The University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

The faculty and research opportunities at pittsburgh are world class. If you get into the neuroscience department dive into research opportunities. Become a lab rat and do something useful, expand into genetics and take advantage of the interdisciplinary research going on up the hill at UPMC.

if you do go the neuro route, try to get into Jeffrey Balzer, Jr's clinical foundations of neurophysiology, it will gurantee you a job in an emerging standard of care field at one of the best if not the best medical school in the world (take that harvard!)

take a break from the books and hit the oakland zoo for a basketball game.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

WOW. I was reading through a lot of the negative reviews posted here. Listen to me: DO NOT TAKE THEM TOO SERIOUSLY. This is a BIG school, and most people that come here to post are in the small percentage of those that hate it/don't like it here. Most people I meet love this school, and I rarely hear complaining. Trust me, I spent my first semester at a small liberal arts college and was BORED to death. Pitt is a breath of fresh air. Students here are so friendly and there's a wonderful sense of community.

I don't know what everyone is griping about. The campus really is beautiful, and for crying out loud the weather is NOT that bad. I'm from Maryland and we get a lot of rain/clouds too. It's called the *East Coast*. Sure, the winter gets pretty gray (it's...winter), but we do have plenty of sunshine and pretty days. The campus comes alive then. You want constant sun? Go to Arizona.

I'm in the film program and it's solid. So far my professors have been excellent. I've learned so much and it's fairly easy to get a good grade if you do the reading and come to class. The philosophy program here is also great. Advising is mediocre, but really, this school won't hold your hand. I LIKE that. You really learn independence at a place like Pitt. Sure, you can go off and get wasted and never go to school, but that's really not that majority of people that go here. Most people I've met really care about their grades and are here because they want to be here.

Sporting events are very fun, and having Steelers Fever brings the community together. I personally love this town & city. It's not NYC, but that's GOOD, because frankly NYC is an extremely big distraction.

The people that come here and whine that there's nothing to do are honestly being lazy/ignorant. Zero creativity. There's plenty to do, and the university provides way more resources than you'd think. You actually have to put EFFORT into it, not just sit in your room and gripe.Overall I love it here. You'll know if it's right for you too. Come visit and tour ON YOUR OWN. Talk to people in your desired department. Pitt's a great school.

1st Year Female -- Class 2012

Education Quality: A, University Resource Use/ spending: C

I'm a freshmen and I love it here so far! My classes have been challenging but not too intense and I've had SO much fun. There is always something to do in Oakland, whether it's shopping, partying, seeing a game, going downtown or eating at one of the amazing restaurants.

If you're interested in philosophy, COME TO PITT. The program is rated #2 in the country and definitely lives up to its ranking! One of the main draws of Pitt is it's diversity of courses. You can take just about anything you want, from anthropology to geology to film and medieval studies. Some professors are arrogant but overall I've loved my professors! This is a large school so you have to be proactive about your education and come talk to your teachers and sit up front.

Our student union is awesome and there are sooo many things to get involved in. I also love the beautiful campus and how it's got a very urban feel but also is cozy and comfortable.My only qualms with the university is the advising department, which is weak, and university-bureaucracy sucks! But overall the school really does care about its students and I feel like more than a number here. Come to Pitt if you want an exciting, fast-paced and challenging for years!

1st Year Female -- Class 2012

Education Quality: A+, Useful Schoolwork: B