<p>Thank you! Can you also tell me how helpful people are on freshmen moving day? I have heard that schools can be very different--at some kids swarm on the cars and help bring everything upstairs, and at other schools you need a handtruck so that you don't make a zillion trips! I assume that because frehmen move in during orientation the week before everyone else comes, that it is pretty quiet on campus. Is this so?</p>
<p>kinderteacher, </p>
<p>I can respond because my S was one of those volunteers who swarmed the cars. Move in is a breeze compared to some other places (incl my D's school)...just follow in your car the balloons that are your assigned color, pull up and the kids have everything up in no time, then follow the balloons to your parking area. I believe campus really isn't too quiet during orientation week, the freshmen have a lot of structured activities, games etc...it's a good orientation.</p>
<p>Driving in Pgh takes a few times to get the hang of it. Reason...hills, and downtown comes to a point ("triangle" technically) which wrecks your sense of parallel and perpendicular. Also there are a lot of bridges but its no big deal if you cross the wrong one, you just turn around (by that I mean it's not the nightmare that incorrectly crossing the George Washington is).</p>
<p>What to bring to class--I'm sure it varies with the person, and the major, and with the individual course. I'm positive for most of S's classes (CS basically) he brought nothing at least in his later years. It could be just him but he said notes from all classes were available on-line.</p>
<p>They say if you can learn to drive in and get around Pittsburgh, you can drive anywhere. Lots of streets are one way, and it's never the way you want to go!</p>
<p>Agree with 2331...the closer you get to downtown, the easier it is to get confused because the area is a triangle, with rivers on 2 sides...streets don't run parallel, so going around the block to re-orient yourself may cause you to end up on the other side of one of those rivers! Also agree that it's pretty easy to get back across from whence you came!</p>
<p>You will get great practice in clutch/brake/gas management with your standard transmission car, too...with lots of hills with stop signs and redlights halfway up.</p>
<p>Well, they covered it. While many upperclassmen havent arrived yet, quite a few (including myself and most of my friends) stay in Pgh for the summer and are very willing to help. I actually arrived 6 hrs late (a truck exploded on the LIE) and I still recieved a lot of help and was greeted very warmly by everyone. Of course the campus is confusing though, although the next time you visit you will all be used to it. If you can, find a friendly non-freshman to give you directions and maybe show your kid around a bit. </p>
<p>As a random note, I'll be on campus after the 19th to work with the paper, at which point I wont be all busy with classes and stuff (yet). If anyone needs any help moving in, etc, or wants a free mini-tour, just send me a msg. :)</p>
<p>Thank you all, again. Just a few short weeks left.... : )</p>
<p>No problem. I'm half-dreading going back, and I still cant wait... if that makes any sense. :P</p>
<p>sots, </p>
<p>First off thanks for taking time to share your thoughts on your school. It is so helpful reading information from a student's viewpoint and not from an author of a college guidebook. My son is also very interested in getting a degree in the art field, but at the present time is leaning toward not going to a stand alone art school. He is very interested in 3D and 2D art and wants to get technical training in the digital arts as well as a solid studio experience. I gather that there is quite a bit of cross department interaction at CMU. Do they offer digital arts classes within the FA department or do students take some of the technical classes in with the computer science majors/engineers? If you have knowledge about this area of art and those type classes, what do you think about them? </p>
<p>Also, he is considering continuing his swimming in college, but is worried that he wouldn't have the time he would need to study/work on projects at such a competitive school. Do you know of any arts majors who are in athletics at CMU, and if so, do they handle the workload? </p>
<p>We are kind of far off (although unfortunately time goes too fast with you kids!) as he is about to enter his sophomore year, but we are just starting to look at possible schools to consider and would definitely like to learn more about yours. Thanks for all of the help!</p>
<p>OT: Has anyone figured out who their roommate is? How did you find out?</p>
<p>I think I'm room 214 in Hammershlag.</p>
<p>I found out my roommate, because he called Housing and asked, then contacted me. Neither of us have actually gotten our stuff in the mail yet. We're in Morewood E 304.</p>
<p>I got my letter in the mail, but I know other people who have called and gotten e-mails from housing.</p>
<p>My d got her letter, (Maryland) with roommate's name and location (Morewood E, 5th floor) a few days ago. Had info about renting microrefrig and other stuff). She emailed her roommate but hasn't heard back yet so she's getting bummed. There was no phone number listed for the roomie, and we wonder if she is an international, not in the country yet.</p>
<p>My roommate is international from Korea. He listed a phone number, but it didn't work. He e-mailed me back about 4 days after I e-mailed him.</p>
<p>You/your children can always try signing up at thefacebook.com and checking to see if roommates are there. Alot of people I know through facebook have been freaking out that their roommates aren't on it. :)</p>
<p>Thanks! My dd checked the facebook and she wasn't there. She was not too happy at this, either!!</p>
<p>My son is in Moorewwod E also. He emailed his roomate last week and hasn't heard either. I know he is looking forward to orientation and meeting new friends. I do hope his roomate responds.</p>
<p>I like the layout and location of Morewood E. Very close to campus and a laundry on their floor! My d says that the food is ok at the place in the basement.</p>
<p>My D is interested in a good libreal arts program since she is not sure what she wants to do in the future yet. But she wants to focus on Writing, English, humanities etc. and also has a strong interest in Art. Especially web design and photography.</p>
<p>What can you tell me about Pittsburgh? She would like to attend college in a city. but we really do not know much about Pittsburgh. Have visited Philly and Boston and NYC......any comparisons?</p>
<p>We are just starting to become interested in CMU because it was reccomended on the Art Major section of CC.</p>
<p>what can you share about the school academically, student body,culture,dorms, area around school and internship opportunities ? Anything you feel like adding would be helpful. We only know what little we have read in the paragraph or two that is given in guidebooks etc.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>"My D is interested in a good libreal arts program since she is not sure what she wants to do in the future yet."</p>
<p>I'd just like to point out that CMU is not known for the liberal arts. Yes, it's a top 25 schools, but I think it's rather pre-professional in its approach. Its liberal arts programs (english, humanities, etc) are certainly very good, but they aren't what makes CMU stand out (which is rather Computer Science, Drama, etc). I have heard current liberal arts majors say that they feel that their programs aren't as important to the university as some of the others. It has also been said many times on this board that CMU is a place to go to if you KNOW what you want to major in.</p>
<p>I can't tell you about the humanities programs, but I can offer some insight about Pittsburgh itself. CMU is in the Oakland neighborhood, which is a suburban part of town. It contains UPitt as well as CMU, so it's full of students. There are lots of museums, galleries, etc., plus a big park directly south of CMU's campus.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh has had to live with its reputation as a dirty industrial city, but really, you can't see much trace of Pittsburgh's previous life as a steel city. It's very clean and now dominated by high-tech industry (CMU can claim more than a little credit for that). That's the part between the two rivers, anyway. The south side of the river is more of a poorer area. I don't really know about the northwest part.</p>
<p>The one major problem with Pittsburgh is the roads, as I've mentioned before in this thread. You will get lost and very confused. If you visit, make sure you have either a map or a car with a satellite navigation system.</p>
<p>As far as Pittsburgh compares to the other cities you mentioned... well, it's smaller, of course. I think the public transport system is less...er, extensive. It doesn't really have the big-city feel of Philly and NYC. This is all on first impressions, by the way - I've spent a total of maybe 12 hours in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Luliztee: CMU has a very well respected program in professional writing, but it's not generally known for its humanities. One thing it IS known for is placement of its graduates with employers -- not sure if this extends to humanities or not.</p>
<p>Let me (respectfully) correct what some of the guidebooks say and what ThinkDifferent has posted about location. CMU is NOT suburban. Oakland is within the Pittsburgh city limits. CMU is bordered by the University of Pittsburgh, a 500-acre park, and the residential neighborhoods of Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. It has a very nice location. </p>
<p>And regarding the roads in Pittsburgh: yes, they can be difficult for visitors (it's the hills and rivers), but Luliztee wanted a comparison to Philadelphia, Boston, and NYC. I've been a visitor to Philadelphia and Boston recently, and I can't say I fared much better than ThinkDifferent did in Pittsburgh...</p>