I would like to offer a different opinion. My daughter is a junior engineering major. We like to visit her on the weekend and take her to dinner. Whenever we drop her off at her dorm we can see kids studying in dorm lounges, even on a Saturday night at 10:30 PM.
She’s mentioned many times that she likes to go to the library to study, but it’s very hard to find a seat, also into the late hours of the night.
I’m sure there are a percentage of these kids that go a little wild when they get to college and experience true freedom for the first time, but I really got the impression that Pitt is also a place for serious students,
Do the larger classes have multiple choice exams for ease of grading? My son does not do well on multiple choice. I am hoping open ended question exams are given in the smaller recitation classes.
In regards to drinking, I think Pitt offers more alternatives than schools in remote areas. For kids that like to party, they will find it. I am more concerned with schools with a dominant Greek life. I think Pitt is large enough school with a mixture of different types of students and being in the city is a positive.
There is PLENTY for the kids to do besides drink. They won’t feel pressured to drink and they can find like minded friends. There does not seem to be a heavy Greek presence at all.
But if you have a kid who is already experimenting with alcohol or partying, rest assured they will have plenty of access. Fake IDs seem to be a thing and the penalty for having alcohol in your dorm room seems to be just a slap on the hand.
For the larger classes, i can only speak for engineering. The chemistry, physics and calculus test are not multiple choice. Some of them are just a few problems and they are all graded by hand.
Just adding. Since Pitt is in an urban setting, a “free”, short bus ride from what would consider the city or the business district, there is a mix of neighborhoods on the campus boundary that not only cater to the student population, but to the growing affluent medical community housing in the area. This maxes the flexibility for the Pitt student around entertainment and dining choices one of the best in the US. There is plenty to do besides go to frat parties.
@fredfromjupiter --frat parties are not the concern at all really. The Greek presence at Pitt seems minimal. Private room parties (IN the dorms and yes, even the honors dorms) and at nearby apartments are where the kids drink.
A lot of campuses struggle with alcohol and Pitt is no different. But there are plenty of things to do besides party and plenty of kids who do not drink.