Socially distanced students pose for a photo with CWRU signage outside of the Maltz Performing Arts Center
New students explored campus, including a stop at the Maltz Performing Arts Center.

Video: See how new students spent their first weeks at CWRU and get to know them by the numbers

When the Class of 2024 and new transfer students joined the Case Western Reserve University community—whether on campus or remotely—earlier this month, their introduction was a bit unconventional. While safety precautions limited opportunities for them to meet others on campus, they engaged in opportunities to learn more about the university and the community during Discover Week. Now, a week into their classes, they are adjusting to their new normal. 

We caught up with students during Discover Week and the first week of classes to document their experiences. 

“Your motivation to pursue your education—not just academics, but all the other elements of being a college student—is like water,” said Robert R. McCullough, assistant vice president for enrollment and dean of undergraduate admission, in his address to the new students during the university welcome, presented virtually this year. “Like you, water will find a way around, under, through whatever obstacles are put in its way. And it will leave new paths where none had existed before. The power of your problem solving is remarkable, and I know you will change our world.”

The new group of students is composed of more than 1,300 first-years and approximately 60 transfer students.

While we have much to learn about our new students in the coming years, we’ve pulled together information on the makeup of the newest students at CWRU to learn more about who they are.

Where they’re from

The university’s newest students hail from 45 states in addition to Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and 33 countries. They come from the following regions:

  • 20% from the Middle Atlantic
  • 5% from New England
  • 8% from the South
  • 12% from the Midwest
  • 18% from the West and Southwest
  • 18% from Ohio
  • 18% from outside the U.S.

The students bring a wide variety of perspectives to campus, with more than a quarter of students holding citizenship outside of the U.S., representing a total of 65 countries. 

In all, the students come from 950 different high schools, meaning 52% of the students are the only ones from their schools. Additionally, 14.5% of the students are first-generation college students.

How they were involved

Before coming to Case Western Reserve, the new students were highly involved in their communities. Approximately 98% were active in some sort of extracurricular activity, participating in the following:

  • 80% volunteered
  • 68% played a sport
  • 56% were involved in the arts
  • 38% had a part time job
  • 22% were members of student government

“You were looking for a place where these kinds of opportunities were not just reserved for a few, but were for all; that it wasn’t whether you would have an opportunity, but which opportunities you would choose, not what you can do, but what you will do as a member of the Case Western Reserve community,” McCullough said during his address.