<p>I am applying during a summer visit next week. the school isn't open so i obviously can't get any teacher recommendations but i can gt my transcript and stuff sent. Is not having the teacher recs gonna hurt me if my sat score is between 1850 and 1900. and ive had all honors and AP all throughout school with a 93 cumulative gpa. i do have 2 recommendations from distinguished alumni and now buisness owners and pharmacists though. answer this please</p>
<p>You might want to hold off on “completing” your application until you can get teacher recs and other extra stuff in. Basically, fill out your application, but DON’T turn in your transcript. Contact your teachers (I’m sure you have their email) and ask them if they will consider writing the letters in the summer so you can send them right when the school year starts (for rec letters, you as the student have to provide pre-addressed and stamped envelopes for them). Write an essay that you can add to your application. Turn in your transcript after all of this has been prepared and sent. The committee won’t review your application until it gets the transcript, so having for more them to see is always good.</p>
<p>I guess it would be helpful: How does your SAT break down, what kind of APs did you take, how did you do on them, and what are you applying for? (A&S, Engineering, etc.)</p>
<p>well my sat score is 1240 just math and reading, i’m just so anxious to apply bc i’ve always wanted to go to pitt. ive been debating whether or not to wait it out till i can get recommendations from teachers bc they never gave out their emails so i would have to wait until the school year starts just for them to do one. and i want to go into the arts and sciences with the pre-pharmacy option which is why i feel like the 2 distinguished alumni/pharmacist letters should be good. i play many sports and my football coach is also a teacher so i feel like something from him could help. i’ve never actually had him as a teacher since like 9th grade but im sure he could bs a bunch of stuff.</p>
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As a pre-pharm major (or possible major) this is a little low I think. Keep in mind you’ll want strong math/science skills going into, and throughout, college to help prepare you for pharmacy school and beyond.</p>
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<p>You should be able to contact your school or check your schools website for someone’s contact info. I find it hard to believe that you can’t find a teacher’s email through the internet or another person in this day and age. </p>
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<p>I dunno. When we were applying, our counselors used to REALLY stress that the only letters admissions reps really want to see are teachers who can tell you how you perform academically. If you do 2 teachers & 1 extra, that’s fine, but all “extra” and no teachers won’t really help them. Especially since a teacher rec can help balance a low SAT score or GPA. </p>
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<p>Again, when I applied, a higher level teacher for recs is stressed. Or someone who has taught you multiple years. The admissions rep wants to hear from a teacher who is teaching you or has recently taught you. You’re applying in senior year, not freshman, so use a senior or junior year teacher that you are close to/you feel would write a good rec for you. (Again, though, if you want to do 2 junior/senior teachers + your football coach, that would be ok).</p>
<p>Sorry to kind of rip your post apart, but I feel like you should really go into this informed about your decisions, especially if you’re this passionate about getting in, you can only apply once!</p>
<p>well for the math i got 670 which is pretty decent i guess. both times i took the sat i got 570 for reading but always get in the 600s for writing. and my honors trigonometry teacher i just had also teaches at a college and he’s like the nicest guy ever. and my teacher for ap chemistry i dont think i got along with very well so i wouldnt ask him, but my teacher that i had for chemistry in 10th grade i got along with very well. i dont know if thats too far back, if it is then i’ll just ask my honors physics teacher. i just want to apply pretty soon and not too late. so not any later than october.</p>
<p>and yeah you’re tearing my confidence down, at least i know i shouldnt be so sure i’ll get in now. i just know a few kids at my school who were in fine and had like 1100’s on two sections</p>
<p>A 670 on Math should be fine, yep. The reading and writing scores also should be okay. I would definitely try to stick to AP teachers (who like you!) or teachers you had in junior year (since you’re applying before senior year/before senior year teachers would really know you). </p>
<p>I mean, Pitt takes each applicant very seriously. You should try and make yourself as well rounded as possible. You haven’t mentioned writing an essay yet-- I highly recommend that as something else to send in with your application.</p>
<p>OP: I think your SAT scores are fine for Pitt. Overall, I’d say your application seems pretty solid: your grades are decent, you’ve taken a rigorous courseload, and it sounds like you’re involved in sports, and presumably extracurriculars.</p>
<p>This is just my opinion, so take it for what you will, but I honestly don’t think that teacher recs are all that important for regular admission to Pitt’s School of Arts & Sciences provided that your application is otherwise sound. I do not think that a lack of recs will be a deal-breaker.</p>
<p>That being said, since it’s so early in the application season, time is on your side. If you were posting this at the beginning of December and had not yet asked anyone to write letters on your behalf, I’d tell you to apply yesterday without recs. But because you’ve got time to play with, I’d go ahead and get the recs because you will not be at any kind of disadvantage time-wise and sending in optional materials like recs and the essay show Pitt that you’re genuinely interested in attending and you’re not just applying on a whim. My recommendation is to finish the application and write the optional essay this summer and then wait until the first week of school to ask potential LOR writers for recs. Be advised that it will probably take them a few weeks to write the letters, but that shouldn’t be a problem because it will still be early in the application process.</p>
<p>As far as who to ask for recs: ask individuals who know you well and who you feel confident will write strong letters about your academic abilities and/or your character (character is important, too). If you think that the people you have in mind meet these criteria, then use them. As long as the letters reflect positively on you and laud your abilities and/or traits, I’d say you’re set.</p>
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I disagree with this. Your scores are within Pitt’s range of accepted scores for the School of Arts and Sciences. If you’re not aiming for conditional acceptance to Pitt’s pharm school (more on that here: <a href=“http://www.bulletins.pitt.edu/undergrad/35-pharmacy.htm[/url]”>http://www.bulletins.pitt.edu/undergrad/35-pharmacy.htm</a>), you do not need to worry about your SAT score. The major/interest you indicate on your application for the School of Arts & Sciences holds no weight in terms of admissions decisions unless you qualify for one of the conditional admission programs. What this means is that whether you apply to the School of Arts & Sciences as a pre-pharm student or as a Studio Arts major, your SAT score will be evaluated in the same way. It’s true that as a pre-pharm major, you’ll need to have strong science and analytical skills. However, these skills need not be innate (and I’m definitely not implying that you, the OP, lack these skills); they can be easily developed through practice. If you feel like your incoming science background is a little shoddy, don’t worry – just put in the time and effort to learn the material well and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>There is NO reason for you to be discouraged; I think you’ve got a great chance of being admitted!</p>
<p>The reason I suggested rec letters was because the OP seemed worried about a lower SAT score. I normally suggest sending them for that reason (to counter-balance a lower SAT or low GPA (but the OPs GPA is fine)) OR if the applicant is hoping to get merit aid. </p>
<p>The other reason I said the SAT might be a little low is that you can never based your likelihood of acceptance based on past years scores (although we always tend to). The trend for Pitt seems to be higher average GPAs and SATs every year, so the higher the applicants GPA/SAT, the better.</p>
<p>With that in mind, the breakdown of the SAT scores was fine, especially a 600s Math, which is a plus. (I can’t remember what the cutoff for remedial English was based on SAT, it may be 400…so I think you’re fine there too). </p>
<p><em>shrug</em> I just always suggest to people that if you really want to go, but are worried about your stats, apply early since it’s a rolling-based admission.</p>
<p>thanks for all of the help. yes i have an admissions essay already done because we had to do it for english at the end of the year. and i called my honors trig/AP calc. teacher and he is willing to write me a letter and have me pick it up before i apply next friday</p>
<p>my last question is that can i bring the recommendation letters with me personally, or do the recommenders have to send them on their own?</p>
<p>i lied, this is my last question haha. I’m not really involved with extra curricular things inside of my school besides sports. Like there are not any clubs on there. However i do have a job at a pharmacy, i coach a little league baseball team as well as an elementary school basketball team. i do tons of community service and help put together the relay for life in my town as well as other things. and i will be a first generation college student. i dont know how much my extra activities will prove compared to the school run extra curriculars, im just not too interested in anything my school had to offer. and will i need to prove this community service, coaching, etc. in any way?</p>
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<p>They have to mail them in (if I remember correctly). Protocal states that you should provide a pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelope for them to put the letter in.</p>
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<p>No. If you can show (=tell, not prove) that you’ve picked a few good ECs (of any type, sports, community service, etc.) that you’ve stuck with for 3-4 years or what not, that’s more important than doing a bunch of meaningless activities at your school!</p>
<p>okay thanks, but i called pit before i checked this and they said they were fine if i brought the letters along with me</p>