know.</p>
<p>I think you’d be more likely be able to make faculty contacts at Case. Case has a great reputation for grad school admissions. Private school, with a full array of majors including liberal arts. The student body is pretty focused on academics, not a heavy party school (lots of premed grade grubbers). Purdue is a huge school in comparison with many large lecture classes. Big 10 sports can be fun if thats your interest. Both schools can take you as far as you want to go. </p>
<p>Cleveland airport is on a direct light rail line from the Case campus, or you can spring for a cab. W. Lafayette is a good 90 minute drive from Indianapolis (not sure how easy it is to get there from Purdue campus).</p>
<p>You want a PhD? You’re looking at big bucks for grad school. Purdue and Case are both fine schools. Each has it’s differences, but either one will get you where you want to be. Go for the cheaper one, and save your money for that PhD.</p>
<p>I’ll never fathom why prospective students ask people to compare apples and oranges like Purdue University and Case Western Reserve University. Apples taste good and oranges taste good. But they’re different. Purdue is excellent and Case is excellent, but they are very different places. Find out what the differences are and then determine your preferences.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice! @lakewashington, nyquist and MizzBee i know the schools are of high marks, yet very different and I have visited both of them and loved them, however i think that’s what puzzles me. I’m attracted to them both for different reasons, and none of those reasons overlap. for example i like the small school feel of case (i’ve been in private school since 3rd grade and have about 90 kids in my graduating class), yet the variety of classes and research would probably be greater at purude, i think. plus the greek life at purdue somewhat scares me, yet i fear that the student body at case is less “outgoing” and fun. @chardo that definitely is a good point. the cost of tuition at purdue is about 10,000 less a year so i should consider that fact more than I have been. thanks!</p>
<p>I’m a student at Case and, as biased as I may be, Case would be a much better fit. It’s a smaller school, but conducts research comparable to some of the top tier state schools. The chemistry department here is one of the biggest on campus and has some of the best facilities available to students. Because of it’s smaller size, students have a much easier time making contact with faculty and research. As far as environmental sciences go, we have one of the biggest alternative energy research programs in the country. </p>
<p>I’m an engineer and I considered Purdue and Case. Looking back, I’m really glad I chose Case because I’m getting so much more out of the academics here. It’s much easier to get into research and get to know the professors. Even though I’m paying more to go here, it’s so much more worth it because I’m getting much more out of my education here than I ever would out of Purdue. </p>
<p>And as far as grad school goes, you will be set with a degree form Case.</p>
<p>Have you looked at the cost of each?</p>