University of Pittsburgh

Overall, students agree that they wouldn’t trade their Pitt experiences for anything else. As with most decisions, however, there are a lot of things to consider. If you don’t like living in the city, Pittsburgh may not be the place for you; while it doesn’t have the huge feel of New York or Philadelphia, the area is definitely urban. Also, Pitt is a large school—you’re in for big lecture classes and a somewhat overwhelming campus during the first year or two, though, everything seems to get smaller after you’ve been around awhile. Weather can be a concern if you’re used to warmer climates, as snow and rain are rules of Pittsburgh winter. This is something you can easily get used to, though, so unless you’re a die-hard warm weather fan, you should do fine.

What Pitt does offer is high-caliber academics, plenty of student organizations, and frequent opportunities such as study abroad, cultural activities, and sports, among many others. If you’re willing to become active on campus, there’s a lot more to Pitt than meets the eye. The University’s location can also be a great advantage—Pittsburgh itself is a positive environment for students, especially because the city is dominated by colleges and universities. The social scene is always jumping, locals are friendly, and there’s always something to do if you explore a little. The best idea is to visit after you’ve applied and try to get a feel for the area. You can get the same quality education at Pitt that you find in many smaller, expensive schools and pay less to have a vibrant city right at your doorstep.