Stats: 3.7 UW 4.2 W SAT 1560. planning for UPitt pre med
Virtual year challenges, have a C+ in non science course. great upward trend in jr year.
Even with rolling admissions and possibly submitting by end of August, do I have a chance with UPitt? Is hons ruled out?
I have lot of good research exp. and given the common app word limit, how can I highlight it? Is there an option to upload resume or share a url of linkedin, any suggestions here that have worked pls. share how
If main campus is the preference in application, is there any chance that they would map to the other campuses in case due to GPA?
I was advised to use common app essay wisely and not mention about reasons for any grades or GPA, is it ok to just share the grades and not explain any hurdles or upward trend?
Is every common app that is a great essay written like a story about an individual? Any suggestions on how to fit in good achievements or research there?
Please advise as although holistic process is mentioned, am worried about if stats will cut off the filter by any chance. Thank you
Honors - not sure but note that at Pitt you donât need to be in Honors to take Honors classes.
You have a 3.7/4.2. Thereâs nothing to explain about grades.
Your common app essay should answer the prompt and define something about yourself. Why the yellow fuzz on a tennis ball fascinates you. A local student that got into Yale wrote about the exhilaration of waiting for papa johnâs pizza. Or about your love of tea or coffee etc.
Pitt isnât a reach for you. Not a match. Itâs a likely. Relax. Have fun with your essay. Your grades are your grades. Nothing to âexcuseâ. Very solid.
Mean you afford Pitt? Good luck.
Correct. Sounds like you have nothing to explain for your grades.
Your personal statement should not be a rehash of your activities. It should be about you, and a story that shows your character, passion, development, etc. Basically something that lets the reader get to know you. Your goal doesnât have to be a âgreatâ essay, aim for solid and descriptive. Show the reader who you are with examples and details. Donât just tell them, for example, donât say âIâm funnyâ, or âresponsibleâ or âdedicatedâ or whateverâŠshow with examples.
Have you read sample essays? Look at college essay guyâs website (also has free brainstorming exercises). Tufts, Hamilton, and JHU all have âessays that workedâ from past students on their websites.
You can describe your research in more detail in the additional info section. Maybe a paragraph or two, probably not another 650 words. I wouldnât put in any links.
You can upload a resume to all schools that allow it. Sometimes thatâs in the app, sometimes thatâs later in the portal, after you apply.
Set a goal to get your Pitt app completed and submitted by the end of the month. I would call it a likely provided you submit it sooner rather than later. Iâm less sure about honors. Is Pitt affordable?
I just want to emphasize that this is an opportunity for YOU to realize there is more of value to you, indeed more that is special about you, than just a bundle of achievements. Even though I donât know you, I know this is true, because it is true of everyone. You just havenât told me yet what is special about you that is not some sort of grade or achievement.
And something like that is what a holistic review admissions officer is going to be thinking too. They have your transcript, they have your activities and awards, all that is fine so farâbut what else is special about you? There is definitely something, indeed definitely many things, but they are not going to know that yet either. Because you havenât told them yet.
So your essay is an opportunity for you to do that. And again, I know, and that AO knows, there are thing about you that are truly special. But you have to tell them! You have to SHOW them! Give them what they actually need, which is a real insight into who you are, what makes you special, that isnât some sort of grade or achievement or any other such thing that any high-achieving HS student will have.
Thank you all for your kind responses. This forum is really helpful, TIA to all your time.
Just to clarify, my unweighted GPA is 3.7 and weighted GPA is 4.2, high on research and voluntary service, good patient facing shadowing.
If am looking for pre-med, should I be applying to Ditrich school of arts and sciences or swanson engineering or any others? My interest is in biology majorly. Is there any pros in going undeclared?
How can we show demonstrated interest in the college and does it help in admissions? I have visited the college in person in spring.
I might be a NMSC semi finalist, will there be any opportunity to mention it later , in interest of any scholarships or aids?
You should apply for the major you want. As long as you do the pre med pre reqs (and get advising), you can major in underwater basket weaving -ok, they donât offer that - but anything.
If youâre not interested in engineering or donât want a life of advanced math upon advanced math, than engineering isnât for you.
Your GPA and MCAT will be what matters along with the other things like shadowing. Not - that you majored in engineering vs. bio vs. journalism vs. sociology.
Pitt is public and will not care about demonstrated interest. They do note itâs important but I donât believe that (not of a public) And again, youâre going to get in. They note itâs important - but Iâm not buying it. But join an admission session online or in person and take a tour.- then youâve demonstrated interest. And apply early.
If you become a NMF, then you open the door to a slew of other possibilities at other places. It does not appear that Pitt has awards for NMF.
You are asking a question and then you put the link - so you have the answer. Unless you have some sort of extenuating circumstance (and very few people would), then no. They say so.
They want to learn about you.
The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid does not seek out Letters of Recommendation. We find greater value in hearing from you in your own words on your Personal Statement or your Common App Essay.
You really are over thinking this. Getting into Pitt is not that hard for someone with your stats. Both my kids went to Pitt and nether had an uw GPA as high as yours.
If you want to major in biology you should apply to Dietrich.
Dietrich is the normal option for pre-med track students. Almost all (all?) of the pre-med prereq courses are in Dietrich, most (not all) pre-med students choose a major that overlaps, and Dietrich has well-established advising for pre-med students.
I note Dietrich has a lot of different Bio/Biochem majors, and related majors like Neuroscience:
This is inaccurate. Pitt cares about demonstrated interest. I saw a presentation online made by their admissions office to guidance counselors. They look for a visit. Also, there is no reason to doubt the CDS.
Other public schools also value demonstrated interest (William and Mary is a strong example).
It is inaccurate and misleading to say that public schools do not value interest. Additionally, Pitt is state-related, not public. PA students get a discount, but no bump in admissions.
Both my kids got in. No visit. One did a session and got a free code. Public schools or state supported generally donât track. W&M wants an interview - ie interest. Thatâs different.
I did note to op that is noted as important in the CDS. And I did suggest they attend a session, in person or online.
But I personally donât think it matters. U of Arizona rates it important too. I guess the 13% not admitted didnât make an effort. Until recently, Pitt had high admit rates.
As I noted Iâm not buying that public schools are tracking it but I did instruct the OP to sign up for a session. So I acted perfectly fine imho.
Iâve seen it said here that Pitt considers an early application to demonstrate interest. My kid was accepted last year with honors and max merit, and he didnât visit or do anything special to demonstrate interest, apart from applying early. FWIW, the OP in this thread has significantly higher SAT than my kid.
Yes they are clear on how to position yourself for merit. Apply early - not crazy early but early. And in the old days a 33 ACT was suggested. Not anymore.
I donât know if this is definitive, but the standard advice at our HS, which regularly sends several kids to Pitt (and more are admitted), is to make sure to stop by and see them at the college fair, fill out an interest card, and then apply early(ish).
So I guess that is demonstrated interest, but not like a ton. And as far as I can tell, from that point forward there is no yield protection or such.
Not only for Pitt, but also for any college you are considering, look at their âcommon data setâ (just google common data set + college name) and read their past admission stats.
Many large schools do not look at the essay, recommendation letters, EC and your demonstrated interest (unless you are applying for a competitive major). Most do recalculate your GPA.
Donât stress a lot.
BTW, did you attend Pitt admissions information sessions?
Are the honors prompts for this year UPitt application not available to view u til you click yes for Honors option on the application?
If you are interested in honors but looking to apply as soon, is it better to apply for altogether after spending time to write the honors essay? Or submit common app and apply for honors later? Which is a better option if in the end looking for admission and honors too , in interest of rolling admission timelines?
Thank you!
Hello any reply on this please, it looks like you have the option to click yes for honors when you submit the Common App. Is it better to also apply for honors along with Common App given the rolling admissions and earlier is better? asking in interest of time for essays and appreciate any help.
Apply as soon as possible and then apply for the Honors after the regular app is submitted.
You can either use the Pitt App (upload essay and resume) or Common App (with essay and activities). Use whatever format you prefer.
The most important thing is to apply early with essay. (S24 also submitted resume)
In the acceptance letter for S24 they stated that "Students submitting a completed application for admission, along with their personal statement or Common Application essay, by December 1, are automatically reviewed for merit scholarships.
If I have more than 10 good activities to report, is it better to continue with Common App I started and then upload the supplemental document of activities list/resume? Or do it through the UPitt Application Portal?
What is the best way to show your activities of like up to 16/18 when applying to UPitt?
If I am looking to major in pre med, is it better to chose that as major in the main campus? Or I can choose another major and then seek a change later after admission as a possibility?