Thank you. My Son got in as well with 25K/year for 4 years. Waiting to hear about the honors and Chancellor scholarship
@hailtopitt1787 - Hello HTP - are you hearing that Honors Decisions are targeted for 1/12/2020? Thanks in advance.
Let me give you some perspective about the Honors College decisions and some insight from a current Pitt freshman. My child, who was valedictorian of the senior class, had perfect test scores, many state and national titles in given talent and other local and national academic awards, including writing. Amazing volunteering experiences and quite frankly, one of the most humble persons you could know. Still did not get in the Pitt Honors College despite getting waitlisted at the top Ivy leagues, admitted to other very competitive private schools and other honors colleges across the country.
Keep in mind when you receive your decision:
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Pitt Honors never met your child. The application process involved zero recommendations or interviews. At least this was the case last year.
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The decision was based on 3 essays- If your child is in AP English or aced the SAT or ACT English with perfect scores and received other writing awards throughout their high school years … they still may not like your essays for WHATEVER reason—Remember it’s SUBJECTIVE.
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Applications last year did not include extracurriculars, not sure if this year does.
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Pitt Honors College just may not want your child for many NON-ACADEMIC reasons your child cannot control.
Now, after 1st semester and enrolling in Pitt honors classes anyway, my child has met many students in the Honors College and guess what? Many of those students say the honors classes are too hard and they are not enrolling in more. Guess what? My child will! And my child received a 4.0 this semester and has done so many AMAZING things at Pitt in just one semester it would make your head spin.
Does my child feel rejected by the Pitt Honors College… of course. Will my child apply to the Honors College as a sophomore? I don’t know. Will my child continue to take challenging honors classes and ace them… Yes! Does my child want to meet like-minded, very studious students at Pitt? Yes! Would extra mentoring help. Yes! Will my child do great at Pitt if not admitted into the Honors College? Yes!
So take your Pitt Honors decision for what it is. A decision. It will not and cannot define what your child can achieve at Pitt. Did my child not want to go to Pitt because of the Honors College rejection…Yes! But after removing the emotion of the Honors College decision, Pitt still offered the best academic scholarship and most opportunities in my child’s intended field.
So do not let the Honors College decision keep you from fulfilling your dreams if Pitt is the school for them. The experience has revealed to our child there are many things you cannot control even when you have all the qualification. It has also opened up our eyes to the many college admissions intricacies. We will use what we learned when our other 2 children apply to colleges in the near future.
@LK7430 well said!
It was almost laughable last year when people posted that they were turning down fantastic merit offers from Pitt and Pitt was clearly their student’s first choice…all because they didn’t get into Pitt Honors.
A good intentional student can make a great place for themselves at Pitt. Honors or not. And honestly once you are there no one cares one bit if you are in Honors or not. It’s your choice. My daughter couldn’t even begin to list which of her friends are in Honors classes.
My daughters application is pending as well and she applied on 11/05/19
@LK7430 Thank you so much for putting the honors piece in perspective. DD was fortunate to be one of the in state scholarships and we will continue to count our blessings. I really appreciate your effort towards reducing the pressure about whether she is in the honors program or not, I had DD read your post. I think it will help in the coming weeks.
@LK7430 This is the best post on this forum! Thank you so much for this!
@LK7430 Thank you for providing such great perspective! My DD is a junior this year, and she’s planning on applying to Pitt next fall. I know she’s really hoping to get into the Honors College, and as you mentioned in your post, her decision could very well depend on whether she gets into Honors College. I’ll certainly share this post with her. THANKS!
@Bromptonboy that’s the plan! Good luck.
Anyone else still waiting on merit aid? Daughter was accepted to Pitt Engineering in September. OOS. Good stats (1490 SAT, 3.9uw/4.6w). Excellent ECs and essays. All of her friends heard within weeks of getting in. Pitt is on the top of her list so she is getting very anxious. Hoping the wait is good news since she has a tight budget and needs good aid to make it work.
@hokie95 Yes still waiting, Daughter accepted to SCI 11/6. OOS, 1540 SAT, 4.25 out of 4.3 UW GPA, did all essays and great ECs, attended Blue and Gold day over the summer. I am now wondering if she won’t received merit based on our EFC. I emailed her admissions officer regarding merit around a month ago (as we are basing a second visit on receipt of merit) and he said most merit is awarded between January and March 1st so are being patiently hopeful.
My daughter and I are flying to Pitt at the end of this month for a Personalized Visit. Has anyone attended one of these? If so could you share your experience? Any intel or tips as to how to make the most of this type of visit would be appreciated. Thanks!
@hokie95 My daughter was also accepted to the Engineering school in September with nearly identical stats as your daughter (my D has a 4.0 unweighted GPA) and is still waiting to hear about merit aid. She too views Pitt as a top pick. We have a tight budget, but are fortunate to be in state. I hope we both receive good news soon.
Son (stats in post #7) was admitted to SCI Sep 6 and still haven’t heard back on merit (though no longer waiting).
DD was awarded $15k/year. Wondering since she has already heard if that means she has no chance for Honors admittance or invitation to Chancellors? She has great stats - #3/604, NMF, 1550 SAT, National AP scholar, 4.62 GPA plenty of volunteering and EC’s with leaderhip. Her older brother 2 years ago with similar stats was awarded $25k/Honors and invited to apply for Chancellors. He applied but was not invited to interview.
for Pitt Honors decisions, will they be available in the application portal or will they be sent through an email or letter?
Accepted on Sept 30th - no news on merit yet.
@croaswife I do not think the merit you have already received means anything regarding honors. As far as I know no honors decisions hve been released. We should hear within the week.
I also don’t think that current merit level indicates that you have been ruled out for one of the big merit scholarships. I haven’t read anything that indicates your child can’t still qualify for Chancellors.
@uneecornn I have been wondering that as well. Thanks for asking.
I got the acceptance video today(Yay) but where can I find out what major I got in for and also where to pay enrollment fee(in the future)
My D was accepted on 12/12 and waiting for merit award. If my D commit now, will it low the chance she gets the merit award?