<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>Didn't know where to put this so I thought I would post it here. I was accepted into both NC State and Pitt, but really can't decide between the two. I live in suburbs of Philadelphia (right near Ursinus). However I cannot decide where to go. NC State is close to my sister (Duke) and is a good school. Pitt is more known for my major however (Computer Science) and I can take classes at Carnegie Mellon while at Pitt. Thoughts on these two schools?</p>
<p>If I were you, I'd choose NC State to be close to my sister and therefore have more hook ups and connections w/ppl. Everyone I know who has been to Pittsburgh (city and school) hates it there. Being able to take classes at Carnegie Mellon while at Pitt is cool, but still not worth picking over being closer to your sister at NC State. Just my thought.</p>
<p>North Carolina > PA, so it is an obvious choice. I don't like the cold, and NC State has ACC athletics. NC State is the superior school IMO.</p>
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Everyone I know who has been to Pittsburgh (city and school) hates it there.
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NOT true--why do you think there are so many steelers fans across the entire country? ;) pittsburgh is fabulous because it's such an earnest city--it's still a metropolis but it's not pretentious. everyone who has lived there loves it to death (including myself). there are also lots of young people in the city because there are tons of universities (N.C. state is in raleigh, which most people wouldn't consider an actual CITY atmosphere). also, being able to cross-register at carnegie mellon is a HUGE advantage. basketball is also approximately 100x better at pitt than at state.</p>
<p>i go to UNC-chapel hill (right near N.C. state) and i know that state's computer science program isn't very strong (my boyfriend is a comp sci major at carolina). computer engineering, however, is probably one of its best majors. </p>
<p>in north carolina, N.C. state is usually portrayed as the "redneck school," mainly because of the strong agriculture program, and people generally aren't impressed that you go there unless you're an engineering major. i'm kind of ashamed to say this, but at carolina/state games we usually cheer something along the lines of "if you can't go to college, go to state" or "start your tractors"..you get the point.</p>
<p>bottom line, if you want to live in a real city, go to pitt. if you want impressive athletics, go to pitt. if you want a better-respected degree, go to pitt (UNLESS you change your major to computer engineering, in which case state is definitely worth it).</p>
<p>Considering leah377 and her boyfriend go to UNC, they obviously are not going to praise there rival NC State. Leah377 is also biased because she use to live in Pitt.</p>
<p>NC State is not really portrayed as a redneck school unless you go to UNC, that is what they like to think of NC State.</p>
<p>I also disagree and how Raleigh is not a city atmosphere.It may not have as many people as Pittsburgh but it is one of the best places to work and raise a family in the country.
Anyways, it really depends on what you plan to major in. NC State is probably a superior math and science school which is what your major is in.</p>
<p>I am from a rural area in New England and decided to go to Pitt. I LOVE IT HERE.
The number of opportunities, major variety (in case you want to switch) and school efficiency are amazing. Sure Pitt is in the city, but it has its own atmosphere. I hope you are not picturing a school surrounded by industrial skyscrapers. Its more of a circle of school life, an oasis surrounded by the city, but not visibly. </p>
<p>Again, academics here are great. Carnegie Mellon is just a 5 minute walk away, and there are many classes to cross register with. Both Pitt and CMU offer CS fellowships. Pitt is definitely on the charts because of its premed (and grad- med) programs. </p>
<p>I can't believe the statement that everyone that comes here hates it. I hear the exact opposite and people are coming from all around the country. And yes, sports are awesome here, and the Pitt spirit is a very welcoming one.</p>
<p>Think hard before you choose.</p>
<p>Besides the weather, I love Pittsburgh. Pitt has an amazing social scene, as Pitt's located in the middle of Oakland, which is a college city (Carlow, an all girls college, CMU, Chatam all girls college, Duquesne) are all in Oakland. There's a ton of stores/resturants/things to do. Great food in Oakland, Pamela's especially. The basketball games are amazing (the Oakland Zoo). The football games are at Heinz field. South side is close, which is basically several mile strip consisting of bars and restuarants, and, again, there's always something to do in Oakland, and there's always parties going on.
I can understand the weather as being a downer, the snow and cold really get to you, but you find a way to cope. Pittsburgh is a unique city, which I have now found out after visiting other places and living in Cleveland. Also, you get access to the art museums/science centers and all that fun stuff, as well as a bus pass at Pitt. The library system is amazing, as you can get books from nearby colleges.
I really don't know anything about NCST, other than the weather is a lot nice in NC.</p>
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I also disagree and how Raleigh is not a city atmosphere.It may not have as many people as Pittsburgh but it is one of the best places to work and raise a family in the country.
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Agreed. Raleigh is a great city, and it has a thriving nightlife (which UNC students take advantage of). NC State is in the Research Triangle, the largest collection of PhDs per capita anywhere outside of Silicon Valley. Raleigh may not be a huge city, but it's large enough to offer what you'd need. For career offerings, the Triangle positively stomps Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Due to an interinstitutional agreement, you're allowed to take classes at Duke and UNC Chapel Hill. </p>
<p>Another bonus is that it's farther away from home, introducing you to a new part of the country. As was already mentioned, ACC athletics and weather are nice perks. It's 74 degrees and sunny in Raleigh right now. How warm is it in Pittsburgh? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>About the research bit,</p>
<p>You might want to check this pdf out</p>
<p><a href="http://mup.asu.edu/research2006.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://mup.asu.edu/research2006.pdf</a></p>
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About the research bit,</p>
<p>You might want to check this pdf out
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Yes, Pitt does rather well in getting funding. It comes in 14th in NSF funding, for example.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, however, that Pitt needs that much money. It has to support research in its medical school, school of public health, health school, nursing school, dental school, etc. -- all programs that NC State lacks and aren't of interest to the OP anyway.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>N.C. State isn't our rival. Duke is. ;)</p></li>
<li><p>I guess there's some "thriving nightlife" on Glenwood Avenue, but that's not super close to the State campus (you'd need to drive there). Hillsborough Street is not thriving, if that's what you were going to counter. Pitt has tons of bars/clubs within walking distance.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>
[quote]
in north carolina, N.C. state is usually portrayed as the "redneck school," mainly because of the strong agriculture program, and people generally aren't impressed that you go there unless you're an engineering major. i'm kind of ashamed to say this, but at carolina/state games we usually cheer something along the lines of "if you can't go to college, go to state" or "start your tractors"..you get the point.</p>
<p>bottom line, if you want to live in a real city, go to pitt. if you want impressive athletics, go to pitt. if you want a better-respected degree, go to pitt (UNLESS you change your major to computer engineering, in which case state is definitely worth it).
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Funny, we cheer something similar when we play Carolina :)
plus: <a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/495210.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/495210.html</a></p>