<p>Can't decide which school - I know they are very different in their campus (city vs. non-city) but how are they in terms of friendliness, academics, on campus activities on the weekend other than drinking? Are either known for being big party schools? I know Pitt doesn't have a student union that is open on the weekend really, and UConn does. Where do you go at to Pitt hang out other than the dorm if you need to be inside? Any opinions or info on either school?</p>
<p>Hey, those are what I’m deciding too! But I also have Rutgers in the mix…</p>
<p>I’m in state for UConn and the campus is very pretty and nice. But looks is on the bottom of my list. I’m visiting Pitt next Monday. I’ll inform you of my tour.</p>
<p>PM me.</p>
<p>Pitt generally has a better reputation than UConn academically, especially when you look at things like the [Center</a> for Measuring University Performance](<a href=“http://mup.asu.edu/]Center”>http://mup.asu.edu/), or international rankings like [Times</a> Higher Education of London](<a href=“http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2010-2011/top-200.html]Times”>World University Rankings 2010-11 | Times Higher Education (THE)), Quacquarelli Symonds, etc. </p>
<p>Pitt is also is a much bigger research center. It is in the top 10 of federally sponsored research. [Undergrad</a> research opportunities](<a href=“http://www.undergradresearch.pitt.edu/]Undergrad”>http://www.undergradresearch.pitt.edu/) at Pitt are much better, particularly in the bio and health sciences, but it is a big emphasis in many fields.</p>
<p>Pitt absolutely has its [student</a> union](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Pitt_Union]student”>William Pitt Union - Wikipedia) open on the weekend. That is ridiculous.</p>
<p>Pitt is in a major city. You can go anywhere in the city to hang out, or just hang out around campus. Public transportation is free with a Pitt ID and many of the cultural events in Oakland and throughout the city are discounted or free thanks to the [Pitt</a> Arts](<a href=“PITT ARTS | Student Affairs”>http://www.pittarts.pitt.edu/) program.</p>
<p>Princeton Review also has Pitt ranked #8 for Happiest Students, and #11 for Best Quality of Life. There is a party scene at Pitt, but life doesn’t revolve around it. Being in a city, there is a tremendous amount of stuff going on. Pitt is also adjacent to Carnegie-Mellon and Carlow universities, and the city of [Pittsburgh</a> has one of the largest college student populations in the US](<a href=“http://www.coolpgh.pitt.edu/]Pittsburgh”>http://www.coolpgh.pitt.edu/). The city’s major museums are right across the street from the main building, the Cathedral of Learning. There’s a ton to do. Here’s an [url=<a href=“http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=141&f=2455&t=5547158]overview”>http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=141&f=2455&t=5547158]overview</a> of the area around campus<a href=“after%20you%20scroll%20past%20the%20athletic%20stuff”>/url</a>.</p>
<p>A major difference though is that Pitt is urban, whereas UConn is very rural</p>
<p>Hey guys, I picked pitt over rutgers (I’m a Jersey girl so Rutgers would’ve been cheaper). I’m in the honors college and a neuroscience major. Here are my thoughts:
Academically- Bio 1, Bio 2 and all of Gen. Chem are boring and easy classes. Bio can be challenging but is really only infamous for its unfair exams (They are often very unfair). My hardest course was Intro to Neuro but prof. is great. Very challenging engineering program. Be aware engineers rarely stop studying… EVER. Prof usually always reachable and usually helpful when it comes to teaching.</p>
<p>Relative to Rutgers- I have a lot of friends at Rutgers. I have found that I got much more personal attention at Pitt. From moving in to academics to getting to know prof. There is also a lot of research opportunities and if you want to be a teaching assistant sophmore yr, it is very possible. I got a research position 2nd semester freshman yr and a TA position for 1st semester sophmore yr</p>
<p>Greek Life- I know two guys in frats. One is in PKE the other in SBR. PKE is probably the biggest frat we have here. Our greek life is relatively small. SBR is diversity frat with mostly asians… very small and newly made, not officially part of greek life. The big frats still seem to have a highly active typical greek life.</p>
<p>Area- Pitt campus is beautiful. It’s not Stanford but a better area than New Brunswick. Oakland is not too dangerous and lower campus where most classes are, is safe to walk alone on until 12-1 or 2 am on weekdays. A lot of rain and snow though never large amts at one time. Rutgers- u need buses to get to places and bus rides can be 20 min. Pitt- bus is optional. I live in Forbes, one of the farther residence halls, and to get to the farthest building, it’s a 15 min walk or a 5-10 min bus ride (wait for bus included).
PITT IS NOT REALLY A CITY. Oakland, where Pitt campus is located is more of a sub-urban city. Nothing like Philly of NY and much smaller and college-oriented.</p>
<p>Transportation- bussing system is VERY efficient. Can get almost anywhere and it is free for students. Pittsburgh is a HUGE area and include what would be a couple of towns in NJ.</p>