<p>I have another question about joining the Pathfinders … Several Pathfinders I met at Pittstart indicated that it is extremely competitive and many werent chosen during their 1st semester of freshmen year, but reapplied 2nd semester and/or sophomore year and made it. Is it very hard for a freshman to make Pathfinders during their 1st semester? Should I wait until sophomore year?</p>
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<p>Yes. One of the jobs of applying to be a pathfinder is creating your own tour (i.e. there isn’t one tour you learn, you create it yourself). As a freshman, you’re already busy learning you way around campus, learning classes, etc. You’re going to be pretty overwhelmed. You really don’t have the time to put into pathfinders, nor have you been on campus long enough to merit showing it to other students.</p>
<p>Another benefit of Pathfinders is that you may also be able to work in the summer at Pitt as a Pathfinder.</p>
<p>If you apply in the spring, is staying for the summer mandatory? Do you have to be there the entire summer or would it be possible to go home for a few weekends? As in how often are the pittstarts and is there enough time in between them to go home if I live out of state? Thanks!</p>