Before you begin, is this the application for you?
If you can answer 'yes' to any of these questions, this is not the right application for you.
I am an international student; I want the dental hygiene certificate program; I want non-degree status as a summer guest student. Click here for information about your application process.

Freshman Application Deadlines

The University of Pittsburgh practices a rolling admissions policy, meaning we do not hold to a specific deadline by which you must apply. Applicants are considered for and informed of admission on a first-come, first-served basis. We continue to admit students until the class is full or until notified by the dean of the school that we must close admissions in order to allow time for orientation and registration (usually a few weeks before the beginning of the term). However, you should keep in mind that space varies from school to school and apply early!

Housing

Timely application is especially important for students interested in living in one of the University residence halls. Prospective freshmen who are admitted for the Fall Term and pay their $300 enrollment fee by May 1 are guaranteed on-campus housing for three years.

University Honors College, Academic Scholarships,
and Freshman Guarantees for Graduate Programs

For freshman applicants interested in the University Honors College, academic scholarships, and/or guaranteed admission to certain graduate/professional programs at the University of Pittsburgh, no separate application is necessary. Simply apply for admission, and your application will receive automatic consideration for honors, scholarships, and the guarantees. However, we do recommend that applicants interested in the guaranteed admission programs apply early in the senior year and that those interested in academic scholarships apply by January 15.

Freshman Applications Procedures

Required Information:

Step 1. Complete an Admissions Application in its entirety.

Failure to complete all information requested on your application will delay processing of it.

Step 2. Pay the $45 non-refundable application fee.

Send check or money order only, payable to the University of Pittsburgh, or pay online with your Visa or MasterCard.

Step 3. Have the secondary school counselor forward your official high school transcript.

The transcript should show grades received in all courses from 9th grade on and your rank in class, preferably the rank at the end of the junior year for applying seniors.

Step 4. Forward all your official SAT I or ACT test results.

We prefer that all testing be completed by January for September admission. It is not necessary to wait until all of the required tests have been taken before submitting your application.

Step 5. If your citizenship status is U.S. immigrant/permanent resident alien, or refugee, documentation of your citizenship status will be required. Click here for examples of satisfactory documentation.

Once we have received your required documents and your application has been processed, you'll be contacted about how to track your application online.

Supplemental Information:

The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid practices a rolling admission policy. Once your required information has been received, your file will be considered complete and will go before committee. Consequently, if you plan to submit supplemental information, we strongly recommend that you make every effort to submit this information at the same time as your application.

If you want your application review to be based on more than just
your high school record and SAT/ACT scores, we strongly
recommend that you submit any supplemental information
that you feel will help the committee get to know you better.
The committee is looking for students who are well-rounded
both in and out of the classroom. By sharing some
things about yourself and participating actively in the
admissions process, you can enhance your chances of a
favorable review.

1. Personal Essay. The Personal Essay is optional.
   However, you should definitely submit a personal essay
   if you want:
   • scholarship consideration
   • guaranteed admission to graduate/professional school
   • special consideration in the review process due to extenuating circumstances affecting a term or so of grades
   • the committee to review more than just your high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores
   
   If you decide to complete the optional essay question,
   you can choose one of the topics suggested below or
   select a topic that reflects something about you and
   your interests. Just attach the extra pages to your application
   and be sure to note your name and social security
   number at the top, or if you want to send it separately,
   just e-mail it to oafa@pitt.edu. Please cut and paste your essay into the body of your e-mail as we do not open attachments to protect against viruses.
   
   A. Write about something of particular interest to you—
   whether that be creative, fantastic, scientific, ethical,
   personal, political, etc.
   
   B. If you are interested in the arts or feel you have a special
   skill or talent, tell us what you do and/or enclose
   photos or slides of your work. Likewise, if you’re
   involved in sports, student activities, community service,
   or work, or if a particular person has influenced your
   life, tell us about it. Note any special awards you’ve
   received or leadership roles you’ve played.
   
   C. Imagine you’re on the Admissions or Scholarship
   Committee. Tell us something about yourself that isn’t
   apparent from your academic records—something that
   will give us insight about you as an individual and might
   help in the committee’s decision.
   
   D. How has cultural diversity, or the lack of it, impacted your life so far? What is your view or opinion of how diversity fits into your education? or,
   
   The University of Pittsburgh is an institution rich in cultural and ethnic diversity. In what ways do you think this would be of benefit to you as a young, developing adult, and in what ways can you contribute to this?
   
   E. Elaborate on one or more extracurricular activities.
   Please share experiences and participation in organizations,
   whether affiliated with or outside of school, that
   you feel will help the committee to know you better.
   This could include sports, artistic, social services, work,
   or other activities. A description of your experiences
   and how they have affected you as an individual is more
   helpful to the committee than a list. Include years of
   involvement, nature of position, any leadership roles,
   and/or title, if applicable.
   
   F. Some factors that may be taken into consideration in
   the admissions review are listed below. If any of the following
   pertain to you, you may wish to address the issue
   in your essay or as an addendum to your essay. You are:
   not a native speaker of English; first generation in the
   family going to college; coming from a single parent
   home; home schooled; an early graduate (students
   graduating from high school in three years) or early
   applicant (i.e., planning to skip the senior year of
   high school).
   
   G. If you have experienced special challenges or adversities
   that you feel should be taken into consideration, please
   let the committee know.
   
   H. Have you had an international or travel experience that
   has affected you? Describe it.



2. Letter(s) of recommendation. Likewise, while not
   required, letter(s) of recommendation from a person
   or people who know you well can help us get to know
   you better.

Important Notes:

1. The provisions of this document are subject to change at any time at the University's sole discretion. It is intended to serve only as a general source of information about the University and is in no way intended to state contractual terms.
   
   
2. Credentials filed in support of this application become the property of the University of Pittsburgh and are not returnable to the applicant. Misrepresentation of information requested in this application may be considered sufficient reason for refusal of admission, exclusion, and dismissal.
   
   
3. Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act Notice
   Students and prospective students have the right to review the University's most recent report prepared pursuant to the Federal Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, 20 U.S.C. 1092. The report is available in Hillman Library. Inquires may be made at the Reference/Information Desk.
   
   
4. Safety and Security Brochure and Rights to Know
   As mandated by federal and state law, the University of Pittsburgh has published a brochure that describes safety and security policies, procedures, and programs, as well as campus crime statistics for the past three years and graduation rates. This information is available online. If you would like a printed copy, please write to:
   
   Campus Safety Information
   Mailing Services
   University of Pittsburgh
   400 N. Lexington Avenue.
   Pittsburgh, PA 15260