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Dorms are fun and have a close environment
Cathedral is beautiful
Honors college is helpful and flush with cash
DownersWeather is poor
Campus has very little grass
Class sizes are too big
CommentsPitt is the perfect place if you want an affordable, urban, public research university.
Would You RecommendYes
The price at the time was reasonable, urban location, and wide course selection
DownersThe support services could have been better. Some of the dorms are extremely dated.
CommentsPittsburgh is a fantastic city, and it was great to go to school in an urban area.
Would You RecommendYes
Amazing!!
Admissionsapplication, essays
scholarship oppurtunities are reviewed at same time as application submission
Level1
Graduation Year2016
We are the best.
Admissionsso difficult
Level1
Graduation Year2014
essay, resume, application, financial aid
Level4
Graduation Year2011
Class sizes become smaller as you become more specialized in your subject area. There are lots of study abroad opportunities and our Study Abroad Office is extremely helpful and thorough when a student wants to study abroad. Professors have 4-6 office hours a week, and from my experience have always been there when they say they are going to be.
Quality of LifeOakland has a relatively low cost of living which is nice because living on-campus, while it is extremely safe, is a little more expensive.
Level2
Graduation Year2013
There are large class sizes for general requirement classes, that range from about 200-250 students. When they classes are this big Pitt makes sure everyone is one the same page with once a week recitations taught by teachers assistants. In my experience, I've found that the professors are very approachable in office hours. Pitt is a great school to go to for anything medical related because UPMC is right on our campus allowing students to have opportunities such as research, volunteer work, and/or internships.
Quality of LifeI am very happy here at Pitt! The residence halls on lower campus are set up in a great central location nearby the library, food courts, restaurants, and a nice park (Schenley Park). Since its in a city there is always something to do whether it's a concert, sporting event, or show. You are never bored with all the fun school sponsored events that take place on weekends! The OCC program, short for Outside the Classroom Curriculum, is a one of a kind program here that also gives you a way to get credit for going to the events on campus. Plus, the Pitt Arts program here is awesome because students can go see free shows and performances for free in addition to a free dinner beforehand.
AdmissionsThe admissions process is pretty similar to a typical college application. You need to fill out the application and write a personal statement that gives you a chance to say in words what you have to offer.
Level2
Graduation Year2013
Liberal arts college, you must take many general requirement classes. Core classes are usually pretty difficult to help weed out students who do not belong in the major (at least for my experience: pre-med) Advising was great, i have a wonderful relationship with my advisor. Class sizes are great for such a large school. out of 2283 undergraduate courses offered, only about 6% are 100 students or more, 63% are 30 students or less, and 45% are 20 students or less. Most professors are involved in research so there are many opportunities. School is very competitive, and grading is fair. There are many study abroad opportunities and they are easily accessible, workload is definitely manageable even for students with difficult majors.
Quality of LifeHousing is great, cant go wrong with any dorms on campus. Center for Off campus housing makes living off campus easy. Cost of living is low in Pittsburgh, Campus is gorgeous and fun, facilities are well maintained, library is well equipped, great variety of places to study. Food is great. neighborhood is super safe, Pittsburgh was rated number one among bench mark cities in public safety. Relationship with community is great. Crime and safety are not an issue. I am extremely happy.
AdmissionsI applied using the Common app. Plus a Pitt supplement. Regular decision, found out I was accepted within about three weeks. Did not receive a scholarship.
Level2
Graduation Year2013
Great mix of large and small classes. General education requirements are mostly useful (except we must take 3 natural sciences classes which is a bit much for those majoring in the arts). STUDY ABROAD IS AWESOME! We send 17% of out undergrad abroad a semester, 10% more than the average and we have our own programs which makes it even more accessible.
Quality of LifeSo fun, great community, smallest big school ever.
Level4
Graduation Year2011
The general education requirements aren't too terrible (fairly flexible); good study abroad program (about 17% of students here study abroad); I don't know much about major requirements--I'm still undecided; advising is good; class sizes vary, but are generally 'smallish' (only 6% have 100+ students, 43% have 20 or fewer, and 65% have 30 or fewer); in my experience, the professors have been very accessible and helpful, and there are a great deal of research opportunities available to undergrads.
Quality of LifeHousing options are varied and good; cost of living is pretty good, even more so once a student moves off campus; campus is pretty urban, but with a good amount of green space; nice facilities, several libraries, good dining options all over campus; surrounding neighborhoods are fine; safe campus, etc.
AdmissionsRolling admissions; essays/interviews/resumes/etc. are suggested, not required application materials; financial aid is quite good--many (most?) students receive some form of aid, and a great number get scholarships from the University.
Level3
Graduation Year2012