If you’re reading this, it means you’re wondering if your child has a shot of getting into Case Western Reserve University. Fear not: you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to get into all your questions and then some. But first, let’s learn a bit more about Case Western.

About Case Western Reserve University 

Even if LeBron James isn’t there anymore, Cleveland (home of Case Western) still has it going on. For a city in the Midwest, it’s vibrant and lively. Undergraduates at Case Western get to enjoy all the city’s resources, as the campus is situated in University Circle, surrounded by hospitals, museums, and research institutes. 

With 6,000 undergraduates, Case Western is a nice medium-sized school. In part because of its location, it’s a top pick for pre-med and engineering students and the school boasts an impressive research output in these fields. 

Case Western Reserve University’s acceptance rate is 38%. That means getting in will require strategic planning (and the help of Ivy Coach’s college admissions experts certainly wouldn’t hurt!). 

Case Western Reserve Admissions Requirements 

Obviously, GPA, standardized testing scores, and extracurricular achievements are the key components of a successful application to Case Western Reserve University and to any school. That being said, what do these components actually look like for Case Western admits? Without further ado, let’s dive in!

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into Case Western Reserve University?

CWRU has only released GPA data for one of its graduating classes: the Class of 2028. The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Case Western’s Class of 2028, as reported in Case Western’s 2024-25 Common Data Set:

GPA	Percentage of Case Western Reserve University Class of 2028
4.0	17.89%
3.75-3.99	46.82%
3.5-3.74	24.32%
3.25-3.49	9.28%
3.0-3.24	1.36%
2.5-2.99	0.20%
2.0-2.49	0.13%
1.0-1.99	0%

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into Case Western Reserve University?

The average SAT score for the Case Western Class of 2028 was a 1500 and the average ACT score was a 34. Those are some high scores! Though Case Western is test-optional, 59% of applicants that year submitted test scores. We at Ivy Coach believe that test-optional policies are nothing more than a happy-go-lucky fable. If you want in at Case Western, definitely nail those tests and submit those scores! 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into Case Western Reserve University?

Case Western lists the following as their minimum academic requirements in order to be considered for admission: 

• 4 years English
• 3 years math 
• 3 years science
• 3 years social studies
• 2 years foreign language

Of course, we at Ivy Coach would not recommend merely three years in any core subject. Highly selective colleges like Case Western want to see students excelling in each core subject (English, history, math, science, and foreign language) all four years of high school. In fact, they expect to see five years for foreign language since most students begin their first level of foreign language in eighth grade.

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does Case Western Reserve University Like To See?

We’re going to clear up a common misunderstanding: highly selective colleges are not looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking for a well-rounded student body comprised of students who are each singularly talented. 

In terms of extracurriculars, that means Case Western Reserve University is looking for depth over breadth. If you’re a member of the debate team, the robotics team, the field hockey team, and the drama department…well, then, you’re merely a member of those groups. You don’t stand out in any of these pursuits. Case Western Reserve University would much rather accept a nationally ranked debate champ than a kid who spent an hour or two on debate a week because he spent the rest forgetting Shakespeare lines and fumbling the ball in football practice. 

Case Western Reserve University Application Requirements

Case Western accepts the Common App or Coalition App. They ask for two letters of recommendation from teachers. 

Who Should Students Ask For Letters of Recommendation For Case Western Reserve University? 

Case Western applicants should ask two teachers, ideally two junior year teachers in core subjects. Obviously, the applicant should have a good relationship with the teacher or at least have performed well in their class. In addition, at least one of the recommenders’ subject area should be related to the student’s hook: if a student’s singular hook is studying fruit fly DNA, it wouldn’t make sense if their recommenders were their History and English teachers. 

Does Case Western Reserve University Require An Interview? 

Case Western Reserve University does not require an interview, and, in fact, they don’t even offer one!

What Are Case Western Reserve University’s Application Deadlines? 

Early Action and Early Decision I applications to Case Western Reserve University are due Nov. 1. Early Decision II  and Regular Decision applications are due Jan. 15. 

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Case Western Reserve University 

If you’re interested in discerning if your child has a shot of getting into Case Western Reserve University, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into Case Western Reserve University, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.