Merit Scholarships at Pitt?

Hey guys, I'm curious, does anyone know what the merit scholarship situation is like at University of Pittsburgh? Can we apply for them separately, or are they part of the admissions process? Any insight would be super helpful!

The University of Pittsburgh has several merit scholarships available for first-year students. When you complete the admissions application, you are automatically considered for these scholarships; there isn't a separate application process. However, you should note that the competition is high as these scholarships are typically awarded to academically outstanding students.

For instance, there's the Chancellor's Scholarship, which is the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship and covers full tuition, fees, room, and board. The Nordenberg Scholarship is another merit scholarship, for in-state residents, that's highly competitive and covers full tuition for students who have demonstrated their leadership abilities.

For both of these scholarships, the University considers your high school grades, class rank (if applicable), coursework difficulty, standardized test scores (if provided), extracurricular activities, and application essays.

The College of Business Administration and the Swanson School of Engineering also have specific merit scholarships for students enrolling in those schools.

Timing your application submission is crucial as well. While the "priority consideration" deadline is officially in early December, you have a higher chance of being considered for merit scholarships if you apply as soon as you can, since some awards are given on a first come, first served basis.

Be sure to double-check the specific dates for each scholarship as well, as they may vary from year to year. In particular, the more prestigious offerings may have their own deadlines, such as the Nordenberg Scholarship, which usually requires students to apply by November 15th.

Another thing to note is that there's a limited pool of funds, so not all qualified students will receive an award. Accordingly, it's advisable to not just apply early, but also look for other sources of financial aid. I hope this overview helps, and best of luck with your application!