Merit @ Pitt - HS Class of 2026

Perhaps - but again, the CDS from last year that 389 of those without need got $8K on average.

It’s great news for the posters that the school is coming large.

We don’t really know whether everyone here who got merit is without need though. Many could be a combo of with/without need.

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Also keep in mind that the CDS lists enrolled students, not all students offered merit.

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My c26, who submitted scores, got 15k to Dietrich. My c24, who went TO, got 10k. Both 4.0 uw with lots of APs and activities. OOS.

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Is merit awarded mostly to OOS? So far, seems Swanson is all OOS. Also, the committee that meets for merit - is that per college per field of study? For example, does Swanson meet for civil and then decides and then chemical and then decides or are all Swanson looped into one?

We are still waiting and hoping for a little merit. (33 ACT, 3.8 UW/4.9 W GPA, 10 APs, 4 DE, admitted to nursing a few weeks ago). Does anyone know if Pitt looks at need when awarding merit (in other words, need-blind or need-aware)? If need-aware, what does that mean for merit? Are they less likely to award merit to a student who checked the box that they are not applying for financial aid?

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My kid did not apply for FA and got 15k, which seems to be the highest amount they offer for Dietrich. So need does not seem to be part of the equation.

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We checked no for FA. We were pleasantly surprised by the $10,000/year for nursing going TO. However, Pitt will likely not make sense financially in terms of other options.

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Our 23 son is now a Junior, a ME Major in Swanson in the Honors College. It has been a really solid experience, with a lot of opportunities. Our 26 son out of the blue decided to apply there yesterday so it will be interesting. Wishing everyone the best!

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We haven’t gotten any update regarding merit either (3.95UW, 1570SAT, OOS). Also not applying for FA. Perhaps it just takes longer for some?

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Merit isn’t tied to applying for FA.

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Even for kids who get the max merit, it can take months before the merit award is actually issued. It can seem pretty random. My S23 applied early, was admitted early, was admitted to honors, and received max merit later in the season. By that time, it was definitely a surprise for him :laughing:

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When you say max scholarship, are you referring to the 20k or the full-ride scholarships that consider students admitted to the Honors College?

Yes, my son received the 20k regular merit award.

The full ride scholarships aren’t given out directly. Students are invited to interview. I have no personal experience with that process, though :grin:

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DD received $20k per year from Swanson. Totally shocked! She is high-ish, but not crazy stats. 4.3 w/ 3.8 uw. 1460 SAT. OOS. She loved Pitt so definitely a contender!

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Any merit awards for business school applicants yet?

My daughter just received her merit offer yesterday.

5k/year, 20k in total.

I was aware that Pitt is very stingy with aid but my daughter and I were a little disappointed to be honest.

In state, Pitt portal, Dietrich.

Unweighted GPA 4.0, weighted 4.7? SAT 1550, 16 AP.

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Congratulations… and I hear you on the disappointment too. In state awards often seem to be lower than OOS.

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Which makes sense, since they are paying significantly less than oos students. The only school that didn’t offer my kids any merit was our in state flagship, although it was still a little cheaper than other oos flagship’s with merit.

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Always interesting to see this happen, especially the in-state / OOS divide. I think they should stop calling it merit scholarships and instead call it “institutional priority” scholarships since it’s probably more based on what the school needs versus what accomplishments the student actually brings.

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