Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
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
- 215
- Founding Year
- 1843
- Accreditation Year
- N/A
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SDN Insights
Cost of Attendance: $469,223
Estimate repayment
Estimated loan burden for CWRU 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 CWRU 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 18% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
Secondary Essays for CWRU
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 has helped...
2. 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.
3. Other
Cultural Awareness: Describe a personal experience that has deepened your cultural awareness and humility, and the impact of that learning on how you view health and healthcare.
4. Motivation and Fit
Gap Year(s) if applicable: If you are taking time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation, please tell us why you made this decision and what you will be doing during this gap...
5. Personal Experiences and Challenges
OPTIONAL: Research/Scholarly Work: If you have participated in research or a scholarly project, please reflect on the experience, what challenged you, and how it impacted you.
About the School
Established in 1843, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (CWRU SOM) in Cleveland, Ohio, is the largest biomedical research institution in the state and consistently ranks among the top 25 medical schools nationally for research funding . The school offers a diverse array of programs, including the four-year University Program (WR2), the five-year Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM), and the Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD) . CWRU SOM maintains affiliations with leading healthcare institutions such as University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth System, and the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, providing students with extensive clinical training opportunities.
Curriculum
The University Program employs the Western Reserve2 (WR2) Curriculum, a four-year, integrated educational model emphasizing four themes: research and scholarship, clinical mastery, leadership, and civic professionalism . This curriculum combines basic and clinical sciences with population health, encouraging self-directed learning and critical thinking. Students engage in early clinical experiences, including outpatient activities starting in the first year, and are required to complete an MD thesis . The CCLCM offers a five-year, research-focused curriculum leading to an MD with special qualifications in biomedical research, integrating clinical training with extensive research experiences.
Facilities
CWRU SOM’s primary educational facility is the Health Education Campus (HEC), a 477,000-square-foot, LEED-Gold certified building opened in 2019 in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic . The HEC houses the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion, designed to foster interprofessional education among medical, nursing, dental, and physician assistant students. The school also features advanced laboratories, simulation centers, and the HoloAnatomy software suite, which utilizes Microsoft HoloLens technology to provide immersive 3D anatomical education . Additionally, the Allen Memorial Medical Library, a historic landmark, serves as a resource center and houses the Dittrick Museum of Medical History.
Demographics
The entering class of 2024 in the University Program comprised approximately 170 students, with a gender distribution of 52% female and 48% male . The class was diverse, with 16% identifying as underrepresented minorities and 3% as international students. The average undergraduate GPA was 3.75, and the average MCAT score was 516 . Students hailed from various regions, with a significant number from Ohio, reflecting the school’s commitment to serving both local and broader communities.
Last Updated: Aug 15, 2025