I would submit both. 2 fit on the form next to Pitt’s figures. Good luck @MPT3D
As we start to review the acceptances as well as the Merit scholarships, it seems that Pitt is not even one to look at. We have received offers ranging from free tuition to full out of state tuition waivers from similar and even higher ranked Universities… But Zero. Nada. Zilch .Nothing from Pitt… We received an invitation to visit Pitt along with a nice $250 grant, but why even bother if the numbers are not even there. Crazy how it all works. It was our first acceptance back in October and a top three at the time… It is the now the first one to be taken out of consideration.
Hi mrminsky - Hope all is well. Elsewhere you listed your DD stats as 4.14 GPA and 29 ACT. Is that accurate? Pitt tis pretty upfront that its merit generally starts at about 33 ACT, and most awards (although not all perhaps) seem to adhere pretty closely to that threshold. I get frustrated too that what is good enough at one school for merit isn’t good enough at another, but given the variations in endowments, state/state-affiliated missions, merit aid criteria, and our utter lack of access to the entire pool of applicants to make informed evaluations of individual merit aid decisions, it is what it is. What were your expectation from Pitt based upon their published standards and your DD’s stats? Congrats on your D’s other offers - it is awesome her accomplishments and your application strategies yielded good, affordable options!
@JMS111 Yes that is correct. She applied to Pitt as a URM. Someone had posted their disappointment about not being able to qualify for a Diversity Award which is what we were hoping for. Pitt is not very clear or upfront as to what qualifies to get these Diversity scholarships. There are many awards available. They should make it clear that they looking for close to perfect scores in order to not mislead prospective students. Very disappointed with all of this. But yes, very happy to have yielded some very good results at other schools. I know that whatever criteria we all have, we will have to start to narrow it down to one school. This is probably the start of this process.
Lots of talented kids out there with lots of loving and caring parents. Nothing but well wishes to everyone looking at Pitt.
@mrminsky - My D has similar stats to yours with 29 ACT, strong ECs, 92.96 UW GPA. Just checked the portal and have not been awarded any merit $$ at all - just lists the $5500 federal loan and that is it. Not sure this if final but looks like we are not getting offered any merit/scholarship $$. But honestly was not expecting any as its clear on many of these Pitt discussions that need higher stats with ACT 33+ to be considered for merit awards. That said we have offers from other colleges that bring the COA lower than Pitt so we may well appeal - wait for the financial letter from Pitt first.
My daughter’s account was updated with a “Panther Pride” (Ii.e grant) of $7,000 today so it looks like financial aid is starting to be distributed. Delighted here!
@stepl100 Prior to applying, we were not aware of the ACT 33 plus stats required for any of these Diversity awards. The school portal does not specify the requirements. We only learned about it once we were accepted and read through all these postings. My understanding is that they will only consider looking at other merit offers if you have been awarded one from Pitt. Since that is not the case, I do not think they will consider it…
Does anyone know the process for appealing an award? Cannot find any info on it anywhere?
@stepl100 just google “Pitt Cost Analysis.”
The Panther Pride award is a need based award only. It would be interesting if Pitt was more transparent about the EFC and income threshold needed to receive such an award. Does anyone know? Also, this number can and does fluctuate from year to year depending on income.
@stepl100, The best thing to do is call our office and speak to one of our Enrollment Services Managers about the process for more information. 412-624-7488
Best,
A Pitt Admissions Staffer
I got an email for financial aid!! 10k in panther pride and 18k overall!
Another update for you Pitt Panthers! Cost Analysis came back, and I am so excited to tell you that Pitt doubled my D’s award to $10,000 per year! Whaaaaattt!!! Yep, we are super crazy grateful! Stats for those who missed them previously:
1500 SAT (730 e, 770m)
In-State
GPA now officially 3.9 uw, 5.1 w
6 APs, 10 Honors
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Neuroscience
Go Pittsburgh!
@Winky1 congrats!!
Congrats @Winky1 !!! It feels good I am sure (having been there)!! H2P! (that is the proper cheer btw, you need to learn it!) or Hail to Pitt!
Ha,ha, ha , I am remembering the beating of the Pep Band’s drums at basketball games, and we’d shout “Go Pittsburgh!” at the right point in the cadence. Or also, during the Fight Song at a football game in old Pitt Stadium (yes), after the trumpets blast, we’d all shout “Penn State S__ks!” no matter who we were playing! So you are right, H2P is too new for me, as well as Pitt is Lit that I saw on a shirt recently. Hilarious. Pitt is Lit! Pitt is It!
And the “retro” uniforms they feature these days look just fine to me! lol
@Winky1 , congratulations!!! I am very happy for your D. Is Panther merit award or need based? Thank you
Congrats to all those that got good awards. My D got her financial award email today - as expected we are disappointed. No merit or financial aid awards at all beyond the standard federal loan $5500. Net full OOS cost of attendance ($43.5K direct costs) is what we face to attend Pitt. Already have 2 other private colleges with generous merit awards that bring COA below $40K. We’ll see - other RD options still processing as well and we won’t have all the knowledge to know what to do until end of March.
Not sure what they call merit scholarships @bsms2018 . We do have need, but it’s not a Panther Pride award.