<p>Hi, I'm an incoming senior in high school and was thinking of applying at Pitt. From what I know, Pittsburgh is quite an industrial city, is this the vibe you at Pitt? I really like Pitt and will probably go visit soon but I was just wondering about the industrial-ness of the city. Also are there cultural things to do in the city?</p>
<p>sharleenie-- it’s really not industrial at all. Where are you from? maybe we can come up with a City near you to compare it to. It’s now a banking, high-tech city. Here’s one of several sites to view…
[Welcome</a> to PittsburghCityLiving!](<a href=“:: Welcome to PittsburghCityLiving! ::”>:: Welcome to PittsburghCityLiving! ::)</p>
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<p>No, not at all. Pittsburgh WAS an industrial city…30 years ago. It’s very full of life and art/culture now. Lots of outdoors activities, historical activities, arts and theater opportunities, science research, etc. The campus itself has a slightly city feel because we do build up not out as well as having blocks, side walks, and traffic through campus. We say “the city is our campus” because we are really integrated into the neighborhood we are in- Oakland (we are NOT located Downtown, although it is very close). There are a bunch of other neighborhoods and parks closeby all with their own appeal and vibe (Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Schenley Park, Frick Park, Regent Square, The Waterfront, etc.)</p>
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<p>In Oakland you can go to a bar or coffee shop and hear poetry or see someone perform. The Cathedral is constantly putting on theater festivals, Pitt plays, or outside shows. Pitt has a band, orchestra, and many other clubs and groups that perform events all around campus. There are many museums that you can go to for free- Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Museum of Modern Art. Also the Carnegie Music Hall is beautiful and hosts many speakers and musicians. Phipps Botanical Garden & Conservatory is a quick walk off-campus. Frick Fine Arts has beautiful reconstructions of famous paintings.</p>
<p>There’s also PittArts, a free program that puts together events every week where students can go see a show (theater, ballet, opera, symphony, museum, etc.) with free tickets, food, transportation, and generally interaction with a performer or docent. I highly recommend these.</p>
<p>Beyond that, there’s CheapSeats, where Pitt offers HIGHLY discounted tickets (like $35 for orchestra seats) to most events being held downtown. Again this is things like: opera, ballet, theater, musicals, symphonies, etc.</p>
<p>Literally anything you could think of seeing or doing is possible in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>I don’t think there is another school in the country that has a program as good as [url=<a href=“PITT ARTS | Student Affairs”>http://www.pittarts.pitt.edu/]PittArts[/url</a>], and I’ve been around quite a few different urban universities. Pitt Arts provides free and discounted tickets for all types of cultural events. And Pitt students ride unlimited public transportation for free. </p>
<p>There’s a ton just around campus, but PittArts combined with the transportation deal the school has with the city’s public transportation authority opens up the entire city’s culture world for you. If you’re bored at Pitt, frankly, it is your own fault.</p>
<p>Thanks so much! I live in New Jersey but am planning on visiting Pitt soon!</p>
<p>It was very different than I thought it would be. The campus is very pretty actually and the tour was awesome. It isn’t right downtown or congested but you do feel like you’re in an urban area, but there are parks and the upper campus was more suburban feeling. Pretty school and nice city that I didn’t feel overwhelmed by.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh is a nice city, with lots to do. The area where Pitt is located (Oakland) is mainly populated by people connected with Pitt or the adjacent medical center, UPMC. So, Oakland really has a college town feel. </p>
<p>The city itself is divided into many neighborhoods, each with a different feel. Some areas that my Pitt student enjoys are: Shadyside, Southside, Waterfront (shopping), and the Strip District. Try to allow yourself some time to explore the city when you visit!</p>
<p>The only downside of Pitt from the Philly/NJ area is the long drive on the PA Tpk to get there. There isn’t good train service to Pittsburgh, and the airport is an hour outside of the city. There is Greyhound and Megabus, also on school breaks there is a Pitt bus service that leaves directly from campus. [University</a> of Pittsburgh - Buses & Shuttles](<a href=“http://www.pc.pitt.edu/transportation/buses_thanksgiving.php]University”>http://www.pc.pitt.edu/transportation/buses_thanksgiving.php)</p>
<p>Pamom, are you talking about the Pittsburgh airport? It might take an hour by bus, but it is not that far out.</p>
<p>MD Mom, I agree that if there is no traffic it should be 1/2 hour drive, but everytime that I have been in Pittsburgh the traffic on 376 has been awful.</p>
<p>Thanks. My daughter usually took the bus to the airport and often it was in the wee hours of the day, so I do not think she had that problem.</p>