#northeastern vs. case western for premed/prehealth

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

fossil tapir
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Schools: Northeastern & CWRU
Intended major: Health Sciences/Biology

hi! i'm currently trying to decide between northeastern and cwru as a student on the premed/prehealth track. i'm not set on a specific career path yet, but i'm considering medicine, dentistry, pa, and public health.

Northeastern
Pros:

  • in boston!! really good vibe, lots of other college students there to interact with, really good opportunities for health, exciting place to be overall
  • major change flexibility (just in case i decide premed is not for me)
  • renowned co-op program, really helpful for grad applications and helping me figure out a specific career path
  • larger = more programs and social activities, bigger campus, bigger community
  • social scene is much bigger, again more to do in boston
  • already committed

Cons:

  • admitted global scholars program (oakland + london first year, second year boston campus) but tbh i don't really care it doesn't sound bad
  • co-ops can cause late graduation
  • no scholarship
  • premed advising is much less personalized

CWRU
Pros:

  • really strong premed program, highly respected
  • open door policy
  • research/clinical experience bc its next to 3 hospitals and the cleveland clinic
  • 21.5k/year scholarship for 4 years

Cons:

  • cleveland isn't the best place to be, city life seems kind of sad, unsure if i want to be in ohio for the next 4 years
  • social scene is pretty nonexistent, i would prefer a more bustling environment, and students from what i've heard are pretty shy and anti-social

Tiebreaking considerations:

  • if i do 2 co-ops for northeastern and don't pay tuition during those semesters price is pretty similar between the two, but northeastern is still more expensive
  • i haven't visited cleveland yet, but i've visited boston so i might be biased

Addendum:

  • big city > small town
  • active social life, school spirit, exploring city, etc.
  • explore different areas of interest (not always aligning with career path)
viscid kelp
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Cleveland is still a midsized town, like lubbock/El Paso, ect - you can still get around. I'd easily say CWRU because of the scholarship.

You're only there for so long, so don't worry about the social scene too much

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Also superior program, easy pick for anyone choosing academics & opportunities above aesthetics & pure prestige

tribal cloud
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hey! i was also accepted to both these schools and i did choose northeastern because the global scholars program was such an interesting opportunity that i could not pass up

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cleveland and boston are both amazing cities for pre-med but it all comes down to exactly what you want from your 4 years of college

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boston also has some pretty great hospitals in the area and co-ops for your major shouldn't be as competititve for the other majors

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iirc you don't pay tuition while you do co-op since it is technically like a full-time internship

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i suggest you visit cleveland to really decide if cwru will be a better fit for you than boston

fossil tapir
fossil tapir
red imp
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while i didn’t commit to either of these

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northeastern was my top choice but couldn’t afford 90k

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i will copy paste what i’ve left on other threads about these schools

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CWRU you can’t go wrong. what i will advise is this - if you are more of a social person, and that’s something you really want (stereotypical college experience) i would stay away from case. while it is very good academically, it’s more expensive (idk compared to these), and from my few visits and talking with students, there seemed to be little spirit and no vibe on campus, it just seemed a little dead

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i visited twice and talked to at least 50 (maybe small sample size and obviously not representative of the entire school) it just doesn’t have what i was looking for socially, and what it seems you’re looking for

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as for northeastern (genuinely so bummed i cannot go)

a) there are so so many colleges in boston/that area that you will never be bored or feel like you aren’t in a college area

and

b) boston is a beautiful city and a place that you will truly make your home, there’s so much to do

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my point is, boston can be your CAMPUS but it can also be a CITY

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and as someone native to the area there’s so much to do

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“prestige” doesn’t matter nearly as much for PREMED, obviously it helps, but having access to mass gen, bch, brigham, beth israel, etc for ur co ops is INSANE

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sorry for yapping but i was in the same boat between the two schools so

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hopefully i was of use ! i’m willing to give more input if u need anything!

fossil tapir
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omg tysm! yeahh my main concern was that case is kind of dead, and i’m lowk in love with boston but i’m not sure if case is way out of neu’s league when it comes to premed

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like would i be an idiot choosing neu global scholars over cwru for premed 💀

viscid kelp
red imp
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well… case is def better for pre med

but, northeastern has some great numbers (obviously to be used lightly) they have an 81% acceptance rate to med schools, their students matriculate to good schools, their advising is great, again the co op opportunities are insane

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when i went i was in awe hearing students talk about being in the ER at mass gen, or working in labs at BCH, working alongside surgeons etc

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honestly, if the cost is not that significant, choose whatever will make you happiest

viscid kelp
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Pretty much if you put in the effort, the difference is truly minimal, if almost none

red imp
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at the end of the day you will thrive there

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i’m also approaching this from a different approach than a lot of people who respond to these threads

while academics are the main part… they aren’t EVERYTHING

blazing terrace
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cwru mogger