<p>Can someone who have enrolled or is enrolling in University of Pittsburgh provide some opinions about the school?
What is something unique about this school? What do you like or dislike about this school? I’m trying to find out more about this school, so if you have any comments, please share it. </p>
<p>Thanks so much!!</p>
<p>My D graduated from Pitt 2 years ago. I can not say enough good things about her experience and how it has prepared her. She majored in Neuroscience and was involved in research starting in her freshman year. She was a TA for a couple of class, in a sorority, worked and volunteered in local hospitals - opportunities are plentiful. She is now in med school and excelling. </p>
<p>And, my entire family loves visiting Pittsburgh. There is so much to do.</p>
<p>Pitt truly is one of the most unique universities in the world. The uniqueness may be symbolized in its main building, the [Cathedral</a> of Learning](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_Learning]Cathedral”>Cathedral of Learning - Wikipedia), for which nothing else exists like it at an educational institution in this hemisphere. But the substance of the uniqueness extends to an extremely unique blend of setting, academic programs, and cultural opportunities.</p>
<p>Pitt is very urban, but also has large green lawns and is adjacent to a large wooded urban park. It is also adjacent to, and highly collaborative with, another major research university on its eastern flank, as well as being adjacent to another small university on its western flank, setting it in a neighborhood overflowing with college students. In addition, the region’s primary natural history and art museums, and the city’s main public library branch, are adjacent to Pitt on its southeastern edge, while one of the nation’s top botanical conservatories is just a few yards south of campus. These amenities are blended into the university both physically and culturally, and all of these museums and centers, along with many others in the city, are free to students, as is all public transportation via students’ ID cards, making the neighborhood setting and accessibility to world class cultural amenities unparalleled to any other institution that I am aware of in this country…and I’m familiar with quite a few.</p>
<p>Not completely unique by a strict definition of the word, but also not particularly commonplace, is the availability of major college football and basketball at this type an medium-sized, urban, research school. Further, being one of the top 10-12 universities in the nation as far as research and development activity, along with having a relatively high grad to undergrad ratio, means that there is a somewhat uniquely plentiful number of opportunities for undergrads to get involved with research and internships right on campus which is also facilitated by having all of the university’s professional schools, and most of its research and major medical facilities, physically located where students also live and go to class.</p>
<p>Operationally, it is also a relatively unique hybrid of a public and private school enjoying private governance but offering discounted in-state tuition. </p>
<p>Don’t take my word for it though, check it out. It may not be for you, but there really isn’t anything quite like Pitt.</p>
<p>What kind of stats does it take to get a large merit scholarship to Pitt? D is very interested in engineering, loves cities, and would like to be at least a couple of states away :)</p>
<p>@wgmcp101 It sounds like an interesting school. Do you know what kinds of special programs or majors Pitt offers? Thanks!</p>
<p>Hello @sunrise97, you can find a list of majors, minors, and certificates offered at Pitt here: <a href=“Majors - Admissions | University of Pittsburgh”>http://oafa.pitt.edu/majors.php</a></p>
<p>regarding the stats question, i would recomend at least a 600 in math and CR sections of the SAT or the equivalent on the ACT, a solid GPA, and good quality coursework. Pitt is an amazing school that stands out. The city of Pittsburgh itself is very unique and a stand out in this country in my opinion. i have travelled a lot and was really blown away by the city of Pittsburgh. it is big and bustly, kind of a big city oasis surrounded by farmlands and mountains. Some of the houses are on crazy high hills which just looks cool. the people are friendly, the city is clean, the people are very very proud of where they are from and it is relatively easy to get around. Now pitt is the flagship school of this amazing city. it is slightly NE of downtown and has 2 busy streets giong right through it so you have the urban atmosphere right at your doorstep. There is tons to do on and off campus and it is safe to get around. pitt is surrounded by several other universities, it is adjacent to Carnigie Mellon on one side, i don’t remember which school is on the other side, but as you go down either 4th or 5th street to do downtown, you will pass a string of respected universities all right next to each other. pitt has strong ties to the medical community so if your kid has an interest in that area, there will be ample options all within a safe walk or drive from campus, the school itself is on a hill so even though the main campus area is flat, you can trot up cardiac hill to see the famed basketbal team!!! the upper campus is quiet and picturesque while the main area is lively and vibrant and they are literally only 3 blocks from each others. if you can visit campus, please do. i can’t really put into words how cool a campus it is. </p>
<p>I know Pitt is urban, but is it a “loud” campus? My son likes cities, doesn’t mind crowds, but constant sirens/street noise bother him. We were on Pitt’s campus many years ago, and I seem to remember big green spaces that might buffer the city noise. </p>
<p>I live in the suburbs, and I didn’t really notice the noise on my visit. It’s a city, so there is some, but I don’t think it’ll be an issue.</p>
<p>i doubt it would be too loud and if that’s an issue, he could see if he get the housing taht’s up on the hill, the only downside of being there is there a hospital helicopeter pad in that area so it may be louder than teh lower campus at times!!! although 4th and 5th streets are clearly city streets, they are nowhere near as busy as a street in manhatten. and my son is at temple, about 2 blocks away from Broad Street, which is a main thoroughfare in philly and has never complained about noise. i only mention this cause i assume Temple would be louder than pitt and it has not even been a problem there. </p>
<p>My DS lived on upper campus for two years and it is really quiet up there. He lived in Bouquet Gardens Jr year and I was amazed how quiet his apartment was. He now lives on Juliet St, a block from Blvd of the Allies and it’s pretty quiet also. I think it’s the best of both worlds as you are close to lots of activity but you can live where it’s reasonably quiet. </p>
<p>Thanks to all for the feedback re: noise. It’s really helpful! I’d love to see my son at Pitt. He’s decided to apply to three schools - Pitt, RIT, and George Mason, majoring in Information Science (Networks and Security). One downside to Pitt is not being directly admitted into the School of Information Science. Do y’all see that as any sort of significant negative? </p>