The Basics
Why Choose Pitt?
A+ Features
Needs Improvement
New Collegiette on Campus
All About Academics
Learn From the Best
Interests & Involvement
Team Spirit
Girl Power
Food & Drink
Social Scene
Dorm Life
Exploring Pittsburgh
Learn More!
The Basics
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Funding: Public
Size: 18,615
Percent Women: 50%
Tuition (one year): $17,772 in-state, $28,168 out-of-state
Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; English Language and Literature/Letters; Engineering
Greek Life: Yes
Acceptance Rate: 54.5%
For more information about financial aid, scholarships, majors, study abroad, and average test scores, visit the University of Pittsburgh's website.
Why Choose Pitt?
“I chose to come to Pitt because of the school spirit. I went to a really small school that didn’t have many big sports and I’ve always wanted to be a part of a huge cheering section at a football game!”“The study abroad program here is amazing! I lived in England for a year doing an exchange program and loved every second of it. I knew even before I I came to college that I wanted to travel abroad and study some where outside of hte states. I looked into Pitt's study abroad program and there were so many options! Because of the program that I did, and the amazing advisors in the Study Abroad Office, I was able to study anything from Islamic Studies to International Law, and travel all around Europe and Northern Africa for nearly a year!”“If you’re thinking about coming to Pitt, the student atmosphere around here is definitely a plus! It’s so easy to meet all different types of people here because there are a lot of international students, and people from all over the country! Some of my best memories are filled with different accents and stories about visiting friends’ hometowns!”“I was born and bred a Notre Dame fan and I had never planned on coming here, but then in high school I started to hear great stories of Pitt, like how prestigious it was becoming and how strong the pride was. When I visited I took a tour with a Pathfinder, and I remember it not being at all what I expected it to be and I loved it. Even though I was in the city it still felt like a place I could call home.”“I’m from New York and my parents kept me on a 500 mile radius when picking colleges. I applied to Pitt because it has an impressive BS/MD program - if you get accepted, and maintain a certain GPA, you don’t have to take MCAT’s and you matriculate into the medical school here. My acceptance into that program was a huge pull for me. That and the cathedral are hard to beat. I guess you can say I like the city enough to stay for 8 years.”"The Oakland Zoo is notorious! My dad and older brothers went to Pitt and it just felt right to carry on the tradition and to go to as many basketball games as possible cheering on the Panthers! Its pretty cool to share the experience with my family and it definitely gives us something to talk about over break."A+ Features
“Cathy [the Cathedral of Learning] is the best part of our school! I was in awe when I visited as a student still in high school. It doesn’t hurt that the inside makes you feel like you’re at Hogwarts! She’s even got her own Twitter! Check her out: @CLElevator”“I love that every year the incoming class attempts to break a world record during orientation! It's so cool to see everyone participate!”“Sitting in the student section at Pitt games screaming ‘Sweet Caroline’ with your best friends is always a plus to any game. Win or lose! And around basketball season I couldn’t call it a good semester if I don’t go to at least one game and sit in the Oakland Zoo! It’s so nuts, but I’ve never felt more a part of the university than when I’m cheering on our team! Hail to Pitt!”"I love that we have so many student organizations on campus! I can join anything from Her Campus to the Quidditch team and have so much fun! At a lot of schools you either have to be a part of the Greek community or be a social outcast. At Pitt, you can join a sorority or fraternity, or choose not to and still be an active member of the student body! Every semester there is a student activity fair where you can find all sorts of groups to join."Needs Improvement
“There isn’t too much that needs to be improved at Pitt since the university has been doing so much remodeling lately! But I would like for the wifi to be a bit faster in the library. It sucks when you’re trying to finish a paper and your internet slows!”“We’ve got a really nice library, but sometimes I wish it was quieter on the 1st floor. But I guess it’s not called Club Hillman for nothing!”“My only problem with Pitt is that the shuttles don’t come often enough to South Oakland. I hate it when I miss a shuttle by only a minute and have to wait for the next one for a half hour or walk to campus.”“It’d be nice to have a few more study spots around campus, especially during finals week! It just gets so crazy crowded in Hillman and the quiet study rooms get snatched up pretty quickly.”New Collegiette on Campus
"My advice to freshmen would be to try out new things. At a place like Pitt especially, there are so many opportunities to try something you never thought you'd be good at! Don't forget to explore the city as much as possible!"
"It's amazing. Just make sure you get off campus as well since we are a city school and bussing is included in tuition!"
"You can get used to the campus really quickly. It doesn't feel as big as it really is."
"It's so exciting to be a freshman! Go to different events to find out what you like. I loved my first basketball game. The Oakland Zoo is insane and makes you love the school even more."
"Pitt's campus is very school spirited! No matter where you are, rocking a Pitt sweatshirt is always a fashion must. Pitt Pride isn't just relevant at sporting events."
All About Academics
“I’m a Political Science Major and I’ve found that I love the professors whom I’ve had class with! They really know their stuff and they love it when students get engaged in the material and carry on great conversations about it!”“My favorite class that I’ve taken so far was a Greek mythology course during freshman year. It was completely outside of my major but it was such a fun class that didn’t require too much work. It helped that the professor was so eclectic and got really into the readings and movies!”“The change from high school to freshman year of college was huge in terms of work load. In high school I was used to teachers reminding me of deadlines and stuff. At Pitt, you get the syllabus and the professor teaches you, but it’s your responsibility to make sure you know when everything is due. However, professors are sure to remind you of office hours and other opportunities for help if you need it. Going to office hours and to the writing centers and turoting centers all over campus makes you a much better student in the long run.”“So far all of the professors have been really good. I usually check out Rate My Professors to see what other students have ranked teachers to see if I’d like the class or the professor. The site is super helpful and hasn’t really steered me wrong in my four years here!”“I’ve only ever had to ask for an extension once before, and my literature professor was really great about it. She understood that it was midterm season and I was stressed. I think that she didn’t hassle me about it because I had been going to her office hours to make sure that I understood the books and assignments. Professors want to help you, you’ve just got to let them know that you are trying!”“Hands down best place to study is the Cathedral on the 1st floor, especially during Therapy Dog Tuesdays (great for during finals week) or when it’s all decked out for Christmas!”"Our bookstore has just been renovated and it is always stocked with the books needed for classes. If they ever run out of a book they can immediately order more, and they usually arrive in perfect timing before classes start to pick up."Learn From the Best
"One of my all time favorite professors at Pitt was Professor Alter for Intro to Cultural Anthropology. The class itself was very cool and he really made the information exciting."
"I loved my Intro to Journalism class with Harry Kloman. It's really challenging and intimidating, but you learn so much. Definitely worthwhile."
"My favorite professor was Jake Dechant for my Anatomy & Physiology class freshman year."
"I really enjoyed the Detective Fiction course for my literature requirement."
"Professor Garies is one of the best Communications professors I've had at college. I definitely suggest taking one of his courses if you can!"
Interests & Involvement
"Student organizations and clubs are what make Pitt's students so involved in the community and on campus. The Student Activities Fair, which takes place every fall, allows students to explore all of the clubs present on campus, whether they be intramural sports, community service based, or focused on academics. If they don't see a club that they want to join, students can even create their own, and are given funding by the school to do so!"“Football and basketball games are really popular at Pitt. Students love to tailgate and attend football games at Heinz Field. The student section at basketball games, a.k.a the Oakland Zoo, is one of the top student sections in the country. We make the Peterson Events Center a very intimidating venue for visiting teams.”“I’m on an intramural soccer team and there’s many other sports to choose from.”“Most of my friends are involved in an extracurricular organization.”"For me, the best part about joining clubs is being able to make friends and meet new people. I can honestly say that if I didn't join clubs at Pitt, I wouldn't have met so many of the people I'm friends with now."Team Spirit
"There are people who definitely care about their health on campus and the sporting events are amazing."
"Pitt has a lot of really great teams, including the basketball and wrestling teams, that bring in a ton of support and excitement for the school."
"I try to work out a few times a week. There are plenty of places to run outside, and we have some nice gym facilities to utilize when it's cold out. I really like working out at the Peterson Events Center because there's so many machines and different equipment to use."
"Pitt is definitely a spirited school. You'll see all the students heading to Heinz Field for the football games dressed in all Pitt attire. The student section is always packed with fans singing all the Pitt cheers, and cheering on our team, even when they don't play their best. The football games are a great experience, between the amazing stadium, and the spirit."
"There is no sporting event at Pitt that compares to the basketball games. The Oakland Zoo, aka Pitt's student section, is ranked one of the top student sections in the U.S. Fans can be seen jumping all over, booing at the other team, crumpling up news papers, and just partaking in all crazy activities. It's definitely an experience you don't want to miss!"
"Intramural sports are a great way to get involved in the athletic culture even if you aren't at Pitt as an athlete."
Image source: https://ems.williampittunion.p... and provided by HC Pitt.
Girl Power
"You can dress however you want at Pitt and not be judged. While some girls will dress up more, others will walk around in yoga pants, leggings, sweats, or Pitt attire. It's so common here that no one cares!"
“In the winter, girls wear big sweaters, leather jackets, oversized scarves, and tall boots. In the summer, girls wear casual sundresses or shorts and tees.”“Her Campus!”"Everyone is really friendly at Pitt. You'll meet a ton of girls in class, in your dorm, or at parties that are always open to meeting new people."“I met so many great girls through my sorority.”"I'm a part of Gamma Sigma Sigma, an all-girls service sorority. The members of this club complete community service projects all year round."“I’m studying to get a certificate in Women’s Studies.”"There are a ton of organizations on campus for girls, from sororities, to sites like Her Campus! to the Campus Women's Organization, Strong Women Strong Girls, and Pitt's CHAARG club. There are plenty of opportunities to meet girls outside of your dorm or floor!"Photo cred: Claire Deahl, Lexi Surunis of Her Campus PittFood & Drink
“Market Central is one of the most popular dining halls on campus.”“On campus food is pretty good—and if you get sick of it, there’s tons of restaurants and fast food places within short walking distance.”“Market is always SO crowded for their Thanksgiving meal.”“You must go to Pam’s for breakfast. It’s a famous Pittsburgh restaurant and the line is always out the door on the weekends.”"Conflict Kitchen is a great addition to our campus that you should definitely try. Every couple months, they serve the culinary cuisine from a different country that the U.S. is or has been in conflict with. Some countries they've had so far are Venezuelan, North Korean, Palestine, and many more! It's right by the Cathedral of Learning and if it's nice out, you can sit outside and relax at the picnic tables or grass while eating!""Peace Love and Little Donuts on Meyran Avenue is absolutely amazing. Not many students realize it since it's on the side street, but they have all these little homemade donuts with insanely delicious toppings. They're so good and they're inexpensive! Make sure to try the chocolate chip cookie, double chocolate, and Boston cream!"Photo cred: http://bit.ly/1dGAJ2R, HC Pitt's Katie Piscopio, Conflict KitchenSocial Scene
"Weekends at Pitt are an opportunity for students to relieve some of their school-related stresses, and have a good time with friends! For many of the freshman students, as well as some sophomore students still living on campus, frat parties are the place to go. Every weekend a few frats will open up to hopefully show the underclassman crowd a good time. Older students tend to stray away from these parties, typically opting for bars or house parties."“Hems, Peters, and G-Door are some of the most popular bars at Pitt. They’re always packed."“The South Side is just about a five minute drive from campus and it has one of the longest strips of bars in the country.”"Although many Pitt students love going to parties on the weekends, the greatest thing about attending a city school is that students don't have to stay on campus to find something fun to do! Students who are into watching plays and musicals can venture downtown to the theatre district, where they can catch their favorite show. Concert-goers can always find a popular artist at Stage AE or Consol Energy Center. Those who are more into art, can head to the Andy Warhol Museum. The options are endless, as Pitt students integrate themselves into the city of Pittsburgh itself."“Pitt hosts a lot of on-campus events during the week if you’re looking for something to do.”"For those who are in that awkward stage before turning 21 but feel too old to go to frat parties, house parties are the place to be. By that age, most people you know will probably have their own apartments, so you're likely to hang out there more with people you know than be at a party with a lot of random people!""Oakland is always lively on the weekends. You'll find people wandering the streets, and mostly inhabiting the two late night pizza places—Antoon's and Sorrento's. If you're not feeling like going out and drinking, it's always fun to just find a spot to hang on campus and just watch all the people going out at night. You're sure to have some funny stories to tell of what you witnessed!"Photo cred: Claire Deahl, City SkylineDorm Life
“My roommate and I chose each other. We found each other through a Pitt Facebook group.”“I lived in Towers, and loved it! Most freshman live there and there’s always people around. As a senior, I’m still friends with girls I met from living in Towers freshman year.”"Whatever dorm you'll live in at Pitt, you're sure to find your space. While some students are happy that they didn't live on Upper Campus, those who have lived up there love it because it's beautiful and more quiet. Sutherland is a freshman dorm on upper campus that hosts both Honors College students and athletes."“I lived in Brackenridge Hall sophomore year. Our suite had a mini kitchen and the quad is a great central location. ”“A lot of people move off campus after sophomore year. I love my apartment!”"Nordenberg is the newest freshman dorm, first opened in 2013. It's a beautiful freshman dorm, and is right on campus close to Towers. There are both doubles and triples, along with air conditioning, TVs, refrigerators and microwaves, study lounges, a fitness center, music booths, and many more."Exploring Pittsburgh
"Pittsburgh is an amazing city with so much to offer. It's also very managable so it doesn't feel overwhelming. I really like to Andy Warhol Museum and the Carnegie Museum of Art is really impressive too."
"Mount Washington is a must for anyone who is looking to explore Pittsburgh. You can take the Monongahela Incline, which is right near Station Square, up to Mount Washington. Up there, you can see the most beautiful view of the whole city from the overlook. It's breathtaking, and really helps you appreciate this new city that you're living in."
"The city is perfect. It's an amazing place to find yourself and there is literally something for everyone."
"I love Pittsburgh and all the sports teams that come along with it. From the Steelers to the Penguins to the Pirates, you can root for your city year round."
"Getting out of Oakland (where Pitt's campus is located) every once in a while is refreshing. I like to go Downtown, which is easily accessible by bus. There, you can stroll around the Strip District—a street with outdoor vendors of Pittsburgh sports apparel, fudge, produce, Italian cheese's and meats, sandwiches, etc. The smells that come from the Strip are unreal, and you can eat your way through it. There's a lot of unique clothing vendors as well. It has a lot of culture in one small area."
"Pittsburgh is cool in that it has shopping, art, music, great restaurants, bars, and more, all wrapped into one."
"We have a gorgeous city-scape."
"For all the girls out there that love to shop and eat, Walnut Street in Shadyside is just a bus ride away and is great for a study break. With some more upscale stores like J. Crew, Banana Republic, Lululemon, and also the Gap, Francesca's, a soon to be Alex and Ani, and many others, it's great for an afternoon stroll. There are a lot of really popular cafes and restaurants on Walnut Street as well!"
Learn More!
Learn more about Pitt! Go to: www.hercampus.com/pitt
