<p>Just got back from the Ready, Set, Pitt session. Pitt still does a great job of welcoming prospective students and their families. A few things we heard about during the Admission/Financial aid session; the scholarships are: $2,000, $10,000, full tuition and the full ride. You need the following to be considered: 1450 SAT, "A" average and top 5% of the class. There is some wiggle room for scholarship consideration. She gave us an example: if you have 1440 SAT and top 4% of class = consideration, if you have 1350 SAT and ranked #1 in your class = not considered for scholarship. Apparently the #1 ranking can't overcome the 1350 SAT score. </p>
<p>They will begin reading applications in October and will start with the ones submitted first. She said the July applications will be considered then August etc. Send extra stuff if you want but don't overdo it as they have so many applications to go through. She did mention she liked to read essays not on the topics list (so choose your own topic). </p>
<p>One of the Pitt Pathfinders mentioned that housing is based on when you send in your deposit. I believe this might be new for the upcoming year as this was not the case four years ago when DS sent his deposit in. The new freshmen dorm will be open fall 2013 (additional 550 beds). </p>
<p>Overall, still impress with the school. They do need to update the intro video that is shown while we waited for the Admission Counselor. It was the same one we watched four years ago and the engineering student featured graduated awhile back :)</p>
<p>**1.) She [the admissions counselor] did mention she liked to read essays not on the topics list (so choose your own topic).</p>
<p>2.) Housing is based on when you send in your deposit**</p>
<p>So to people who has Pitt as their #1 choice: Apply early, and the second you hear back, SEND YOUR DEPOSIT IN.</p>
<p>I would also say that, if you’re applying to a few schools, and Pitt may not necessarily be your #1 choice, it might still be a good idea to put a deposit down early (in case you end up going there, you get good housing choice), but if something better comes along, you can withdraw from Pitt and only lose about $350</p>
<p>Do you think they would give a lot of leeway to me if I have a 1560/1600? I’m only top 15% which looks like it might kill me for scholarship opportunities…I really want to go.</p>
<p>Michael: apply – you won’t know unless you apply!!! My own interpretation is: Pitt will bend their “guidelines” if they want you. If you have read some of the threads on scholarships from previous years, there are always students who do not have “all” the guidelines but still received a scholarship. Of course, there are also those who have the “A” average, 1450 SAT, top 5% – who got nothing. You don’t have a chance of scholarship if you don’t apply.</p>
<p>Awesome: the first come-first serve housing was mentioned by a Pathfinder – I would be curious to see if this will be confirmed by Panther Central.</p>
<p>MichaelGScarn- you should definitely apply as soon as possible and have a great essay & supplemental materials. I had a 1550 with top 10% class rank and I got into UHC but didn’t get any honors scholarship, so i think it really depends on your essay to push you over the edge</p>
<p>It also depends on other things like gender, state you live in, intended major, ethnicity, etc. The stats get you into UHC, the other things help to get you that scholarship.</p>