Questions For Current/Past Students From A Potential Transfer Applicant

<p>I am currently a freshman at Case Western Reserve University, and am reviewing my options for transfer. I came up with a list of eight schools to apply to as a rising sophomore, realizing that most of them are reaches. However, I am not seeking to be chanced, as I too can read statistics and come up with the same conclusions. Instead, I have some questions, the type not normally covered in promotional materials or the school’s website. I am hoping that any current or former students can help shed some light on these matters:</p>

<p>• Is there an interdisciplinary approach to the social sciences?
• Is it easy to become involved with the paper as a regular columnist? How often is it published? What is the general quality of it?
• Should there be a need, how extensive are student support (academic) resources available?
• How do the libraries rate as far as quality, volume, and diversity of collection? Is there 24/7 access during the school year? Is there anything else important about the libraries to note?
• How ubiquitous is wifi access? What is the quality/stability of the wired network in dorms and around campus?
• How easy is it to create a new club and receive funding? Are there any non-obvious restrictions that one should be abreast of?
• As far as television goes, I assume the rooms have basic cable. Is it possible to purchase an upgrade?
• How does housing generally work? Can I still get some of those apartments on North Quad as a sophomore transfer? If I can’t get a single apartment on campus, can I turn down my selected housing and move off campus? How steep is rent usually?
• How active is the campus Jewish community? If one looks, can they easily find other Jews?
• Can anybody elaborate on the parties there?
• What else is there to do on campus? Off campus?
• Is the Greek scene dominant? How are the Jewish frats treated?
• Even though I’d be considered In-state, I am wondering, is there a big gap between locals and OOS students?
• How friendly is the school to transfer students? Is the transition fairly painless?
• How helpful is the school with aiding in the location of summer internships? Is there research in the social sciences available during the year? If so, how easy is it to become involved with it?
• Though I doubt it is the case, I feel I must ask whether it is possible for seniors to partially sub-matriculate to the law school, as is allowed at other universities.
• Is it really possible to get solid advising and access to a range of useful resources with such a large student body competing for the same thing?
• What is the general quality of the Ford Public Policy School? Is it worthwhile? Is the 50% acceptance rate deceiving as far as ease of internal transfer?
• How are the school’s language offerings? Is there a list (I couldn’t find one) of all languages taught for credit?
• Are there any other small or obscure perks that your school offers which may not be widely known? (ex: Case Western students can access the entire O’Reilly catalogue online, and the school supposedly offers free massages to students sometime just before finals.)
• Is there anything else a potential transfer student should know before either applying or coming here?</p>