<p>
</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of them either, although there are a lot of service orgs. I was in Lambda Sigma, which I hadn’t really heard of before I did it. It may be worth doing if he plans on getting super involved (I was an officer), otherwise I could tell a lot of people who bothered to go through and join never really did anything after paying their dues.</p>
<p>Hi, I was accepted to Pitt as a transfer student around 2 weeks ago, and it looks like I’ll be going there in the fall. I’m looking forward to it, but I’m still a little nervous. How hard it is for a 21-year-old transfer student living off-campus to meet people, and how do you suggest they go about it? Once school is in session are there events on-campus for other transfer students to get to know each other? I know about PittStart, but I’m wondering about events within the first few months on campus.</p>
<p>I consider myself a bit shy upon first meetings, but I’ve never really had much trouble making friends. However, I’ve been in New York for the past couple of years and my interests are things like comedy/improv, theatre, TV/films…I guess “artsy” things like that. And of course, there’s a million opportunities to explore those things in NY, but I’m worried that I might feel out of place in Pittsburgh? Not that I mind bar hopping or parties or things like that. I also want to point out that I know almost nothing about Pitt, so I could be totally off!</p>
<p>Sorry if it’s silly, but I’ll be moving to a completely new city where I basically know no one, and that’s kind of scary! </p>
<p>Also, I’ve checked out the OCL page, but I’m still wondering which neighborhood/s: a) do students generally prefer, b) is easiest for a student without a car to commute from, and c) offers the most affordable rent. I’m looking to rent a room or a studio, if poss., for around $500-750 per month.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No harder than anyone who comes here for grad school that wasn’t here for undergrad, I imagine. The only difference is that you’re coming partway into undergrad instead of starting new with other people. I suggest joining a few clubs that you are interested in and meeting people there. Also try to make a study group with people from your classes-- once you get to know them, try to hang out outside of class/studying and have them introduce you to other people.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No, but the Commuter Student Association has events that you might be interested in.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Lucky for you-- you’re TOTALLY off! The BEST BEST BEST thing about being at Pitt is PittArts (link: [PITT</a> ARTS : University of Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://www.pittarts.pitt.edu/]PITT”>http://www.pittarts.pitt.edu/)). They do a TON of awesome stuff-- free trips to museums, plays, orchestras, operas, etc. (generally included in the trips: transportation, the event ticket, food of some sort, and a talk with some one before/after, sometimes hands on activities). Pittsburgh is also kind of hispter, so you’ll definitely fit right in (in terms of “artsy”). </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>a) Generally South Oakland, North Oakland, or Shadyside (possibly Squirrel Hill too, although that tends to be more grad students)
b) All. Easiest is South or North Oakland because you can walk. Shadyside is a short free (with your Pitt ID) bus ride away.
c) South Oakland will be cheapest, but also crappiest. Generally, as the rent gets more expensive, the place gets nicer. You mentioned $500-750 a month, so you’re already above South Oakland price range. You’d be well off somewhere in North Oakland or Shadyside! I recommend using craigslist to hunt out an apartment</p>
<p>If you are worried about meeting people, consider answering adds for roommates wanted instead of getting your own place. Also, make sure you hit the activity fairs they have at the very beginning of the fall semester. All the student clubs and organizations have tables and are out recruiting new members. Sign up for a couple things that interest you.</p>
<p>Please please please, to anyone who wants a “chance me” post, go read this file: <a href=“http://www.ir.pitt.edu/cds/documents/CDS2010-11PittsburghCampus.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ir.pitt.edu/cds/documents/CDS2010-11PittsburghCampus.pdf</a></p>
<p>and compare your stats to those. It’s what I (and many other people) use as our basis for chancing. This is probably the 3rd or 4th time I’ve posted this pdf. It saves us a lot of time in digging it up and forces you to do the work, learn how to read the document and understand the numbers.</p>
<p>If you’re still having problems after that, or want questions about more specific things (i.e. scholarships) feel free to ask. But I’ve noticed most “Chance Me” threads or questions can most easily be solved by just looking at the above PDF.</p>
<p>Hope you’re all having a safe & enjoyable summer!</p>
<p>–AO</p>
<p>I’ve been looking around for housing including Pitt’s roommate matching listing page.</p>
<p>So, does anyone or know of anyone who are looking for roommates? Please let me know. :D</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Are you moving off-campus? (I wasn’t sure based on your question). A good place to find roommates/a place to live would be Craigslist under the rooms shared option. Or a method that has worked well is to ask via Facebook (i.e. to get it to friends or friends) or clubs with older students who might need someone to take over a lease, or a roommate for a place.</p>
<p>If you’re referring to freshman housing…you can either pick someone to live with (no guarantee that you will be put together) or just let the random roommate selection do it for you.</p>
<p>AwesomeOpossum & wgmcp101 thanks for your responses. And this,
</p>
<p>Was especially good news! Thanks.</p>
<p>Yeah, I looked into craiglist and found some options. So thanks. I tried Pitt roommate matching listings but many of them didn’t reply me. I’m guessing it’s because they didn’t check their pitt web portal. Many of them posted under a @pitt.edu account. </p>
<p>So, if anyone here happen to be looking for a roomie, let me know. :D</p>
<p>Try reddit also [University</a> of Pittsburgh Panthers](<a href=“http://www.reddit.com/r/Pitt/]University”>http://www.reddit.com/r/Pitt/)</p>
<p>What are some good jobs to get on-campus? Do they pay well? Are they flexible with timings?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>There aren’t many to pick from. A popular one is working in the computer labs. If you’re good at fixing computers, ResNet also needs people there (they do house calls for things like viruses on laptops, etc.). There’s also working with Sodexo at one of the eateries (Einsteins, Market, Cathedral Cafe, etc.). I wouldn’t qualify any of them as particularly good though (except maybe the computer lab one).</p>
<p>The only “good” on campus job would be either to TA, Tutor, or do research with a professor. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No. They’re on campus jobs. They probably pay right around minimum wage (~$7-8/hour). I think maybe ResNet pays a bit higher because you’re actually fixing computers.</p>
<p>The TA/tutor/Research may pay up to $10/hour (what I got for researching)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>They should be. You’ll work in blocks of a few hours a couple times a week, probably. They’ll hire you if you fit into their needs in terms of your schedule meshing. </p>
<p>If anyone has other suggestions, please feel free to pitch in. This is just what I know based on my interactions with friends who work on-campus (although almost all of them work on campus because of work-study) and from my own research job.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, for the housing search options. Still in the middle of hunting. Email-ed a few of them but haven’t received replies yet. Can’t really make a call due to distance reason. Again, if anyone of you looking for a roommate, please let me know. I’ll be glad to provide you with details through inbox ^^</p>
<p>Anyway, I’ve read that with the PittID Card, students can get to places by bus free of charge. What areas do this privilege cover?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Anywhere that the bus or the T goes. Basically, anything through Port Authority. Here’s the website which you can use to see where all of the bus routes go to: [Port</a> Authority of Allegheny County > Home](<a href=“http://www.portauthority.org/paac/]Port”>http://www.portauthority.org/paac/)</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about Holland Hall? What is its reputation–like towers is a big party place because that’s where all the freshmen are…but what about Holland? A lot of girls this year got thrown into Holland because Towers and probably Sutherland filled up really fast so a lot of us don’t know much about it…</p>
<p>I know towers has floor mixers and meetings and activities, but does Holland do that too? Does it make it harder to meet guys? What is the environment like–is it competitive and hormonal like I’m expecting it to be?</p>
<p>mrssmile10- Like you, I’m also having a tough time finding a roommate! I’ve e-mailed a few on the Pitt listings, but have gotten very few replies. I think some of them already rented their rooms and just haven’t had their names removed yet. And craigslist is such an eyesore haha, and so full of scams, but hopefully we all find something soon.</p>
<p>Yeah, I really hope we could find a place real soon.</p>
<p>What do you guys think are the tell tale signs that give away a scammer? Personally, I think a scammer would provide as little detail about himself or the place as possible. Secondly, they would offer a very low rent that attracts room hunters’ attention. Feel free to chip in.</p>
<p>Also, I’ve stumbled upon Penn Commons site a while ago. Do you think it’s a decent place to stay at? I feel that I can find a cheaper place with 3 private bedrooms than $550/month, in craigslist. However, I’ve heard complaints about the amount of scammers over at that site. :S</p>
<p>I think the roommate/shared searches have a lower incidence of scams on Craigslist. I’ve heard the Pitt website is often out of date with people neglecting to remove their names.
One thing you can do to verify a Craigslist ad is look up the address on the Allegheny County Assessments website and verify the owners name.
[Allegheny</a> County Assessment](<a href=“http://www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/RealEstate/Search.aspx]Allegheny”>http://www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/RealEstate/Search.aspx)</p>
<p>new to college confidential… have daughter who is likely valedictorian, NMF and perefect score Math/Reading SAT. Wants to study bioengineering at Pitt? Many Southern schools offering full-close to full ride for these credentials, how does Pitt typically award students in this category??? Trying to decide if a plane trip and visit is wise… any help appreciated</p>
<p>Full tuition is more common at Pitt. It also awards a few(maybe 10) Chancellor’s Scholarships that cover everything, but are difficult to get even with perfect stats. It is probably worth the trip, but you might want to wait.</p>