back at pitt for the second year in a row… '30 hoping to join her sister whom we move in on monday. happy to help if anyone needs it…'29 is FHC, SCI w merit in state. 
'30
8/6 - common app (applying TO)
8/10 - STARS
8/11 - portal email
8/11 - awaiting decision
good luck to everyone! we’ve loved pitt so far. H2P.
Following
I hope move-in goes well! It seemed like last year had later than normal responses for the earliest submissions. In previous years some kids had heard back by Labor Day. I’d read that they were using a new system. Do we have any idea of the extra time was just challenges with the new system or if it’s the new timeline? I’ve seen both 4-6 weeks and 6-8 weeks on different parts of the site and presentations.
A question to all who submitted the application. S26 recently attended a Pitt virtual session. Regarding LORs, there were two confusing answers…one person said they don’t require LORs and don’t look at it. In the same session another admission officer replied they don’t require LORs but will read it if submitted.
In he Common App it clearly says they don’t take LORs, they only need school counselor info to send the school profile. Does the Pitt application say the same?
D26 applied via Pitt app. No LORs required and Common Data Set says not looked at. Also, no school report needed once STARS is complete. Her application is complete and under review with just STARS.
S26 actually ended up using the Pitt App because he was getting confused by the required elements in the Common App that contradicted what the Pitt Admission workshop had stated.
No LOR is required. No school report or counselor report is required. No grades in Common App. (He called the admission office to confirm that no school report or counselor report is required).
All that is needed is 1. Profile information 2. Personal Essay (650 words) 3. Check honors or not (no essay required for honors choice). After submitting, Pitt will provide a link for SRAR/STARS. 4. SAT/ACT official record sent - if submitting test scores.
Make sure the STARS account is created with same email as provided in the Common App or Pitt App. Takes a day for STARS to link with Pitt application. The Common App linking with STARS can take a little longer.
S26 also did the Pitt App because he found it much easier to upload his resume/activities list because he is still working on trying to fit his ECs in the common app word limitations.
Thank you so much for all the info. I am going to suggest to my kid to just use the Pitt app. It seems less complicated.
Not sure really…I am planning for the same as last year but hoping for better. Last year was a record number of applicants I believe as well. Good luck!
My daughter submitted and did Stars. Stars says its linked, and she registered for the Pitt portal. In the Common App, the status says its been downloaded. Does that mean they have everything they need? When did people see their status change from downloaded to In Review? I want to make sure she has done all of the things. Thanks!
My D submitted via Common App on Saturday 8/16. She submitted her SRAR/STAR the same day, and had sent official test scores in July. The Common App showed downloaded pretty quickly, definitely by Monday 8/18. She received two emails today Wed 8/20 – one with instructions about the portal and another saying her app had moved to the review phase with a decision in 6-8 weeks.
My S submitted Pitt App on Friday 8/15, STARS on Monday 8/18. He received an e-mail today 8/20 stating his app had moved to the review phase with a decision in 6-8 weeks. He is applying to the School of Computing and Information. 3.74 unweighted gpa and 4.07 weighted gpa. Some honors classes, 7 classes with dual enrollment. However 1 D and 1 C on the transcript. Pitt is his top choice. Applying from out of state. Hopefully, he will receive an acceptance decision a lot sooner than th 6-8 weeks.
Has anyone received a decision latter yet? If not when are they suppose to come out if you applied first week?
They set expectations that it can take 6-8 weeks when the kids submit, though when we visited they said 4-6 weeks. Last year, the 8/1 applicants found out in mid September, but the years before that they found out before Labor Day weekend. No word here, but I’d just looked at this post to see if anyone else has heard. Hopefully everyone will soon!
My D26 is planning to apply soon to Pitt. She’s been waiting because she doesn’t have her schedule yet confirmed for the upcoming year (school starts next week here). Should she just apply with what she knows or does she need to get her ducks in a row, first? She’s got her essay done, but it was the thought of completing the academic record that made her pause. Appreciate the insights. Thanks!
Nothing here. Last year it looks like the first offers went out around 9/18. We are watching closely. Pitt is a top choice for my D and good news would allow her to cross a handful of schools off her list.
Our school also hasn’t solidified schedules yet, but the Pitt admissions presentation was adamant you should apply as soon as possible for the best chance. If my daughter’s schedule changes, I think she’ll send an update through stars. (The admissions page explains what to do for that here: STARS record Information - Admissions | University of Pittsburgh)
Sounds like the app will go in this week then. Thanks!
She does need to have her senior schedule settled and even though she can change it in STARS it’s better to have it when she applies. Tell her not to worry, early September is still “early” to apply to Pitt. They emphasized this in admission presentations we’ve seen, when students expressed worries about not being able to apply August 1 when the app opened. You just don’t want her to wait until Oct - Nov.
I agree with this. Senior classes need to be reported (as in progress) on STARS. You are allowed to revise the STARS after it is submitted – but with classes starting next week, I would probably just wait at this point. It seems like it will be a bigger headache to submit incomplete or incorrect info, and then revise a few days later.
Haha - it’s ME that’s worrying! I’m just seeing people talking about it and getting interested. She’s cool as a cucumber and happy to wait until she’s got everything.
Yep - makes sense! Her schedule will be sufficiently weird that I’d expect it WILL change, so may as well hold out another week.