Pitt Branch: Johnstown vs. Greensburg

College Search & Selection
1

<p>This has to be one of the hardest decisions I've yet to make in life I guess. Nearly based on the fact both schools have many pros and cons that appeal to me. Normally I'd decide what is best for me, but being a new college student its very very difficult to decide. I'd also love to leave the decision in the hands of my parents but don't like some of the biased opinion I get from them so Im listing pros and cons, and a lil about me so hopefully someone here can give me a good outlook on whats wise for my future.</p>

<p>Me: Im Jon. Senior in HS. Optioned to Pitt branch due to not great SAT scores. Presueing engineering, CE or EE most defiantly. I love my social life in HS but freshman soph year I def spent alot of time inside playing video games. Right now, I love my life, friends, everything, and im pretty outgoing and very hardworking. I like to party a bit more than average ever since I got more outgoing junior+ year. Love sports, intermeruial is my thing though. love computers and again, very very hardworking, i even work 5days a week+school in order to save money.</p>

<p>The Schools:
Pitt Greensburg:
PROS: great rooming system, big rooms, nice setup. not limited. 45mins from home, easily drivable for weekends. decent sized shopping centers not far. nice cafeteria. right by ski resort. ONLY have to attend 1yr then transfer to Pitt Main is doable.</p>

<p>CONS: 1500 students, limited to activities. Not a huge school, small and private. only 800 oncampus. NO engineering program, only preliminary courses.</p>

<p>Pitt Johnstown:
PROS: nice campus, organized, frats&sort. bigger school but not huge. 3000students, 2/3 on campus. more activities. hear its pretty fun. know 1 or 2 high school buddies going. Engineering program is available at campus.</p>

<p>CONS: 2hrs away, no fun drive. not much near campus, all stores/malls are close but def require driving (10miles). Must attend 2yrs in order to transfer to main campus. limited choice in dorm rooms, freshman rooms only.</p>

<p>Ok I think I gave a nice rundown. I'm seriously pretty stressed on what to do. I cant decide. I like being close to home. I really wanna commute or live in Oakland instead. Engineering is very hard so I don't wanna make a fool of myself and fail. I will need to focus but at the same time I'm worried my free time will be boring and limited if I go to greensburg bc how small it is. I'm not sure what to do....help, thanks Jon.</p>

2

<p>We are in the Pittsburgh and I am a Pitt Oakland grad from the 80s. My D is interested in engineering, electrical in fact. We went to UPJ for a visit, I had never been there. I don't know what type of engineering you are interested in, but I would give a serious look at UPJ and their engineering technology program. Basically the freshman year is the same as pre-engineering, and if you wanted to go to main, you could after that. The UPJ ET program is a real gem though. A year ago, D would have never considered ET. But all ET is not created equal. UPJ ET only covers electrical, mechanical and civil, but they are very nearly ABET equivalent to engineering. The department is small, but well stocked with experienced knowledgeable PhDs and excellent facilities. Look at the math and physics requirements, but UPJs ET uses the exact same beginning math and physics sequence as main campus engineering sans a course or two. Many schools that offer both E and ET degrees, like PSU, have a much more watered down math and physics course for ET, like calc for ET, physics for ET. The ET grads from UPJ have great placement and starting salaries, at least in EET, and good success getting into MS EE grad school.</p>

<p>It's not for everyone, but UPJ is now her top choice and provided the finances work out, she'll be there in August.</p>

<p>I see repeatedly that UPJ has nothing nearby. It is less than a mile to the WalMart plaza that has movie theaters, etc, and the Galleria Mall is only about 2-3 miles. UPJ is supposed to be building a new workout facility for students as well.</p>