Visit Report by Father of the Boarder (Member since July 20 2005 with 284 posts) Visit Date - April 2007
Visit to Carnegie Mellon University in April 2007 by Father of the Boarder (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2008)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
No - It was Good Friday -- so things were low key. Campus Tour:
Yes - Which included as much information as any information sheet. Classroom Visit:
No - Watched from outside of class.
Carnegie Mellon University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 3 - Good -
This is not a warm and fuzzy campus. And, it was snowing on Good Friday.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 3 - Good -
They were on holiday for all practical purposes -- so this may not be fair.
Appearance of Campus: 3 - Good -
Yellow brick is not my fancy. Tight for number of students. But, new buildings handled matters very well. Dorms are weak. Overall, when the new overtakes the outmoded old, campus will be great. Quest
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 4 - Very Good -
It is clean. Dorms a bit musty. Outside was spick and span.
Dormitories: 3 - Good -
Rooms for freshmen are not much larger than those provided to federal inmates. Probably the weakest element of the campus. Seniors can obtain great apartments overlooking football field.
Security/Safety: 4 - Very Good -
I felt safe. Not really in the city. And, security is everywhere.
Overall Campus Impression: 4 - Very Good -
Really nice at new places. Good for freshmen and sophomores as their rooms are too smal for relaxation.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
Pitt is not Boston. But, it may rival it some day. It has northeastern elements: urban decay, pollution and other blights. But, revival is coming. And, CMU campus is included with that phrase.
City/Town/Community: 4 - Very Good -
In addtion to last comment comes the good fo 80,000 students, a major city with major sports, and culture.
Campus Visit Notes for Carnegie Mellon University:
Visit Description:
It was an eye opener.
The
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
We stayed at Wyndham. It was fine -- good.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Pitt has a lot of good dining. Near campus is Union Grill -- classic. Too many choices to mention.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
Between the prohibitive cold and tight schedule we only saw things through a car window.
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This is not a warm and fuzzy campus. And, it was snowing on Good Friday.
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It is clean. Dorms a bit musty. Outside was spick and span.