Merit @ Pitt - HS Class of 2026

Starting a new thread of newly accepted students. Anyone get merit offers yet? If so- share if in state, OOS, which school (Dietrich, Swanson, etc) merit offer date, acceptance date.

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Thank you putting this up. How do we know if our daughter is a merit scholar option?

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No news here but … some portal astrology type guessing… last year’s thread said Pitt sent an email about how affordable Pitt can be the day before the merit scholarship email. DC got an email from Pitt about affordability yesterday!

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We did as well but nothing in her portal yet

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Thank you for starting this thread.

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I think everyone is a potential candidate for merit, depending on stats and strength of application.

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Before TO they stated you needed a 33 ACT but I know some TO kids have gotten.

If you look at the CDS, 389 of 4547 got merit, averaging $8,027. Not sure the breakdown of in/out state. But it’s not common - and the #s show that.

It’s not a school you apply to out of state if your budget is well below the published costs. There are much more aggressive schools.

Got that too- interesting! Maybe those letters will start dropping tonight! :folded_hands:t2:

All admitted students are reviewed for merit scholarships.

Here is what Pitt says about how students are reviewed (source):

University Scholarships are the most common type of merit award and are primarily academic scholarships based on performance in high school. Criteria include weighted grade point average, rigor of curriculum (AP/IB/Honors courses), class rank (if applicable), and SAT/ACT results (if applicable). In addition, various non-numerical, holistic factors, as presented in the personal statement or Common Application essay, that describe the candidate’s background, are also a part of the review process. These holistic factors allow for a multi-talented student body. Holistic criteria may include exceptional and unique talents, commitment to community service and leadership, significant family, job, or community responsibility.

Here is what Pitt says about timing:

Due to the competitiveness of University Scholarships, most admitted students are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee several times before a final decision is made. As a result, those students selected to receive an award will be notified anytime between late-October and March 1, regardless of the date admitted. Only students who are selected to receive an award will be notified.

I think the 389 is only the merit aid from kids who didn’t have need. A couple pages before there’s non-need based aid for kids who did have need, which is about twice as high. So total is about 1k? https://www.ir.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/assets/2024-2025%20CDS%20Pittsburgh_9.pdf

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I think they don’t do side by side lie others but you are looking at the entire school and not first year. Correct me if wrong. Here’s an example of another school.

I see! It’s still a bit opaque but I don’t think they are awarding under 400. They don’t count any merit scholarships that are applied to meeting financial need in that number, so I’m confident it is much higher given the out of state pricing.

The first merit awards were 10/15/24, 10/17/23, and 10/12/22…. Maybe there will be news today?

Pitt is known to be stingy with merit. But best of luck.

So 3rd Tuesday of October based on the last couple of years, so maybe tomorrow! :crossed_fingers:

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Thank you for starting this thread! We got the “see how affordable Pitt can be” email on October 13. Yesterday’s email was about “the value of a research University.” Hopefully there is merit news soon.

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Hopefully!

Nothing yet ?! :thinking:

Nope

Merit letter just came! Academic award of $40,000 ($10,000/year) for Dietrich. Out of state.

Stats: 3.97 UW, 4.81 W, TO.

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Nice!! Congrats! When did your acceptance come?

My kid was just accepted yesterday, so we might be waiting awhile, lol.