Case Western Interview Recap

Case Western went pretty well. My interviews went well, but I don't like the school itself. The traffic on the drive in was only the beginning of the things I didn't like about Case. I needed to be in Cleveland by 8am, so to give time for traffic I had to leave my house by 6am. Getting up at 4:30am was not a good start to my day!

I checked in to the admissions office around 8:00am. There were refreshments out to keep us occupied while we waited for the other applicants. This interview group was the largest I had been a part of, with fifteen applicants. Around 8:30, we had a welcome/introduction session with the director of admissions.

At Case, all applicants had an interview with a faculty member and one with a student. All student interviews took place in the afternoon. Some faculty interviews were in the morning and some were in the afternoon. From 9:00-11:15am was an interview block. Applicants had interviews with different faculty members at different times, but not everyone even had an interview during this block. My faculty interview was from 10:00-10:45am. He spent more time talking about himself and the school then he spent asking me questions. I think he only asked me three or four questions. None of the questions were difficult. I didn't like the interview block format because everyone had down time with nothing to do. I sat for an hour without much to do. Some of the applicants had nothing to do for this entire time. We could go sit in on a class if we wanted, but by the time I would have found the classroom, I would not have had time to make it back to be ready for my interview.

At 11:15am, we met the dean of admissions. She was really friendly and wanted to know who we were, where we were from, and something interesting about each of us. I don't think most (if any) of the other applicants noticed, but while we were talking to her, the director of admissions was in the background taking notes. I'm guessing he was taking notes on our communication skills in a group or something. It's key at any interview day to act as though everyone is interviewing you - even when it isn't a structured interview time. I've heard of schools even getting input from their secretaries on the applicants.

Around 11:30am we had a financial aid presentation. This was about the same as every other presentation I've heard. Case does have a decent number of merit-based scholarships, but even with their scholarships (if I got any), the price may end up higher than state schools (Case is private - which means no in-state advantage).

At noon we had lunch with the director of admissions. While we ate he went over the curriculum in much more detail. Case has a unique curriculum, and it's really strange. Very little time is spent in lecture halls (6-10 hours a week). The larger part of your "class time" is in small learning groups. Each group is mentored by a faculty member, but you are essentially on your own. The groups are given cases to review and research. Much of the work at Case is done independently or in these small groups. Case thinks this new approach is revolutionary. I think it's ridiculous to be paying so much in tuition to be taught by your peers who are as clueless as you are. Case also uses a Pass/Fail system rather than a grading system. I think that a lack of grades encourages students to skate by doing the minimum work - there is no reason to strive for excellence.

After lunch we had a student-led tour. The hospitals were impressive. We didn't see much of the hospitals, but there are four extremely well-ranked hospitals in Cleveland. Not only are there an unusual number of quality hospitals, but Case is the only medical school in the area - so their students have wide access to the faculty and clinicians in the hospitals. The campus itself is definitely a city campus. There is not much green space, but the buildings are pretty. However, if you venture even a block or two in the wrong direction, you can be in a somewhat dangerous part of the city.

From 1:30pm-2pm, we had a student Q&A session. Two second-year medical students were available to answer any questions we had. As I talk with more and more students at various medical schools, I have found it interesting that students always seem happy with the school they have chosen.

From 2:00-4:00pm was another interview block. Some applicants had both their faculty and their student interview during this time. Since I had my faculty interview in the morning, I only had my student interview in the afternoon. She didn't ask me any questions that were out of the ordinary. My interview was at 2:45pm, so I again had some time with nothing to do. When my interview was done at 3:15, I was free to go and was heading back to school.

Strengths:
Phenomenal hospitals
Good reputation for research
Low cost of living
Close to home

Weaknesses:
Cost
Arrogance
Curriculum
Pass/Fail System
Located in Cleveland (unsafe, run down, etc)
Required research

Case is probably at the bottom of my list at this point. The tuition is high and I don't like much about their school. I should hear from them in about four weeks.