Franciscog24

Hello. I am from OH and unfortunately I was rejected from my top choice school so now I am left with BU and Case. I have complied a pro/con list of my concerns and *I apologize, in advance, if I rub anyone the wrong way from this list, that is not my intention*.

Boston U.
pros--> got into CAS with reasonable scholarship, it's in a metropolitan area, and economics is included in CAS
cons--> there is an honors college at BU so I am reminded that I should've gotten better stats to have been considered and there are more "pretigious" universities in the vicinity, ex. MIT, HARVARD, Boston College, Tufts, etc. (I only applied to Tufts though)

Case Western Reserve U.
pros--> there's no honors college so all students start off on the same tier, it's near home so if I need laundry done or get tired of campus food I can go home, top 50 universities in the country, and there are no other colleges in the area to rub in my face
cons--> not much school spirit, homework load rivals that of MIT for #1 spot, economics is not a part of CAS so I have to choose from statistics, poly sci., or international relations, and it's in Cleveland, a dying city, I have to make a scholarship appeal (my 3rd qtr. grades are waaaaaay better than my mid-year report, which sucks because colleges have already sent out final decisions)

- Ranking wise BU is #61 and Case is #41 based on USNews 2007
- Regardless of where I go I plan to transfer after completing my first two years and requirements, hopefully I have the grades to transfer out--> just say BU or Case (with a bit of an explanation), I am aware that this intention is not positive, but I'm going with it.
- I plan on visiting BU in mid-april for admitted students day so my opinions may change, but we'll see. For now I would like a second opinion.

Thank you.

Franciscog24

anyone....?

The Mom

Check out tiff90's response on "Case vs. Georgia Tech" thread. It won't answer everything, but is very insightful of Case campus.

tiff90

Getting a high GPA in the social science department in Case is, in my opinion, fairly easy. It is realistic to pull a 4.0 in my majors, the econ department is decent, but make if you don't like accents, don't take classes with the Italian prof's.
I'm not sure what you mean when you say you can't major in econ because it's not in the CAS. I'm double majoring in poli sci/hsty, and minoring in econ (which is out of Weatherhead school, but classes are in Peter Lewis).
The Poli Sci department is a lot smaller than at BU. The pro's are that it is much easier to form strong, lasting relationships with prof's, classes are small-able to converse more, not overwhelming, prof's are very accessable and really get to know students. The major con is that the course offerings are limited. That means that some required classes are offered on a rotating basis, as in every other semester/year, but it doesn't interfere with your ability to get core requirements out of the way.
I actually came into Case planning to transfer, but I ended up really enjoying it. I personally like the size because it seems you run into people going to classes/in the dinning halls, which makes you a lot more comfortable. BU and Case are really different, BU is a big state school, with a lot of school spirit and bug sporting events, all the characteristics of state schools. Case is much smaller, less school spirit, more dorky, in Cleveland, smaller parties and the Greek system is completely different. It really depends on what type of person you are.