Hello, currently a high school senior and having trouble deciding between the two. I’ve been accepted to Pitt, and still awaiting my decision on OSU. (fingers crossed) Both out of state so practically the same cost really, Im not worried about that right now though. I was wondering how the schools are according to:
Academics - Pitt is better as a univesity. There are some things that OSU is good at though.
Campus safety - Pitt. There was just a mass stabbing/shooting on OSU’s campus.
greek life - OSU - better for the frat-boy/sorority girl, as it is a big midwest landgrant state school.
school spirit - OSU - big on football.
music scene - PITT - Mostly by elimination in that Columbus lacks a music scene.
I find that answer above to be quite uninformed on OSU.
First, it is not clear to me that Pitt is academically better - which metric: USNWR ranking (OSU is higher), selectivity of student body (very comparable).
Second, OSU isn’t really a high greek participation rate school.
Third: Campus safety: one isolated incidence should not be used to make a school choice.
I agree that Pittsburgh may be significantly higher as far as music scene is concerned.
I applied to OSU and pitt and have been accepted to both. I would say academics are the same. I really like the OSU neuroscience major however because the pitt seems much more researched based. Safety, i have never felt unsafe on either and my high school is on Pitts campus. Both have pretty laid back Greek life but OSU has bigger houses. I feel you can, visit and see where you feel more comfortable.
If you are looking to major in computer science (which I think you are since both schools are good comp sci schools), then I recommend OSU, as it stand higher.
If you are looking to major in neuroscience, Pitt has a very well-regarded undergraduate neuroscience department (with very impressive course and research offerings to undergraduates). http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/
http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/CD.php
http://www.neuroscience.pitt.edu/programs/undergraduate/research-opportunities.php
A Pitt alumnus who has gone on to teach Neuroscience in Ivy League programs has posted a great deal on these boards about Pitt Neuroscience. You can probably find those posts in a search.
As a pre-med, the UPMC hospitals on campus offer other opportunities for research etc.
I would give the nod to Ohio State on Greek life (Pitt’s Greek life is pretty small) and school spirit (Pitt’s is not bad, but Ohio State sports are more like a religion; Pitt does not have a rival like Michigan).
OP, I just looked at some of your other posts.
“ACCEPTED
OOS (Kentucky)
3.3UW, 4.0W
ACT: 27
EC’s: Beta club, science club, excellence at ap program(mentoring) a lot of community service with my church, i’ve had a job since i was 15, work 2 jobs now
Hook: URM (african american)
Family income: $30k <”
What is your plan for paying OOS tuition and room and board at these schools? Neither are schools that guarantee to meet full need. Your stats were good enough to get you IN to these schools but you will not likely get any merit aid from Pitt and I’m not sure about Ohio.
It looks like you have worked a lot so that is good. How much do you have saved? Hopefully you have an awesome relative who is going to help you pay the $30-40,000/year for these schools!?
I am not trying to be nosey or intrusive, just trying to make sure you have some good financial options in front of you also. You are likely to get a $5,000 grant, a $5,500 loan and then you will still be leaved with over $30-40,000 in costs to cover.
The sad fact is that you can’t afford either of these OOS publics. They don’t give much aid to OOS students.
What schools have you applied to are affordable?
You can only borrow about $6000 for Frosh year, and premeds shouldn’t borrow much anyway.
Please run the NPCs on each schools’ website, including UK’s. I don’t think UK gives great aid either, but since it’s instate, the overall cost is much lower so maybe with Pell, maybe some state or other grant, it may be affordable.
Which school can you commute to from your home?
Since you are AA, please quickly apply to some mid tier good schools that are known for good aid. I think Loyola Maryland is, and also DePauw.
If your goal is med school, then “Greek systems” should not be very important. Also, how would you pay for membership since they’re rather costly for dues, formals, etc.
Have you heard back from Pitt about Diversity Scholarships? https://oafa.pitt.edu/financialaid/academic-scholarships/diversity-scholarships/
You still would be well advised to have financial safeties. In Kentucky? UK? Centre? Berea? In Ohio: Ohio U? (pretty generous with merit aid).
I would imagine that this student will get some merit for diversity, but the ACT is still modest for the school, so probably not enough to make the school affordable. It’s harder to give enough merit to an OOS low income student to make a school affordable.