University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Top Questions

Some of the most popular student activities are the intramural sports. These are a great way to meet people and continue playing athletics competitively in college. If sports aren't your main interests, there are pretty much clubs for anything. The clubs range from politics to sailing club (a club that I am the Education Chair). Each year, there is an activities fair at the beginning of the school year. This includes every club with sign up sheets, food, etc. There is literally 100s of clubs just waiting for your interest! If you can't find an activity that you like there, I am not sure what to tell you!

Lots of kids love to do intramural sports; soccer, basketball, football, even quidditch if that's your thing. There's a whole variety of fraternities and sororities; Greek life is huge at Pitt.

The largest group on campus is, to my knowledge, the Pitt Pathfinders. Their responsibility is to introduce newcomers and prospective students to the campus and provide insight into what life at PItt is like. As far as greek life is concerned, it really isn't a big part of Pitt's social scene. I think only 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body is enrolled in either a frat or a sorority. If a prominent greek life experience is what you are looking for, Pitt may not be the place for you. People party every weekend, and if you really want to find one, you will. Like any large campus, the dating scene is plentiful and there are lots of options. On the whole, i think the females at Pitt are definitely more attractive. If drinking and dating aren't your scenes, then have no fear! One of the perks of living in the city is that there is always something to do or see. If you want to go to the movies, no problem. Just wanna grab a late night snack? You can find that right down the street at half off. The Carnegie Science Center plays laser light shows that are pretty awesome.

The largest group on campus is, to my knowledge, the Pitt Pathfinders. Their responsibility is to introduce newcomers and prospective students to the campus and provide insight into what life at PItt is like. As far as greek life is concerned, it really isn't a big part of Pitt's social scene. I think only 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body is enrolled in either a frat or a sorority. If a prominent greek life experience is what you are looking for, Pitt may not be the place for you. People party every weekend, and if you really want to find one, you will. Like any large campus, the dating scene is plentiful and there are lots of options. On the whole, i think the females at Pitt are definitely more attractive. If drinking and dating aren't your scenes, then have no fear! One of the perks of living in the city is that there is always something to do or see. If you want to go to the movies, no problem. Just wanna grab a late night snack? You can find that right down the street at half off. The Carnegie Science Center plays laser light shows that are pretty awesome.

There are over 400 student organizations at Pitt, each of them have its own unique goals and attractiveness. The huge Fall student activities fair is held annually at the Peterson Events Center, where more than 5,000 students show up to learn about all the campus organizations and get involve with one or two new ones. Campus organizations are a big deal in the life of a Pitt student. I don't think I have met anyone that's not part of any organization on campus. Since there's so many clubs, there is bound to be one or two clubs out there that fits the interest of each student. There are many huge and famous events throughout the year. The biggest community service event is the PItt make a difference day, in which almost all 400 campus organizations join together to go around Pittsburgh on a Saturday to clean the streets, plan trees, and other community service. Giving blood is also another big event on campus. Central blood bank and American Red Cross visits Pitt almost ever month to seek for donors and volunteers. Lastly, Pitt basketball and football games are events that students hate to miss, and they will skill studying for a morning exam in order to see Pitt go against colleges like Notre Dame or Syracuse. Dorm life is very essential to a Pitt student's college journey. Students are guaranteed housing for three years, and most students stay on campus for all three years before moving off campus for their senior year. The RAs on campus are very outgoing, caring, and understanding to every student that they are in charge of. They help make dorm life safer and more fun. Living on campus is the best thing a student can do in college, because a student is literally missing everything if he/she lives off campus.

The social activities that students do depend on the time. During the day, if you're into sports, kids will play a pickup game of basketball, soccer, football etc. Kids also go to the basketball and football games, and watch profession and college sports together. Kids might also play video games together (I play a lot of Madden). There is also a lot of just hanging out. This might include getting something to eat together, sitting around and talking, watching TV or a movie together, playing a board game, and random fun things (juggling a soccer ball together in the hallway, playing mafia(game)). At night time there's a good amount of partying (mostly Friday and Saturday nights). I don't party so I couldn't tell you what they're like, but I've heard that they're decent (although I've heard complaints about the frats from boys not in frats, and that sometimes it's hard to find a good house party, but sometimes you do find a good house party and it's fun). Although there are definitely a good amount of kids partying on weekend nights, there are also a good amount of kids hanging out who aren't. Thus, if you want to party, there'll be people to do that with, and if you don't there will also be people do hang out with. One thing I'd like to mention is the atmosphere living in towers (freshman dorm) during freshman year. It was a lot of fun, and much different than the other dorms I've seen. Most people keep there doors open, which really encourages kids to be social. Most people were good friends with a lot of kids on the floor, and were at least friendly with the remaining kids. Overall, freshman year at Pitt was a great experience and a great place to meet people and make friends.

Greek Life is very prevalent on Pitt's campus. But that being said, there are a multitude of other activities to get involved with. Pitt Program Council plans out events and concerts that are held on campus each semester. There are a number of non-social Greek organizations, including business focused fraternities, a community service sorority, honors fraternities, etc. These organizations are helpful because they help build the bond of family, helping one another within the organization, but ultimately hold a greater purpose. There are groups for every major, business, nursing, engineering, health sciences, math, etc. I have gained my closest friends through my freshman year dorm as well as the activities that I am involved with on campus. Unlike big party schools, on week nights I usually stay up until 2 or 3am studying (simply because I know that I work best at night). But during the day, there are plenty of places to do homework and studying. The library usually closes at 2am and is open 24 hours during finals week. The party scene usually consists of a moderate Thursday night, and then a busy Friday and Saturday night. Some people go out all three, some two, one, or not at all. If partying isn't your scene, you will definitely find other friends that feel the same way. Your weekend can be spent having a pizza and a movie night as most pizza places are open until 2am, or you can explore museums in Pittsburgh (get in free with your ID!), or check out the Pittsburgh Orchestra or Ballet. If you aren't a big partier it doesn't mean you'll be spending your weekend alone watching tv. There are plenty of people that choose to do other things with their weekends.

Pitt has MILLIONS of groups. Frats, dance clubs, video game clubs, movie clubs, etc. We even have a Quidditch Team (the Harry Potter sport. Don't ask me how). Everyone is super nice and friendly. Doors are open at dorms. You make new friends every day, and I have honestly not met a single person who was unfriendly, rude, or negative in any way.

Pitt has MILLIONS of groups. Frats, dance clubs, video game clubs, movie clubs, etc. We even have a Quidditch Team (the Harry Potter sport. Don't ask me how). Everyone is super nice and friendly. Doors are open at dorms. You make new friends every day, and I have honestly not met a single person who was unfriendly, rude, or negative in any way.

Pitt's football team and men's basketball team are by far the most popular sports to follow. Both of these teams' games are very popular to go to, and I've even been on ESPN before at a football game! A lot of popular speakers and figures come to Pitt - from President Obama (who came downtown when he was campaigning) to Michelle Obama (who came to our campus), to Joe Biden (who came to our campus just a few weeks ago well into his term as vice-president), to famous actors (that one guy from Inception who is not Leonardo DiCaprio), to Ke$ha who performed here last spring. If you want to do something on a weekend that doesn't involve drinking, a Pitt organization has Friday night tea houses, with music, conversation, and games, and there are always random campus events going on. There is also a large art and theatre scene downtown, and through the university's organization called PittArts, it's really easy to get cheap tickets to broadway shows that come here, plays, or philharmonic performances. If you want to do something on a weekend that does involve drinking, you will likely just be able to roam the off-campus student residential areas and find a house party. There are also well-known fraternity houses and at least five popular bars within a five or ten minute's walk from main campus. If you're roaming the streets at 10pm or later you can tell that at least half the people walking around are drunk.

Sports are very popular here. Our basketball games are hard to get tickets to and operate on a "loyalty points" system. Dorm life is very social and friendly, if not loud. We just had Spike Lee visit campus and tons of people came. Pitt is always hosting great events and fun things to do. Greek life isn't huge but it is prevalent, which is nice because the school isn't "run by Greeks". Friday and Saturday nights get crazy, but people are spread out across Oakland so you never feel boxed in with the party crowds. If you don't want to drink, you can always hang out with friends or hop on the bus to go shopping.

I started at Pitt as a junior because I transferred form Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). In one of my classes I met one of my good friends named Dave. We had Human Resource Management (HRM) together. We became friends at first by studying for exams together, and then we started partying together all over campus. The parties here kick ass by the way. There is literally a party every night of the week so whatever your schedule may be you can fit it in. Anyways, I needed to find a place to live because my plans fell through and I needed something fast. I saw on facebook that my friend Dave was looking for roommates, for a 6 bedroom house in North Oakland. I jumped on the opportunity knowing that Dave was a responsible kid who liked to get down and party whenever he had time. The rest is history; we live with four other students who are all cool people. I really enjoy the diversity of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh, and my house. Also the nightlife for someone over 21 is amazing. There is the Southside (so many bars), Station Square (sick clubs), North Shore (Clubs and Bars), Squirrel Hill (some bars), Shadyside (get dressed up and bring some dough), and so much more (it's crazy). You can go to the opera if you don’t like to party (Civic Light Opera at the Benedum is beautiful), 5 museums, and of course Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates games. I could go on all day, but you just need to know that there is something to do for everyone even if you don’t like to party as hard as me.

As a student, I was a member of the Pitt Outdoors Club, which is how I met most of my closest friends. Student organizations were very popular. I think because of that, Greek life is not as important at Pitt as it is at some other schools. The frats and sororities are definitely there, and they throw a lot of parties, but the majority of students are not a part of that scene. Pitt has a pretty strong athletics program. Our football team doesn't have the same support it used to. The stadium is sort of a pain to get to. The university does provide shuttles, but not all that many students go. Although tailgating for the games is pretty popular. The field is great since it's where the Steelers play. Season football tickets are only about $25 for students. Pitt basketball has a huge following. The school has a pretty big party scene. During the first few weeks of school, you can wander down into South Oakland and find house parties all over the place. The bars in Oakland are pretty tight about checking ID's so most of the partying for younger students happens at houses and apartments. Since the school is in the city, you have access to all sorts of things. There is decent shopping and several movie theaters nearby.

Hell, even if all you like is football and partying, go to Penn State, OSU, WVU or even Rutgers. They have better athletics and social scenes. You won't get mugged and probably will get a better education to boot.

Things to do on a Saturday night that don't involve drinking are going to Pittsburgh's sights like the inclines or the light shows. You can go sledding when it's wintery on the hills near the cathedral of learning. You can eat at one of the many fine restaurants near campus or in southside. You can take a bus or drive to the malls that are near school. Also checking out squirrel hill or shady side is a good option.

Pitt has something like 300 groups/organizations/teams on campus. There's definitely something for everyone. Making friends is pretty easy and there are a lot of opportunities to do so. For the most part, parties are a Thursday/Friday/Saturday thing. If you don't like partying, there are a ton of other things to do at night.

Pitt's most popular team is probably the basketball team, however, the football team generates just as much hype. So, during the fall and winter many students are at some type of sporting event. Also, the sororities and faternities are fairly popular around campus. Most weekends (when you are younger) are spent up at the faternity houses. However, it is not required for you to join one in order to have things to do, there are just as many things to on the weekends without joining.

I have not gotten involved in any activities at Pitt besides attending sporting events. However, Pitt offers a wide range of activities so there is something for everyone if you are interested.

There are always parties but there is also always something fun to do, like a movie in the union that has not been released on video yet or free food events.

The student life at Pitt is pretty cool. Greek life is pretty big and everyone can rush. There's an organization for anyone (if you don't find what you like, it's fairly easy to start one). Museums, libraries, theatres, cinema, discount venue tickets and weekend trip tickets are all either free or at a severly discounted rate (the difference picked up by the school). The Study abroad, Semester at Sea and alternative spring break programs are amazing! Freshman are required to live in dorms...which helps to meet people and most of them are pretty nice. They just built three new mid-rise buildings. There's always a party somewhere...just need to meet the right people. There's a nightlife on the South Side, which is an area just across the river filled with everything anyone can think of. For non-drinkers, there's a lot to do as well.