<p>Hi! So I was first mid year report requested by Pitt, then waitlisted (still mad because I had a 1900 SAT, 4 AP's, 5 clubs, always had a part time job, had an internship, etc. but it is what it is); Penn State accepted me and gave me scholarship bringing my tuition down to $9k a year (plus $10k room + board), which is obviously really great.</p>
<p>I am in love with Pitt, but I like Penn State a lot too. I love both campuses, although I've always been more of a city girl; however, I always envisioned myself at a traditional, isolated campus. </p>
<p>I was wondering what my chances are of getting off the waitlist. I was guaranteed Spring 2015 admission, but I definitely don't want to wait around home and work for the first semester. I have been in touch with my Pitt admissions counselor throughout the entire application process, I had my guidance counselor, with whom I have a really great relationship with, call Pitt and tell them how much I love it there, what I've been doing this year and how hard I have worked to get in, I also emailed general admissions. I absolutely love it there, but I am not willing to wait around until June 2 to make a decision considering my enrollment is due May 1st for any other school. If I don't hear by mid April I think I'll commit to Penn State and if Pitt gets back to me after that I'll switch over (if I still favor Pitt). I just want opinions on my chances of getting off, and if anyone has a personal opinion on which school they favor. I'm a Psych major, but I have no idea if that will stay throughout college. Thanks!</p>
<p>This past fall 60% of students accepting the wait list were admitted. Without knowing your GPA or other stats, I’d think your chances were pretty good. No one can give you a guarantee though, it just getting so competitive to get into Pitt. You could always consider taking some classes at a local or junior college for the first semester.</p>
<p>I’d stay on Pitt to make sure they know that you are very interested. Also make sure they know you have a competing offer. Good luck.</p>
<p>I’d guess you’d be in good shape, but again, you can’t rely on that.</p>
<p>Now, this may or may not be the way to do it, but I think I’d let them know that Pitt is your top choice, but you are feeling pressure from Penn State to commit before May 1st, which is where’ll you’ll have to head if you don’t get into Pitt’s main campus for the fall (whether you actually feel that way or not), so the sooner you can know for sure whether you’ll successfully getting off the wait list the better, and therefore, you’d like to know if there is anything you could do to expedite a review of your situation.</p>
<p>But others that have actually been in a similar situation to yours may have a better approach.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity what is the cost difference between attending Pitt with no scholarships and attending PSU with the scholarship you have? If it isn’t negligible, I would advise you to attend PSU because you’ll want to graduate with as little debt as possible. If money is not an issue, then you should try your hardest to start at Pitt ASAP. </p>
<p>I was just wondering if you made a decision yet? I’m currently in the same boat as you and emailed University of Pittsburgh about my offer from PSU. They responded by saying that they could not do anything. My difference in cost is 16k over 4 years. (4k/yr). Additionally, I would take on work study at pitt and I’d rather focus on my studies. I really love Pitt tho. </p>
<p>well, this does not answer your question but we just sent an e-mail to Pitt that my kid won’t be attending Pitt. so maybe that will open up a spot for one of you guys. He would have gone to Dietrich had he attended pitt. and at least on CC, there are some fairly high stat kids who did not get merit aid or much merit aid at pitt this year and some of them are going elsewhere too. i assume pitt took that into account with how many they admitted but it’s possible these kids going elsewhere will open up some waitlist spots at Pitt. and great news about PSU! i wrongly thought they were pretty stingy on merit aid and great job either way but particularly if you guys are instate, i’m glad to see PSU open up its doors and merit aid to high achieving Pa kids. </p>
<p>@dyedyee nope I haven’t made my decision yet. I was planning on waiting until April 30th to hear back from Pitt and if they hadn’t responded by then, I would commit to PSU. If Pitt got back to me with a yes after that I was going to take my commitment out of Penn State and commit to Pitt. HOWEVER, lately I’ve been starting to lean more towards PSU. I found out I got even more money for Penn State bringing my tuition down to $5,500 plus $10k for room & board. It’s so hard for me to turn that down considering it would be $15,500 total for each year at a school that’s ranked in the 30’s nationally, and that doesn’t even include all its more specific rankings (career center, etc). Plus, it would make my life so much easier and take a huge weight off my shoulders to just commit. We’ll see I guess! It just sucks not being able to go roommate searching, because I would feel bad deciding to room (at PSU) with someone then last minute in mid to late May tell them I got into Pitt and am going there, leaving them roommate-less. Well, good luck with your decision, I hope Pitt gets back to you timely with the answer you’re hoping for! </p>
<p>@ctl987 thanks! I wish more people would send in their letter to Pitt telling them they’re declining their offer of admission haha and yeah I was really surprised to get money at all, let alone enough to make my tuition less than $6k! But I am sooo not complaining.</p>
<p>Wow, that does make psu affordable! I don’t know. If u get into pitt but it’s a lot more money, psu may make the most sense anyway. Do u have any idea whether and how much need based aid u might get at pitt?</p>
<p>@ctl987 No idea. I’ve definitely been leaning towards PSU lately. I have a roommate at Pitt that I absolutely love and I’ve always been more of a city person (hence why I love Pitt), but I just don’t know if it’s worth it…</p>
<p>Wow, great awards from PSU. A few years ago, it was Pitt that tended to give more money than PSU, but it looks like the tide has changed. Do be aware that if you do get accepted by Pitt, you may not get the award you’ve gotten at PSU. Is this financial aid or merit? Do share. I have one who is interested in PSU and will likely be applying next year. Congratulations on that award.</p>
<p>Pitt still gives out an average of about $1K more per student each year in institutional-based financial aid and tuition waivers. It’s just much more competitive at Pitt.</p>
<p>Just an update - the day after I commit to Penn State I get a voicemail from Pitt telling me they have decided to admit me off the waitlist and my acceptance letter will be in the mail this week… is this a joke</p>
<p>@jkeil911 yes I did! But it turns out I got $12,000 for Pitt total (scholarship and financial aid), so that made my decision even harder. But I went for PSU and I am more than positive I made the right decision! :)</p>