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Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western University

Cleveland, OH

Allopathic Medical Schools Private Non-Profit

🩺 School Overview

Tuition (In State): $67,440

Tuition (Out of State): $67,440

Accreditation Status: Full

Acceptance Rate: N/A

Total Enrollment: 32

Degrees: MD

Founding Year: 2002

Accreditation Year: 2002

Website: https://bulletin.case.edu/medicine/programs/medicine-college-program-md/

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📄 Application Information

Applications Received: N/A

Interviews Granted: N/A

Admitted: N/A

Average MCAT: 516

Average GPA: 3.75

Male: N/A

Female: N/A

Underrepresented:N/A

Interview Feedback Summary

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 15% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview mixed with a moderate stress level, and felt they did well.

School Review Summary

Insufficient reviews to generate a summary. Add your review!

5 Most Common Secondary Essay Questions for CCLCM


  • 1. Motivation and Fit – Greatest Challenge Essay: The admissions committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe a significant personal challenge you have faced, one which you feel has...
  • 2. Motivation and Fit – Research Essay: Please tell us about ONE research project to which you made a significant contribution. In your essay, describe your role on the project, the hypothesis of your research and whether...
  • 3. Other – Personal Growth: Based on your current maturity and wisdom, reflect upon an experience from the past few years that you would handle differently today.
  • 4. Community, Diversity, and Equity – Cultural Awareness: Many have been reckoning with the impact of systemic injustices on social environments and healthcare equity. Describe a personal experience that has deepened your cultural...
  • 5. Career Goals and Future Aspirations – Career Essay: What does your ideal career entail fifteen years after medical school graduation?

About the School

Established in 2002 through a $100 million donation from Al and Norma Lerner, the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM) is a distinctive five-year medical education program within the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine. The program is designed to train physician-investigators by integrating rigorous clinical training with a strong emphasis on research. Each entering class is limited to 32 students, fostering a close-knit academic environment. Since 2008, all students have received full-tuition scholarships, eliminating financial barriers to education . Graduates earn an MD degree with Special Qualification in Biomedical Research, reflecting the program’s dual focus on clinical excellence and scientific inquiry.

Curriculum

The CCLCM curriculum is structured over five years to accommodate an intensive research component alongside clinical education. The first two years emphasize problem-based learning (PBL), where students engage in small-group discussions to develop critical thinking and self-directed learning skills . Clinical exposure begins early, with students participating in patient care activities from the first year. A unique feature of the program is the requirement for a 12-month master’s level research thesis, which allows students to delve deeply into a biomedical research project . Assessment is competency-based, utilizing a portfolio system rather than traditional grades or class rankings, to encourage continuous personal and professional development.

Facilities

CCLCM students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities that support both their clinical and research training. The Health Education Campus (HEC), opened in 2019, is a collaborative venture between Cleveland Clinic and CWRU. This LEED-Gold certified facility houses the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion, providing an integrated learning environment for students across medicine, nursing, dental medicine, and physician assistant programs . For research endeavors, students have access to the Lerner Research Institute, which offers advanced core facilities in areas such as proteomics, metabolomics, microbial sequencing, and cell culture.

Demographics

CCLCM maintains a commitment to diversity and inclusion within its student body. Each class comprises 32 students, selected through a highly competitive admissions process. For instance, the Class of 2022 had an equal number of male and female students, with many hailing from the East Coast and Midwest regions. The cohort included international students originally from countries such as China, Costa Rica, Ghana, India, Singapore, and Uganda, many of whom are now U.S. citizens. These students brought a rich array of linguistic and cultural backgrounds, speaking languages including French, Spanish, Tamil, Sindhi, Lao, Akan, Lugisu, Luganda, and Gujarati . This diversity enhances the learning environment and reflects the program’s dedication to cultivating a multifaceted medical community.

SDN Insights

Our analysis of CCLCM:

💰

Student Loan Burden: $472,149

A student taking student loans for all 4 years of medical school at CCLCM, including tuition, fees, locally adjusted cost of living expenses, incidentals, and interest, can expect to have total student loans of $472,149. Estimate repayment with the SDN School Loan Repayment Calculator.

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Cost of Living: Highest 10% Nationally

The cost of living at CCLCM is among the top 10% of all medical schools. Take this into consideration when considering loan burden.

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Environment: Urban

While the neighborhood around CCLCM is primarily car-oriented, biking can be a viable option for certain trips. Students living nearby may appreciate the tranquility of the area, though access to shops and services is limited without a vehicle.

Why no Tier Rankings?

Although we could tier rank, over the past 25 years we've found no compelling benefit for ranking schools. Students are most successful when they prioritize personal and academic fit over school rank.