How is Pitt? (Pittsburgh, Butler, California: teaching jobs, transferring to, movies)

[Mayvenne]

Definitely the advice to research this matter as far as reputations etc -- on collegeboarddotcom and or princeton review... makes a lot of sense. My take on it is that Pitt and Penn State are pretty much comparable. It really would be in your best interest to research the admission process.
I think the biggest difference would be in the setting of the 2 schools.

[PAstudent]

pittnurse, trust me, I have guidebooks coming out of my ears. This isn't the only place I'm looking for opinions, just one of the many. I've gotten some great information here. I definitely like the urban setting of Pitt, but if it so much less respected than Penn State, I'd suck it up and go to the rural school.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by PAstudent

pittnurse, trust me, I have guidebooks coming out of my ears. This isn't the only place I'm looking for opinions, just one of the many. I've gotten some great information here. I definitely like the urban setting of Pitt, but if it so much less respected than Penn State, I'd suck it up and go to the rural school.

Well, I honestly disagree with that assessment (of zip95). I liked the urban setting as well. I don't think Pitt is less respected than Penn State; especially in the Pittsburgh area it is highly regarded. I don't know about the rest of Pennsylvania. My bro went to Penn State, was constantly referring to it as "just average". But that's his opinon.

[PAstudent]

Well it seems like it's pretty much a wash on this board. I'll keep researching. Thanks for the advice, everyone! (And if anyone else has anything to add, keep it coming.)

[zip95]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

Well, I honestly disagree with that assessment (of zip95). ...I don't think Pitt is less respected than Penn State; especially in the Pittsburgh area it is highly regarded. I don't know about the rest of Pennsylvania....

A little disagreement as always perfectly fine...except the points you disagree with weren't from me. I said:

Originally Posted by zip95

In western Pa, a degree from Pitt is comparable to a degree from Penn State. In New York Or DC, a Penn State degree is 2396 times more valuable...Although not as valuable as an NYU or Georgetown degree.

[PAstudent]

So an employer in those major cities would really place that much more value in a Penn State degree than Pitt? What does everyone else think?

[mister brewski]

To the average person on the other side of the country Penn State, might be more known that Pitt, but for most larger companies they have people that it is their job to know what universities are quality and such. Any respectable company with good hiring people and practices will recognize that Pitt and Penn State are very close academically. They are usually within 10 rankings or so on most college/university ranking lists. They are also both AAU schools and just be judging the other schools on the list you can Pitt is a quality school. Association of American Universities: About AAU (http://www.aau.edu/aau/aaufact.cfm - broken link)

[zip95]

Originally Posted by PAstudent

So an employer in those major cities would really place that much more value in a Penn State degree than Pitt?

Quick, with out thinking, what's your first impression....Do you like the resume that says Washington University of St. Louis or the resume that says Ohio State??? Hint, ohio state is ranked lower

Pittsburgh is a regional University (even within this state). Penn State is Pennsylvania's flagship university with close to a half million alumni...and it has the visibility that comes with being part of the Big Ten. Don't by any means expect the person hiring you to be well versed, or even care about, the latest US News and World Report Rankings.

I should add that your degree will matter less-and-less after you have some real-world experience. Also, many companies often hire former interns, so a lesser know school with a stellar internship program could be an even better bet...You need to research all of these things.

[Elder18]

There was an interesting article in the Pittsburgh City Paper this week about how Pitt's claim to have started in 1783 is more of a PR creation than real fact.

My wife and I are also having trouble getting all of the financial aid we were promised there, so if you do choose Pitt, and they offer you financial aid, get it in writing!

That being said, Pitt is highly respected, especially in the medical and library science fields. I don't know what you're interested in pursuing, but a degree from Pitt in either of those areas, and other as well I'm sure, will be beneficial when you hunt for a job.

Campus is really pretty (the buildings and the girls) and, no matter what you might hear on this board and elsewhere, Pittsburgh is a great place to live. I would suggest visiting sometime and having a look around.

Good luck!

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by zip95

A little disagreement as always perfectly fine...except the points you disagree with weren't from me.

I was referring to this statement:

As far as academics are concerned...In general...U Penn is best, followed by Penn State, followed by Pitt.

That is certainly not true for any health profession, probably also for engineering. Penn State may have more name recognition, but that's because it's so BIG!