So I recently enrolled in Pitt as an engineering student and I was given various dates that I can attend PittStart. I was wondering when would be best to attend PittStart. Is there an advantage to going to an earlier date or will there still be places in classes at the last date? The last date is the most appealing to me as it is the two days before move-in, so I can move right into my dorm room. If I were to go then, would I have less chances of getting into the classes I need as a freshman engineer?
Freshmen students are the last to register for courses (upperclassmen register before the summer). We make sure that there will always be courses available that you need, but they may not be your first choice or at the ideal time. For that reason, you must be flexible when choosing your courses.
Best,
A Pitt Admissions Staffer
Spots in core engineering classes are saved so no matter when you do PittStart you will get those core classes but your schedule may be not ideal depending on whether sections fill out - eg 8am classes or night labs may be necessary. I think hailtopitt1787 was speaking about courses in genl - not the subscribed frosh engineering program which you are guaranteed to be able to get into. You will need flexibility and options on your one humanities elective though.
Some students prefer to go early. My D waited till July until she had her senior year AP exam scores.
We are going in June because D is concerned smaller classes may fill quickly. She isn’t in engineering.
We attended one of the late Engineering PittStarts last year. D did have a tricky time getting a humanities elective, but in the end it worked out fine. You can adjust your schedule after the session with approval from your advisor, and that helped her. I would say if you can choose an early session, do.