What We Look For

Completion of School Requirements

Each University of Pittsburgh school asks the committee to look for applicants with a strong, well-rounded academic curriculum in high school. Additionally, each school specifies certain minimum course requirements—such as science and math classes for engineering—unique to its academic structure. While the following lists minimum requirements, the committee strongly recommends that you challenge yourself beyond the minimum.

The Committee makes note of additional factors...

• types of classes taken (college prep and academic)
• number of academic units per year (keeping up the effort throughout all four grades, not dropping to the minimum just because you've fulfilled graduation requirements)
• grades and grade trends (if you started off on the weaker side, do your grades reflect improvement?)
• overall grade point average
• class rank (if available)
• SAT I and/or ACT

Academic Pluses

Factors that favorably reflect on a student's overall academic profile include:

• Honors, AP, International Baccalaureate (IB), and College in High School classes. It's good to take a number of such classes, but don't take so many you can't do reasonably well in them.
• Advanced level classes. The Committee is looking for a well-rounded curriculum from all applicants. Whenever possible, go beyond the minimum requirements. Four years of French and/or math, for example, looks better on a transcript than three.
• Taking the SAT I or ACT more than once. We recommend that you test once in the junior year and once early in the senior year. We combine your highest critical reading and math sub scores from all tests submitted.
• Retaking a class with a lower-than 'C' grade. If you earn less than a 'C' grade in a key class, think about retaking the class in the summer.
• A rigorous senior year curriculum. We recommend a solid curriculum even in your senior year. It is to your benefit in the admissions review. Also, you'll make an easier transition to college-level work during your freshman year.

Why Should I Consider Submitting Supplemental Information?

As you'll see in our application instructions, a personal essay and letters of recommendation are not required, though you should give them some serious thought. Both provide us a more holistic, complete picture of you, one that goes beyond the numbers, letters, and courses on your high school transcript and beyond the list of extracurricular activities you may note on the application.

You should definitely submit a personal essay if you are pursuing: scholarship consideration; guaranteed admission to graduate/professional school; special consideration in the review process due to extenuating family or health circumstances that may have affected your academic history.

The committee is looking for students who are well-rounded both in and out of the classroom. The University also seeks to enroll a diverse student body, full of talented and interesting individuals. Information about the individual helps us to accomplish this. By sharing some things about yourself and participating actively in the admission process you can enhance your chances of a favorable review. Similarly, while not required, a letter of recommendation from someone who can attest to you academic goals and ambitions can help us get to know you better.