Chances at Admission? And possible merit-based financial aid?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pittsburgh
1

So Pitt is my first choice as of now, and I’m starting my senior year this fall. I don’t want to get my hopes up but just wanted to see if I can make it with a good amount of merit-based financial aid.

Stats:
Act: not yet taken, but practices have been showing 30-33
SAT: 1980 (Writing: 630; Math: 710; CR: 630)
GPA: 4.0 unweighted, and a 4.5 weighted.
I’ve taken all honors courses save one in freshmen year and in addition to that I’ve taken AP Bio (5), AP US History (4), and will be taking AP Psych, and Calc AB.
I’ve volunteered in India and taught english at a school. (don’t know if this counts for anything)
I’ve been part of Debate team, Red Cross club, Genetic engineering (where I’ve actually published 6 sequence analysis of the DNA of Landoltia, a sort of duck weed, on NCBI and my report is on PDB as well), I’ve been in a Medical Club (although this was a bit unorganized), and a year in Key Club, a summer research program in molecular biology with Rutgers University.
The only thing is I do recreational Figure skating, but I don’t do any sports. That’s the only thing, I don’t have a single athletic bone in my body.

Will my lack of sports affect my chances of getting in? Are my stats looking good? Does the fact that I’ve already conducted research and been in a lab setting count for anything? Does it look like I could get any merit based financial aid?

I feel like I’m freaking out more than I should be…

2

Keep in mind that Pitt utilizes only scores in the English, Math, and Writing sections of the ACT so be sure to focus on these more than Reading and Science as you prepare. I remember thinking the same thing as you as far as sports go when I applied. Pitt doesn’t put much weight at all on whether you played a sport or not in high school. It’s not going to keep you from getting financial aid. Your other experiences prove your well-roundedness. The merit based aid is primarily based on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores along with class ranking. I hope this helps!

3

Your GPA and ECs are great, stop worrying so much!! Pitt determines merit scholarships mostly on SAT/ACT scores, so work hard on your ACT practice and you should be fine. I have absolutely no doubt that you’ll get in.