Help for a Pitt Hopeful

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pittsburgh
1

<p>I'm definitely thinking about going to PITT. It's one of my top 5, however, I'm not really sure I'll get in and if I do what types of scholarships should I try to get. I'll definitley need a lot of them to go there. Please don't ignore this. I'm trying to get a jump start on things. If you comment with any suggestion, any at all I'll love you forever! </p>

<p>GPA - 4.1136, unweighted 3.97?
ethnicity - African/black
gender - female
location - pennsylvania
ACT - 26, 29 I'm definitely taking them again. I'm hoping for a 33
SAT- embarrassingly low, so I won't even mention them</p>

<p>I took AP US History sophomore year and got a 5 on it. This year I'm taking AP European History, AP Biology, AP Statistics, and AP Language and Composition. I expect to get maybe a 3 on Stats and 4 or 5 on the others. Next year I'll take AP chem, AP cal/AB, accelerated English, maybe Health/Anatomy, and maybe AP gov. I won't bore you with all the classes I've taken, but they've all been the highest level. Either AP or accelerated if available. I got a B one quarter in my academic chem class and a B on the final, and a C on my French 3 final (only because the teacher hated me). I've gotten As in everything else. </p>

<p>At the end of high school I will have been in the marching band for 3 years, mock trial for three years (winning best witness twice), tennis team for 4 years (hopefully I'll be on varsity next year), key club one year, student government for two years (junior representative), I'm thinking about running for senior class vice president or secretary, and English festival for 3 years. I'm planning on doing some kind of internship or volunteer work at a hospital or a medical private practice. I know my ECs suck any suggestions for making them better that I can do over the summer and the following year?</p>

<p>What scholarships should I try going for (big or small), how can I improve my transcript, are there any other classes I should think about taking next year, and do you think I have a chance? </p>

<p>Thanks for reading!</p>

2

<p>If you can get that ACT up to 30+, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get in (given that you don’t severely butcher your application).</p>

<p>Scholarships seem to be erratic, but the two pieces of advice I have for you:</p>

<p>1) Apply EARLY. Like, as soon as your school opens, make a guidance appointment. Have the transcripts sent.</p>

<p>2) Submit supplementary materials. This means at least one letter of rec and an essay… topics are really straightforward. I recommend that you start your essay right after AP tests are done. That way, come August, you’ll have it ready to go. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

4

<p>agnijay makes good points. What I would add …</p>

<p>You’ve taken both SAT and ACT and discovered that ACT is “your test.” That’s a good thing. You’re planning on retaking the ACT. That’s also good. If you’re looking for a scholarship, prep for that retake as much as your can. Visit the ACT forum to get ideas on the best books to match your learning style, etc.</p>

<p>If you’re applying in August or September, you’ll have to sink or swim with the ACT scores you have by then. The last test this academic year is June 9. Can you be ready to go by then? My S waited for the first ACT of his senior year but couldn’t complete his application until score reports were ready to send. If I remember correctly, it went in around November 1. The retake gave him a really good superscore, and he was admitted with a full-tuition scholarship, so the gamble paid off but your results may vary so have a definite timeline in mind.</p>

<p>The scholarship committee likes gaudy stats (:)) but there are other factors in play. Take care with your essay and have someone who has good things to say about you write your rec.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

5

<p>I’m also going to jump in and say that you DEFINITELY need to apply early, ESPECIALLY as an in-state student (they tend to give out less big scholarships to in-state students, since your tuition is already lower).</p>

<p>The other thing is: Be aware of how many times you have taken the ACT. My GC told me when I applied that if you had more than 3 SAT (or ACT) test dates, the college admissions tended to be a bit wary of your score (because they don’t understand why it took you so many tries to do well…). SO, like SteveC said, you should study pretty hard and bank on doing well in the next round of the ACT, because past a third time taking the test, it won’t look as good.</p>

<p>Also definitely send in extras: an essay and 2-3 letters of rec (especially maybe from a teacher who is in the area you want to study) would be good. If it were up to me, I would avoid the typical “Why Pitt” essay. You’re applying to Pitt, so the admissions council knows you want to go there, it will probably be more fun/enjoyable for them to read something else about you (I did my essay on how much I like to read books, for example). Just a thought.</p>