Help! Low GPA! Class of 2024

Hello! I really, really, REALLY want to go to University of Pittsburgh, since it’s about 20 minutes away from where I live. I plan to enroll in the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences with a pre-pharmacy track and minor in German. Unfortunately, I’ve had troubles at home throughout high school, which resulted in my low GPA (3.5889 uw, 3.6989 w ughhh) with 5 honors, 1 AP, and 2 College in High School classes). However, I am taking 4 APs and CHS classes next year, which could boost my GPA to 3.67 uw and 3.86 w by the end of S1. I have an SAT of 1480, and I’m taking it again June 1. Do I have a chance of getting into main campus? Also, does anyone have suggestions of what I could do to boost my chances of acceptance?

You have a shot.
To boost your chances, do a good job on the essays.

Thanks for the reply! I will try my hardest on the essays, and I’m applying super early.

My S was accepted to Dietrich this year with a uwGPA of 3.17, wGPA of 3.65, and a 1220 SAT, so I’d say it’s definitely possible.

Dietrich’s middle 50% SAT is 1260-1410, so you’re well above the 75th percentile of admitted students. I don’t think 3.6-3.7 GPA, which isn’t low, will cause any issues.

There are many other parts of an application, so it’s hard to be very definitive, but those stats indicate to me a very solid Pitt admissions profile. Essays, EC, personal story, etc., will all factor in.

If I may ask, when did your S apply? I plan on applying very shortly after the window opens up to give myself the best chance.

@RichInPitt Wait, I thought Pitt didn’t have a section on the application for ECs.

@me29034 Was your S admitted right away, or did he have to send in mid-year grades and/or another SAT?

@kpharmgirl He applied in October and was deferred. They asked for mid year grades and another SAT. He chose not to take the SAT again and sent them an email informing them of this. He fully expected to be rejected and didn’t want to go to the trouble and expense of taking it again if he was going to be rejected anyway. He did send mid year grades which were all A’s for the first time in high school. He was admitted soon after the mid year grades were sent.

Your SAT is very good. You can still raise your GPA senior year and send an update after the first quarter or semester.

I am not sure if there is a minimum GPA for the pharmacy GAP, but the SAT score is a 1360 and you have that. What was your SAT math score?

https://oafa.pitt.edu/explore/guaranteed-admissions-programs/pharmacy/

The pharmacy prerequisites you have to take in 2 years are around 60 credits. AP credit can be used for some of them like Calc, econ, history, English. I wouldn’t use them for chem or bio.

You might not be able to do a German minor. My D did German 001 through 004 as electives but there is another class you have to take after that to get the minor, and she started pharmacy school then, so didn’t have time for it.
I am not sure if the class is offered in the summer or online.

But if you opt to get the BSPS in pharmaceutical sciences after 4 years, then you should get a minor in chemistry as well.

Wait and see what classes interest you, in addition to fulfilling pharmacy prerequisites. My D opted to take ASL as well and enjoyed it a lot.

Pitt Admissions is surprisingly more holistic than One might expect, given that it is a big state school. Upward grade tends are noted, extra essay gives you more attention to your application

It isn’t easy to get into certain other schools within Pitt once you are in, other than Dietrich. Specialty programs at any schools have entry stats all of their own that can be far more selective than that of the university as a whole

@mommdc My math score was 790. And I already took German 004 and 005 in High school through Pitt’s college in high school program. I asked someone at a college fair, and they said it might be possible to minor in German. If I don’t finish, I could always carry it along while in Pharmacy school if I go to Pitt.

That’s excellent! I think you have a good chance for the Pharmacy GAP.

Definitely apply early.

Yes, if you already have Pitt’s German 004 equivalent, then you might only need one more class for the minor.

Your advisor will be able to help you with that.

Good luck!

http://www.german.pitt.edu/undergraduate/german-minor

Haven’t followed this much for Pitt. Does applying as soon as possible really help with OOS applicants?

@HoundstoothHarry Since Pitt has rolling admissions, it certainly won’t hurt. Applying earlier ensures that you’re considered for the Honors Program and merit aid.

Pitt has a pretty large OOS population, so being OOS is not the disadvantage that it is for schools like GT or UNC that have hard limits to the number of OOS students that can be admitted.