The Pitt application does not have a section for applicants to list activities. However, the criteria for merit scholarships clearly lists the following:
record of excellence in various academic and nonacademic activities outside of the classroom
Other than the short answer questions there is no way to highlight anything other than an academic record. Does Pitt recommend applicants mail a separate list or resume for extra-curricular activities and leadership roles so this information can be considered for merit scholarships? My DD really wants to go to Pitt, but we really need her to have a full tuition scholarship to make it work.
Short answer questions is the way to go! Please when answering the questions, find ways to outline significant extra curriculars in your response.
For Stamps and Nordenberg (both in-state scholarships) there is also a supplemental application. For the Chancellor’s Scholarship (in-state or out of state students are eligible), if the Scholarship Commitee nominates a student, they will get an opportunity to share more information in that application process. The nomination selection is based on the application and short answer question responses.
Hope that helps clarify. You are welcome to contact our office with further questions, as well: 412-624-7488 or oafa@pitt.edu.
This helps a great deal. Fortunately her short answers did a great job (mom speaking here) of genuinely highlighting some of her ECs. Not all, but the two that have had a major impact in her life. Her stats might actually cause someone in admissions to consider her for the Chancellor’s, so we’ll cross that bridge happily if she comes to it.
Does the scholarship committee consider different amounts of merit scholarships based on their in-state vs.out of state status? In other words, since out of state tuition at Pitt (~30K) is three times in state Maryland tuition (~10K), a 10K scholarship is not useful to a MD resident but great for a PA resident.
Scholarship amounts range from 2,000 per year to full-tuition awards and room and board. The Scholarship Committee will look at the criteria described on our website when determining the amount each selected scholarship recipient will be awarded: