<p>Vctory are you saying that last year you applied using the special status application that was emailed in June, and you sent it back early, got into the honors college, but denied merit because your EC list was too short? And you waited until February to call the school? My daughter got the same application and I would like her to get some merit aid. Are you suggesting that students use the regular Pitt app that is on their website? </p>
<p>My son applied last year via the Pitt Prestige app. He did send in recommendations, but did not send an essay as it was not required. He also sent AP Scores and SAT II subject scores even though not required. He was awarded a full tuition merit scholarship. He does have excellent stats though, ACT: 35/36 super-score, 4.0 UW / 4.7 W. GPA.</p>
<p>Just a data point. Writing is not is strongest suite, so maybe skipping the essay didn’t hurt. </p>
<p>Dave thanks. My D has basically the same stats and is a strong writer so we were wondering how to go about this. She was also planning to send in an extra sheet for ECs since we hear that there is not much room on the application. </p>
<p>Should I send in an extra sheet with extracurriculars? My application is all online through the special status and I don’t see an area to list extracurriculars.
Also does anyone know if being a Distinguished Graduate has any weight in admission to Pitt? My cumulative GPA is over a 4.0 weighted right now (after 11th grade) and I need a 4.2 to be a Distinguished Grad. I’m taking 7 AP/ CHS classes my senior year so I have a shot at a 5.0 or at least close to it. I typically get A’s or high B’s in these classes and if I do I might get the award. I’m not sure if it matters to Pitt or not.</p>
<p>I got a 25 on the ACT. How much will this affect my chances?</p>
<p>@TomsRiverParent
I’m not sure why you think Pitt is so impossible for me and other applicants with similar statistics. A friend of mine was accepted to Pitt with a GPA (weighted) that was below a 3.5 and SAT scores that were lower than mine. Pitt super scores the standardized tests too and I recently received a 25 composite ACT score, my highest scores being in English and Math (the two most important for Pitts admissions). I also received a 9 on ACT Writing, which I believe is at Pitts 75th percentile. I plan on retaking my ACT to improve even more and the super scoring will certainly be beneficial.</p>
<p>The point I’m making is you can’t peg someone as a statistic of “inflated grading” and assure them of their rejection at Pitt from one SAT score. Looking at several sources, Pitt accepts a 25 ACT score from a number of admitted students, especially with a GPA like mine.</p>
<p>^ Perhaps TomsRiverParent was looking at the statistics from the Common Data Set. Scores are considered Very Important along with GPA and rigor. <a href=“http://www.ir.pitt.edu/cds/documents/CDS_2013-2014Pittsburgh.pdf”>http://www.ir.pitt.edu/cds/documents/CDS_2013-2014Pittsburgh.pdf</a> The SAT scores you initially posted CR: 540, M: 570, W: 480 were well below Pitt’s 25%ile scores of CR: 580, M: 600, W: 570 (That’s a 1590 total vs. a 1750). An ACT score of 25 is still below the 25%ile of 26 at Pitt but is better than your 1590. <a href=“http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/estimate.html”>http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/estimate.html</a> Go ahead and put your app in. Your grades and rigor may win the day. The improved ACT will help.</p>
<p>Yeah I just wanted to mention that my whole chance doesn’t lie on that one test. I know if I retake the ACT and with the help of super scoring, I can probably have a good chance of getting in eventually even if it isn’t right away.</p>
<p>@Vctory - I just spoke with Pitt. about how or when applying effects scholarship decisions. You have to have all of your material in, including a resume, by a deadline in January. Maybe you weren’t considered because you didn’t have everything in for review on time? We will be applying on-line and the rep. said that was fine and that merit decisions were based on academics, but the other material had to be there too. She said getting the material in earlier was a good idea for merit scholarship consideration.</p>
<p>To the OP, if you apply to Pitt early but want them to consider your future scores, be sure to check the part on the form that says “plan to take SAT in oct” ( or whenever). They won’t actually review your stuff until you have all the required elements - form, fee/waiver, transcript, scores.
So if you want to submit optional elements, be sure to get them in before they get the required elements ( get your essay & recs in before sending your transcript).</p>