<p>Hey, Pitt is one of my top choices because I'd really like to go to college in a city and Pittsburgh seems to fit my idea of a perfect college experience. Although i haven't visited because my family and I were too busy (but I'm going to visit after i've gotten into schools).</p>
<p>Major: Engineering-I'm undecided as to which kind, but bioengineering sounds really attractive (I applied to Swanson)</p>
<p>2 years of HS in westchester, NY (freshman and sophomore) and last 2 years of HS in West Chester, PA (junior and senior)</p>
<p>GPA-It's odd because I transferred. My HS in NY and HS in PA had different weighting systems. So when you look at the percentage I got in all of my classes and average them based on credit you get about 3.85</p>
<p>My class rank is about 14%. However, I really think I should be in the top 10% of my school because when I transferred from NY, my NY classes weren't weighted properly (so while they other kids took classes that boosted their GPA/class rank, it looks like I didn't) There are more details but it gets complicated. But Pitt will see that I'm 14% in my class.</p>
<p>However, Pitt will get a copy of my NY transcript as well and that might make them look into the issue. Btw, I did not complain about this issue on my app.</p>
<p>APs:
Bio-4
US history-4
-currently taking Calc BC and Physics C</p>
<p>I've heard lots of different things. And supposedly, there is a cut off at 1400 and top 10% class rank for the honors college. But I think I wrote a really "nice" essay. could that help or should I count myself completely out for the honors college? Btw, if in my possible acceptance it doesn't say I got into the honors school, do I still have a chance?
Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>You will most certainly be accepted. As for honor's college, I don't think so. I applied with very similar stats, 1350 SAT and 3.94 GPA, and I was not admitted to the honor's college. To the best of my knowledge, the essay will not put you over that 1450 SAT/near perfect GPA hump. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you're not going to get an acceptance to the Honors College. You can, however, contact the Honors College (by phone or make an appointment) and meet with someone to discuss why you feel that you should be granted honors status. Your stats are not too far off from the requirements, and I know that they do accept a few students who would otherwise be unqualified based on stats alone. You just need to convey to them that you are an extremely motivated student who thoroughly enjoys learning for learning's sake, emphasize that your stats are somewhat close to their requirements, and also stress that you don't think that your stats are reflective of your intellectual potential. A girl from my high school managed to gain honors status by this means.</p>
<p>Anyway, you should probably also note that there's no real distinction between honors students and regular Pitt students. Sure, you can elect to live in Forbes (the honors dorm) during your freshman year or in Forbes-Craig apartments in your upperclassmen years, but many honors students at Pitt (myself included) live in the regular dorms. You can take honors classes, but anyone with a 3.25 at Pitt can enroll in honors classes. </p>
<p>Even if a phone call or meeting doesn't secure you a spot in the Honors college, you will still be able to take honors classes. This will be possible by meeting with your academic advisor and letting him/her know that you're interested in honors classes and have him/her reference your high school stats if necessary and then he/she will enroll you in the honors class of your choice. My best advice is to not let the lack of an honors status deter you from coming here.</p>
<p>The other thing that was mentioned at an admissions session yesterday was if you were borderline they would also consider SAT writing and SATII scores if you had submitted them. The cutoffs are not set in stone, so to speak.</p>
<p>What about a 33 ACT & a rank of 8%? GPA 4.19/3.89. Lower rank due to taking many more classes than required that were not weighted (many fine arts classes, weight training to help running performance)?</p>
<p>Well I also submitted Sat 2 scores:
700-math1
710-bio</p>
<p>Maybe that could help because those scores are above 1400. I don't know...Does having an honors college degree look THAT much more impressive than regular?</p>
<p>I don't think you get an "honors college degree" unless you fulfill the requirements for the special B.Phil., which requires a thesis. Not too many kids end up doing that. Here are the details.</p>
<p>The Honors College at Pitt is unlike similar programs at other schools. It exists to provide an enhanced intellectual experience and opportunities for the kids who seek it out. It doesn't have a lot of "perks" in the traditional sense. But on the other hand, there isn't a strict cutoff that keeps people out who really have a love of learning. So if you see an honors course that really interests you, even if you're not "honors eligible," you can go over and talk to the honors folks, and chances are they would let you in. The classes are smaller, and the professors are hand-picked. My daughter is taking her first honors class next semester, so we'll see how that goes. It's a small class of 15, as opposed to the regular section, which has 100 kids in it. There are also activities planned for the honors kids, but my daughter hasn't done any of those either. Maybe someone else could weigh in on those.</p>
<p>Honors housing is very limited. I get the sense that is one reason the SAT score was upped, to cut down on the number of kids trying to get it. The year my daughter applied for housing at Forbes, 135 kids were turned away.</p>
<p>I think divel and LurkNessMonster have given you some good advice and believe you would be able to obtain Honors College status. I would definitely encourage you to visit, however.</p>
<p>I think everyone should really calm down about the whole Honors College thing- to be honest, it's nothing special. I'm in the engineering school, and the only pluses you get from being in the Honors College is A) you get to take honors courses and b) you get to live in the honors housing. Maybe it's because I'm an engineer, but after freshmen year there are no more honors classes to take. Plus, the kids who I talked to who are currently in the honors course really wished they had just taken the regular courses (in the end, it doesn't matter what courses you take. It's all about GPA). Also, the freshmen honors dorm may be nice, but it's far away from all of the other Pitt buildings (including other dorms) and it doesn't have a cafeteria so you have to walk 5 long blocks to get to Towers to eat. The dorms may be nice, but kids who live there wished that they were closer to everyone.</p>
<p>Plus, even if you're not in the Honors College it's not that difficult to take an Honors course. You just have to get permission.</p>
<p>So if you're worrying about not getting into the Honors College, you're not missing out on a whole bunch.</p>
<p>emi, everything you said sounds exactly right! I am wondering, have you done any of the honors activities? Apparently there is an e-mail that goes out, detailing the events. My daughter hasn't been interested. I'm wondering if she's missing anything! But either way, I promise not to nag her. :D</p>
<p>Honors activities? Haven't heard of them! I think they really only tell you about honors activities if you live in Forbes in the honors dorms, because I have never been invited to one. </p>
<p>But its okay because the Towers dorms host a TON of activities. They literally have events twice a week. Not to mention the TON of activities that are held on campus by the different student organizations. So if you miss the honors activities, you're still not missing much because there is still a load of stuff to do!</p>