Review of University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
from Pittsburgh, PA
Describe your college in three sentences.
University of Pittsburgh was built in a city of tradition and Culture. I am from Pittsburgh and often feel challenged by the constant mix of people who are all so interesting and the work that I have to complete.I would recommend this school to anyone who wants the ability to let loose every once in a while but also has the resources available to really drill their homework and make progress.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Don't get lost as Pittsburgh is probably one of the hardest cities to navigate in the country. People here are raised to care for one another though, ask someone and you will definitely be pointed in the right direction (via landmarks as no one here knows street names besides the students).
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
I feel that most of the academic rigor comes from the extremely intelligent professors. Some of them admittedly can't teach but have to as it is part of the requirements that they have if they want to research here. That may also provide some of the rigor as they don't care how hard the work is for the students or how much they learn.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Dorm life on main campus varies but all of it is well kept. There are places on campus that offer only singles so you don't have to have a roommate (Lothrop Hall). Freshman who decide to live on campus have to live in either Tower A, B or C. These towers are a place of history. Every person I know says how much they either loved them or hated them. Regardless of how much they liked it they always had a great story to tell.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The food here is okay. If you like chicken patties, pizza and burgers this is the place! They serve them every day which can be bland. But there are also vegetarian and vegan options.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
In Oakland there is a lot of good and ethnic cheap food so eating out is also an option any time really. If you have the money to eat off campus, do so. There are plenty of concert halls and theaters in the city, some owned by the university. There are lots of places that are free to Pitt students such as the Fipps Conservatory and Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History. We also get free bus fare with the IDs so we can travel all over the metropolitan area. Mt. Washington is perfect for a date with a significant other as it has view of one of the most beautiful skylines in the country and many high end restaurants. Of course there is the bar scene for older prospects, go to south side and you'll be surprised how many bars are known for their good food and friendly atmosphere.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
I would say that you get exactly what you pay for at Pitt and you design your experience here more than anyone else.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The Cathedral of Learning is our staple of pride. It was being built during and shortly after the great depression so there wasn't very much money. The first three floors are dedicated to the community as Pitt reached out and told different ethnic groups that if they donated money that a room would be dedication to their heritage. The experience of being in one of these rooms is amazing. You truly feel like you are part of history by walking in. All of them are truly works of craftsmanship. A tradition that I can't take place in is Lantern Night. Truly something special for the girls on campus. It is behind the Cathedral of Learning and all the freshman females on campus are invited to light a lantern and let it float into the sky. If your mother went to Pitt she holds the lantern while you light it. Truly touching.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
A student who is ready to work and deal with a lot of open professors. All the professors are very blunt but are willing to work with undergrads for research. This is often instrumental in any field of study.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
If you are bored on campus its your fault. I joined the Brazilian club and I am not Brazilian at all. I learned how to do many different Brazilian dances and many different things about the culture. I joined rugby and met a group of guys that is always doing something and built friendships I will likely never forget.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life in Pittsburgh is minimal ( about eight percent of students) and has very negative associations. Greek life is also expensive and the stereotyped are basically caricatures on campus. Coming from a working class town like Pittsburgh and a working class family the sense of entitlement that is associated with frats is typically frowned upon. Besides there are much better ways to make friends at Pitt rather than pay for them. All of the clubs are very open minded.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The safety here is amazing. I didn't even live on campus this year and the Pitt police do an amazing job and I have never seen any racial bias and I hangout with a very diverse group of people. Pitt students peacefully protest something about once a year and the cops are always there to watch but never interfere. As a personal anecdote I had a house fire off campus in South Oakland (where most off campus students live) and Pitt gave me money, temporary housing and clothes from the athletic department. There are also emergency phones all over campus that are used for calling police at any time. They have big blue lights so that you can't ever miss them. They are also in alley ways so that you don't ever feel isolated and unsafe.
University of Pittsburgh was built in a city of tradition and Culture. I am from Pittsburgh and often feel challenged by the constant mix of people who are all so interesting and the work that I have to complete.I would recommend this school to anyone who wants the ability to let loose every once in a while but also has the resources available to really drill their homework and make progress.
Don't get lost as Pittsburgh is probably one of the hardest cities to navigate in the country. People here are raised to care for one another though, ask someone and you will definitely be pointed in the right direction (via landmarks as no one here knows street names besides the students).
I feel that most of the academic rigor comes from the extremely intelligent professors. Some of them admittedly can't teach but have to as it is part of the requirements that they have if they want to research here. That may also provide some of the rigor as they don't care how hard the work is for the students or how much they learn.
Dorm life on main campus varies but all of it is well kept. There are places on campus that offer only singles so you don't have to have a roommate (Lothrop Hall). Freshman who decide to live on campus have to live in either Tower A, B or C. These towers are a place of history. Every person I know says how much they either loved them or hated them. Regardless of how much they liked it they always had a great story to tell.
The food here is okay. If you like chicken patties, pizza and burgers this is the place! They serve them every day which can be bland. But there are also vegetarian and vegan options.
In Oakland there is a lot of good and ethnic cheap food so eating out is also an option any time really. If you have the money to eat off campus, do so. There are plenty of concert halls and theaters in the city, some owned by the university. There are lots of places that are free to Pitt students such as the Fipps Conservatory and Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History. We also get free bus fare with the IDs so we can travel all over the metropolitan area. Mt. Washington is perfect for a date with a significant other as it has view of one of the most beautiful skylines in the country and many high end restaurants. Of course there is the bar scene for older prospects, go to south side and you'll be surprised how many bars are known for their good food and friendly atmosphere.
I would say that you get exactly what you pay for at Pitt and you design your experience here more than anyone else.
The Cathedral of Learning is our staple of pride. It was being built during and shortly after the great depression so there wasn't very much money. The first three floors are dedicated to the community as Pitt reached out and told different ethnic groups that if they donated money that a room would be dedication to their heritage. The experience of being in one of these rooms is amazing. You truly feel like you are part of history by walking in. All of them are truly works of craftsmanship. A tradition that I can't take place in is Lantern Night. Truly something special for the girls on campus. It is behind the Cathedral of Learning and all the freshman females on campus are invited to light a lantern and let it float into the sky. If your mother went to Pitt she holds the lantern while you light it. Truly touching.
A student who is ready to work and deal with a lot of open professors. All the professors are very blunt but are willing to work with undergrads for research. This is often instrumental in any field of study.
If you are bored on campus its your fault. I joined the Brazilian club and I am not Brazilian at all. I learned how to do many different Brazilian dances and many different things about the culture. I joined rugby and met a group of guys that is always doing something and built friendships I will likely never forget.
Greek life in Pittsburgh is minimal ( about eight percent of students) and has very negative associations. Greek life is also expensive and the stereotyped are basically caricatures on campus. Coming from a working class town like Pittsburgh and a working class family the sense of entitlement that is associated with frats is typically frowned upon. Besides there are much better ways to make friends at Pitt rather than pay for them. All of the clubs are very open minded.
The safety here is amazing. I didn't even live on campus this year and the Pitt police do an amazing job and I have never seen any racial bias and I hangout with a very diverse group of people. Pitt students peacefully protest something about once a year and the cops are always there to watch but never interfere. As a personal anecdote I had a house fire off campus in South Oakland (where most off campus students live) and Pitt gave me money, temporary housing and clothes from the athletic department. There are also emergency phones all over campus that are used for calling police at any time. They have big blue lights so that you can't ever miss them. They are also in alley ways so that you don't ever feel isolated and unsafe.