Besides being one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the United States founded in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh is also among the nation’s most distinguished comprehensive universities, with a wide variety of high-quality programs in both the arts and sciences and professional fields.

The University’s 12,000 employees, including 3,800 full time faculty members, serve about 34,000 students through the programs of 15 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools.

A report from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education called Pitt’s undergraduate programs “impressive” in both variety and strength. And with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 and more than 60 percent of classes with fewer than 30 students, undergrads at Pitt have the opportunity to interact with world-class faculty.

Course Restrictions:

Students are to note that there may be prerequisites for select courses.  Please check for course prerequisites before applying. 

Courses are subjected to demand and availability.

Course Descriptions:

• Course catalogue: http://www.courses.as.pitt.edu/
• Schedule of classes: http://www.registrar.pitt.edu/schedule_of_classes.html
• The University of Pittsburgh defines full-time enrollment as 12 credits per semester for undergraduate students.

• Assessment methods vary from courses to course but standards are set by the University.
• All courses will be graded and official transcripts will be provided

Academic Calendar:

• Fall Semester:  Late August to Mid December
• Spring Semester:  Early January to Late April
• Academic Calendar: http://www.provost.pitt.edu/information-on/calendar.html

On-Campus Housing:

The University offers on-campus housing options that range from the rich diversity of the residence halls to the more self-reliant environment of apartment-style accommodations. Most resident students choose to live in one of the residence halls on campus. The University provides every resident with the fundamental amenities of contemporary student life: furniture, telephone, cable TV, and online network access. Additional features include e-mail kiosks, study and recreation lounges, fitness centers, dining options, coffee carts, free shuttle bus service, laundry facilities, mail centers, and special living communities.

Each residence hall has a security desk staffed around the clock to ensure that only students living in that particular residence hall have card access to that building. Visit Services for complete description of residence hall amenities and services.

Students living in the residence halls must purchase a meal plan for both the fall and spring terms. More information is available at the housing website: http://www.pc.pitt.edu/housing/options.html

Off-Campus housing:

Students can also opt for off campus housing. Necessary information and also tools to successfully reside in off campus housing can be found at http://www.ocl.pitt.edu/. They provide a Renter’s Guide, a Renter’s Checklist as well as a Renter’s Cost Guide among many others.

Useful Links:

• University Hompage: http://www.pitt.edu/
• Housing: http://www.pc.pitt.edu/housing/index.html
• Study abroad office: http://www.abroad.pitt.edu/
• International Student Handbook: http://www.ois.pitt.edu/pdf/Internationalhandbook.pdf

Visa Information:

In order to enter the U.S., you must obtain the appropriate entry visa from a U.S. Embassy/Consulate. A U.S. visa gives you permission to apply for admission in to the United States in a particular status. DO NOT use a tourist visa or the visa waiver program to enter the U.S. if you are not coming here to be a tourist. Obtain a visa for the correct status.

When applying for a visa, you must present your visa document (DS-2019), evidence of financial support, and a visa application. The visa fees and application procedures/processing times vary from country to country. Some consulates grant visas on the same day; others take several weeks to process the request. Some consulates require appointments or applications mailed in; others operate on a walk-in basis. You should contact the consulate you will be applying at for details. Most consulates now have Web sites with that information.

Health Insurance:

Many countries provide access to medical care through national health care systems and/or medical insurance is available. In other countries, there is no national medical or health care system and/or medical insurance is not offered. The United States is very different and access to medical care requires some form of medical insurance as the cost of medical care is very expensive. This is not to alarm you, but to assist you in understanding aspects of living in the United States.

All students must be prepared to have medical insurance. The cost of buying medical insurance is included in the estimated cost of living expenses and therefore constitutes part of the financial support required for the issuing of the enclosed visa document. If you do not have medical insurance in your country that will cover medical expenses while in the United States or will not be covered through financial aid from the University of Pittsburgh, you are expected to purchase medical insurance upon arrival. Information is available from the Office of International Services and at the Student Health Service at http://www.studhlth.pitt.edu/.

Estimated Cost of Living:

*Room rates varies depending on the type of accommodation
#Based on the Ultimate Access with $150 Dining Dollars meal plan.

NOTE: Exchange rate as of Oct, 7 2008: US$1 = S$1.468

Please contact: Ms May Leong
Email: irolmy@nus.edu.sg