Case Western Reserve University

Date: Jun 10 2011
Major: Engineering Department (This Major's Salary over time)
I just transferred into the Macromolecular Science and Engineering department (Polymers) from Chem E. One of the best, smallest, and most friendly engineering departments on campus (only 35 undergrads). They produce lots of things and really encourage students to get involved in research, even requiring at least one credit hour of it to graduate. Since the program is unique, nearly all of the undergrads who graduate get placed where they want to go, whether that be grad school or work force or other. Check it out!

On to Case.

Most of the negative comments about Case are pretty true, but some of the positive comments are true also. Yes Case has alot of socially awkward people that come here, but that's not everyone. Not everyone here sits in their room or library studying all the time (including engineering majors). People do actually party (somewhat), do the typical college stuff. The majority of the people that go here are approachable, they just dont seem that way. Students are generally willing to help if you need help with some class. However, there is alot of the

I'm smarter than you

attitude that goes around though and often times students will only talk about how hard/easy a class was forever seems like. So the students here are ok, not perfect, but not terrible.

The Faculty:

Most of the liberal arts and business faculty are pretty nice and relaxed. They seem to actually care if their students learn and dont shy students away from asking them for help. The science faculty on the other hand is hit or miss. Alot of advanced classes will have teachers that dont have a strong command of the English language which makes it difficult to do well. Also, some exude the

dont come to me unless it's important

mentality which can be frustrating. Thats not to say that they're bad people (which they're not, they're only human) but they're just not good teachers and honestly should not be teaching those kinds of classes.

The work:

Yes there is alot of work, especially for the engineering/science majors. The pre reqs will be challenging, tedious, and utterly pointless, but not impossible. So many students here focus on getting good grades in them (which is fine and what you should do) but in reality, those classes really mean nothing as you probably wont use 75% past your intro the the major courses. Getting a C in Math 121, Phys 121, Chem 111, Math 223/4, and any of the Engr coures doesn't mean the end of the world or necessarily the end of engineering for that student. There are other important things like having a social life which many engineering/science/pre med majors here and at other schools fail to realize.

Social Life:

The common misconception is that there isnt much to do around campus. There is usually something going on, but not something that alot of people (cough Springfest cough). thats part of the reason either find a close group of friends and just hang with them alot or join greek life since they'll at least have something.

Food:

Hit or miss at the cafeterias. the campus restaurants arent very cheap either or good (cough Rascal House cough). Your best bet is to go to a grocery store and keep stuff in your room/suite if you can.

In conclusion, socially, Case is what you make of it. You can have a semi good experience here or not. Its usually not the best experience of anyone's life like some people claim, but its not all that bad. Just come in with an open mind. Academically, just take it in strides. Work hard, but not too hard. There is no reason to pull an all nighter for any exam. No grade is worth losing sleep over (not even an A). Pick your classes/ teachers well and you'll have a decent time with that. Never lose hope and strive for what you want. Only quit a certain major if you truly dont want it anymore.