With nationally-ranked hospitals within walking distance of campus, you'll be in the thick of advanced research and clinical care. Learn from and alongside renowned healthcare professionals, who welcome undergraduate participants on their research teams, and are ready to help you gain knowledge and experience to prepare for medical school.
of undergraduates participate in research and creative endeavors with CWRU faculty and other scholars
of CWRU undergrads who applied to medical school in the last 5 years were accepted.
(42% acceptance rate to medical school, Association of American Medical Colleges)
first-year undergraduate students offered conditional admission to CWRU School of Medicine or School of Dental Medicine through the Pre-Professional Scholars Program
undergraduate majors selected by pre-med students
Nobel Prize winners in physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine and economic science in the CWRU community
Programs
Some of the many different bachelor’s degrees recently earned by students accepted to medical school:
- Anthropology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Economics
- English
- Modern Languages and Literatures
- History
- International Studies
- Music
- Nutrition
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
Take the first step toward your future at Case Western Reserve. Apply today.
Undergraduate research
More than 80% of students are involved in research on campus and at leading organizations around the country and abroad, such as:
Mingda Chen: Biochemistry major
Research mentors
Jonathan Stamler, MD, professor of medicine
Richard Premont, PhD, associate professor of medicine, Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine
Research focus
Diabetes, artery disease and chronic hypertension. He investigated the S-nitrosylation-dependent signal crosstalk between G protein-coupled receptor and immune signaling pathways. The goal was to discover a mechanism to control the balance between too much immune activation (i.e. autoimmune disease) and not enough activation (i.e. immunodeficiency).
Baraa Nawash: Biology major, Chemistry minor
Research mentor
Paul Tesar, PhD, genetics and genome sciences, CWRU School of Medicine
Research focus
Stem cell technology solutions for brain deterioration. Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD)—caused by mutations in a major myelin protein, proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1)—is a devastating leukodystrophy causing motor deficits, hypotonia, ataxia, cognitive impairment and early mortality. Her research in suppressing levels of mutant PLP1 may be an essential tool for generating the first universal therapeutic for patients with PMD.
Pre-Professional Scholars Program
The Pre-Professional Scholars Program (PPSP) sets an early medical-career path. This highly competitive program grants first-year admission to Case Western Reserve and concurrent conditional admission to CWRU School of Medicine (8 years total) or School of Dental Medicine (7 years total).
- Up to 20 first-year applicants are awarded this honor each year.
- PPSP applicants should apply Early Decision I or Regular Admission and indicate an interest in the program.
Some of the 200+ clubs and organizations of interest to pre-med students.
With clubs and organizations ranging from Acts of Random Kindness to IMPROVment to the Scuba Club, you’ll find all kinds of ways to pursue your academic goals and personal passions.
A few to check out:
- American Medical Student Association
- American Medical Women’s Association
- American Mock World Health Organization
- Craniofacial Club
- CWRU EMS (student-run emergency medical assistance)
- CWRU Public Health Association
- Global Health Design Collaborative (finding sustainable solutions to health concerns in Uganda)
- Global Medical Brigades (taking healthcare to economically disadvantaged countries)
- Horizons at CWRU (mentor inner-city teens)
- Love Your Melon (helping pediatric cancer patients; raises research money)
- Medicine, Education, Development for Low Income Families Everywhere
- Operation Smile University Club (benefits children undergoing craniofacial procedures)
- Partners In Health Engage (advocate for quality healthcare)
- Pre-Physician Assistant Club
- Pre-Veterinary Medical Association
- Project Sunshine (helping kids with cancer, AIDS and other serious illnesses)
- ...and dozens more!
Medical community
Our University Circle neighborhood and the greater Cleveland area are home to some of the best medical institutions in the country.
Cleveland Clinic
- Consistently ranked among a top-5 hospital by U.S. News & World Report
- The second-largest medical group practice in the world
University Hospitals
- A nationally ranked biomedical research center
- Includes Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, nationally ranked in seven pediatric specialties, including neonatology and pediatric orthopedics
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
- The third-largest VA hospital in the country and recognized for more programs of clinical excellence than any other VA medical center in the U.S.
MetroHealth Medical Center
- A Level 1 trauma center with a burn unit, and one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare providers in northeast Ohio
Each Case Western Reserve University student brings their own background and interests to our campus, creating a culture that’s dynamic, diverse and inclusive.
Prepare for medical school
Students interested in pursuing medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or becoming physician assistants work with a dedicated health career advisor, along with their academic advisor and four-year advisor.
Some recent medical school acceptances:
- Case Western Reserve University
- Duke University
- Emory University
- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- New York University
- Northwestern University
- Universidad Central del Caribe
- University of Florida
- University of Michigan
- University of Pittsburgh
- Yale University
Events pre-med students love
SpartanTHON events: throughout the year
- This fundraising and service organization culminates its year with a festive 12-hour dance marathon that raises money for Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. Another one of their popular events: the Fall 5K Color Run.
Anatomy Fashion Show: November
- As student models hit the runway in bodysuits painted by fellow students depicting various systems and organs of the human body, emcees provide important lessons in physiology. Funds raised are donated to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.
Biology Student/Faculty Trivia Night: December
- An evening of shared fun, food and board games concludes with teams of students against faculty answering biology-themed trivia questions written completely by students.
Nightingala & Nurse Prom: April
- Dinner, dancing and entertainment! Everyone enjoys Nightingala, a semi-formal event sponsored by the Undergraduate Student Nurse’s Association. Students then head to Nurse Prom, held at The Spot, where free food and fun continues.
Learn more from our student's stories
Case Western Reserve alumnus Manav Midha speaks about how his love for medicine and economics was making choosing a major challenging. But, CWRU's flexible open-door admission policy made pursuing both passions possible.