Five years ago, Kiyla Cooper was a high school student looking at colleges and trying to decide where to apply. She remembers what stood out to her about Case Western Reserve University. “I was drawn to the university because of its diverse range of majors, its student opportunities outside of the classroom and its multitude of campus resources,” she says. “CWRU was actually my top-choice university.”
Kiyla graduated this spring from CWRU’s Weatherhead School of Management with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree from the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
We recently talked with Kiyla and asked her a few questions about her time at CWRU.
What surprised you the most about life at CWRU?
“How well CWRU prepared me for graduate school and for life in a new country. The hard work definitely paid off, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t made the decision to attend CWRU back when I was in high school. You learn time management, you learn how to prioritize, and you learn what works best for you in reducing stress, amongst many other skills.”
What organizations on campus were you involved in?
“I was involved in various organizations, but the one that impacted me the most was the three years I spent as a resident assistant (RA). I was able to meet a ton of new people that I may not have had the opportunity to interact with otherwise. We studied together, we attended campus events together, and spent many late nights just socializing in the common spaces of the residence halls.”
What did you and your friends like to do for fun on or off campus?
“On-campus, my friends and I would spend a lot of our time having movie nights or attending campus events. Off-campus, we’d like to go downtown or to Edgewater Beach.”
Where was your favorite spot on campus?
“The interesting thing about our campus is that we are situated within walking distance of a number of museums. The Cleveland Museum of Art is directly across from the Tinkham Veale University Center. It was nice walking to the museum to take a study break and see new exhibits or just visit some of my favorite pieces.”
What advice would you give to anyone interested in applying to CWRU?
“Go for it. Welcome challenges, welcome mistakes, and most importantly, take pride in who you are, where you come from, and the things you have accomplished.”