Questions about Pitt....

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pittsburgh
1

<p>Our family is trying to gather some information about Pitt. My son and I both received letters from the school suggesting he look at the honors college. Can anyone shed light on any of the following?</p>

<li><p>How likely merit money would be… (Son has 96.5 average with very difficult curriculum at small private school, 32 ACT, 1350 SAT (retaking in October for a second try), strong EC’s in theater and music, SAT II’s in the high 700’s and several 4’s and a 5’s on ap’s.</p></li>
<li><p>Son has heard the history of science program is very strong. He loves UChicago and they also have this major, but that is definitely a reach. He’d like to find another school with this same major that is more clearly a match. Does anyone know anything about this department? </p></li>
<li><p>There are some older posts on the honors college, but these don’t discuss the B.Phil. degree. Anyone familiar with the honors college or the specialized degree? </p></li>
<li><p>How easy or hard it is to double major in “related” but distinct fields like Biology and History of Science?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks a lot!</p>

2

<p>Before the new SAT's a 1350 and a 3.0 were the requirements for honors college along with being in the top 10 percent of your graduating class. A 96.5 is around a 3.8 or so (I think) so he will probable recieved a few grand for his academics alone. Anything science, engineering and pharmacy related is very very strong at pitt. There other majors are also strong but those three are some of the best in the country. Double majors aren't terribly difficult you just have to be able to look at what you need to take every semester ahead of time. In related areas it's even easier because a lot of times they have overlapping requirements.</p>

3

<p>At one of the Pitt summer programs, we heard 1350 SAt, and top 5% of graduating class, and they look for honors/AP classes on a student's transcript.</p>

<p>The Honors College offers the BPhil degree. But, a student can take honors courses, and not work towards the BPhil degree, just get a regular BA or BS or whatever.</p>

<p>We were told double majors aren't uncommon.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the info...</p>

5

<p>In response to Pitt's HPS degree, you are correct, it is a very good program and students I know that went for this degree completed it as a double major. For example, I knew a girl who completed a double major in HPS and Environmental Studies in four years. So it is possible to complete the double major in 4 years. Additionally, you don't need to be in the honor's college to take honors classes. Students are automatically admitted into the honors college depending on their grades/SATs. However, you may join the Honor's college at any time depending on your QPA. I wasn't initially a member, but became one with my grades and took a few honors classes.</p>

<p>Pitt alum. '04
UNC-CH grad student</p>

6

<p>Would you recommend the honors classes? How were they different than your regular Pitt classes?</p>

7

<p>The honors classes I took were generally in my department and primarily included longer term papers, which isn't too demanding. I however, don't have experience with the honors college classes in the physics/math/bio realm where there is probably a more significant distinction. </p>

<p>I think when deciding upon honors classes you should determine whether you want a smaller class size with greater ability of teacher/student interaction, honors classes are great. However, I don't think the honors classes are represented on your college transcript much differently (if at all) than the non-honors variety. So I think it would probably be a good idea to save honors classes for your major or related classes (for example for biology, bio classes and possibly chem classes). Don't try anything you aren't comfortable doing the extra work. </p>

<p>Looking at Pitt's website regarding the classes in the honors college, I see there is an option for Bio I for those who took high school AP Bio. I would definately recommend this option rather than opting out if you do well enough on the AP test or retaking the regular version of Bio I. This class would likely be at a faster pace and be more engaging for someone with AP Bio experience than being bored in regular Bio I.</p>

<p>However, the BPhil program looks like it might be interesting to look into. They offer a wide variety of options to earn this degree, for your intended majors, the Phi Beta Kappa coursework option may be your best bet. </p>

<p>I had a peer in my major who was very active in the honors college and is now a Fulbright Scholar still studying at Pitt and speaks very highly of the honors college and its opportunities. He received enough money from the honors college to help support his undergraduate research in Mongolia. So being active in the honors college will definately give you an edge if you want to pursue undergraduate research. </p>

<p>I think if you want to plan on doing post-graduate work, the honors college will undoubtedly prepare you, but you don't necessarily need it do be successfull and gain admittance in a high level graduate program.</p>

<p>Sorry, this is a lot to chew on, but basically I would recommend taking honors classes in subjects you have a definite interest in but probably skip the ones for your gen. ed requirements.</p>

<p>To follow up on the HPS degree at Pitt, the National Research Council ranked the department 5th in the nation in Philosophy. This is the only HPS department listed in the top 10 Philosophy departments in the country and Pitt's traditional philosophy department is ranked 2nd. </p>

<p>Hope this helps, feel free to ask more questions about Pitt and Pittsburgh life!</p>

<p>Pitt alum. '04
UNC-CH grad student</p>

8

<p>Thanks for your thoughtful and informative post! My daughter is in the process of applying to Pitt. She is planning to major in an area of biology, and did take AP Bio last year, so I'll pass your info on to her. Her ACT/SAT scores put her just below the cutoff for the honors college, and I think she's aiming to take some of the honors classes later, assuming her GPA makes the grade.</p>

9

<p>Pitt alum -- </p>

<p>Thanks very, very much! Your information is definitely helpful. I've been out of town a few days and didn't get to check in till now.</p>

10

<p>chrisd,
Here's a quote from their website re: near-honors stats:</p>

<p>"My (QPA, SAT, Class Rank) is just short of your requirements. Can I still participate?</p>

<p>Probably. The above requirements are the 'automatic eligibility' guidelines. If you fall short just stop by and talk to one of our advisors. This is part of the reason we do not require an application; people are not merely a reflection of their transcript and achievement test scores. Perhaps you received all A's in English in high school, but did not do so well in your biology courses and this brought your overall average down. Wouldn't it seem only reasonable that you be able to take an Honors English course but maybe not an Honors Biology course?"</p>