Applying to Pitt, a few questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pittsburgh
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<p>First off, Pitt is not my top choice, but they are the only school I'm looking at that has rolling admission, so I'm applying there now to start it off. I saw that the essay is optional, and also very vague (they suggest writing about basically anything even remotely tied to academics or ECs). </p>

<p>Also, I'm taking the SAT Subject tests in November (not required at Pitt, but at a few other of my choices), and using that registration to send my all my scores for free to 4 schools, including Pitt (even though they don't require the Subject Tests, they'll get my SAT I score from what I understand).</p>

<p>Just quick stats to give you an idea of myself:
-2200 SAT and 32 ACT
-NHS, Spanish NHS, Commended Scholar, Tri-M
-Officer/leader in several clubs and organizations
-Going to be an Eagle Scout shortly
-ECs including school clubs and band
-3.75 GPA unweighted so far this year (around a 3.85 my junior year overall. Weighted is somewhere above a 4.6)</p>

<p>So, my two questions are...</p>

<p>1) Should I write an essay? I wrote one for my application to Drexel and found that it came off a bit awkward, based on what they asked, though others said it was sufficient, especially given my other reqs. Is it worth using it to elaborate on some extracurriculars, namely because of the 5 that the application let me put down, 3 went under vague "Other" categories...</p>

<p>2) Should I "submit" my application as soon as I've decided on the essay, or wait until CollegeBoard sends my scores (which I suppose is around Decemeber?) I have a waiver for the application and from my free "credits" on CollegeBoard, it won't cost me anything to send in my test scores either, so I'm not really planning on paying if I can just safely wait instead.</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any help.</p>

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<p>1.) WRITE AN ESSAY!!! Your stats are certainly quite good, but if you want to be in the running for any merit money and/or the Honors College, you need to include an essay. If for nothing else, think of it as practice - but take it seriously. You will be writing essays for all your applications.
2.) For any rolling admission school - time is of the essence. You want to apply as soon as you can - applying later, or waiting for your November results will put you at a serious disadvantage. Your current stats are more than sufficient to get you into Pitt - and with a decent essay, should put you in the running for merit money.</p>

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<p>Ok, thanks, that’s what I’ll plan to do then. I had ideas about writing an essay, mainly to explain my ECs and a few other things I’ve been involved in, but I wasn’t sure if it was a waste of time or not.</p>

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<p>What is your SAT CR/M breakdown? Pitt doesn’t look at the writing portion. If the CR/M adds up to 1450 or above, you have a chance at a scholarship.</p>

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<p>^^^^^IIRC, Shifty’s CR/M SAT score was 1460.</p>