<p>Hi, my daughter is currently trying to decide between Pitt and a small midwest liberal arts college. She likes the discussion-based, small classes at the LAC and the 'instant community' feel it has, but is very drawn to the energy/urban environment of Pitt, along with its national academic reputation.</p>
<p>If any current students or recent alums can comment on what courses in the humanities, literature, classics and/or writing are like at Pitt, it would be helpful. She isn't able to visit again before final decision time, just looking for input to help her make her final decision. She's very academically oriented but also likes to have fun too. </p>
<p>Also any experiences in how easy/hard it is to find a niche at a bigger school. She's not an extrovert but not shy, either. Willing to join things/do things. But will know no one at Pitt going in.</p>
<p>Thanks for any thoughts! Wants to make that final decision this week.</p>
<p>Intro to Film
Composition: Film
Introduction to Ethics
Mythical Journeys</p>
<p>All of them were seminar-based (only about 10-15 people) and were good for group discussion.</p>
<p>If she is into philosophy, many of the courses are capped at 20-30 students. Personally, Ethics has probably been the most interesting course, as far as interesting discussions go.</p>
<p>I am an English Writing major here at Pitt, and I absolutely love it. Pitt has a great reputation with its Writing program, and while some Pitt classes are big (mostly gen ed classes) the writing classes are actually small and intimate. My poetry class has about 15, tops. All my fiction classes have had no more than 20-25. Lit classes can run a little bigger, but never over 40. Classes are very much discussion based. My fiction classes have had phenomenal professors who really get the class thinking.</p>
<p>I’ve taken Ethics too, but it was a much bigger class (because many students take it for their Gen Ed Philosophy requirement). However, we had a recitation in it, meaning that a Teacher’s Assitant (a grad student in Philosophy) had about 20 students with whom he discussed the topics discussed in lecture, clarifying them and making sure we understood.</p>
<p>thanks Pandem and ASPeerAdvisor!
Great input, I’ve passed it along to my D to add to what she’s researched on her own.</p>
<p>iamjacksgoat–would rather not say right now as its still a possibility she’s considering. I hope you like it at Pitt–it sounds like a great place with lots of possibilities!</p>
<p>Any other thoughts out there, would love to hear. Anyone have any experience with Classics or Spanish? Study abroad? All those are of great interest, too!</p>
<p>I understand. I have a biased opinion, since I obviously left my LAC. But I will say, one of the things I love about Pitt over the LAC is that Pitt has amazing study abroad options. A lot of smaller schools don’t have as many opportunities for this, though it depends on the school. Since Pitt is so large and has a great world-wide reputation, it has more connections with universities around the world. I can’t speak so much for Spanish, but Pitt is one of the only colleges with Southeastern Europe language opportunities.</p>
<p>I’m not sure about the Spanish language department, but Pitt is excellent in Latin American Studies. The Latin American Center is designated as a National Resource Center by the US Department of Education. The library has one of the ten largest Latin-American collections in the US housed in a latin-themed reading room in the university’s main library. Other National Resource designated centers include Asian Studies, Russian & East European, and European. There are less than 20 schools that have that many designated centers.</p>
<p>Study Abroad is very much encouraged here at Pitt! Ive gone twice and absolutely loved my time abroad. It’s so easy to get courses to transfer (as long as your program is accredited) and definitely an experience. My second trip to France even earned me a French major by accident! </p>
<p>The study abrod office (SAO) is very welcoming and very willing to work with you to find the program that is best. they are located in the 8th floor of the WIlliam Pitt Union (right across from the Cathedral of Learning) and can be found here: [University</a> of Pittsburgh Study Abroad Office](<a href=“http://www.abroad.pitt.edu/]University”>http://www.abroad.pitt.edu/) A list of recognized programs can be found under the students tab. </p>
<p>As for getting involved, it’s so easy to find a niche here at Pitt. There are many many clubs and activities that she can get involved in. A list of all clubs and student organizations can be found here: [Student</a> Organization Resource Center](<a href=“http://www.sorc.pitt.edu/]Student”>http://www.sorc.pitt.edu/). The more involved you are, the more people you’ll meet. I also think that the more you do, the more you’ll enjoy your time here.</p>
<p>wgmcp101: thanks–we didn’t know about the Ntl Resource Center designations in those areas. And thanks for the links too.</p>
<p>ASPeerAdvisor: more great info. Thank you again, my D & I are both learning so much from this info! D has been checking out the program offerings.</p>
<p>Iamjacksgoat: sounds like Pitt will be a good fit for you. The LAC D is considering actually has a good study abroad department, so we wanted to make sure Pitt’s was also good…since that is a big interest for her. Sounds like it is a good program at Pitt, too, good to know.</p>
<p>Anyone–I know there have been threads elsewhere, but if anyone has any dorm pros/cons between Holland, Towers and trying for Forbes for housing–that will be the next decision…wants social atmosphere but also people who are committed to studies (not a total party atmosphere). Maybe Forbes/honors housing is full already?</p>
<p>Another comment about study abroad, the Nationality Room program at Pitt also sponsors fellowship/scholarships for travel abroad programs to their specific countries. If you don’t know what the Nationality Rooms are at Pitt, you really have to visit…there is nothing else like them at any college in the world. NR Homepage ([The</a> Nationality Rooms - Welcome!](<a href=“http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms/]The”>http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms/) ) and actually Wikipedia has a nice write up on them too: [Nationality</a> Rooms - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_Rooms]Nationality”>Nationality Rooms - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>You can imagine the commitment to international education is quite strong if you want to take advantage of it. Also beyond the four National Resource Centers, Pitt has one of ten European Union designated Centers for Excellence in the US and one of 22 Chinese designated Confucius Institutes.</p>
<p>Now a comment about Towers. I think it is the dorm students hate while they’re there but love to reminisce about when they leave. You hate living in it because the rooms are so small and sometimes noisy, and it bustles with activity, but you love the memories. Towers A & B are all freshman, and students that live there typically end up making their closest group of college friends from those that also live on their floor. Living in Towers is almost a unique aspect or tradition of freshman life at Pitt that a majority of students go through. That said, when you live there, you can’t wait to get out of the towers, but you look back on that year with fondness. Holland is all freshman girls and is probably nicer and quieter, but located right next to the towers so you aren’t out of the loop of where the majority of freshman housing is located. Forbes is a couple blocks away and close to the med center and a little removed from the main concentration of student housing. It probably has larger rooms than Holland, definitely nicer than Towers. </p>
<p>While Pitt has its parties, it isn’t a “party school” where you can’t get your work done even living in what is probably the more social towers. Probably Holland is the intermediate between the Towers and Forbes. Others that have lived in these dorms should comment because I have no direct experience with Towers, Holland or Forbes. In fact, I actually started off living in Lothrop. If you can take a visit to Pitt, that is the ideal thing to do, but also seek comments with people with direct experience living in those facilities.</p>
<p>paperplane-
I can’t provide any input on which dorm is preferable, as my daughter will be a freshman this fall. However, in regards to whether or not Forbes is already full, the dorms are not yet assigned. </p>
<p>According to what Pitt told us at the Accepted Students Day and Honors Day, they assign rooms after the due date of all the housing applications. You will receive a housing packet after you pay the initial deposit. This is where you indicate your choice(s) of dorms. If she does decide that Forbes is one of her choices, she will need to also complete an additional essay for Honors housing. </p>
<p>As long as she submits her housing deposit by the due date indicated on her Housing Agreement, (as well as the essay) she will be considered for any Freshman housing, including Honors.</p>