What is the Expected Merit Aid for These Numbers?

ACT: 35 English, 35 Math
GPA: 3.9 UW 4.2 W
Class Rank: None
Location: OOS (Ohio)

My guess is that you will definitely get something and probably a fairly good amount considering your numbers and the fact that your out of state helps too. Maybe 10,000-15,000. What school/ major did you apply for?

@chelsey123 The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Neuroscience

One of my friends who had a 34 in Math and a 35 in Writing got a 20,000 scholarship from Pitt with about the same GPA and in-state. You would probably receive at least this amount but possibly more considering your out of state.

@chelsey123 $20,000 a year?

I believe so. I think people in the past with similar stats may have even gotten a full ride. The fact that youre out of state helps a lot though as I’m pretty sure they give more scholarships to OOS applicants. They also look at course rigor, class standing, and essays/recs as important factors. However I would imagine that your ACT score alone would really get you a great scholarship.

@Chelsey123‌ tbh, I’ve already received my scholarship and it was $15,000 a year. I’ve been lurking a bit, and I’ve seen people with similar/lower stats get full tuition. Do you think I should ask financial aid if they could reconsider my scholarship? Even though 15,000 is a lot, pitt is still a lot more expensive than other comparable schools that I’ve been accepted to.

You could contact the OAFA at Pitt and ask them to reconsider. they have said that Pitt is a lot more competitive in regard to scholarship money this year because of the large amount of applicants. you mentioned that your school does not provide a class rank. There was someone on here that had a similar issue and they did not get as much of an attractive offer because this information was not provided by the high school on the transcript. Then once they asked their GC to confirm class rank, they received a better offer. This could be why your offer was lower even though I know this isn’t your fault that the school doesn’t rank. I would have your GC possibly confirm or give Pitt an estimate of your class rank, which may help. Pitt uses a 5% or better class rank in determining scholarships I believe so even though I’m not positive that that’s the issue it may be something to consider.

@sinjbad - This question was asked before. See post #99 by @hailtopitt1787.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pittsburgh/1679601-university-of-pittsburgh-class-of-2019-acceptance-p7.html

@chelsey123 okay I’ll find out today. Thanks. And @frommd thanks

@sinjbad‌, @FromMD‌ and others: It is important to note that our Cost Analysis process is not intended as a way to simply negotiate for a scholarship award or to increase your award. You must have a competitive scholarship from other institutions in order to be considered.

If you do feel that you would qualify for Cost Analysis, you can send me a DM and I can help you get further information.

Best of luck!

-A Pitt Admissions Staffer

@hailtopitt1787‌ So Cost Analysis is solely based on scholarships, not the total net cost? For example, if a comparable in-state school is let’s say 20,000 a year, and Pitt is 35,000 a year, but the amount of scholarship I got for both schools is the same (or Pitt gave me more), than I am not eligible for Cost Analysis?

@sinjbad, the committee conducts Cost Analysis based on the net cost of attendance. So basically, you would compare the cost of attending Pitt vs. another comparable school after your scholarship award has been applied to the cost of tuition, room/board, and any mandatory fees.

@hailtopitt1787‌ and it’s okay if the comparable school is in-state (Ohio), correct?

@sinjbad, Yes. The location of the comparable school does not matter.

@hailtopitt1787‌ Okay, I applied for Chancellor’s at Pitt and several other scholarships at my in-state school, so I’ll wait until I hear back from both of those until I go ahead and continue with Cost Analysis for Pitt. Thank you so much, you’re really amazing. I appreciate the guidance and support that you give to everybody on this sub-forum.

@sinjbad‌, I am happy to help! If you have further questions about Cost Analysis, you can DM me. Good luck with the Chancellor’s scholarship!

@hailtopitt1787‌ will do and thanks!

@hailtopitt1787‌
When you say that the other school must be “comparable,” what standards does it have to meet to be used in Pitt’s Cost Analysis?

There is no specific list of schools/standards. It’s just a question of whether the school offers resources and opportunities on par with Pitt. Just something the Committee encourages you to take into consideration when comparing the net cost of other schools vs. Pitt - considering the value of an education from either school.