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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Peer group:
Grinnell: 1480, 51% submitting
Pittsburgh: 1360, 50% submitting

Grinnell's median and percent submitting are on par with schools like BC, UVA, W&M, BU, WFU, etc. while Pittsburgh's stats are closer to Virginia Tech's. [/quote]

This stat is a little misleading, as are any when people want to hang their hat on the SAT score as a proxy for prestige, selectivity, worth, etc. That percentage of submitters is for both SAT and and ACT, so those median numbers don't mean quite as much. Also, the type of student who qualifies for Pitt's Honors College is absolutely in the same peer group as the students who matriculate at those other schools named above, their families just may not want to pay 80k+ for the privilege. [/quote]

Professors notice and relate to the best, most engaged students in a class.  I never felt "held back" by peers at Pitt.  And I was an NMF at Pitt at a time when it was considered less selective.  I think this a "run your own race" issue...other people's SATs have little to do with how much a student learns.  Feeling underchallenged...do an honors paper, ask for extra reading, get a research assistantship, etc.  [b]I'd say coursework varies more due to the profs than the classmates.[/b][/quote]

This is a major difference--professors' commitment to UG teaching and research. That would be my only reservation about turning down Grinnell for Pitt. But if in the Honors College, shouldn't be a big issue.[/quote]

PP...Good point...I had lots of contact with profs at Pitt because I sat up front in every class and showed interest.  I did a research assistantship also.

I agree that a small school might be good for a person who wants more visibility with profs in an organic way (if that's what commitment to undergrad teaching is supposed to result in).  I think profs just vary because they are people.  I have a cousin who is a professor who is recognizable in her best online student reviews and unrecognizable in her worst.  She recently won a teaching award.  When you're in a small major at a small school, you need to like the core faculty.  Otherwise, you're stuck.

Honestly, I didn't feel the need for a personal/name basis relationship with every prof.  I had usually had stronger ties/interest to 1 or 2 profs a semester.  I'm introverted so liked college better than high school.

Pre-med is also a different ballgame depending on how the school determines med school recommendations.  I am far from that...I just know it's important to strategize for success.[/quote]

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