They’ve had record numbers of applicants over the past few years so it wouldn’t surprise me if they’re waiting to evaluate more of the applicant pool.
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For those who applied Aug 1 and are pending decision, tomorrow (9/12) marks 6 weeks. My daughter applied Aug 20th and went under review Aug 23rd. Emailed advising decision in 6-8 weeks. Is the sense that Admissions may handle batches of early applications together, i.e., all August applications under review with decisions soon or will they be staggered based on application date. If Aug 1st is still waiting and we are entering week 6, I’m assuming all future applications will be subject to the same 6-8 week decision timeline? So my daughter’s Aug 20th application would have a Oct decision potentially…
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I feel like last year they likely caught up with any initial backlog in the first couple decision cycles and then it seemed like most applicants were getting decisions fairly quickly after applying. The exceptions were small enough to be consistent with those applicants being individually held over for additional consideration.
But it sounds like things have changed internally, so who knows this year?
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It’s certainly possible that’s what will happen, but that 6-8 weeks is a VERY loose estimate and not something try to hold themselves to. A couple of years ago, the university said 6-8 weeks and it was regularly taking 12-14 weeks for tl students who applied in September and October. It’s really impossible to know what’s going on and how that will affect people who apply at different times.
If it’s a problem with whatever new system they have then who knows? If they really are holding early addmissions to see how they compare to later submissions then maybe things will speed up. If that’s the case, they should stop saying that they have rolling admissions.
But really who knows?
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My son’s application went out mid August but our private college counselor said he had been in touch with Pitt and they said the applications wouldn’t be reviewed until mid-October. TBH I was skeptical and still wanted to get the app in early because last year a friend of ours applied Aug 1 and heard before Labor Day. Anyway, reading this thread it now makes sense that they are changing how they review applications. But I really did think the concept of calling it rolling admissions meant exactly that. Anyway, it’s got me more relaxed over here to just wait it out for another month and then be pleasantly surprised if we hear earlier.
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Thanks for your info. But it’s not rolling admissions now! BS! Oh, we’re rolling after we wait for 2.5 months and compare and contrast all of the applicants! My S25 has been accepted to 3 schools already that are truly rolling admissions!!!
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Wow! Congrats on 3 admissions already that’s amazing. I agree with you … don’t call it rolling admissions if that’s not what it is!
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He applied early to his schools because he is applying to their music schools as well, and they have an additional application and audition.
He applied to Pitt because we are a Pitt family, and you never know if he changes his mind about music.
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Obviously we have around a month left until mid-October, so we’ll have to see if it is true no one gets a decision before then.
But I agree that would be a big change if so. Still helpful in that mid-October is before most of the EA/ED 1 deadlines, but it would definitely warrant a different discussion than in years past.
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Exactly. We were truly hoping to have one in hand before we make a number of final decisions on S25’s list.
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And I and others here have in fact promoted Pitt for that purpose. My S24 got that early Pitt offer, and it was great. I am really hoping it remains an option for my D30, so now I am watching this thread with a lot of interest despite the lack of a C25 myself.
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Thank you for sharing this update!
I do agree that Pitt Admissions should advise prospective applicants/families of the change in process to reflect a mid-October review as many students and families may have come to rely or expect a 4-6 or 6-8 week decision process as advertised upon application submission (and perhaps sooner if relying on typical timing from prior years). It makes sense if Admissions wants to consider applications against a larger pool, and if true, I suspect the threshold for early application admission will be raised for this applicant year. Good luck to all!
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We went to the August 10th blue and gold day. It was one of the best college open houses we’ve gone to
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Thank you for sharing this! It’s really helpful and makes me feel better. Same thing with my D25, her counselor told her to apply as early as possible for this very reason and that it’s one of her top choices!
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Thanks for sharing that info. If true, it is SUCH a wild departure from their normal process. They normally start reviewing and releasing merit aid by mid October. If they really aren’t reviewing applications until then, they don’t have rolling admissions anymore.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s true. Pitt is notorious for handling communications horribly.
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I wonder if this means that admissions will be more difficult this year, anyone have any insights?
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Wow. It will be extremely frustrating and disappointing if there truly are no decisions until mid October.
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DS 25 recv’d “your application is Under Review” on August 19. OOS, UW 3.8, W 4.3, ACT 35 (one sitting) Dietrich - HIghest school available rigor, Visual arts and community service intense EC’s. IT’s frustrating the process appears to be different/delayed this year. we were also hoping for an early “win” to help guide future decisions. It feels like this year’s applicants are up against so many demographic and other barriers this year over which they have no control. It’s gonna be a long season
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We went through the application process last year and this is how Penn State, which claims to be rolling admissions, was. My older child applied in late August/early September. We are in-state and my kid had stellar credentials but didn’t receive notice of admission until early December.
My younger child is applying this year and Pitt is their top choice, so our entire approach was premised upon (hopefully) receiving admission early enough to make decisions about whether to bother applying to any other school. FWIW our local Pitt rep hosted an online event this week and said 4-6 weeks for a decision, but it’s possible the school and local reps aren’t quite on the same page yet since it appears the process may be a bit different this year.
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This event is what sold my older child on Pitt last year. Pitt does an amazing job with B&G Day and it was by far the best event we attended among the many colleges we visited.
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