They have marketed to DC area a lot and it’s become a popular place to apply because it has rolling admissions and solid programs.

Nice city with lots to do

They have some top 10 programs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's really interesting. I had several college friends who lived in Pittsburgh, but didn't want to go to Pitt and attended VT instead.

I think if you grew up in Pittsburgh, you're more likely to want to leave. At least for college. Also, it's really just the past 5-10 years that it's been this hot.

Nope. They went to VT, because the engineering program is nationally ranked higher than Pitt and Penn St. They wanted to take advantage of VT Engineering Expo for job placement after graduation. They had older siblings and relatives who had a hard time getting a job after attending Pitt. Don't mean to start a VT vs. Pitt argument. Just giving a perspective from my Pittsburgh friends.

They’ve had a lot of money donated to the school since you were in college. It is a stronger school with stronger outcomes now.

Great city, great campus, excellent academics without being overly cut throat. Far enough away to be away but close enough to come home when desired. It is a gem! I highly encouraged my DS to go there but he went south instead….

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Solid school academically. Urban setting with a campus feel. Great mid size city with good food and neighborhoods. Greek like is not dominant (but there if you are interested). A good mix of serious students but also a fun place to be for 4 years.

My kid is a first year CS major and very happy.

Is Pitt direct admit CS? Any special requirments to keep that major like UMD (C- in certain classes)

A student is admitted to the college—the School of Computing and Information. You need some four or so core classes to declare the CS major. Need a C or better in these classes to declare and then have a C or better in classes needed for major.

Fascinating. VT requires a B/3.0 to get first dibs on the major. UMD a C- in certain classes and Pitt a C in certain classes. UMD seems the safest bet to ensure a CS degree of these three. Even a smart kid can struggle with time management or get a poor teacher.

UMD direct admit has to maintain C-. Starting Fall 24 current students that want to be admitted to CS have to get B- with NO guarantee.

Can you explain this. I'm confused - Starting Fall 24 current students that want to be admitted to CS have to get B- with NO guarantee - meaning if with B- you don't get CS major. B- is easier than a B.

Also, the website still says C-

All students accepted directly as freshmen to a Computer Science major in fall 2024 or later must complete a series of benchmark courses and a review at 45 credits earned at the University of Maryland.


Completion of CMSC131 [Object-Oriented Programming I] OR CMSC133 [Object-Oriented Programming I Beyond Fundamentals] OR CMSC141 [Programming with Purpose I: Data-Centric Computing] with a minimum grade of C-
Completion of CMSC132 [Object-Oriented Programming II] OR CMSC142 [Programming with Purpose II: Data Structures and Algorithms] with a minimum grade of C-
Completion of MATH140 [Calculus I] with a minimum grade of C-

A minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all courses is required at the 45-credit review.

Students DIRECTLY ADMITTED as a freshman or transfer need to obtain a minimum C- in courses referenced above. Freshmen/transfers NOT directly to CS either from letters and Sciences or another school must take the above courses, receive no less than a B- and then can "apply" to the CS program.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's really interesting. I had several college friends who lived in Pittsburgh, but didn't want to go to Pitt and attended VT instead.

I think if you grew up in Pittsburgh, you're more likely to want to leave. At least for college. Also, it's really just the past 5-10 years that it's been this hot.

Nope. They went to VT, because the engineering program is nationally ranked higher than Pitt and Penn St. They wanted to take advantage of VT Engineering Expo for job placement after graduation. They had older siblings and relatives who had a hard time getting a job after attending Pitt. Don't mean to start a VT vs. Pitt argument. Just giving a perspective from my Pittsburgh friends.

JOBS JOBS JOBS

It’s popular because you can apply in August and have an acceptance the first week of September. Don’t need recommendations or formal transcript. Definitely takes the pressure off a little knowing your kid has somewhere decent to go even if they aren’t totally excited by it.

Anonymous wrote:It's really interesting. I had several college friends who lived in Pittsburgh, but didn't want to go to Pitt and attended VT instead.

I think if you grew up in Pittsburgh, you're more likely to want to leave. At least for college. Also, it's really just the past 5-10 years that it's been this hot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honest question…I am new to this forum and wanted to know why does everyone talk about Pitt and apply to Pitt?. Any insight would be helpful. Btw, I have a sophomore in high school.

A quality out-of-state option, not too far, that keeps costs close to instate if stats are good (these offers have diminished over time). Rolling admissions, so quick response.

Yes, all of this plus so many happy, accomplished students with positive experiences. Great safety for my kid, and so nice to know she's in somewhere good that we can afford while she waits on other decisions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is engineering. Wants an R1 and wants to be an afternoon drive from home. Got a lot of merit. His list is Pitt, Bucknell, and VT, those are the only 3 he is applying to/applied to. He’s already accepted to Pitt so we shall see what happens with the other two. Pretty stress free process for him.

How can Pitt and VT be an afternoon drive from home? Maybe I don't know what an afternoon drive means? I assumed like 1-2 hours.

Both are about 4 hours from the DC area.

Anonymous wrote:My kid is engineering. Wants an R1 and wants to be an afternoon drive from home. Got a lot of merit. His list is Pitt, Bucknell, and VT, those are the only 3 he is applying to/applied to. He’s already accepted to Pitt so we shall see what happens with the other two. Pretty stress free process for him.

How can Pitt and VT be an afternoon drive from home? Maybe I don't know what an afternoon drive means? I assumed like 1-2 hours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Solid school academically. Urban setting with a campus feel. Great mid size city with good food and neighborhoods. Greek like is not dominant (but there if you are interested). A good mix of serious students but also a fun place to be for 4 years.

My kid is a first year CS major and very happy.

Is Pitt direct admit CS? Any special requirments to keep that major like UMD (C- in certain classes)

A student is admitted to the college—the School of Computing and Information. You need some four or so core classes to declare the CS major. Need a C or better in these classes to declare and then have a C or better in classes needed for major.

Fascinating. VT requires a B/3.0 to get first dibs on the major. UMD a C- in certain classes and Pitt a C in certain classes. UMD seems the safest bet to ensure a CS degree of these three. Even a smart kid can struggle with time management or get a poor teacher.

UMD direct admit has to maintain C-. Starting Fall 24 current students that want to be admitted to CS have to get B- with NO guarantee.

Can you explain this. I'm confused - Starting Fall 24 current students that want to be admitted to CS have to get B- with NO guarantee - meaning if with B- you don't get CS major. B- is easier than a B.

Also, the website still says C-

All students accepted directly as freshmen to a Computer Science major in fall 2024 or later must complete a series of benchmark courses and a review at 45 credits earned at the University of Maryland.


Completion of CMSC131 [Object-Oriented Programming I] OR CMSC133 [Object-Oriented Programming I Beyond Fundamentals] OR CMSC141 [Programming with Purpose I: Data-Centric Computing] with a minimum grade of C-
Completion of CMSC132 [Object-Oriented Programming II] OR CMSC142 [Programming with Purpose II: Data Structures and Algorithms] with a minimum grade of C-
Completion of MATH140 [Calculus I] with a minimum grade of C-

A minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all courses is required at the 45-credit review.

How is the on-campus hiring outcomes for Pitt - For CS, Engineering or Business?

Anonymous wrote:Our child is a junior at Pitt and loves it. Pittsburgh is a thriving, vibrant city (not the depressed steel town I had imagined before visiting), there's lots to do, many different neighborhoods, and with public transportation. And yet, even in the city, there is a campus. Also right next to Carnegie Mellon and others, so there's TONS of students around

Agree. As an immigrant, my 'picture' of Pittsburg was from Atlas Shrugged, and I thought it would be a cold, depressing city until I visited for the first time about 20 years ago. Even back then, it was such a beautiful city and things have only gotten better.

DS was undecided, still got tons of merit aid - cost similar to U MD for us