My son knows he wants to apply to Pitt. I have heard it is advantageous to apply as early as possible after the admissions begins in late July/Early August, so my son wants to do this.
He will already have his standardized testing completed, and can self report his grades and classes.
My question is…
Is is ok for him to request teacher and counselor letters of recommendations before the summer so he does not have to wait for them in the fall? And if so, what is the best process for that, since they would be writing the letters before the admissions process even begins?
Thanks so much!
I do not think Pitt asks for letters of rec. @collegeparent639 . But, in general, I think students should ask their teachers if they will write lors before school is out. That way the teachers can work on them over the summer. Then touch base via email over summer or early in the school year. That’s how my older 2 have done it. Best of luck. And do apply to Pitt early.
I guess my original question should also be…
How advantageous is it to apply as early as possible late July/Early August, versus in Sept/Oct?
@collegeparent639 I don’t think there’s an advantage applying July/Aug versus applying in September. From what I saw in the CC threads this year, it looks like Pitt doesn’t start reviewing applications and sending out decisions until September. I doubt there’s a measurable increase in chances for acceptance if you apply July/Aug versus September.
The biggest advantage is getting an early decision that can help influence how many and which additional schools you apply to, and having that information well ahead of EA and merit scholarship application deadlines.
Apps are accepted earlier in summer but don’t get processed until the end of Sept/early Oct I believe.
I would apply as early as possible without causing stress, and no later than the end of Sept. Decisions will start coming out, so he would have a great option early on if accepted. Also, it’s a relatively easy application, and will be on Common App this year. I liked how it allowed my older kids to practice, in a way, on how to complete a self-explanatory application. Gave them confidence in the process. But with the Common App, it’ll be with that. So great to have an acceptance by the end of Sept., especially if your kid is serious about going to Pitt.
Agree that for rolling schools earlier is better. Not sure if there would be a difference between Aug. or Sept. FWIW our HS didn’t have the student’s transcript prepared until early October. Your S can always send in his part of the application but ask the guidance counselor before the end of the school year to get a sense of when would be the soonest the HS could send in its part. You can send in standardized test scores anytime.
And he should definitely line up the recommendations now and let the teachers know he will be applying very early to rolling admissions schools and ask if they can accommodate that time frame.
Great that you guys are thinking this way and getting prepared early.
Its a huge advantage at all the public schools in Colorado (CU Boulder and other campuses , CSU Fort Collins and Colorado School of Mines) to apply as early as possible, both in state and out of state applicants. However the applications for Mines opens later than the others. They all have an aspect of rolling admissions built in, even though they do not really advertise that,
Students can get full merit packages sent by snail mail !!! as early as late September to November, at CU Boulder and CSU if they apply when the Common App opens. Mines does not require teacher recommendations as of last year, and does not even really have a true essay question. Mines will admit based on GPA and math scores, its not particularly wholistic for admissions , but its a fantastic school for geochemistry, geophysics, and most engineering degrees. Financial aid is not great at any Colorado public university , but our ranks are fantastic and rising, especially CU Boulder and Mines.
My son will be applying early, probably, September, but I am leaning against using the common app for Pitt. Our high school is very slow about getting out transcripts and recommendations. You dont need these if you just apply through the website.
@Coloradomama but the OP asked about Pitt. Not Colorado.
My daughter applied in July and then literally sat and watched while others who applied on September were accepted before her. She was told directly by an AO that they are all reviewed together so July or August doesn’t really make much difference.