University of Pittsburgh Reviews

Some of my classes are huge, and...

Some of my classes are huge, and some of my classes are tiny. We are definitely a large university, but in so many ways, I don’t feel like the numbers are as high as they are. You always have access to someone who can help you one-on-one—either your professor, TA, or a tutor—it’s hard to get lost.

Most of the professors I’ve had...

Most of the professors I’ve had were really cool and helpful, but some weren’t. It’s a lot like high school, but the teachers get paid more.

The quality of the professors sort...

The quality of the professors sort of depends on which subject you want to major in. Most of them are willing to meet with you if you need help. As long as you show an effort to get in contact with your teachers, they will be helpful. They have office hours when you can visit and ask questions, and they usually give you e-mail addresses and phone numbers to their offices. Even in large classes where you interact more with the teaching assistant, it’s still pretty easy to get in touch with the professor if you try.

All of my teachers have been...

All of my teachers have been great, except for one or two. I have larger classes, so it takes more to get to know mine. I make an effort by attending their office hours and e-mailing them. Most of my friends have smaller classes, so they can meet with their teachers regularly without any hassles.

Classes are completely hit or...

Classes are completely hit or miss. Sometimes you get an amazing professor who makes you want to come to every single class, and sometimes you get a professor that makes you wish that they didn’t require your attendance. But let me tell you, the ones you wish you could take every class with not only outnumber the ones you dislike, but they make the ones you dislike somewhat more bearable.

Generally, I think the professors...

Generally, I think the professors do a good job of trying to keep the classes interesting and engaging. Some of them are a little bit out there, but I’ve never had trouble with a professor being unhelpful or disagreeable when you try your best.

I never ate on campus at Pitt. You...

I never ate on campus at Pitt. You can put money on your Pitt ID card and use it at some off campus restaurants and fast food places, so you don’t have to eat on campus all the time. If you live on campus, though, there’s no way around it.

There are good restaurants. My...

There are good restaurants. My absolute favorite, Mad Mex, has half-off food everyday after 11 p.m., half-off margaritas everyday between 10–11 p.m., and happy hour and specials for lunch. Fuel & Fuddle is a nice restaurant/bar—they also have half-off food after 11 p.m., as does Joe Mama’s. These places are all in Oakland, just blocks from the dorms, and are crowded every night, because all college kids are poor. Half-off food is sweet!

Eating on campus is okay. I...

Eating on campus is okay. I recommend using your Pitt funds on restaurants off campus, because the stuff on campus can get old really quickly.

It’s pretty good. The Towers are...

It’s pretty good. The Towers are best for freshmen—you’ll meet more people there, even if the rooms are a little shady.

Dorms for freshmen tend to suck at...

Dorms for freshmen tend to suck at any school. The Towers are pretty lame—Sutherland is nice, and a fair number of freshmen live there.

It’s definitely cheaper to live...

It’s definitely cheaper to live off campus and buy a commuter meal plan, but if you want to live off campus, you have to search for an apartment rather early before all the good locations are rented. Stay away from South Oakland; everyone calls it ‘the Dirty South’ for a reason.

Off-campus housing can be fun if...

Off-campus housing can be fun if you know what you’re willing to pay, and what you’ll get for what you’re willing to pay. If you don’t want to pay a lot, you usually won’t get the Taj Mahal. Sometimes you get lucky.

Most people are nice. They don’t...

Most people are nice. They don’t really care what you do, unless they know you. There are plenty of hot people on campus, but it doesn’t matter if you’re hot or not. People are either going to be nice or mean. Most likely, they will be nice.

There are a lot of pretty girls at...

There are a lot of pretty girls at Pitt—a lot. The best place to see them all at once is at the Student Union. Take a break there between classes on a nice day and just admire the view.

Some people suck, and some don’t....

Some people suck, and some don’t. This place isn’t as cultured as San Fran or New York; it’s more like a college town filled with all types of people from bums to rich kids, drunks to sobers, and the thin to the obese.

I always had a great time with the...

I always had a great time with the guys on campus. I made a lot of great guy friends and dated a few sweethearts. There are plenty of attractive people on campus!

Pitt is definitely a football and...

Pitt is definitely a football and basketball school, for sure. It’s easy to get season tickets for football, but for basketball, good luck. IM football, rugby, and other sports are starting to attract a sizable following as well.

There are tons of clubs, bars, and...

There are tons of clubs, bars, and restaurants off campus; Oakland is right in the center of it all. If you go to the South Side, Carson Street is nothing but clubs and bars. Make sure you have a good fake ID.

Greek life at Pitt is really...

Greek life at Pitt is really great. I have been part of Greek life since my freshman year, and I think it has only helped me to meet more people, and get more involved. Plus, there are so many benefits, like networking for jobs in the future with alumni, or getting advice on classes and profs from your brothers or sisters. There are always a lot of fun events to participate in, and Greek Week is a blast.

I’m not in a frat—I’m just not...

I’m not in a frat—I’m just not into the whole thing, but I go up to the houses occasionally, and it’s not a bad time. Frats are pretty big on campus, but not huge—you do not have to be in one to have a social life.

Frat parties are pretty much every...

Frat parties are pretty much every weekend. The frats are located in upper campus, and the sororities are all in one dorm near the rest of the dorms. I wouldn’t say they dominate the social scene. They are there if you want to participate. If you don’t, you can still go to the frat parties.

Going Greek has been great for me....

Going Greek has been great for me. One of the most important things about it is that you are having all this fun, but you also help out the community. A lot of the Greek events are fundraisers to benefit a different non-profit each year, and it’s also a good way to become a leader on campus. Greek life doesn’t consume Pitt’s campus, but it’s big enough to be worth it if that’s what you’re interested in.

The Greek life at Pitt is good...

The Greek life at Pitt is good because if you want to be Greek, you have ample opportunity, and the Greeks do a lot of good things on campus. However, if that isn’t your cup of tea, you can remain active on campus through the other 300 organizations.

Greek life is not big at Pitt at...

Greek life is not big at Pitt at all. There’s so much other stuff to do off campus, from partying to clubbing and bar hopping. If you are really into the whole frat thing, then it’s a great experience. You will probably develop long-lasting friendships and a sense of family on campus. But you do not need a frat or sorority to feel at home on campus.