First-Year Student Applications Up for Class of 2015 at Case Western Reserve

Newswise — The forthcoming first-year class at Case Western Reserve University is already making an impression: Application rates rose 45 percent from last year, from 9,247 to 13,363, including a 75 percent surge in applications from underrepresented minority students.

Rick Bischoff, vice president for enrollment, credits a universitywide commitment to recruitment, along with a sense of progress and positive energy on campus.

The university is engaged in more strategic recruitment, he said, adding that counselors tripled their number of high school visits made in recent years. “Three years ago, we visited 300 high schools across the country. A year ago we visited 600 high schools, and last fall we visited 900 high schools,” Bischoff said. “We were going into a lot of places around the country that we hadn’t been in for a long time.”

In addition, the university reached out earlier and more frequently to potential applicants through increased email and other communications efforts.

They had a great story to tell in these visits and emails, Bischoff said. Both parents and potential students have shown enthusiasm about major university projects: The Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center, the Tinkham Veale University Center and the Uptown project. “It’s easy to tell a compelling story about the university and the education opportunities we offer,” Bischoff said.

Application rates are up noticeably at elite universities, including 7 percent at Stanford University and 15 percent at Harvard University, rates that many attribute to students applying to more universities. Bischoff, however, said something more is happening at Case Western Reserve, noting that he has yet to see any highly selective university that has posted similar gains.

The university will notify applicants of their admission on March 20; potential students must reply to the offer by May 1.

Case Western Reserve University is one of the country’s leading private research institutions. Located in Cleveland, we offer a unique combination of forward-thinking educational opportunities in an inspiring cultural setting. Our leading-edge faculty engage in teaching and research in a collaborative, hands-on environment. Our nationally recognized programs include arts and sciences, dental medicine, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing and social work. About 4,200 undergraduate and 5,600 graduate students comprise our student body. Visit case.edu to see how Case Western Reserve thinks beyond the possible.