Point Park in PA

Parents Forum
1

<p>Does anyone have any feedback on Point Park University not relating to the dance, arts majors? More for the communications department? Pros, cons? Anything?</p>

2

<p>Their film program is supposed to be very good.</p>

3

<p>With a student body of between 3,000 and 4,000, PP has >80% of its students from in state but only a quarter of its students living on campus. That suggests that it’s largely a commuter campus with relatively few 24/7 students in the mix. And as a young institution, its endowment is small enough that its financial viability is at risk when the going gets tough.</p>

4

<p>The graduation rate seems quite low – 39% in 4 years and only 47% in 6 years.</p>

<p>I also noted that only 62% of faculty members have a terminal degree.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.pointpark.edu/files/InstitutionalResearch\cds2008_2009final.pdf[/url]”>http://www.pointpark.edu/files/InstitutionalResearch\cds2008_2009final.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

Point Park has a high percentage of non-traditional students (31% are 25+) who undoubtedly prefer to live off-campus. The average age of full-time undergraduates is 22!</p>

5

<p>A Pittsburgh newspaper reported a week or two ago that they’re building a new dorm. Their theatre program does get a lot of attention locally, and I believe does get some national recognition too. Their other programs do not get much attention compared to Pittsburgh’s better known schools – Carnegie Mellon, Pitt and then (a distant third and fourth) Duquesne and Robert Morris. Point Park does get a lot of part-time and nontraditional students, which is probably due in part to its location in the city. </p>

<p>Pittsburgh has a lot of small colleges and universities, such as Carlow, Point Park, and LaRoche, plus a well-regarded Community College. An hour or two outside of Allegheny County, we have even more schools…Washington & Jefferson, Slippery Rock, California, IUP, Grove City, Allegheny, Waynesburg, and others. A few of the schools permit cross-registration, which is a very nice benefit that you may want to ask about if you’re researching Point Park. The city is very college-student friendly, with discounted tickets, an active “South Side” area for college students, and many social events.</p>

6

<p>It seems I see so much on the dance and other majors, but don’t seem to be able to find much info about the other majors and just looking for thought, opinions.</p>

7

<p>Any input on Point Park’s housing? Freshmen dorms: Which floor/theme might be best for a non-partying dancer? Healthy Living?</p>