University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Top Questions

Before stepping foot onto a college campus, have an idea or an outline of what you would like to accomplish in your four years of college. Whether it's joining a club, looking for courses, or playing a sport, know what you're looking for out of a college. It will better enable you to choose your best fit. After choosing your college, take a tour of the campus and learn everything you need to know about it. Know where you can go to get help academically, financially, etc. Having this information helps in the long run. Also, become very active on your campus. Students that are active tend to succeed better not only socially, but also academically. When you find your niche, it propels you up the ladder of success. Last but not least, network, network, network. Networking gives you a plethora of connections worldwide. When you network and make bonds with people in your prospective job area, you create a greater access to obtaining what you ultimate goal is--and that's graduating as a well-rounded adult capable and ready to delve into your career.

I would tell myself that at first the transition is hard and you get homesick a lot, but as the weeks go by you start to find your own place on campus. It's almost as if your life starts when you begin college because of all the day-to-day decisions that you have to make on your own. You can do things your own way without having to worry about what others think is best for you.

If given the chance to give myself a piece of college wisdom, I would say to audition for the shows during my freshman year. I feel that I have missed out on an entire year of experience because of my indecisiveness. I would also let myself know that reaching out to people and not being such a bookworm would have helped me feel more accepted during the college transition. I would also encourage my belief that partying is a way to relax after a stressful period in time, not a weekly ritual. I have always felt that taking partying a little too far is never a good thing, and my peers remind me of that constantly. Love like you've never been hurt, dance like no one is watching, and laugh full-heartedly.

Apply to more schools. Don't worry about social life as much, it comes naturally. Don't exclusively date anyone. Drink less alcohol

When planning out your schedule, put the classes that will be most difficult within the 11am-4pm time range to avoid sleeping through important material or being burnt out by the time those classes start. Still, don't be afraid of morning or evening classes. They can sometimes be the best. Pick one or two club activities to get seriously involved with, but get on the mailing lists for any that seem interesting; often you can pick-and-choose meetings or events to attend without commiting time every week to a given club. Talk to professors and befriend advisors because they will be the best sources of help for present and future concerns and can provide awesome recommendation letters to employers if they know you on a personal level. Have as many new experiences as you can fit in, and try everything offered. Take advantage of the many resources around you and become a member of the city community as well as the student body. Work hard, get sleep, always save a little money for food, and mostly have fun. You'll grow the most out of your experiences and education when you enjoy yourself.

Don't stress about money. Focus on your school work and your education will pay for itself after all the hard work you put in. Also don't worry about leaving home. Everything will be fine there and you will be fine one your own. P.S. You actually end up liking Organic Chemistry so stop dreading taking it!

As I stated previously, I would tell myself to find a career path that I really wanted to pursue. I had no direction going into college and just bounced around from major to major. It is a problem millions of students face when first going to college. I would have sought out help either through my high school counseling services or career services at local colleges to help understand the different fields that exist. This would have prevented me from spending an extra year in college just to complete my undergraduate degree and would have given me the determination and drive to do much better in school. I figured out that I wanted to be an occupational therapist during my junior year and I currently attend graduate school for occupational therapy but when I look back on those first few years of college, I feel like I wasted a lot of valuable time. I could have been researching the the occupational therapy field, shadowing clinicians, and possibly working as an occupational therapy assistant. That is the most important topic I would discuss.

Selecting a college that best fits who you are and what you are looking for is a difficult task. I looked at both larger and midsize universities and universities that were in the city and in the country. You get a feeling when you walk onto the right campus. I knew from the minute I walked onto the University of Pittsburgh campus that is were I belonged. It is not easy your freshman year trying to adjust to the larger classroom sizes and making new friends but I would not change the experience I had. It made me grow as a person and at times made me dig deep inside myself and push myself to go on knowing that I could find who I really was if I looked deep and hard enough.

Parents might be paying for college, but remember it is the kids who are going. Students- please go to the school that is right for you if possible. These 4 years will be some of the best you've had! Parents- please let your children go where they want if you can!

First be realistic about what you can afford. A student should not have to constantly worry about your families finacial situation. Private schools may not be the best option for some people if scholarships are not provided. Students, do not let your friends influence where you want to go- when you go to college you will only keep in touch with a few people from high school. When finding the right college, look at a variety of opions, and students, listen to your parents and see at least one school they recomend. I go to Pitt, and I didn't even want to look there at first. Now I love it. Just keep an open mind and when you see the school that you are meant to go to, you will know. Oh, and if you visit a school and as soon as you enter the campus you don't like it, drive right home- don't waste your time taking a tour if you are not interested.

If possible, parents should visit the college with the student when available tours are given during their senior year of high school. Students should have a first-hand experience with the college setting so that school is perfect for the individual.

The first step to finding the right college is to write down the most important things that you want in a college - do you want a big school or a small school? Also, visit colleges during the summer - as many as you can - that interest you. Apply to schools even if they seem too expensive or too hard to get into, you can't predict how much financial aid you will recieve. Visiting the campuses beforehand is important. You want to know what the school has to offer. I applied to 7 schools my senior year of high school. I ended up choosing Pitt because it was still close to home, yet far enough to be away, the offered the most financial aid to help pay for the tuition costs, it has a nice, big campus in the city, and there are plenty of things to do on or off-campus. It ended being a great choice, I love it!

Visit the campus. Before I visited Pitt's campus it was my third choice and a nearby college was my first choice. Then I visited them both within two days of eachother. My first college's tour and overnight stay made me dislike the school so much that I didn't care if I got accepted or not, I'd never go there. I visited Pitt's campus and immediately loved it! It was so alive and the people were so nice. It helped that the campus food was way better there too. As far as making the most of the college experience? Go out - explore! My first two days I was terribly alone because I didn't go out and explore. Once I did that, I made friends quickly and started having the time of my life. Get involved in campus clubs and meet as many people as you can.

I would tell them not to just apply to the schools that all of the student's friends are going to, but to actually look for themselves and visit as many different campuses that you can.

Visit as many schools as you can and try to make lists of pros and cons for each school you may be interested in. This can really help narrow down the schools you want to attend and make the final decision much easier

Look at several colleges and don't make your decision until you spend a couple days on campus while school is in session. Walk around the dorms and visit areas like libraries computer labs and academic advisors offices. Also definitly sit in on a class or two!!!!!!!!!

Finding and choosing the right college is perhaps the most important decision a student will make during their high school career. It is imperative that this process begins early in a student's high school career and that the entire family is involved in the discussion. Keep in mind, the "right college" will change from person to person, so it is very crucial not to choose a school based on your friends' choices. The best way to choose the school that is right for you is to make a list of characteristics you want in a school including the size, location, distance from home, public or private, cost, surrounding area, etc. After the list is comprised, talk with a college counselor at high school in order to get a list of possible schools. Visit them and apply to the ones you like the most. When you receive your acceptance letter, your search still isn't over. An important option to remember is that if you decide you don't like the school you choose, you can always transfer after your first semester. The most important thing is to remember to study and put the most into your academics!!

Stay in a dorm your first year. Dont try and go and get a lease your first year because you still wont be sure on how to handle your finaices. My suggestion would be yto get your feet wet in a dorm the first meet some new people and then the next year if you feel your ready then get your own apt but the dorm is part of the experience.

Don't over think things. There are so many colleges out there that it's impossible to get to know each and every one. If a student visits and feels at home, then it's a great match. just make sure you have researched the available areas of study, and that thres plenty of room for you to plan and switch majors, even if you're undecided. The best way to find a great college is by really engaging with students there, both as a prospective student and as an undergraduate. Once you're there, find people you can relate to, who you can spend time with both in and out of classes.

When you've been accepted to several schools and can't decide which to choose, think about where each campus is set. If you're a city person, then a college with its campus set in an urban area is probably your best bet. But if you're more of a country person, then one whose campus is in a rural setting would be a better fit for you. Now, make sure the college you have chosen has the major/program that you want to go into, and that you will be able to afford it. As far as making the most of the college experience, I think adjusting quickly to college life is important. Get involved with clubs, sports, volunteering, etc. early and often, and you'll become more comfortable and forge friendships that will last a lifetime. Once classes start becoming difficult, be sure to set aside time from your social life to read and study. Work with friends on homework and projects (if you're allowed) and study with them too. Don't be afraid to seek out your professors to ask them for help. They'll be more than happy to talk to you and help.

Reasurch is crutial. While setting standards and criteria is helpful to narrow down a list of colleges, the best one might not look anything as one might expect. Keep an open mind. Tours and open houses give only a snapshot of what a place is like. To get a better picture make a list of daily activities and attempt to do them. Go to a burger joint, catch a buss, buy toothpaste and yogurt, study, play a game at a computer center. Or better yet, get a class schedule from a random student and follow them to a class or two. Best school experience does not depend on any one thing.

The first thing to keep in mind is finding a college that has the major you want to pursue and has good job placement after college. It is important to keep your social life in mind, also, because college is and should be much more than just an education. Say you enjoy sports and you want football games to be a part of your college memory, then you don't want to apply to a school with a nonexsistent football program. If you like the arts, then try finding a school that has student performances or a program allowing free or cheap admittance to musicals or ballets. Since college is the place to earn a degree, knowing what resources your college has for the students is extremely important. You should definitely check out the computer labs, libraries, tutoring programs, opportunities for research, and other ways the school can offer assistance. Definitely tour the school before enrolling! When walking around the campus for the first time, you should have a gut feeling if it is the right place for you and if you see yourself fitting in. Trust that feeling!!

One of my friends gives tours, so we often discuss the topic of "If we had known this..." I think the most important thing to recognize when going on tours is that it is an advertisement to get you to go to the school; therefore, the truth is often stretched. I would suggest that if you are really interested in the school then ask to do an overnight stay with one of the students to get a really understanding for what the school is like and what other students (other than tour guides) think. One aspect that I really would I have liked to have known before attending is the class size. With a school so large that offers many classes the student to faculty ratio is slightly skewed. I would suggest thinking about what you consider your ideal learning environment and then ask people on campus while walking around (students are very helpful in answering questions honestly). To make the most of a college experience I would highly suggest going to an activities fair and see what is availible to students. Also, do your own research about what is in the area (i.e. companies, hospitals, non-profits, etc.).

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Don't hesitate to ask questions, and shop around. There are so many options and sometimes the ones that seem most appealing at the time may not be the best choice for you in the long run. Also, really expect alot from the administration at the school, especially the financial aid department. If they seem like they are going to drag their feet, or that they don't really know what they are talking about, then you should probably run the other way. Leave no option unexplored!

Before choosing a college to attend, visit it! Make sure you sit in on classes and talk to students. You won't be able to get the real idea of the school if you don't act like a student that already attends.

The most important thing about the college selection process, beyond all other factors, is how well the school fits what you are looking to get out of a college education. There are so many factors to consider, but in the end college really is all about what YOU personally make out of it. Education is first and foremost a business and major universities can provide quality education and high prestige, but relationships with faculty are harder to forge. Being honest with oneself and truly knowing what you personally aim to gain from a college education and then finding a school that will match those expectations academically, socially, and in every other realm is the most important part of the decision. Every campus has a life of its own and has unique benefits to offer its students as well as problems that students at the institution face, and it is important to understand these unique qualities and how they will fit one's personal vision of their own envisioned college experience.

Picking the right college is all about you as a student. It should not matter what your parents or your friends think, because it is going to be you who will spend four (or possibly more) years there. Go with your instincts, and don't say you do not like something unless you try it out. Visit a big school, even if you think it isn't for you. You'll never know until you try. Pick the school where you can see yourself having the best experience. Have an open mind. Choose a school for the academics, of course, but do not neglect the social atmosphere. Books are not the only way to learn. Granted, college will be the hardest four years of your life. But it will also be the best four years you could ever imagine.

When looking for the right college I believe it's important to visit every school that you are considering and if possible stay over night with a student and sit in on a class. Also, if possible visit the school twice a year. Once in the winter months and once in the spring or fall. Schools can be very different in the winter than fall or spring. If you don't like snow or rain make sure you don't go to a school where it snows 4 out of the 8 months you are there. Once you pick your school and start join every group possible from the start and be open to new people and experiences. The best part about college is meeting new people and discovering things that you never new about yourself. Take chances and never hold back. Four years will fly by and you don't want to look back and think "If only I would of done this or that?" So have fun and enjoy the best years of your life!

I would find a school that offers great academic opportunties and choices that way you are not secluded and the sky is the limit. Also, partying is fun but it should not be a prime reason why you choose a school, you can have fun many other ways and meet alot of diverse people. Thats what i think the college experience is about meeting the most amazing people, learning and being academically challenged.

My advice to students who are looking for the right college would be to make the most out of whatever decisions you end up making. Many highschoolers fear that there is only one "right" answer when it comes to choosing a college; the truth is, you could be happy at a number of the schools that you apply to if you are determined and keep an optimistic attitude. Although it is of course important to keep in mind many important factors: the academic compatibility of the school with your desired major and career choices, financial aid, location, and others, it is up to you to have the attitude necessary to learn the most and enjoy your college experience as much as possible.

Take into account everything when choosing college, including financial aid, area, etc.

Base the decision upon which school offers the best program for your desired career path. That is the only thing that matters. Once you're there, get involved. Joining Greek organizations or other student groups is a great way to be active on campus and leave with lasting memories.

I think it is essential when choosing a college, that you feel completely comfortable safe while on campus. It is very important to be at a college that makes you happy, because in the end, all colleges are quite similar. I grew up in a small, poor town. My graduating class only consisted of fifty-nine students. WHen I graduated, I knew I wanted a completely new experiene. I chose University of PIttsburgh because it offered me a chance to get away from home to try new things, and also to pursue my passion for a career in nursing. My best advice is to not allow unfortunate circumstances to stand in your way. Not only did I come from an economically disadvantated region, but both of my parents died while I was growing up. My hope in God helped me to realize that I needed to turn my circumstances around and to somehow find the good in them. My obstacles have given me more drive and passion to succeed.

Make sure it has a high ranking in your field of study. Explore the website to see what other things it offers. I personally looked at career placement, tutoring service, and work study. Also, look at how many people apply and how many people are accepted. The more people a university denies, normally means it is in high demand and can't take all the students, which means its a good school because it can be picky.

Follow your instincts. You need to choose what college you think will provide the best experience. Available degrees and tuition costs may play a role in your decision, but aside from limiting factors like that, you need a school that makes you comfortable. Visit campuses of different sizes and settings to help you decide what feels right to you. If you don't like the small student population or the urban or rural setting of a school, you probably won't be comfortable there regardless of what you like about it. Once you get to the school you choose, get involved. Join a team, club, fraternity/sorority, or even a study group. If you are in a dorm, leave your door open so people on your floor can stop in and say hi; I met a lot of my floormates that way and we are still good friends. Making friends and connections is what makes college fun and interesting. It's also a great way to get familiar with campus and the people, views, and values you live with. You will have opportunities and relationships that will last for years. Be yourself and you'll meet some amazing people.

I would tell incoming college students to really explore a variety of different courses. I would advise them to not base their college search upon the major they think that they are interested in. I only chose to look at schools that offered programs in Pharmacy, and, ofcourse, I no longer wish to persue Pharmacy, but I'm stuck at this school. Look at a wide variety of schools, and consider places that make it easy to combine programs if you have many interests.

The advice I would give is to know what you want in a school and research, research, research. What helped me narrow my search down to a few schools was the collegeboard.com college search. Once I did that I started researching those schools that matched my criteria. I went to their websites, and read articles on them. Once I applied and received my acceptance letters, I visited the schools that accepted me. A college visit can really close the deal for some people, which is why it's so important. Once you do find that right school, it's important that you enjoy your time there. For most people, college was the best part of their lives, simply because it's the time in your life where your on your own with no responsibilities except to do well in school and it only occurs once, which is why you have to make the most of it. Once it's over, it's over and you can't go back, so you have to enjoy it while it lasts.

Do not go to a school because of a friend. Selecting a school is a very personal responsibility that should be taken with the utmost care. Find what is important to you and choose a college that best matches your needs. For example, if whether is important to you then obviously you will go somewhere warmer. If you are interested in a specific field of study, find a school that provides the best programs while still fulfilling other wants such as: social life, campus size, location, etc. I can't stress enough how important it is to make this decision on your own. No matter how much your dad wants you to attend his alma matter, or your girlfriend wants you to attend the same school as her, remove yourself and make this decision on your own; you won't regret it.

The best advice I could give to any person looking for their perfect school is not to look based on money. My mother always told me that I was not to worry about money-- once I would have that education/degree, no one could take that away from me. Knowledge and awareness is EVERYTHING. First, one should question their ideal location for schooling- the city? the country? the suburbs? It is important to feel comfortable there- visit the area, stay the night if you can. Talk with the advisers. Are they friendly? Does it feel "right?" Do you feel safe? Secondly, I suggest that it has a variety of classes you can take as an undergrad. Within your major, you may want to expand your knowledge on other subjects. Also, get involved! Extracuricular activities are important to meeting new people and being a part of the school, speaking your voice! However, academics come first overall -- do not rush or do too much. If you feel overwhelmed, slow down, stop and ask for help. Also, as a first-year student, take advantage of the dorm life! It's an experience in itself; you'll learn a lot about yourself and others!

It's great to find out what kind of career you would like to have after college so that you can focus on what will benefit you the most. Most people do not know this though, so it is best to take a variety of different classes to see what you are most interested in. If you know what kind of career you want, then find a college that specializes in that area. If you don't know, then find a college that fits your personality. City or suburbs, large or small, competitive or not, art oriented or science oriented, close to home or far from home. No matter what you are looking for, there is a college out there that has it all.

Figure out what type of area you'l like to be in, if you'd prefer large or big classes, etc; and the best way to get a fee l for school is to go and visit any school you're remotely interested in. If you can't see yourself at that school, it just isn't for you. Don't deny gut feelings. Utilize the resources that the tour guides talk about. Ask as many questions as possible, and try all sorts of new things. College is a time where you really learn who you are; especially under stressful situations. Begin working hard from the very beginning. Building relationships with professors (who will be more willing to help you if you do) and fellow students (who, as your friends, will make your time at school much more enjoyable) to ensure a balance between the social aspect of school, and the very important academic aspect of school.

The one thing that I found most important in going to college was not going directly out of high school. At that time, though I was a driven student, I realized that I didn't exactly know what I wanted out of the college experience. I took about six years off in which I was able to live, work, travel, and generally experience the fulleness of life and its options, after which I had a much clearer idea of what I wanted from college as well as how important it is for me to now be there. In returning to school I see many of my younger fellow classmates who are only there because they were expected to be there, they don't know what they want and don't take the work or themselves as seriously as they might if they had taken time to really get to know themselves and the world first. My younger siblings who did go straight to college have all found this to be the case, and I would highly recommend that prospective college students take at least a year off first to clarify their intentions for going.

Take your time and apply to a lot of places.

Publicly-funded schools are the best education for the money. Private schools cost way more than they're worth. Any college is about what the student puts into it!

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I believe that any student applying for college should pursue a major in something that they enjoy doing. Now, I realize that my own desires have changed over the past few years. Thus, I might not even pursue a career in my field of study. Though, I enjoyed every minute at my school. It is also important to choose a school based upon its environment. I like the city, so I wanted to attend a school in a city. I like the range of opportunites that the city offers. For example: my school takes advantage of the art scene in Pittsburgh by providing cheap tickets or free tickets to local shows.

Parents and students looking to find the right college should take into account what the students' personality and work ethic is, in addition to the financial situation of the parents. For instance, a student who just wants to get 'away' from their parents by attending a college halfway across the country is not a credible reason to attend that school if the student can't handle the schoolwork and/or the parents can barely afford the cost. The best way to make the most out of the college experience is finding a school that matches the desires and motivations of the student, where the student feels comfortable, while being challenged academically. The best college experience is pushing yourself to try new things and learn new things, and with the right college, the college experience can be fulfilled.

Choosing the right college is a stressful decision for both parents and prospective students. However, it is imperative that the college-bound student gets the final word. The parents are not going to have to endure the peers and professors that the studnets will encounter daily, nor will they have to LIVE the entire experience. Thus, my advice to the students: visit the college. Stay overnight, or a few nights, if you can. Visit when the school is in session so that you can see the daily grindings of the university and observe the countenances of the current students: do they look happy? Stressed? Depressed? Content? Read the school's daily paper, where you'll find advertisements for activities going on on campus. Have a meal at the dining facilities - can you imagine eating this food every day? Go to the student center or the hub of student activity (every campus has one), and see what students are doing: studying, chatting? Ask students about the party scene, especially on weekends. Most importantly, close your eyes and take a breath, thinking of everything you've seen, and consider..."Do I see myself here for the next four years?" Open.

Choosing the right college is about more than just academics. Make sure you choose somewhere that you can see yourself living for the next four, maybe more, years of your life. Academics are the first thing you look at, but remember to think about other things like sports, big city or little city, big school or little school, clubs and other activities offered. You can find similar academics at many schools, but when you consider all the other things like location, price, and the things I listed above it helps you to see specifically what kind of school you are looking for. I knew I wanted to stay in PA, but I also knew I wanted to escape my small town. I love the city, the sports, the social life, restaurants, clubs, shopping, and everything else the University of Pittsburgh has to offer.