Can anyone offer insight into when the Honors decisions are announced? Thanks in advance.
Definitely could be flawed. What we know for sure is that Pitt is shifting dollars away from merit to need based aid, discussed here: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/10/18/new-grant-program-pitt-matches-pell-grants-and-targets-students-unmet-need?fbclid=IwAR0HOnekeiKBnsBJqefWfzuLs3Vai_AT0F-pYx99bW-vSk3n3lrX_OqPyyo#.XanAB9i0mGI.twitter and in various places on their website.
Got accepted into GAP for the accelerated PharmD program - letter came same day as my acceptance letter to the university.
Similar to @TenCh430, I can report a merit award of $2k per year for in-state 33/3.8 UW. In my kid’s case: female, not URM or FGLI, Dietrich. Applied early September with acceptance about 10 days later.
I get it that people who had older children get better (or much better) merit awards with similar stats are feeling disappointed. My take is that merit aid is not a tool to reward kids for hard work and an excellent high school record; getting no or much less merit than expected says nothing about your kid’s worth. Merit is a tool meet institutional priorities with limited funds, and Pitt’s priorities for those resources have shifted – totally their prerogative.
That’s helpful, @Itisatruth . I think the thought had been that Pitt would be a “financial safety” once we knew our kids had been admitted, based on recent-ish data, and it can be a hard reality to have to keep looking.
In my DS20’s case, the southern/southwestern places with guaranteed merit aid are less desirable for ethnic/cultural community reasons. (Almost no affinity group for him, which is not true at Pitt.)
stats?
@Itisatruth Yes, but, it should then not be reported as just merit as it is on the website. And, other state universities make sure in-state students are taken care of, as Pitt has done up until this year. From what I have seen, Pitt seems to be giving higher merit to out of state vs. in-state students; not sure if this is right.
There are much much better choices than Pitt when it comes to Merit. We learned this 2 years ago and we have decided to not apply (S20 and higher stats ) even with an application waiver. The lack of clarity and communication can set you up for disappointment. You really have to have close to perfect stats to be able to get any merit. If the applicant has anything less than a 33 ACT and less than a 4.0 GPA, you should not apply and expect any merit.
Simply, DO NOT APPLY TO PITT expecting any merit unless you have the TOP STATS. The school is moving up in the rankings and the location is very attractive.
@collegeisago Where do you suggest? Asking for my son, and to give counselors in my large Pittsburgh suburban school a heads up as things have changed so drastically this year! I used to tell so many students in my classes to apply to Pitt, but need other suggestions. Thanks!
@Andromeda10 We live in suburban Pittsburgh and I’m a Pitt grad. My son got $5/year merit this year and I was very surprised. I don’t think Pitt has ever been “generous” with merit for in-state. Yes, compared to other state schools PA leaves a lot to be desired. Honestly, Pitt and Temple should go private IMHO. To call them state schools is somewhat disingenuous.
As for OOS merit at Pitt, I think they get more $ but their tuition is higher so on a percentage basis I think it’s probably about even with IS.
For merit besides Pitt, and assuming highish stats I’d look at WVU, Ohio State, Michigan State, South Carolina, and Temple within a driving distance. Then look at private schools like Dayton or Wooster. If you need much lower then you have to look south or west like Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky or Arizona.
I did my masters at South Carolina. I’ve also lived in Alabama. I wouldn’t hesitate to send my kids to any of those schools. In fact, I tried to get my son to apply to USC but no luck.
@chmcnm Yes, but they received over $151 million from the state tax revenues to benefit residents of the commonwealth for a more affordable education. They want the money but don’t want to be accountable for its purpose.
@Andromeda10 As the poster above suggested, I would start with those schools. We are out of state, at the time D18 applied, we had been looking at previous postings from 16, and 17. Many applicants were already seeing changes from years past. We thought there was a chance to even receive some sort of Diversity scholarship that was being offered. The information that was put out at the time was extremely misleading and even questionable. They have since made some revisions but not much has changed. Pitt is not a school were applicants should count on getting any merit unless they are applying with top stats.
I would not read too much into what @fretfulmother wrote about Southern schools or Southwestern schools. Obviously, there are going to be some cultural and geographical differences, but even at schools such as Pitt, you will find that as well. All these schools enroll students from all different walks of life. It all comes down to fit.
For those students with scores in the 28 to 32 range, do not count on any Merit. This is not to say that there might be a small possibility, but do not apply thinking you will get anything in the form of pure merit. As far as need-based, this might be different if you are able to qualify.
Has anyone heard back about guaranteed medicine? If yes, was it separate from the merit letter?
@Andromeda10 You’re preaching to the choir. Any public university sitting on a $4 billion endowment that grows every year and raises tuition every year doesn’t sit well with me.
I always hear that the $ are earmarked. BS. It’s about fees and AUM, not education.
@collegeisago -
“I would not read too much into what @fretfulmother wrote about Southern schools or Southwestern schools. Obviously, there are going to be some cultural and geographical differences, but even at schools such as Pitt, you will find that as well. All these schools enroll students from all different walks of life. It all comes down to fit.”
You can read into what I wrote, exactly what I wrote: for my OWN son, the others are not as good of a fit culturally/ethnically. There’s no disagreeing with that statement, as you do not know him.
Here’s one example that applies to one ethnicity: at Pitt, there is an established kosher dining plan for Jewish students. At Alabama and New Mexico, there is not. Arizona launched a partial plan just last summer.
@chmcnm -
What is “AUM”?
AUM is assets under management. More money, more prestige, more management fees collected the larger the school’s endowment.
@fretfulmother You made somewhat of a general statement. This is why I said, it does come down to fit and obviously financials which is what a lot of this merit stuff comes down to. But you are correct, I do not know you or do not know anyone for that matter on these boards. I was not trying to pick on you. This is why I am always puzzled by questions such as “help me choose” or “what should I do?” or “read my essay”, Who are we to answer these questions for people we do not know? However, there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on these boards who know such about specific schools, cities, etc… Just nice to be able to exchange this knowledge.
You probably have done your research, but lot of schools in the South and Southwest have have a very large percentage of jews. As you mentioned Arizona but so does ASU, Tulane, Emory, College of Charleston, Elon, Any school in the state of Florida, and even Alabama. All these schools are in the South and Southwest. As far as Kosher Kitchens…not sure about that.
My son received a $40K (10K/year) merit scholarship for Swanson. He is in-state, 1490/3.9 UW, National Merit Semifinalist, 10 APs, marching band/winter percussion/chamber choir with leadership roles in each activity.
Let’s just say we are pleasantly surprised by this offer and Pitt just moved to the top of his list.
Can someone please let me know which app is the correct one to monitor for admissions decisions? I see several in the App store. Thank you. !