Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western University
Cleveland, OH
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School Detail
APPLICATION FEE
$100
Tuition In State
$72,526
Tuition Out of State
$72,526
Average GPA
3.9
AVERAGE MCAT
517
School Overview
- Degrees
- MD
- Ownership
- Private Non-Profit
- Program Length
- 4 years
- Total Enrollment
- 32
- Founding Year
- 2002
- Accreditation Year
- N/A
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SDN Insights
Cost of Attendance: $469,223
Estimate repayment
Estimated loan burden for CCLCM using 4 years of in-state tuition, $1,500 annual fees, $3,000 monthly living expenses, government-derived local cost-of-living adjustment, $1,000 loan fees, and an 8.5% interest assumption.
Cost of Living: Below national average cost of living
Cleveland, OH is about 0.94x the national average for cost of living. In the debt estimate, the government-derived local cost adjustment lowers the living allowance from $3,000 to about $2,820 per month. Local rent and commuting choices can still move your actual budget meaningfully.
Environment: Urban
Students at CCLCM benefit from a very walkable setting, with many services and eateries just steps away. While biking is possible, the environment is best suited to those who prefer to get around on foot.
Interview Feedback
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 15% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did well.
Secondary Essays 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.
Last Updated: Aug 15, 2025