<p>fisch2332, there are a ton of people from Philly at Pitt, but I don't think there are any permanently established Ealges bars. That would be like having a Yankees bar in Boston. You'll be able to find plenty of people to watch Eagles games with, but it'll have to be in the Student Union or in the dorms. (I have heard that every lounge in the Towers now has a big-screen TV.) Pittsburgh people are total football fans, so when there isn't a Steelers game on, there will be another game on.</p>
<p>Pat,
Do you know of many students visiting Penn State from Pitt on weekends? If so what was there mode of travel? Car?, bus?</p>
<p>stowmom, there were some Pitt students who would sometimes visit friends at PSU, if that's what you mean. Nobody would ever go to PSU just to go, they were ethier visiting someone or going home if they lived near there. If they had a car they would drive (it's about 2 1/2 hours.) Everyone else would take a Greyhound, they have a bunch of Pittsburgh-State College routes.</p>
<p>Thanks Pat. Yes, I meant to visit friends. Do you know where the Greyhound station is in Pittsburgh? Is it in a safe area?</p>
<p>stowmom, the Greyhound station is temporarily at 990 2nd Avenue, which is by Duquesne University, downtown. It's a pretty safe area, I've never heard of any major crimes around there. There's some shopping nearby, so it's usually pretty crowded. They're working on a $37 million terminal at Liberty Avenue and Eleventh (by the Convention Center) which will open next February.</p>
<p>If you're looking for a little faster, more expensive way to travel, there is an Amtrak station at 1100 Liberty Avenue, also near the Convention Center.</p>
<p>My daughter will be a Panther in Sept., and one of her good friends from high school will be at CMU. Do the kids from both schools socialize? Is there rivalry? Are the campuses close enough for hanging out together?</p>
<p>I think I can answer that, Lurkness. The campuses are in close proximity to each other , so yes friends can hang out together. The communities are intellectual rivals, with CMU students claiming the smarter ground, but there's cross-pollination for girls at Frat parties, warm afternoons on Flagstaff Hill and I assume at the new Schenley Plaza. Additionally, basketball fans from CMU visit the Pete to cheer "real" college basketball.</p>
<p>The campuses are right across the street from each other. There is enuf overlap that it is almost hard to tell where Pitt ends and CMU begins. If you are familiar with Craig St, where all the cute restaurants are, that is kind of where CMU begins, just past the Carnegie Museums and the dinosaur.</p>
<p>If you are Catholic, I know that the Newman Center located near the Pitt campus, ministers to Pitt, CMU and a school named Carlow (I think). The other denominations may share ministries too. My D hasn't done much socializing with CMU kids to my knowledge, but when she flew home for the holidays over break, she was on a plane to Dallas with a pair of Texas twins, one sib at Pitt, the other at CMU. If your kid has a friend going to CMU, getting together will be no problem at all.</p>
<p>LurkNessMonster, I think everyone else answered your question well. There is a lot of interaction between the colleges, and really no rivalry. Even the professors do a lot of joint research. Both schools benefit from each other's strengths. The campuses border each other, so the schools physically couldn't be any closer, and students frequent many of the same hangouts.</p>
<p>I guess this is kind of a dead time in the college search process. Seniors have their schools picked, and juniors have had all of their preliminary questions answered and are awaiting summer tours.</p>
<p>What would be a good computer choice to get to use at Pitt? My husband looked at the Pitt website that talked about the different computer companies they have deals with, but I think he can get one cheaper through his work. Is there a brand or particular software that is used at Pitt? I know at other schools you can get software that the school recommends cheap through them. I'm not very computer literate so any help about the computer would be grateful. Thanks</p>
<p>Pitt has computers that run both Windows and Mac. I really don't think one particular brand would run any better than another.</p>
<p>You could check out the technology website and/or call them for suggestions. I think that windows computers were able to load the Pitt computer stuff easier than macs (how's that for technical?!?!) but both systems eventually worked just fine. I would check for sales, coupons and discounts over the summer.
<a href="http://www.pitt.edu/technology.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.pitt.edu/technology.html</a></p>
<p>during pittstart there is a technology table with deals, coupons, etc. There are people there who can answer questions for you as well. Certainly you can call the school that your student is attending(business, nursing, engineering, etc) and ask them for suggestions. You could even talk to pitt pathfinders and randomly ask them what computers they prefer or friends have, etc.</p>
<p>We got our engrg D a Dell laptop thru some online thing H knew about from work. I can't remember the type Dell, but it is one of those supposedly indestructible types. At Pittstart we had an engrg student talking at the session on technology, and after the session was over I asked him what he would recommend and he said his personal preference was Dell, mostly 'cause they were trouble free and held up well (physically).</p>
<p>Another consideration would be the student's major. Graphic design and arts majors sometimes are required to have Macs 'cause the software they use only runs on Macs. For some reason, Apple seems to have cornered the market in the arts area.</p>
<p>Dell was our choice, as well. Dell is good in the maintenance area, if there is a problem.</p>
<p>My daughter has an Apple laptop. She had a problem with it, which was covered by the warranty. She took it up to the Apple store in Shadyside, not a problem to get there.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your computer help. I'm letting my husband know what you told me. I knew I could count on you for great answers : )</p>
<p>We have been happy with Dell as well. Good sales, trouble free, sturdy and great customer service. I needed in-home repair on my laptop and they came to my home the day after I put in the work order and fixed in on my dining room table. Wonderful!</p>
<p>My daughter signed up for Facebook so she can "meet" all the other Pitt class of 2007 kids online. She says that quite a few of them have identified themselves are partiers and are looking for potential roommates who like to drink. I always thought of Penn State as a big party school, but how about Pitt?</p>