Choosing a college can be difficult, because when it comes down to it, many colleges are very similar. For example, a lot of the mid-large public schools are pretty similar, a lot of the prestigious private schools are pretty similar etc. I'd like to say a few things about what makes Pitt distinguishable from other schools.
It's a good place for someone interested in neuroscience. Not too many schools offer neuroscience as a major, and Pitt does. This is good because there are a lot of classes you could take in neuroscience, which gives you the chance to learn about it.
Pitt is a good place for someone who is pre-med (actually, a lot of the pre-med kids major in neuroscience, because it has a lot/all of the pre-med requirements. the paragraph above refers to kids interested in neuroscience, not pre-med). This is because there are a lot of opportunities for them. Like I talk about in the next paragraph, there are a lot of research opportunities. Also, there are opportunities to get involved in medical (not basic) research, through Pitt's medical school (they have a really good medical school), and the many many hospitals around. The amount of hospitals around is definitely a distinguishable feature (they're all part of UPMC). For example, I volunteer in a neuroscience research lab (in the eye and ear institute, which is part of UPMC) that is across the street from my dorm...literally.
Pitt is a good place for someone interested in research. I'm not sure that this is a distinguishable feature, because a lot of schools similar to Pitt are also good with research, but Pitt may be a little better. They do a good amount and quality of research, and they also give undergraduates opportunities to participate, probably more so than other similar schools. They also offer a decent amount of fellowships and stuff for undergraduates.
The philosophy department is ranked highly, meaning that they produce a good amount and quality of research. However, I don't think this impacts undergraduates too much. Although I'm not sure how undergraduate philosophy research works, but I doubt kids are impacted by their school too much (maybe having a good department gives you access to more and smarter mentors, but you can still read and write about whatever you want wherever you go to school, whereas with biology or something, you're limited to what your school researches). I think the department does offer more classes than is typical. However, regarding the quality of those classes, I don't think they're very good. I've taken two intro classes and they weren't good, and I haven't heard good things about the other intro classes. However, I'm not sure what the upper level classes are like, and might be better.
I can't think of anything too distinguishable about the social or living environments. Pitt's campus is nice because it's a 15 minute walk max to anywhere. The off campus food might be better then normal.
Something to keep in mind, Pitt just got a $125 million donation a month or two ago. However, I'm not sure when this impact will be felt.