The University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

I am in the film studies program at Pitt, and I am shocked with all of the negative reviews of the school. I have made so many amazing friends here and been given such great opportunities for research, study abroad and academic exploration. The campus is like a city itself, tucked away from the downtown area of Pittsburgh. It's beautiful and very unique; a mix of Gothic & modern architecture, parks and city streets. Whenever I step on campus I get a feeling of pride and love for my school.

The buildings are very well kept up and lovely. The Student Union is gorgeous inside, and the famed Cathedral of Learning makes studying feel like being at Hogwarts. The international classrooms are very cool, rooms designed based on different countries and cultures. There is a very good mix of green space and city space. The campus faces and is adjacent to Forbes Avenue, an awesome city-like street with great food, shopping, and tons of character.

The administration is very friendly, organized and intelligent. I've always gotten a helpful hand when asked for it. The university offers Pitt Arts, a program where students can see a show downtown and eat at a nice restaurant for FREE, join one of the MANY clubs on campus or start one, party/take classes at CMU and other Pittsburgh area schools, study in the beautiful libraries and enjoy the amazing Peterson Events Center with it's basketball games and fitness center.

Pride is event throughout Oakland. Everyone loves the Pitt Panther and the school. Science, medicine & engineering is the focus here, but Pitt offers plenty of attention to the other programs.

Class choices are varied and interesting. I never had trouble filling my schedule. I actually had trouble figuring out how to take everything I wanted to! Classes can be large, but as long as you sit in the front, pay attention and speak up you'll have no problem. Teachers are generally very accessible and intelligent. Be confident and willing to help out yourself.If you love the city, especially Pittsburgh, don't mind a good deal of rainy weather, and want a big, awesome university that's bustling with people who are EXCITED to be there, Pitt might just be the place for you.

1st Year Female -- Class 2012

Education Quality: A+, Faculty Accessibility: B

I attended the University of Pittsburgh for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Library and Information Science in Archival Studies. Most of the negative reviews of the university are quite overblown and melodramatic. I was a serious student , not interested in partying, and I believe Pitt provided me with a rich and valuable education. I am now a faculty member at Emory University doing what I love.

Going to Pitt can feel a bit lonely at times, because you don't get much personal attention without seeking it out. However, if you need to have your hand held and be told how special you are everyday, you will be better off going to a small private school for $40k a year. At Pitt, YOU are responsible for your own education, making friends, and engaging your professors. You don't receive praise until you've earned it. If you want to be successful, then you need to make it happen on your end. As long as you are proactive, professors are more than happy to make time for you. As long as you're not an arrogant rube, the other students are really friendly. Pitt has enormous resources available to those students who make an effort to use them upon their own accord.

I find it really amusing how people transfer due to lack of social life at the university. YOU ARE AT UNIVERSITY TO STUDY! Go waste Mommy and Daddy's money elsewhere.

Yes, Pitt has its share of useless drunks, but it also has highly intellectual and productive students performing important research. Pitt is even part of the Association of American Universities, which is an invite-only organization reserved for "research intensive" institutions. I don't understand why there is so much discussion about OTHER students in the comments section. People who are successful at Pitt show responsibility for their own education, instead of worrying about what others do. If others want to fail out and get wasted every day, then that's their problem. While kids were partying, I was studying and I got to where I wanted to be without the elite university on my resume.If you want a solid education that is respected nationwide, don't have to be constantly babied, and aren't arrogant, then I would definitely suggest the University of Pittsburgh.

5th Year Female -- Class 2007

Education Quality: A, University Resource Use/ spending: B-

This school won't hand you a good education. The advising program is weak (honors advising, however, is top notch!), and most classes are very large. Professor's won't care about you unless you go and see them often and speak up in class.

Pitt's strength is in the resources available to it's students. If one has the initiative to go out and find stuff to do, you will never want for clubs, groups, volunteer experiences, jobs, internships, and a myriad of programs both within the city and internationally. Taking advantage of these opportunities allows one to supplement their education to their heart's desire. Anything you want can be had if you know where to go and who to ask, and care enough about your own education to find out. If you're not working in your field on at least a volunteer basis by your junior year, active in an awesome club, and/or studying abroad, you're not working the Pitt system to your full advantage.

Also, if you know about what your major is going to be, check out the department. Each department is a kingdom unto its self. The science and philosophy programs are especially strong, for example. I won't name the departments I was unimpressed with, but I encourage any prospective students to examine what department they plan on working with.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000