If Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is your destination for a medical school, you may want to know whether it is a good option or not. The school you attend for your medical career is pivotal either in terms of its reputation or the program offered. In this article, I will be showing you some of the reasons why I believe Case Western’s medical school, Cleveland Clinic Lemer College of Medicine, maybe a good school. I will also show you an unbiased take on some of the negatives of the school.
Is Case Western a Good Medical School?
Case Western Reserve University’s Cleveland Clinic Lemer College of Medicine is a good medical school. It offers a five-year, research-focused curriculum that prepares students to become physician investigators/scientists. Ranked #24 for best medical schools in the United States, Case Western graduates bag an MD together with special qualifications in biomedical research.Â
There are a plethora of pros and cons of CWRU as regards the Cleveland Clinic Lemer College of Medicine. In my reviews of schools, I often present the positive and negative sides of the school while employing students to consider that a school may be fitting for their desired course but their lifestyle may not be suited for the school. To make an informed decision about attending the Cleveland Clinic Lemer College of Medicine at Case Western, let’s discuss some of the pros and cons of the school that I discovered.
Pros of CWRU Medical School
The following are some pros of CWRU’s medical school that make it worth attending:
- Full accreditation
- Unique pathway programs
- Real-world experiences + Hands-on training
- InQuiry teams
- Availability of various medical centers
- Small class sizes
- Active Greek systems
- Slightly affordable tuition
1. Full Accreditation
Case Western’s Cleveland Clinic Lemer College of Medicine is fully accredited. A school that is not accredited is not worth attending. The medical school at Case Western is fully accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). This assures that the education you receive at the school is recognized in the United States and graduates are qualified to practice medicine in the United States.
2. Unique Pathway Programs
At the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, there are special programs called Pathways Programs. These programs are designed to give students enrichment experiences that go beyond the basic curriculum. There are six different pathways, each with its focus. The pathways are Advocacy and Public Health, Andrew B. Kaufman World Medicine, Climate and Health, Humanities, Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Wellness and Preventive Care, Medical Education Scholars, Dr. Edward J. and Nancy M. Mueller Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Urban Health.
Each pathway has its unique curriculum. Typically, pathway students meet once or twice a week during the pre-clerkship phase to explore the pathway’s content and work on mentored projects or scholarly activities.
3. Real-World Experiences + Hands-On Training
One advantage of attending Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine is the emphasis on real-world experiences and hands-on training. Students have the opportunity to work with patients in a variety of clinical settings, from urban hospitals to rural clinics. They also have access to cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art research facilities. This approach allows students to develop practical skills and gain valuable experience that will prepare them for successful careers in the medical field.
4. InQuiry Teams
InQuiry Teams is a pleasant initiative by Case Western’s Cleveland Clinic Lemer College of Medicine. Students join these teams and get to work with faculty members to handle patient cases. In essence, students and faculty members work on real cases every week.
5. Availability of Various Medical Centers
The medical school at Case Western is connected to a range of medical centers. These medical centers aid students’ academic efforts and help to advance research work. Some of them include The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Center for Global Health and Diseases, Cleveland Brain Health Research, Digestive Health Research Institute, and much more.
6. Small Class Sizes
Case Western School of Medicine has a reputation for having small class sizes. According to some of the students and alumni I interviewed, the school is large enough to accommodate the students it admits and small enough to give every student the comfort they need. I hate to study in crowded environments and I am sure that for someone in medical school, the perspective is the same. If you are concerned about how large the class sizes are in Case Western, it will interest you to note that the sizes are averagely small.
7. Active Greek Systems
The Greek systems in the school can be attended by students of all courses in the University. Fraternities and sororities on the campus of Case Western Reserve University offer students opportunities for socializing, networking, and leadership development. They often sponsor events and activities that bring students together and foster a sense of community.
8. Slightly Affordable Tuition
The average cost of tuition for a private medical school in the United States is around $65k according to Educationdata.Org. Case Western’s medical school has a tuition that ranges between $66k to $69k which means the school has slightly affordable tuition for private medical schools in the country. And for the nature of the program, I think the school fees are worth it.
Cons of CWRU Medical School
While CWRU looks cool when you analyze the pros, there are a couple of negatives that could make it imperfect. The cons of CWRU include:
- Selective admission
- Highly intense academic programs
- Active social life
1. Selective Admission
Getting admitted to CWRU’s medical school is quite an uphill task. The school has a selective admission process which can make it difficult to gain admission into the school. According to International Medical Aid, only 8 out of 100 applicants get into the Cleveland Clinic Lemer School of Medicine. You would have to be among the best of the best to make it into the university to study medicine.
2. Highly intense academic program
The curriculum at CWRU Medical School is designed to prepare students for the demands of the medical profession as they’d become physician-scientists, which means there is a lot of material to cover in a relatively short amount of time. This can be stressful and overwhelming for some students, especially if they are not used to the demanding workload of medical school.
3. Limited free time
Due to the intense academic program, students at CWRU Medical School may have limited free time to pursue other interests or hobbies outside of their coursework. This can lead to feelings of burnout or a lack of work-life balance.
4. Active social life
Cleveland is a city with plenty of restaurants, bars, and cultural events, which can be a tempting distraction from the demands of medical school. Students who are easily distracted or have difficulty managing their time may find it challenging to balance their social life with their academic responsibilities. Students need to find a balance that works for them and to make sure they are prioritizing their academic work first and foremost.
Final Thoughts on Is Case Western a Good Medical School
In 2002, Case Western became the third medical school to receive the best possible review by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). This attests to the quality of medical education that is offered at the University. Aside from academics, there is a decent amount of extracurricular and sporting activities at Case Western. The school plays in Division III and has a very competitive tennis team. You can join the tennis team if you’re looking for something to do at Case Western other than medical studies.