Case Western University - School of Law (Cleveland, Cincinnati: student loans, how much) - Ohio (OH) - City-Data Forum

Elena89 · 03-10-2010, 05:52 PM

Hello I am Elena from Macedonia. I have some questions about studying in this university. Because i want to come in Ohio, Cleveland. I have contact university, but i want to hear the opinion of the people who live in Cleveland. Is this good university what is the opinion of this university in Cleveland? And how is the student life in Cleveland?

Thank you all

andrew0816 · 03-11-2010, 12:42 AM

Case is a wonderful school and is located in one of the best areas of Cleveland (University Circle). I would say that student life is very nice. Case is in University Circle which has a lot to do; is very close to Little Italy which has amazing food, some shopping, and great hangout spots; and up the hill is Coventry which has bars, restaurants, retail, etc and is very nice. Also, University Circle and Case are connected to downtown via the red (train) and silver (BRT) line. Downtown has a lot to offer in the entertainment area (clubs, restaurants, bars, theaters, etc) as well as some shopping options. Also, the red line connects with Ohio City, which is where the Westside Market is located. Overall, Cleveland is a great city that has a lot to offer. Hope this helped and good luck!

costello_musicman · 03-11-2010, 08:29 AM

Case Western probably is the best University in the State of Ohio.

Good Luck!

xanthines · 03-11-2010, 10:05 AM

While Case Western is a good school overall, you might want to reconsider the Law school. It's ranked 55th, well below OSU. I don't want to be a downer, but law is very competitive if you want to actually make a good living. Most salaries for lawyers starting out is around $60k/yr, which sounds good but please remember that law school is expensive and student loan payments brutal (when you start borrowing that much). Those $100k+/yr starting associate positions are usually for the graduates from the top 10 (maybe 20?) law schools. Yes, there are others who get them but they tend to be at the top of their respective schools, did an internship/externship with that particular firm, and have developed good contacts. Otherwise, you could be stuck with locum tenens work and doc review (which aren't necessarily bad, but I hear that's really boring and trying work).

I'm not trying to discourage you. Not at all. It just worries me that more and more students are piling on more and more student loans (at higher interest rates) for jobs that are just not there for them. If you're set on NPO/NGO, govt, etc, then by all means go for it. If you have a romanticized idea of what law is and think you'll be a partner in a big law firm by 2020, I'd seriously think about whether or not you want to go through with it. Whatever you do, make sure you have a plan after graduation and work on making that plan come true DURING school. Not after. Make contacts, network with people, etc...

My brother-in-law went to Harvard law, and actually IS a partner in a large national law firm (with clients like P&G, GM, etc), and yes, he's loaded $$$. I also have friends that went to other schools, who aren't doing as well but are happy nonetheless. One is in private practice general law and another is an immigration lawyer. I forget what my other lawyer friends do.

Good luck with your future plans! (Really!, I mean it!)

Elena89 · 03-11-2010, 04:01 PM

Thank you all for telling me your opinion. And you help me to now more about life in Cleveland, position of this university in the city and law management

If i come to Cleveland, Ohio that will be with scholarship because of that i don't think much about how much cost one school year. I want to now is this school good in Clevelands people eyes, what they think about this university. Is there good profesors and is there in Cleveland good big law firm.

P.S. ANd sorry for my gramatic mistakes

jlawrence01 · 03-11-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elena89

Thank you all for telling me your opinion. And you help me to now more about life in Cleveland, position of this university in the city and law management

If i come to Cleveland, Ohio that will be with scholarship because of that i don't think much about how much cost one school year. I want to now is this school good in Clevelands people eyes, what they think about this university. Is there good profesors and is there in Cleveland good big law firm.

P.S. ANd sorry for my gramatic mistakes

Are there really scholarships to law school?

Rumble · 03-11-2010, 11:38 PM

Case is a great school for Science and Engineering related majors, but like another poster hinted at, rather mediocre for most other disciplines, not to mention extremely overpriced.

The best law school in Ohio is Ohio State, by a long shot, followed by Cincinnati and Case.

However, it is worth nothing that if you plan on staying in the Cleveland area, a Case degree will likely go a long way, as people in Northern Ohio for some reason think it is the equivilant of an Ivy League school.

"Are there really scholarships to law school?"

Yes it is possible to get scholarships to law schools, my undergrad buddy was offered a full ride at Case, but turned it down to attend U of M without receiving a nickel.

Elena89 · 03-12-2010, 04:46 PM

There is a lots of scholarships for law schools.

@Rumble You think that Case is not good in law like is good in Science and Engineering?

xanthines · 03-15-2010, 09:57 AM

On a national level, no Case is not a good law school when compared to science, medicine, and engineering. It's OK in a regional sense, although it's been stated a few times OSU is significantly better. However, it's definitely the best law school in Cleveland, though!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elena89

There is a lots of scholarships for law schools.

@Rumble You think that Case is not good in law like is good in Science and Engineering?

hershey14 · 03-19-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xanthines

On a national level, no Case is not a good law school when compared to science, medicine, and engineering. It's OK in a regional sense, although it's been stated a few times OSU is significantly better. However, it's definitely the best law school in Cleveland, though!

While I realize USNEWS rankings are useful as a rough tool, the notion that OSU is significantly (if at all) better than Case for law school is bunk. Case has a much wider geographic reach than OSU (10-15% make it to NY, 15-20% to DC/Sputh Atlantic, 5-10% West Coast), similar employment at graduation and at 9 months, similar/superior salary data at equivalent reporting percentages, and better placement in government and public interest. Case is actually by far the most national school of schools ranked lower than 50, and I think it gives Tulane a run for its money as the most national school outside of the T30.

Ive gotten full or very near full rides to some T20-T30 schools, but I'm still considering Case. For Ohio practice, OSU wins (except in Cleveland), but Case actually gives a graduating student a far more extensive alumni network and flexibility in mode of practice.