We’re just one week away from when the Common App and Coalition with Scoir will open to rising seniors, on Aug. 1. We hope you are planning to apply to Case Western Reserve University, and we look forward to reading your application.
As you think about your college application, we wanted to share with you a few tips that we hope will help as you put together your application.
- Consider your decision options. If you are confident that you have a clear first-choice college, consider applying Early Decision. Early Decision is a binding agreement between you and the university: If you are accepted, you agree to withdraw all other college applications and enroll. Read more about decision options at CWRU.
- Choose your recommenders. Like many schools, CWRU requires your counselor to write a recommendation, and also requires two teacher recommendations. Think about the teachers who know you best, who have seen you grow and learn in high school. Great teachers get a lot of requests for recommendations in the fall. Contact them early to request a recommendation to make sure they have time to write a compelling one for you.
- Take your time to write a personalized essay. What you write in your college essay is completely up to you—it should be about conveying who you are to the admission staff. No matter the topic, personalize it. Add a part of you into the piece, and make it genuine. Great essays are memorable to our admission committee and go a long way to making you stand out. Always remember, spelling counts!
- Think about financial aid. If you plan to apply for need-based financial aid, indicate this on the Common App or Coalition Application. At many schools, if you indicate that you wish to be considered for financial aid, your application won’t be considered complete until the necessary financial aid documents are submitted. Get details on financial aid at CWRU.
- Maintain success in your senior year. Selective colleges like CWRU want to see that applicants are challenging themselves and enjoying academic success, and that includes your senior year. Continue to take classes that interest you and represent a high level of academic rigor. See which classes we require students to have completed.
(CWRU has gone test-optional for students applying for the fall 2022 semester. You can review application requirements here.)