Reviews
Point Park University
Joseph from Cochranton, PA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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As a student enrolled in the Cinema & Digital Arts major I feel as though I have learned a tremendous amount about film making. The four year program is set up in a very structured manner that encompasses full learning potential. Point Park is also expanding yearly. Soon most of downtown Pittsburgh will be Point Park University.
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Am enjoying being here
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Being a smaller private school there aren't as many activities like there are at a huge school like Pitt. However there are still quite a few things to do around campus. Of course the best part is living right in Downtown Pittsburgh. There are hundreds of opportunities just a walk or bus ride away. There are also plenty of big colleges to visit nearby including Pitt and Duquesne. If you like urban living in a protected area you won't be disappointed.
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Bang for the buck
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The school is a bit pricey for being not that well known. However, in this instance you pay for your education, not the name on the degree. Some core classes might be a bit too easy, but the classes involving your degree are top notch.
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Tips for prospective students
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Some core classes seem unnecessary. But, it is a liberal arts school. Perhaps the best thing to do is take the core classes at a cheap community college and transfer the credits over. That way you can focus on your major while at Point Park.
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Great for these types of students
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Cinema and Digital Arts - The film making program has a great structure and great equipment. Point Park is one of the first Universities to use HD equipment for all 4 years. Plus you start making films your very first year. Many schools wait until the Junior year to start actually filming.
Dance - Point Park is a renowned dance school. The program is rigorous yet rewarding for dancers. Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management - Point Park is one of the few universities to offer this major. It's designed to teach you how to become a manager whether it be athletes, bands, or celebrities. Journalism - Great equipment, program, and television studio. |
Alex from York, PA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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As a school that prides itself in offering the most comprehensive and interesting classes, Point Park goes above and beyond what I could ever want to learn about a certain topic. I am currently enrolled in the History of the Mafia, a course designed by a former FBI narcotics agent who himself arrested and came in contact with hundreds of Mob members. You truly can learn about anything you wish, and also at the level with which you desire to attain.
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Am enjoying being here
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I absolutely love the atmosphere at Point Park because it is an environment where you can be yourself and people will accept you for that sole reason. You don't have to drink, you don't have to smoke and you don't have to be a troublemaker. Your talents could be as diverse as being able to dance to being able to write an anime script, and no one will alienate you. Your uniqueness is valued as much as the money you spend to attend the school. Everyone is friendly, welcoming and makes you feel at home each and every day.
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Bang for the buck
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As far as value for your dollar, there are a ton of things that it buys you. Shuttles to Oakland where the Pittsburgh Playhouse is located, a site where any Point Park student can see shows for free. There is a nearby Starbucks which accepts student's flex dollars as well as two dining facilities that provide a wide variety of food for the student body. In addition to the academia advantages, students wishing for athletic pastimes can play pool or ping pong in the rec room. There is also a gym near the rec area that offers all the conveniences of a large, corporate-owned gym business.
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Tips for prospective students
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Get accustomed to using elevators, as this is an urban campus which means the buildings are tall and skinny with many floors. Sometimes it takes 10 minutes to get to the first floor from my room on the 16th due to the high traffic and various stops it has to make along the way. Also, familiarize yourself with the general area around the school so that when you have free time you are able to do what and go where you want.
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Great for these types of students
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This school is 2nd only to Juliard for dance, musical theatre and acting majors. It is a top notch university and has seen many students go onto big-time careers at different places of employment within their respective field. The school is also great for students wishing to major in cinema, digital media and the like. And it is almost a necessity that you like the city scene, as you are smack dab in the hustle and bustle of downtown Pittsburgh.
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Ashley from Duquesne, PA
a current student here
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In three sentences
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I believe Point Park is an excellent University. The school has an amazing Dance and Performing Arts program there. The school as a whole is just great and I am so glad that I decided to go there.
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Tips for prospective students
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~For upcoming students I would definitely watch for the professors you have. Some professors are amazing and some are not so great.
~Make sure you have a reasonable schedule. Don't cram a ton of classes in your first semester. ~Make sure your classes are at a decent time so you know you can get to them. ~Most importantly TALK TO YOUR PROFESSORS!!! The school sends you a book list but not all teachers use the book. ~Try to meet as many people there during your first semester. |
Academic Rigor
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I believe the academics there are amazing in some aspects but they aren't so good in others. Some of the teachers definitely need to re-amp their teaching. There are some that fool around in class and don't really teach and others that go into teaching overdrive the week before finals and cram 4 chapters into a 2 hour class.
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Dorm Life
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The dorm life is AMAZING! Hands down the best idea I have ever had. The days that I am there I absolutely love it. They have quiet hours during the week for those that have early classes and need to get their sleep but they are also reasonable for the night owls! I feel really safe there especially at night. They have campus police do rounds on each floor during the night which makes everyone feel a lot safer!
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Food and Dining
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The food there is good some days and not so good on others. The Cafe has good food there all the time but that is cash, meal exchange (only done during certain hours), or flex. They have a wide variety of food. The Cafeteria is good on most days and is used with your meal plan and is all you can eat. The only down fall is that if you commute and do not get a meal plan then it is kind of expensive to eat there.
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What to do for fun
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I take the Zumba class on occasion. I absolutely love Zumba and think that it's great they offer it to the students there for free.
I also go to the gym that is there sometimes which is really welcoming and nice. They also have the rec room with computers, TV, ping pong tables, and pool tables. |
Great for these types of students
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I think that it is a great place for those like me that went to a small private school because it is a big school but isn't huge. I believe there are a little over 4000 students there this year. I also think that it is a great school for performing arts people. Especially dancers being that it is the second top dance school in the country!
Also for any homosexuals out there they are very accepting and I believe they won an award for the being this way. |
Student from Pittsburgh, PA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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The professors are extremely well educated in their fields and are willing to answer any questions that you may have, even if it means that they have to do some outside research of their own to be able to give you an answer. They are always willing to make appointments with students to help you along the way in your courses if you are struggling or not understanding a specific topic in class.
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Am enjoying being here
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I have had nothing but good experiences while at Point Park, both inside and outside the classroom. The students here are very friendly and accepting. You never feel as if you are being left out of anything because there are so many opportunities to get involved.
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Bang for the buck
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My experiences have been totally positive and I feel that I am really receiving my money's worth out of Point Park. The classes provide you with great information and you grow a lot socially as well.
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Tips for prospective students
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Apply early because they offer amazing scholarships and the earlier you apply, the better your chances are for receiving them.
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Valerie from Pittsburgh, PA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot
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I feel that, already within my first semester, I gained a lot of knowledge of the basics of the broadcast industry. I've learned how to write scripts, how the FCC works, and so much more all while being a first semester freshman!
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Am enjoying being here
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I love the atmosphere of Point Park, because individuality is accepted wonderfully. There really are no wrongs answers in class either. I feel that you can turn any paper or project into your own, thus making one feel independent.
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Bang for the buck
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The classes I'm taking are well worth what I pay.
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Angelo from Pittsburgh, PA
a current student here
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In three sentences
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Point Park has a very small campus in downtown Pittsburgh, but the school tries to make it as much like a college campus as they can constantly making improvements. The price really puts people away, but thats the cost for a school that needs equipment for performing arts majors. The students that go here all share a passion in something that you won't just find in high school.
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Tips for prospective students
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The campus isn't exactly prime real estate, but if Point Park has the major you are looking for it is totally worth it. You will learn a lot more than you think. Also, all of the people you go to class with are just as passionate for the subject as you (hopefully) are.
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Academic Rigor
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The teachers are all passionate being that they have all worked in the field in which they teach. It makes the learning experience much better because they give very good constructive criticism. Not to mention they really know what they are talking about. A good way to put it is that they teach from experience, not from a book.
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Dorm Life
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It's really hot during the summer. That is, if you live in Lawrence. There are two dorm buildings: Lawrence and Thayer. Thayer has air conditioning while Lawrence doesn't. With a few fans it's not unbearable.
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Food and Dining
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The cafeteria is sponsored by Aramark sooooooo. . . .yeah. The cafe serves made to order food until 11:30 which is one of my favorite things about this school ; ) I get meals late at night all the time. I
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What to do for fun
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Station square is right across the river and not even a 10 minute walk. Also market square is right down the street. There are a ton of restaurants everywhere. We also get into several museums for free. Since the Pirates aren't really that good, tickets to the baseball game are very cheap.
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Bang for the buck
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It is incredibly expensive, but I know being a Cinema major they put a lot of money into equipment.
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Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
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The main focus, or reputation rather, is on the performing arts schools. They have a lot of other majors in business and education, but they are definitely known for dance.
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Great for these types of students
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They are countless clubs. They are very enthusiastic about getting people to join.
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Clubs and Activities
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They are campus cops all around and are a phone call away. They typically patrol the campus 24/7. To and from classes, in buildings, pretty much everywhere. It really helps make the campus a safer place being int he city.
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Greek Life
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None.
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Campus Safety
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They are campus cops all around and are a phone call away.
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Danielle from New Kensington, PA
a current student here
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In three sentences
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It's much different than a typical campus because it is right in downtown Pittsburgh, so it is a much different experience than campus life at a typical campus college. The class sizes are small and it makes it much easier to communicate with your teacher. Point Park is very much an arts school and concentrates very strongly on majors such as dance, musical theatre, or media communications
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Tips for prospective students
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If your not to fond of the arts Point Park may not be the school for you. Point Park does offer other majors besides the arts but I do not feel as if they are as strong or as noticed. Point Park is an excellent school and you should definitely look into it!
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Academic Rigor
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The classes at Point Park are not extremely difficult if you put a good effort into them. Many of the teachers are very relaxed and will be willing to work with you if you are having problems in their class. Overall I believe that Point Park is very good overall academically.
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Dorm Life
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Dorm life is great! Point Park really makes an effort for new students to meet new people. There are living and learning communities that adhere the students interests and allow students to meet people with the same interests as themselves. There are also many activities that Point Park plans for new students that are great for meeting new friends.
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Food and Dining
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There are two places a student can get food at Point Park, the cafeteria and the cafe. I would not recommend the cafeteria. The food wasn't anything great and sometimes was just bad. On the other hand the food at the cafe is really great and I would definitely recommend it!
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What to do for fun
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There is so much to do in downtown. There are many restaurants as well as different activities such as dancing, biking, or even just exploring downtown. It is all what you make of it. Oakland is just a short shuttle ride (the Point Park provides free) away with even more activities.
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Bang for the buck
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Point Park may seem expensive when first applying, but really they do provide a lot of help to students making it much more affordable than many other colleges.
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Great for these types of students
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Point Park is excellent for dance students, musical theatre, etc.
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Clubs and Activities
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There is an excellent selection of clubs and sports that would appeal to all students no matter what their interest!
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Campus Safety
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Point Park has their own police force right on campus that is constantly patrolling. There is security in every buildings entrance to provide extra security.
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LaQueisha from Pittsburgh, PA
a current student here
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In three sentences
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i love this school. its a nice urban campus thats probably bigger than alot of people would think. this school also has a wide range of diverse people.
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Tips for prospective students
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if you do not like singing and music this is not the school for you! copa (musical theater, singing, acting ect) is a big majority of the school and they do sing and dance in the hallways and elevators, some can be snobby but alot are really nice. if you like the big city and being close to pretty much everything then this is a good school for you. its a nice small campus and decent size classes so there isnt much to worry about.
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Academic Rigor
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alot of classes are kind of a jock, mainly core classes, but alot can be very difficult and take alot of effort to pass. its all about the students in my opinion.
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Dorm Life
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depends on your floor! in the freshmen dorms i hated my floor. people would scream up and down the hallways at every hour of the night, but its nice to get to know people. the dorms are actually pretty nice all of them. they have been the nicest ive seen in many universities. but living on campus is really nice
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Food and Dining
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cafe food and cafeteria food arent bad but it gets very old very fast. but being downtown with so many places to eat is a plus.
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What to do for fun
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were in the city you can do pretty much any and everything that you want!!!
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Bang for the buck
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this school is expensive but i think its worth it
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Clubs and Activities
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there is a club for almost everything imaginable
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Greek Life
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none
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