Hey everyone! I’m trying to decide between these two schools for a Biochemistry major on the premed track ( I might switch to neuroscience.)
Vanderbilt gave me more aid with a net cost of $2500 with no loans and Case Western gave me a package with $5500 in loans and a $4900 net cost.
I would be glad if anyone could give me some input! Thank you.
i feel like the obvious answer here is vanderbilt, ahaha, so my pick is vanderbilt.
Where would you be happier? Go to the school that inspires you more. You will do best in such an environment.
@kalons Any particular reason why? Thank you 
@Alexandre I’m not really sure. I won’t have a chance to visit so I can’t compare ‘feel’. I like both of them (although they’re pretty different).
I need to take out another loan to afford the Case Western so that’s another factor.
Thank you!
Ali222, Case Western is a pretty serious academic institution. If you intend on spending a lot of your time in labs and libraries, it is a good fit. If you want a well rounded, work hard/play hard experience, Vanderbilt is probably a slightly better option. You cannot really compare the two experiences. Case is more like Chicago, Columbia and Johns Hopkins, while Vanderbilt is more like Cornell, Duke and Emory.
Something else to consider is the surrounding area. Cleveland is an acquired taste, and the areas around Case are not the safest or nicest. Vanderbilt is in a nice part of Nashville, a very nice city.
If you really have no preference, then I recommend you go for the cheaper option.
@Alexandre Thank you for the info. It’s really helpful.
Bump
Case students have numerous opportunities for research and to work in the hospitals in the area, Cleveland Clinic being one of them. Cleveland is thriving and an awesome affordable city for young adults to enjoy. It is like any other urban setting in which you must be aware of your surroundings but i have never felt unsafe on campus. The campus is located about 10 miles outside of Cleveland and the train can get you into the city quickly. It is in the process of resurgence and is a really fun city! The academics are very challenging.
Thank you! @pacpac
Vandy is much more preppy than CW, with a ton of very wealthy students. Have no idea if that makes any difference, but you will simply have a different vibe and student body between to the two. It is unfortunate you cannot visit one or both before you decide.
One other thought: If you think you might like CS better, it would not hurt to take your Vandy offer to CW and see if they will match it. Can’t hurt to ask, and might save some $.
Since you cannot visit either, you should know that the weather and environment will be very, very different. Case is very grey and dreary (both the weather AND the campus), whereas Vanderbilt will be warmer, sunnier and have a more energetic vibe. I’ve know more than a few who, once they visit Case, drop it from consideration because it’s not a particularly cheery place. That doesn’t matter to everyone, but still wanted to make you aware in case it does to you.
I don’t think I’d like CS better at all. I took it throughout high school but I didn’t find it particularly interesting. I think I might change my mind about my major but I don’t think it would be to CS or any engineering but definitely to a science.
Also, I didn’t take my Vandy offer to CWRU but I did ask if I could get more money from CWRU and they offered me an additional loan. That would be about
$35000 or $40000 debt over four years. I think they’ve given me all they could give.
Thank you for your help!
@pishicaca I’ve heard about the dreary vibe. It’s not a huge factor in my decision but I’m considering it as well. Thank you for the info!