Anonymous wrote:Thank you for these replies and suggestions. I hope DD put Johnstown as her second choice!

PP. I think going to a branch campus is a good strategy for a kid that might thrive independently from family (e.g., buckle down or lock-in as my kids say). You do need to factor in the social disruption of starting over as a sophomore. It turned out fine for me, but it's worth thinking about.

Consider the possibility of transferring in from other schools in your DMV area if that saves $.

Also, I bet you could swap a Greensburg acceptance for a Johnstown acceptance by asking. I doubt they have different criteria. Different capacity, yes, but admissions criteria probably not.

Most likely a student is going to Pitt Johnstown if they want a residential college experience. I would think Pitt Greensburg is more of a commuter school.

Thank you for these replies and suggestions. I hope DD put Johnstown as her second choice!

Johnstown would probably be the best choice (closer to DMV).

Johnstown and Greensburg are both small, but Greensburg is a sleepy county seat that's fairly close to Pittsburgh. I really don't understand that Greensburg campus's existence, and I believe it is the more vulnerable feeder. Johnstown's webpage says 22K alumni in 97 years. Johnstown is not often visited even by Pittsburghers so definitely go see the area so you can confirm it will meet expectations.

I went first to PSU main campus and then to Pitt. I did meet some UPJ transfers at main campus. I think that is the most common transfer path for metro Pittsburghers.

Bradford is near the NY border. Too far from DMV. Maybe for engineering.

I just visited the campus of Washington & Jefferson in Washington, PA last week. It's a small LAC. I found it rather cute. What about look there? Then transfer to Pitt after one year.

Washington, PA is very similar to Greensburg.

Be careful with state school branch campuses, they are struggling and may close or consolidate in the next few years.

You are supposed to put a second choice campus down - that’s how they decide which one.

Johnstown or Greensberg would be the closest to a typical residential college experience, but I think even with dorms, they are more suitcase schools.

My DD just applied to Pitt and has mediocre grades (3.3 GPA) so we are expecting that she may get admitted to one of the other Pitt campuses. What are the different campuses like? Which one is the most like a residential (i.e. non commuter) college? How do they decide which one to admit you to? Thanks for any advice.