A Two-Way Street

Help Us Help You

As Admissions Counselors at the University of Pittsburgh, we believe the admissions process is a two-way street and experience has shown that it can be more efficient when we work together to reach your goal. You keep us informed and we will keep you informed. Your application process will also be more effective if you make every effort to maintain open lines of communication with your guidance counselor and your parents. Take advantage of all possible resources available to you. Critical discussion of your search, with people who know you well, will ultimately result in a more educated college selection. To remove as much mystery as possible about the process, we've outlined what you can expect from the University of Pittsburgh.

Less Is More

You are probably applying to a number of colleges with varying procedures and requirements, so we've simplified our application process. With one completed application you will automatically be evaluated for eligibility for:

• Admission
• Scholarship (complete application must be made on or before January 15)
• University Honors College
• Guaranteed admission to graduate/professional programs in: communication science (speech pathology/audiology); dental medicine; dietetics; education; law; medicine; nursing; occupational therapy; physical therapy; public and international affairs; public health and social work
• Step one of the financial aid application process

When Should I Apply?

We operate on a rolling admission policy. This means we will offer admission to qualified students on an ongoing basis until the class is full or until we are notified by the dean that admission is closed. As a result, it is to your advantage to plan ahead and apply early. Be advised that spaces can fill up early in the admission cycle for smaller University of Pittsburgh schools such as nursing, or programs such as the School of Pharmacy's conditional admission program.

Complete Your Application

You may apply with our printed application or online at: Office of Admissions & Financial Aid Web site. Details of required supporting documentation are listed with each application.

When is my application considered complete?

Your application is considered complete for review and will be sent to the admissions committee when we receive:

1. An online or paper application for admission.
2. A $45 application fee.
3. Official High School transcript.
4. Official SAT I or ACT test results.
   Please arrange for all your official test results to be forwarded. Contact information is listed, below:
   
   SAT I Identifying Code # 2927
   College Board ATP SAT I Program
   www.collegeboard.com/testing
   
   ACT Identifying Code # 3734
   American College Testing Program (ACT)
   www.act.org/aap/scores/index.html

Wondering if we have received your required credentials?
Go to my.pitt.edu.

The my.pitt.edu portal allows you to check the status of your application at any time. Accessing this link will tell you if all of the required items—the application, the application fee, your test scores and your official transcript—have been received. Please note that my.pitt.edu will not tell you if supplemental information such as an essay or letter of recommendation has been received. To confirm receipt of any items, or to address any concerns about the status of your application, you may contact your admissions processor personally since you will be provided with his or her direct e-mail and phone number.

What is "supplemental information?"

Typically, it consists of a personal essay, statement of academic intent, or some other information about your interests and activities that will reveal more about you to the committee. Letters of recommendation from a few people who can support your academic and personal objectives are also welcome. Please note: If you want to be sure that supplemental information is considered in your review for admission, you should make every effort to submit this information at the same time as your application.

The Admissions Committee

When your file becomes complete, the processor will prepare it for admissions committee review. Because we receive so many applications—more than 18,000 for about 3,200 freshman spaces—we are often asked if our decisions are screened by computer. Absolutely not! The admissions committee is comprised of people, not computers, and we remain committed to the individual review of each and every application. The committee consists of a wide variety of professionals in higher education—individuals who bring a mix of perspectives and backgrounds, combined with many years experience, to the review process. Your admissions review will be given every consideration by this unique group possessing diverse ideas and strengths.