Deferred by Pittsburgh? Please help.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pittsburgh
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<p>I received a letter from Pittsburgh which told me that the decision on my application is to be deferred "on-or-before April 1". The letter says that my record shows academic strengths but due to the volume of applications received, they will be unable to make decisions on a number of strong applicants until later. I am here to find out more information about this process.</p>

<p>I spoke with the admissions office a couple of times and they told me that my test scores were the main reason I wasn't admitted. According to them, they "couldn't find anything negative about my transcript, grades, etc." but since my SAT scores were "100 points below" their range, I wasn't admitted. </p>

<p>When I applied in late November, I had my high school transcript sent to them, which included everything up to the end of my junior year. I am in all honors and AP classes, and up until the end of my junior year, my GPA was a 4.1 and my GPA on the 4.0-scale was about a 3.54. My school has two semesters, each divided into four marking periods. We had just finished my first semester and I received GPAs of 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, and 4.5. So, I expect my cumulative GPA to rise.</p>

<p>However, my SAT scores are what got me. My combined Math and Reading score was 1100. From the various phone calls, I was told my test scores were responsible so I am very convinced that my senior grades don't even matter at this point. Or do they?</p>

<p>They are asking me to send in my mid-senior grades (in which I received 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.5) as well as new test scores, if possible. I registered for the next ACT test. I just need some input, advice, opinions, etc. I feel like my decision is all dependent on my test scores.</p>

<ul>
<li>Based on my credentials, am I a strong candidate to be granted admission after deferral? Or am I one of those students who should be thankful I was deferred and not rejected in the first place?</li>
<li>What are the statistics concerning deferred students and acceptance rates?</li>
<li>I applied for Arts & Sciences. How, if so, does this affect my chances?</li>
</ul>

<p>All I really want to know is, is it worth trying to fight my deferral or are the chances REALLY against me? I mean, I have a GREAT backup school and I am thankful for that. I have already been accepted to PSU University Park. But Pittsburgh clearly is my top option. What do you guys think?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

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<p>I think anything is possible with Pitt’s admission office. The ACT’s may give you the great results that your other grades seem you are capable of. I am glad you have a great back up but Pitt is worth it. Good Luck</p>

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<p>Thank you. I am not too familiar with any of these admissions processes. I really do want to go to Pitt so I’m doing all I can to become a success story.</p>

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<p>My daughter could not get past a 1390 (Math and Reading) on her SAT’s after multiple tries. She had already been accepted at Pitt but we needed a partial scholarship which she could not get with the 1390. She then took the ACT’s for the 1st time in February of her senior year. She received a 32 and then a $10,000 scholarship. So as I said anything can happen but do try to get a prep book as it is a whole different test than the SAT’s and ask the admissions office to make a note that you are taking the ACT’s and to expect the results. You might email saying that you are taking the test on a certain date in order to hopefully change your deferral to an acceptance. I would then call them if you have good results to make sure they received them and to ask for a review. These are the kinds of things my daughter did and she received he happy ending (scholarship) within 2 weeks. Hope you post how you make out!</p>

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<p>Most deferred students, I read, were granted admission after submitting the senior grades. I wish I could do the same because my grades this year were very impressive. But like I said, they weren’t too proud of my test scores which is why I am hoping and praying for a good ACT score. Why does this have to be so complicated and overwhelming…</p>

<p>I really fear the English, Reading and Science parts of the ACT’s too. But hey, I just gotta do it. </p>

<p>Congratulations to your daughter btw! I hope I can score somewhere around that too.</p>

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<p>good luck on your ACT</p>

<p>I found your post interesting because when I was on a tour of pitt recently there was a poster up in one of the dorms showing that the mid-50% SAT of students at Pitt was higher than that of PSU- Main Campus. PSU places more weight on GPA than SAT scores; therefore if you have a high GPA you can get in with lower SAT. Pitt appears to have more emphasis on SAT scores.</p>

<p>I think a lot of kids would be very happy to be in your situation because admission to PSU main campus is very competitive in its own right so that is a great accomplishment for you. PSU is a great school and will give you great job prospects after graduation. There was recently an article in the Wall Street Journal that said PSU was the number one choice of job recruiters. Also they have a huge alumni network.</p>

<p>so I guess I’m saying don’t stress so much about this it will work out in the end. If you go to PSU and make good grades, you should be able to transfer to Pitt after proving yourself. However, once you drink the water in Happy Valley you probably won’t want to.</p>

<p>PS would be great if you could post your admission on the PSU forum bec. a lot of people with similar stats to yours are still waiting to hear.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I’m not trying to knock PSU off as a bad school. My desire to go to Pitt is just really high. Thank you got comforting me, I really appreciate it. I will gladly post an update whenever I receive my decision. Hopefully, it’s an acceptance!</p>

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<p>Like someone above mentioned, some people do much better on the ACT than on the SAT and vice versa. Get a good book and take many practice tests as possible. You said you got an 1100 on the SAT. Was one score much higher than the other or were they close to each other. Could be the lower score was just too low. Many people do much better when they take the SAT the second time so that’s another option. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I got a 520 Reading, 580 Math. I’m positive they only look at these two scores. My weakest subject is English so the 520 Reading was expected. I’m so nervous because of the time constraints on the ACT. I can’t really “study” for the ACT because I won’t know what material is in it, but I can prep for it. What I’m going to have to do really is prepare my timing and rely on my smarts to answer the questions. Timing is key on the ACT. </p>

<p>I wanna go to Pitt so bad!</p>

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<p>Your differential isn’t too bad between your scores so any improvement (at least 40 points) in Reading would probably put you over the top on your superscore if you retook the SAT. Any specific major in A&S that you’re shooting for? And why do you like Pitt over PSU?</p>

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<p>I was too late in registering for the next SAT so I registered for the ACT instead. And I was told by many that the ACT was found to be much easier than the SAT. I’m looking to go for Biological Sciences and/or Psychology for the Arts & Sciences program. I visited both campuses and I had a stronger personal preference for Pittsburgh. And you can’t deny the city life that Pittsburgh has.</p>

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<p>interesting reply from them… i know it is rolling admissions but did u apply later than most would? i got a letter simply asking for 1st semester grades then an email reminder to send them in.</p>

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<p>I applied in late November, I believe November 21st. I’m kinda sketchy on my chances but I still remain hopeful. I’m not just about to give up.</p>

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<p>Quote " I’m so nervous because of the time constraints on the ACT. I can’t really “study” for the ACT because I won’t know what material is in it, but I can prep for it." End Quote</p>

<p>With your course load it is very hard to prepare for a new test but tomorrow I will look up the one book my daughter used to preprae her. She used it for 1 week and then took the test. She said the particular book was not as perfect as the reviews had stated but that it was very helpful for someone who has never taken the ACT’s. Will post name of book in AM.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much! Really, to all of you. I posted this thread to find out about my chances of getting into my top option school and I appreciate all of your advice and input. Hopefully, this thread will one day serve as help for other students who find themselves in my situation.</p>

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<p>Pitt puts a lot of emphasis on GPA and h.s. curriculum as well, as much or more than SATs. It’s a combination and a balancing act. Fall 2010s numbers had average GPAs of 3.91, up from 3.87 the year before. The middle 50% SAT range was 1190-1350, also slightly up. Your new grades are going to help, and if you get your test scores up with the ACT, you are going to be in decent shape I think.</p>

<p>Just FYI, here are Pitt and PSU’s admission statistics for Fall 2010.
PITT-Pittsburgh campus
Middle 50% CR+M SAT: 1190-1350
Average GPA: 3.91
Top 10% of HS Class: 51%</p>

<p>PSU-University Park
Middle 50% CR+M SAT: 1090-1300
Average GPA: 3.53
Top 10% of HS Class: 45.5%</p>

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<p>D used Dissecting the ACT 2.0 by Rajiv Raju & Silpa Raju. D bought on Amazon. Not one of those huge books like the SAT prep. Best of luck.</p>

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<p>@NYYBombers22‌
Were you eventually accepted to Pitt Main campus? I’m just curious because my credentials are similar to yours.</p>