University of Pittsburgh
- Campus Housing

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University of Pittsburgh - Campus Housing - Campus Housing - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Campus Housing

Quick Stats

On-Campus Housing Available? Yes
Campus Housing Capacity 7,241
Average Housing Costs $5,500
Undergrads Living On Campus 44%
Number of Dormitories 10
Number of Campus-Owned Apartments 4
Best Dorms
  • Any dorm on the hill
  • Towers (for convenience)
Worst Dorms
  • Holland Hall
  • Lothrop Hall

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Every residence hall at Pitt has its own distinct perks and downfalls. When you first get to Pitt, you’ll find the majority of your class living in Towers A or B, which are all-freshman housing. Many upperclassmen see the Towers as “the most fun you’ll never want to have again.” The best thing about these dorms is that all residents are in the same boat—this makes it a great place to meet people and make friends during your first year. On the other hand, the rooms are small and pie-shaped—the Towers are actually circular high-rises. Some students say that this adds character, while others end up feeling like they’re housed in a sardine can. If all-freshman living isn’t your cup of tea, there are a few other options available for first-years. If you’re a female, Holland Hall offers a more spacious alternative and is located right next door to Towers. You will be right on the quad, close to everything. Forbes and Sutherland are universally regarded as the best dorms on campus, but they are also the farthest from everything. If you live in either of these, you’ll either learn to love walking up hills or spend a lot of time waiting for shuttles.

Overall, the residence halls are well-maintained. One of the biggest complaints is that the housing staff does not clean semi-private or private bathrooms, only communal areas. Students have also mentioned that hallways aren’t always swept, and housing tends to keep quiet about the fact that you can borrow vacuum cleaners from many of the main desks at residence halls. Every dorm is outfitted with 24-hour security service, and you must be a building resident in order to get in. This keeps Pitt housing feeling very safe, but many students agree that it also makes simple tasks, such as having friends visit, much more difficult—you have to sign everyone in and out. While you probably won’t find the height of your college experience living on campus, you can be sure that one of the halls has an environment you’ll be able to deal with during your first years.

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Pitt Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Campus Housing at University of Pittsburgh

minniemelissa

Biology and Biological Sciences '14

3.5
B

Depends What You Like

The freshman dorms are definitely the worst, but it depends on the feel of the dorms that you expect. I prefer the apartment styles, which aren't available to freshman, but the dorm/suite styles are also very comfortable. I also like the community feel of the honors housing available.

May 18, 2012

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Campus Housing at University of Pittsburgh

Zarola

Biology and Biological Sciences '14

4.2
A-

Good Pickings

Your accommadations would depend on what dorm you are moving into. I would not reccommend any of the towers, but it is a preference to have more space. The freshman dorms are not located all in one area so there are choices.

The campus buildings are all accessible by university shuttles or by walking easily from the heart of the campus. For example from the tippy top of upper campus it takes about 10-15 to get all the way down to the cathedral by walking.

May 05, 2012

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Campus Housing at University of Pittsburgh

rel38

Accounting '15

4.2
A-

Towers Is the Place to Be

If you truly want the Freshman experience, the dorm to live in is Towers. Towers dorms consist of three tall circular buildings. Towers A and B consist of doubles while Tower C consist of singles. It is a little weird getting used to walking around in a circle, but all of your new friends that you make will always be within a couple doors down from you.

Mar 09, 2012

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User rating for University of Pittsburgh - Campus Housing is 3.5 out of 5 based on 50 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate campus housing on the following subjects

Facts

Room Types
  • Doubles
  • Quads
  • Singles
  • Suite-style (5 to 8 students)
  • Triples
Bed Types Twin extra-long
What You Get
  • Bed
  • Cable TV
  • Closet
  • Desk and chair
  • Dresser
  • Ethernet access
  • Phone
  • Window coverings
Also Available
  • Extended cable
  • Specialized living areas

Available for Rent

MicroFridges

Cleaning Service

In public areas. Community bathrooms are cleaned daily Monday–Friday. Apartment-style living spaces, and semi-private bathrooms are not cleaned by the staff.

Did You Know? The Student Union used to be an all-male residence hall. Mike Ditka lived there when he attended Pitt.

DormitoriesWhat's This?

Amos Hall
Floors: 11
Number of Occupants: 153
Bathrooms: Shared by suite
Coed: No, women only
Residents: Mostly upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles and doubles with common living areas
Special Features: Recently renovated, Amos Hall is made up of sorority suites, laundry facilities in penthouse, kitchens and chapter rooms in all suites, 24-hour fitness center on ground floor

Brackenridge Hall
Floors: 11
Number of Occupants: 206
Bathrooms: Shared by suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Mostly upperclassmen
Room Types: 4- and 5-person suites, several singles and doubles
Special Features: Laundry facilities in penthouse, MicroFridges in almost every room

Bruce Hall
Floors: 11
Number of Occupants: 196
Bathrooms: Shared by suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Mostly upperclassmen
Room Types: 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-person suites
Special Features: International living units available, laundry facilities on every floor, kitchenette and fridge in each suite, 7-11 located on street level of same building

Forbes Hall
Floors: 6
Number of Occupants: 232
Bathrooms: Some communal, some shared by doubles, all communal showers
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples
Special Features: Home of Honors College Living Learning Community, the hall is air conditioned, has study rooms, two kitchenettes, and laundry facilities on every floor, a large recreation and study area, free pool and Ping-Pong, patio, and select triples have balconies

Holland Hall
Number of Occupants: 600
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: No, women only
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples, quads
Special Features: Kitchenette on each floor, 24-hour quiet floors available, lounge, study area, laundry facilities in penthouse

Litchfield Towers
Floors: Tower A – 19, Tower B – 22, Tower C – 16
Number of Occupants: Tower A – 660, Tower B – 765, Tower C – 435
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Mostly freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Air conditioned, 24-hour quiet floors available, 24-hour fitness center; Towers A and B are all-freshman housing

Lothrop Hall
Floors: 14
Number of Occupants: 698
Bathrooms: Communal, a few semi-private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, a few doubles and quads
Special Features: 24-hour quiet floors available, sinks in most rooms, study lounges, 24-hour fitness center

McCormick Hall
Floors: 10
Number of Occupants: 167
Bathrooms: Private and semi-private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Mostly upperclassmen
Room Types: 2-, 3-, 6-, and 7-person suites
Special Features: Lounge and recreation area on first floor, laundry facilities in penthouse. Each room has a kitchenette with fridge, and one or more private baths

Panther Hall
Floors: 10
Bathrooms: Private
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles, 3- and 5-person suites
Special Features: Air conditioned, five Living Learning Communities, lounge, study areas, laundry on every floor, fitness center, fridge and microwave in each room, coffee cart, and mail center

Pennsylvania Hall
Floors: 9
Number of Occupants: 420
Bathrooms: Private, or shared by suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles and 4-person suites
Special Features: Lounge and study room on each floor, air-conditioned rooms, laundry facilities on each floor, fitness center on ground floor, coffee cart, and home to three Living Learning Communities

Sutherland Hall
Floors: 10
Number of Occupants: 768
Bathrooms: Communal and semi-private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples, 5-, 6-, and 8-person suites
Special Features: Air conditioned, adjacent to athletic facilities, TV and study lounge on every floor, cafeteria, convenience store, computer center, mail room, laundry facilities on ground floor, and home to four Living Learning Communities

Campus-Owned ApartmentsWhat's This?

Bouquet Gardens (8 buildings)
Number of Units: 124
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Room Types: All apartments include four bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, and dining area
Location: South Bouquet St.
Special Features: Air conditioned, full kitchen

Centre Plaza Apartments
Number of Units: 67
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Room Types: 1-, 2-, and 3-person apartments
Location: 5032 Centre Ave.
Special Features: All apartments feature full kitchens, dinettes, a common area, and air conditioning

Forbes-Craig Apartments
Number of Units: 39
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Location: 4351 Forbes Ave.
Special Features: All apartments (single or double bedrooms) feature a kitchen and common area. The apartments have laundry facilities, a pool table, and limited student parking is available

Oakwood Apartments
Number of Units: 18
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Location: 234/236 Oakland Ave.
Special Features: Limited student parking is available

Ruskin Hall
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Efficiencies, singles, double, triples
Special Features: Air conditioned, private baths, kitchen, furnished, stove, microwave, dishwasher.

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Courtney Vock
Hometown
Pittsburgh, PA
Major
Creative Non-Fiction Writing

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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