I got accepted into the University of Pittsburgh with a substantial merit aid offer as an out of state student. Pitt wasn’t one of my top considerations before this because I have also been accepted into two top 10 ChemE programs. However, those colleges will cost me a lot more than Pitt would.
So my question basically is to learn more about the Chemical Engineering education at Pitt. If anyone has any insight, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
My ds graduated in '13 with chemE. There are probably a few threads about the engineering school - you might want to search - here’s a recent one: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/21084282#Comment_21084282
My ds was also accepted into a number of top programs. All were ABET so I didn’t understand why there would be an advantage to paying more for a similar curriculum. Pitt engineering has a core freshman program which exposes all engineering students to all disciplines before they have to chose their major - typically students declare at the end of the first year. There is no enrollment limits to majors - you don’t have to fear applying to your major and then not getting in. You get what you chose. The engineering school itself is not enormous, you can still seek out professors, still get to know the dept head, the office staff. You aren’t a number. But, Pitt itself is large - so you have the best of both worlds - clubs and activities that you might not see at a smaller school but no worry about getting the classes you want to graduate in 4 yrs. There is a ton of research going on and that means it is simple to get research opportunities on campus, in all areas. Simple meaning - you email 10 labs about working with them - you get 2-4 replies and meet with them, chose one and start the following week. (I have 5 examples of that with my 3 kids). Some are paid, some are not - depends on whether the lab has funding to give out to undergrads. In either case, getting published is possible in undergrad at Pitt. Co-op is a growing program at Pitt - which yes, you graduate later, but yes you would have actual work experience (paid) before you graduate which gives you a leg up on others. Pitt also has the benefits of being in a nice sized city with interesting neighborhoods to explore, concert venues, some big names come through, and also tons of sporting events both college and pro. Also a relatively inexpensive city to get an off-campus apt. Final pt, there is a class on beer making for ChemEs by a prof who is an enthusiast which is very popular.
Thanks for the answer.
As of now, I am more interested in the industry side of ChemE (like working at plants and manufacturing places) rather than the pharma side. I know that Pitt has a great research and med program; is the engineering itself also as great?
For example, the University of Delaware is very close with Dow Chemical and many UDell ChemE grads do internships and co-ops and then eventually work for them. Is Pitt close with any companies like this? Thanks!
My son works in pharma mfg on industry side - his research experience while at Pitt was key to getting that position and the other internships he had. It’s not all bioe research - there’s all sorts of research. You can see what research is being done in chemical engineering here http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/Research/
Here is a listing of industry participants in the coop fair http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/Student/Student-Programs/Coop/Job-Fair/coop-Listing—Page-Content/
Thank you, that was the exact answer I was looking for! Looks like a lot of great companies at the job fair.
Would you compare Pitt’s chemical engineering with PSU as far as internships/co-op opportunities? Thanks!
Sorry but I have no basis to know PSUs career services so I can’t compare the two. Maybe you can look up which employers were at a recent internship fair and judge for yourself? Or post over on the PSU page perhaps.