<p>Okay, so I'm an out of state resident with Pittsburgh ties (lived in Pittsburgh for 6 years until 5 years ago), and I love the city. I'm a senior who's going to be applying this year and I have several questions for anyone who wishes to answer them:</p>
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<li>I'm going to apply for the GA program with the medical school. I know it's ultra-competitive, but I definitely have the minimum requirements (1300 M+CR SAT or 33 ACT) to get a "secondary" application. The application states that letters of recommendation are optional (but "strongly recommended" for the GA) and so is an essay, but I figure I should submit them, primarily for my chances at the GA. I just started my senior year earlier this week, so I just sat down with my letter writers. The letters may delay my application until early October. Given they have rolling admissions, should I wait, or should I send my application now without the letters of recommendation??? The admission website says everything needs to be sent together, otherwise it "likely will not be reviewed" (their words). December 15 is the hard-and-fast date for application submission for the GA program.</li>
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<p>The letter writers have to write letters anyway, since my other schools require recommendations. It seems like many on this board have already applied. Yikes!</p>
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<li><p>Also, given that I am out-of-state, how much does that hurt my chances of getting into Pitt?</p></li>
<li><p>How does Pitt evaluate scholarships? Is there a separate form or deadline?</p></li>
<li><p>I am also interested in bioengineering at Pitt. How many non-engineering classes are they allowed? Is the faculty approachable? Is it cutthroat competitive?</p></li>
<li><p>Ranking Pitt's campuses on the application? What's that about? I don't even know where to begin. Which auxiliary campuses are better for science? Obviously the Pittsburgh (main) campus is #1.</p></li>
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<li>Depends on where you live. if you are from Hawaii or Alaska it would definitely boost your chances.</li>
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<p>3.There is no separate form just make sure you write an essay, submit letters of recommendations, and a resume.</p>
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<li>I put down main campus as number 1 and randomly guessed on the others. With your good stats there is no point of going to one of the branch campuses.</li>
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<li><p>For the class that started in August of 2008, the minimum SAT score (M & CR) was 1450 to qualify for the application for the medical school guarantee. I do not recall the ACT minimum. You might want to double check that for this year. I sincerely doubt that they lowered the minimum SAT score to 1300 for this program.</p></li>
<li><p>Being out of state (OOS) should not be any disadvantage. Two of my daughter’s friends with the guarantee are both from OOS.</p></li>
<li><p>As steelersngators said.</p></li>
<li><p>The course list for the Bioengineering major is listed on their website. You might have to do some searching, but it is there.</p></li>
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<li><p>I would try to get a higher SAT score or just send the ACT score only. I would not be suprised that the required minimum SAT score would be in the 1400’s. Remember this is a very competitive program and you have the brightest applying for it. </p></li>
<li><p>I don’t believe being OOS will be a negative factor. Pitt likes to recruit OOS students.</p></li>
<li><p>Same as above.</p></li>
<li><p>[BS</a> Program - Department of Bioengineering: University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering](<a href=“http://www.engr.pitt.edu/bioengineering/main/undergraduate/bs_program.html]BS”>http://www.engr.pitt.edu/bioengineering/main/undergraduate/bs_program.html)</p></li>
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<p>The minimum to be considered for GA is a 1450 M+CR SAT and earning the highest grade point average available in your high school (their words).</p>
<p>They will send you a secondary application after you have been accepted by the undergrad, where you will write an additional essay and submit recommendations.</p>
<pre><code>* Indicate Pre-Medicine or Bioengineering on admissions application. Your completed application and supporting credentials must be received on or before December 15 for best chances of consideration.
To compete for the medical school guarantee, applicants must meet the initial eligibility requirements of earning the highest grade point average available in their high school in the context of a curriculum showing the greatest academic rigor possible and earning a minimum SAT I score of 1450 (combined Critical Reading and Math) or 33 ACT.
Students meeting these criteria will be asked by the School of Medicine to submit additional information in support of their candidacy. Students selected on the basis of their submissions will subsequently be invited for an interview in the School of Medicine.
The choice of final candidates is contingent upon this interview in combination with other factors. Historically, an average of 8-13 students from the entering undergraduate class are chosen each year for the School of Medicine guarantee.
Students offered the guarantee must complete an undergraduate degree at Pitt within four years, complete the prerequisite course work, maintain a cumulative science and quality point average of at least 3.75, and engage in undergraduate research and extracurricular activities that provide greater knowledge of the science and practice of medicine.