So my DD is accepted to USF and Virginia Commonwealth for Chemical Engineering with very nice merit scholarship. Also accepted to Pitt with no merit. Trying to decide how the programs compare. Anyone with experience to the above questions at Pitt?
3 of my kids are Pitt engineering - ds (pitt grad ‘15) was chemE with a bioE minor. He did not do coop but had solid pharma internships each summer and landed a job at Merck after graduation. He had lots of opportunity to get research experience (paid as well) while an undergrad. Dd (pitt grad ‘17) was bioE with a chemE minor, is in the UCBerkeley/UCSF joint bioE phd program. Dd2 (to be pitt grad ‘19) is bioE - has done research on a study abroad as well as on campus. In terms of the program - I am not familiar with USF or Virginia Commonweath so I can only speak to Pitt. First year program is like a common core with a seminar class that introduces the various disciplines - which is helpful for students who have maybe little exposure to what each major is about. Also each freshman will work in a small team to present a research topic conference style in a year end conference, which gives everyone a good introduction to scientific writing, presentation skills and how research is presented in poster form. Many students attend professional conferences during their time at Pitt so it’s a good intro into what is expected. My dds attended BMES most years while at Pitt, paid for by the engineering school. I think as long as programs are ABET the programs are solid. Pitt is a large school but the engineering school is not huge. Pitt also doesn’t limit enrollment in a certain major like some schools - or set up a limit by GPA or need additional application for. Pitt has a clear advantage in opportunities for research while an UG. Also I have found Pitt generous with covering costs for summer research (you have to apply) or going to conferences. There is opportunity to study abroad for engineers. And Pittsburgh as a city is fun - and pretty inexpensive. You get also the sports events of Pitt and the city, concerts coming…there’s alot.
Too early to tell here. D just finished first semester of freshman engineering. I can speak for the rigor though 
All of the internships and co-ops look very promising so far though and all of the upperclasswomen engineering mentors she has so far have all done at least a study abroad or internship. The female to female support in engineering has so far been great. D likes that she isn’t lost in a department of thousands (as opposed to our state options) and she had two first year engineering classes she really liked: Freshman seminar which introduces them to each of the different disciplines and has a fall semester professional conference. Engineering Analysis is a class that combines professional engineering writing and also coding. It culminates in the spring with a big research style presentation.
All of us like that at the end of the year she can choose her major instead of having to re-apply and thus compete for her major. So far it has seemed to be a very collaborative environment.
Has Pitt announced all merit yet? are you sure she won’t get any merit aid?