University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This 230-year-old university is ranked among the Top 10 US research varsities by the Center for Measuring University Performance, Arizona

Founded in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh (aka Pitt) is one of the most respected research universities of America. Though a privately managed institution, the university is a member of Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth System of Higher Education and receives annual financial grants from the state. Also a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) which comprises 62 pre-eminent doctorate-granting research institutions in North America, Pitt is ranked #68 among national universities by the US News & World Report in its 2018 rankings of America’s Best Colleges. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-17, Pitt is ranked #80 while in the QS World University Rankings 2017-18, it’s ranked #100 worldwide. Moreover, the Center for Measuring University Performance, Arizona has ranked Pitt #9 among US research universities in its 2015 annual report. 

The 230-year-old university comprises a 132-acre main campus in Pittsburgh and four campuses within Western Pennsylvania — Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown and Titusville. Currently Pitt’s 16 academic schools and colleges offer a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degree programmes to 28,664 students instructed by 4,977 faculty. Its schools of philosophy, law and health sciences are particularly highly ranked.

Pitt’s undergraduate degree programmes mandate compulsory liberal arts education complemented with well-rounded curriculums in the arts, sciences, engineering, business management etc (see box) and provides hands-on learning opportunities through co-ops and internships. It has also initiated a university-wide Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) that includes a series of extracurricular programmes and experiences designed to complement students’ academic studies and help develop their personal attributes and professional skills.

Pittsburgh. Located at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers in Pennsylvania state, Pittsburgh (pop. 305,000) is known as the Steel City for its more than 300 steel-related businesses, and as the City of Bridges for its 446 bridges. Ranked the most livable city in the United States in 2014 by The Economist’s Global Liveability Ranking, Pittsburgh hosts over 1,600 technology companies, numerous law firms, banks and over 68 colleges and universities. The second-largest city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia), Pittsburgh is student-friendly with a good public transportation system, numerous restaurants, low-price shops, parks, malls, coffee shops, bars and cinemas.

The city enjoys four distinct seasons: winters are cold, cloudy, and moderately snowy, spring and fall are generally mild with moderate levels of sunshine, and summers warm to hot and humid. 

Campus facilities. The university’s main 132-acre Pittsburgh campus is located in the city’s Oakland neighbourhood and regional campuses in Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown, and Titusville. The Pittsburgh campus showcases an eclectic mix of architecture that includes Greek revival, Neogothic, Italian Renaissance, and modern with its signature 535 ft Cathedral of Learning — the second-tallest educational building in the world after the University of Moscow — dominating the skyline. Other campus landmarks include the William Pitt Union, once a luxurious hotel and now hosting the students union; Frick Fine Arts Building which is modeled after a Roman villa; Heinz Memorial Chapel; Alumni Hall.

The Pitt’s University library system — the 22nd largest academic library system in North America — includes 17 libraries and collections and houses more than 6.4 million volumes and specialised collections including the Archive of Scientific Philosophy and Industrial Society. The largest of the 17 libraries, the five-floor Hillman Library contains 1.5 million volumes, over 200 computers, study capacity for 1,500 users, a media centre and specialised collections. 

Sports facilities are extensive and include the Heinz Field (a horseshoe stadium that seats 68,400); Petersen Events Center (a 12,508-seats basketball and multipurpose arena), Petersen Sports Complex (spread over 12 acres and offering state-of-the-art facilities for baseball, softball and men’s and women’s soccer grounds), Fitzgerald Field House (gymnastics, indoor track and field, volleyball and wrestling), Trees Pool (Olympic-size swimming and diving pools) and Alpha Tennis and Fitness Center.

Moreover, there are 300-plus student organisations on campus which offer a plethora of social and cultural activities through the year.

Admission. The minimum eligibility requirement for admission into Pitt’s undergraduate programmes is successful completion of Plus Two/class XII. International students also need to submit SAT/ACT test scores and proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL/IELTS test scores). The completed online application form, together with original or certified official secondary school records/exam results, an application fee of $45 and ‘short answer questions’ should be submitted before April 1 for the fall term (August), and October 1 for the spring term (January). Moreover, the university’s admissions office requires foreign applicants to submit official credential evaluation of all international documents (transcripts, mark sheets, certificates, examination results, etc) from one of the following two evaluators — Josef Silny & Associates or Education Credential Evaluators. 

For admission into graduate programmes, it’s recommended that students apply directly to the programme/graduate school as each programme has specific admission requirements. 

For further information, contact Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, University of Pittsburgh, 4227 Fifth Avenue, Alumni Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260-6601, USA. Ph: 00 1 412-624-7197; e-mail: intladm@pitt.edu; website: www.pitt.edu.

Accommodation. The university provides on-campus accommodation to over 8,000 undergrad students. Housing options range from residence halls to apartments. Residence halls offer facilities including furnished rooms, online network access, study and recreation lounges, fitness centers, dining options (purchasing meal plans is compulsory), and laundry. University-owned apartments accommodate one-four students and offer amenities such as a kitchen, dining and living areas, telephone, cable TV, and online network access. Off-campus housing options are also available. 

Degree programmes. Pitt’s 16 schools and colleges, numerous centres and institutes offer over 110 undergrad, 145 Masters and 83 doctoral programmes (see box).

Summiya Yasmeen