What is life like at Pitt? What do students do for fun? Do they mainly stay on campus or venture off? What is the surrounding area like?Are the academics cutthroat, so much so that free time is rare? What do you think is the best thing about Pitt and what do you think the worst is? Could you describe the Honors Program & its requirements/application process?Thanks so much!
I don’t think a whole lot of college students browse these forums. Maybe try asking on their subreddit?
visit the school!
@AwesomeOpossum might be able to help
Pitt parent here. Both of my daughters got involved in clubs according to their interest level. Most of the time they stay at or near campus for their “fun” activities, but they also take advantage of activities the city has to offer, such as running the 10 miler and the marathon, going to concerts, and seeing shows.
Although the school isn’t cutthroat, some classes are very hard, such as the freshman weed out classes and the engineering classes.
I can’t speak to the process for applying to Honors School today, but when my kids applied, there was not a special process for it. Both were accepted based on their scores. Then they were given the opportunity to apply to live in Honors Housing, which they did.
I don’t know what my daughters would say regarding best and worst of Pitt, but as a parent, I would say the best of Pitt is that even though it’s a large school, you feel like you are at a small school because of the individual attention you receive. Plus, there isn’t the bureaucracy to deal with like you have to at Penn State for instance. They are willing to work with you and help you find the path that is best for you. I have no thoughts regarding the worst of Pitt.
Are you from PA? Can you visit?
Another Pitt parent here. My D went to Pitt without knowing a soul. On her first day, she made many new friends that she still has 3 years later. She did live in the honors dorm. She also has joined clubs, takes advantage of Pitt Arts, and uses the free bus pass to go all over town. She is busy with school but always seems to be able to take a day every weekend to do something fun. It appears to be a balanced combination between studying and having some fun. Pitt has also given her many opportunities - internships, research and many of her friends do coops. She is in engineering.
The only downside I have seen is trying to get into specific classes. She is a junior this year and still was unable to get into 2 classes for next semester but she found 2 other classes (not in her major) to keep her busy. This problem is probably not unusual for any university of any size.
Overall, Pitt has been a great choice for her.
I’m a freshman at Pitt right now, and I love it.
What do students do for fun?
I really can’t generalize what students do for fun; Pitt’s a large school on a city campus so you can really find people who do anything you like to do.
Do they mainly stay on campus or venture off? What is the surrounding area like?
My friends and I venture off quite a bit, but again, it depends on the person. I know a lot of people who haven’t left Oakland. There’s a couple of nice neighborhoods around with shopping and movie theaters that are within bus distance (and bus fare is free with you student id). South Oakland is mainly upperclassmen in houses and apartments, and people go to parties there on weekends. There good shopping and restaurants in Shadyside, Southside, the Waterfront, and Waterworks.
Are the academics cutthroat, so much so that free time is rare?
It really depends on your major, but even then, I’m an engineering student and I still have time to go out on weekends and hang out with friends during the week. It’s all about time management. I’m not gonna lie, academics are difficult, but there not cutthroat like competitive. People want to help you more than compete with you. What’s your major?
What do you think is the best thing about Pitt and what do you think the worst is?
Best thing? I can’t decide; I love Pitt. I came here not knowing literally anyone, and I’ve made a ton of amazing friends.
Worst? I really don’t know.
Could you describe the Honors Program & its requirements/application process?
There isn’t a separate application for the Honors Program, but they list the requirements on Pitt’s website. There’s a min GPA and SAT score if I remember correctly. The Honors program here is really what you make of it. I’m in it, but personally haven’t really utilized it. They have events fairly often I think, and there’s honors classes that you can take, but they don’t affect your GPA or anything. They’re more for if you really love a subject and want to learn more about it than the status of being honors.