<p>I have something to add about the honors program. The professors who teach the honors classes do so by application. They actually WANT to teach, so you may get a more engaging teacher. From our limited experience, the profs who taught the honors classes were very good.</p>
<p>A little bit about my connection to Pitt: I have my pharmacy degree from Pitt, my husband has degrees in economics and MBA, my brother graduated from engineering, my sister got her masters in education and my BIL got his masters (or PhD) in engineering.</p>
<p>Students can cross-register at just about all of the local colleges, whether honors students or not.</p>
<p>Definitely don’t bring a car. Parking is scarce and expensive, while public transportation is really easy, safe and free.</p>
<p>As a freshman, I’d stay in the Towers. The rooms are really not bad, with new furniture, carpet and air conditioning. Each student gets a height-adjustable bed, 5 drawers, a closet, a desk and a chair. There are two cafeterias, a gym, the laundry and a coffee shop right within the towers. Between the convienience and the big freshman community there, the Towers is the place to spend your first year.</p>
<p>DC is really an exciting place to be, especially for a politically active student. But Pitt does have good things too. Probably Pittsburgh is safer than DC. Just keep in mind that there is no “wrong” decision! :)</p>