essays for university of pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide 

University of pittsburgh 2023-24 application essay question explanations.

The Requirements: 1 essay of 200-300 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Oddball

Hello, future University of Pittsburgh grads. (We’re speaking it into existence!) The prompt below is only for applicants who wish to apply to Pitt Honors. Let’s dive in!

In lieu of an essay or personal statement, we ask interested applicants to answer a short answer question. The Admissions Committee reviews responses for quality rather than length. However, the most effective responses typically range from 200-300 words per question. Responses that are longer or shorter are acceptable. The question is required for Pitt Honors consideration.

Please select one of these questions., what is something you would like to see change in the world explain why..

The Admissions Committee wants to accept ambitious students who want to change the world for the better. So, if you could change anything in the world, what would it be? Take some time to brainstorm and write down anything that comes to mind. Maybe, if you had the power, you would make sure that no one in your city went to bed hungry. Why is this particular issue important to you? What steps would you take to enact this change? If, after reading this prompt, you immediately thought of something on the sillier side (flying cars! superpowers! robot dogs!), don’t be afraid to explore that topic and why it matters, too. As long as you are giving admissions better insight into who you are and what makes you tick, you’re on the right track. Let your imagination run wild and show the University of Pittsburgh admissions committee that you aren’t afraid to dream big.

If you had 10 minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your TED Talk be about?

We at CEA love this question because it’s a unique way of asking applicants the following questions: What do you care about and why? What’s important to you? What information do you wish other people had access to? Start by making a list of topics you could discuss or read about for hours. Maybe you’d like to use your TED Talk platform to speak about media literacy and how we can and should consider what we see online through the lens of the powers that dictate how and when we receive information. Perhaps you’d want to discuss AI art, plagiarism, and how it threatens human artists’ livelihoods. What keeps you up at night? What kind of positive effect do you want to have on the world? These are the questions you should be asking yourself when brainstorming for this prompt. Bonus points if you can speak to how a Pittsburgh education will prepare you to address this issue head-on in the future! 

What does it mean to be “educated”?

Since this question is for those applying to the honors college, we can assume that most applicants answering it are high-achievers in the traditional sense. But we all know that’s not the only type of education out there. Pitt is looking for a deeply considered, creatively written essay , so as we here at CEA so often recommend, grab a sheet of paper and start brainstorming! Which words, feelings, or characteristics do you associate with the word “educated?” Are there any people you can think of—people in your life, thought leaders, or even fictional characters—who don’t have a formal education but whom you would consider to be highly educated? What different kinds of education can you think of? In what ways are they different and in what ways are they fundamentally the same? Bonus points if you can describe how a Pitt degree would educate you in more than one way! 

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University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate College Application Essays

These University of Pittsburgh college application essays were written by students accepted at University of Pittsburgh. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by University of Pittsburgh

How annie helped me callie elizabeth mancuso, university of pittsburgh.

Annie’s face is as vivid in my mind now as it was four years ago. I can see the passion for life that sparkled in her eyes and the crazy, intense grin that stretched across her face like a bridge across the sea. Although my experience with Annie...

Why I Will Study Engineering Scott Patrick Novick

I owe a lot to cancer. While it leaves most with feelings of fear, despair, or pain, cancer left me with a passionate interest in the cancer radiation treatment process. When my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August of 2007; however,...

My Invisible Army Anonymous

Here’s a sob story for you: my father died when I was four. My mother has always been legally blind, but shortly after my father’s death, when I was six, she fell and broke her back. Two years later, she had a brain hemotoma and nearly passed...

Young Entrepreneur Michael Magnotto

Throughout my younger years, wearing a blazer, collared shirt, and nice pants to preschool always set me apart from my classmates. As I got older, selling pencils to kids who needed them right before a test sparked my business interest. That...

Annie Callie Mancuso

Asking why not robert nogay.

One year ago, on a muggy summer morning, I boarded a plane with some of my classmates and teachers, headed for Ecuador. The trip was intended to reveal a different world to us, as well as aid a local elementary school in a state of disrepair. A...

The Gift of Translation Anonymous

One of the most important books in the world is The Records of the Grand Historian. Written by Sima Qian in the first century B.C., it elucidates more than two thousand years’ worth of Chinese history. The story behind Qian’s masterpiece is...

My Greek Roots Anonymous

I am convinced that I only have friends because of my mother’s cooking. Friends always seem to come through the door when spanakopita, tiropita, baklava, and other ethnic Greek foods are on the table. Watching others become infatuated with the...

Exploring New Territory Anonymous

I am an explorer. At 10 months old, my travels began with my family’s first move. Over the years, we have been relocated because of my father’s company, gradually bringing a family of five from East to West. Five states, five homes, and five...

The Job That Changed My Life Anonymous

I work in one of the most loved, yet most hated industries in the world. Criticism comes from all angles in the fast food business – whether the guests' food is not prepared to their liking, their table isn’t as clean as they would like it to be,...

"Really? You want to be an engineer?" Anonymous

Today there is a common misconception that gender inequality no longer exists. Yet Stephanie Coontz of the New York Times has analyzed the data and, for me at least, put this misconception to rest in her article “The Myth of Male Decline.” She...

The Innocence of Child Anonymous

I stood there holding my stethoscope, listening to a five year-old child’s back, nervously searching for any abnormality, trying to control my nerves and focus on my work. I shifted my stethoscope to another spot, the sweat on my back now beading...

The Peak of Scouting Max B Grove

"Mr. Grove, you can come back in the room now." Wiping pints of sweat off my forehead, my heart racing, I reenter the room containing four people: the four people whose sole job is to challenge everything I have done for the past six years. Maybe...

Overcoming Failure Anonymous

Even as a kid, I always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. I tried making a neighborhood newspaper, crafting homemade walking sticks, and even selling my Pokemon cards. One of my biggest business endeavors featured 11-year-old me digging out a...

A Wilderness Canoe Trip Goes Downhill Anonymous

This morning, day seventeen, my blueish lips burned in the freezing wind and my soaked hair clung to my face. In what seemed like moments, however, I was in the canoe, watching the sun begin to rise above the calm Canadian river. Cicadas serenaded...

The Van Ride Home Nolan Raghu

The van was parked on the third floor of the parking garage, meaning the team had to walk almost 15 minutes together in near silence. Mark was raving, twirling his fingers and vitriolically murmuring something to himself. Devon and Tristan moved...

Art Destroys Silence Claire Margaret Pilcher

Every single time I step onto a stage, I feel as though I could faint. The only noise that breaks through the silent auditorium is the stepping of heels against the hardwood floor as I approach the middle of the stage. I take a deep breath as I...

How a horse taught me partnership Anne Ward

The first ride I had on Gnocchi was awful. He was a project horse who didn’t “listen” to my leg, seat, or hand; aids that help me communicate with a horse. He wouldn’t stand still for me to tack him up or mount him. When I actually rode him, he...

Why I Perform Magic Joseph Galante

At the start of every show, I always have faith that the wave of applause will drown out any feelings of doubt. As I see the crowd focus on me, I get a rush of energy and a smile overtakes my face. “Thank you for having me! To get started, I need...

Liberating Beats Anonymous

Before I open my laptop I can hear it. Every beat, every base drop comes to life faster than my hands can sort it into sound. Melodies weave together and I can tell the stuffed animals on my shelf are in for a show. Now in the headspace to create,...

Uninvent Your Camera Anonymous

Photos freeze the world in place for just a moment. In the rapidly moving world, it’s refreshing to look at a photo, stop the earth’s spin, and live in the past for a few minutes. Photos are sentiments—souvenirs of a time and place that has...

Saxophone Colossus Anonymous

I remember in kindergarten, during my troubled sleeps, my mother would come in and sing the Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday”. I didn’t know what the lyrics meant then, but I do know that in her voice I found a universe of meaning. By first grade I was...

Following My Family into Medicine Anonymous

One day, they finally let me see an X-ray machine. The week after, they told me about the anatomy of the body as they treated a patient. Every week, I would see my mother work as a doctor at her workplace. All her coworkers knew me. Every time I...

A Brown Christmas Anonymous

“I’m so excited! Tomorrow is Eid!”

“Eid? What are you talking about?”

I was flabbergasted. Eid was my whole life, what I eagerly anticipated all year long, and yet my classmate didn’t even know what it was! My 7-year-old mind couldn’t comprehend...

Recent Questions about University of Pittsburgh

The Question and Answer section for University of Pittsburgh is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

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I'm sorry, we don't have that information for you on the Q&A Forum. You will need to contact Gradesaver directly for this information. You can use the link at the top of the page, which is entitled "College Application Essays", or send an...

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Give the short description of the four stages of acculturation ?

You are too funny! Those may be the four stages of SOMETHING, but it's not acculturation.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, tips for writing a strong pitt personal statement.

I'm working on my personal statement for the University of Pittsburgh application. Any tips or suggestions on how to make it stand out? What qualities are the admissions officers looking for in a strong personal statement?

When writing a strong personal statement for the University of Pittsburgh, consider the following tips to ensure it stands out:

1. Know your audience: Admissions officers at Pitt want to see a deep understanding of your interests and values, so focus on showcasing who you are as an individual. They appreciate students who have a clear sense of direction and can contribute positively to the campus community.

2. Be authentic: Allow your true self to shine through in your writing. Avoid trying to sound overly formal or impressive; instead, use your voice and genuine stories to illustrate your points. Authenticity is much more compelling and memorable than cliché phrases or grandiose language.

3. Show, don't tell: Use concrete examples and specific details to illustrate your experiences, characteristics, and goals. Instead of simply stating an attribute you possess, describe a particular experience or situation that demonstrates it. This allows the admissions officers to better visualize your experiences and gives them more context.

4. Demonstrate a connection to Pitt: Research the unique aspects of the University of Pittsburgh and its programs, and showcase your compatibility with the institution. Explain how the resources and opportunities at Pitt align with your goals, interests, or values. This demonstrates that you have taken the time to research the university and shows that you are truly interested in attending.

5. Be concise and organized: A well-structured essay is easier to read and understand. Pay attention to the flow of your personal statement by organizing your thoughts into clear paragraphs. Make sure you're adhering to the word limit (if there is one) and use clear, concise language to convey your message effectively.

6. Edit and revise: After completing your initial draft, take the time to revise and polish your personal statement. Check for grammatical errors, improve sentence structure, and ensure your essay flows smoothly. It's also a good idea to get feedback from a friend, family member, or teacher you trust to provide honest and constructive criticism.

7. Emphasize your "spike": Highlight a particular aspect of your application that distinguishes you from others. This may include an academic achievement, a unique extracurricular activity, or a personal challenge you overcame. This "spike" helps you stand out and provides a vivid picture of the kind of student you'll be at Pitt.

To learn more about these essays, read the following blog post: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-pittsburgh-essays/

Remember, a strong personal statement showcases your personality, experiences, and aspirations in a thoughtful and engaging manner. By following these tips and intentionally crafting your essay to reflect your uniqueness, you will increase your chances of making a lasting impression on the University of Pittsburgh admissions officers.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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Write With Us

Our Public and Professional Writing major and certificate, writing-intensive courses, first-year seminars, and graduate program will grow the reach and rhetorical power of your writing. 

The Composition Program at Pitt offers a wide range of opportunities for English majors, undergraduates in various fields of study, and graduate students interested in the teaching of reading and writing. We are committed to linguistic diversity, digital modes of expression, and real world applications of writing.

Begin your writing journey at Pitt. Learn about First-year Composition .

Our  Public and Professional Writing  courses equip students with skills and real-world experience. 

Find out more about our Graduate Studies Program 's faculty and course offerings. 

The University of Pittsburgh’s Writing Program is the oldest and one of the largest in the United States, offering tracks in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and journalism. There is a wide variety of classes, and the maximum size is 22. The Writing Program has a full-time faculty of widely published writers, several visiting writers each year, and a number of part-time faculty who are senior reporters or editors at Pittsburgh newspapers and magazines. Graduates of the writing program include editors at major daily newspapers and publishing houses and winners of the Pulitzer Prize and other major awards.

Visit the Department of English Academic Programs page for more information on its majors.

Major Requirements

A minimum of 33 credits is required: 21 credits in English writing courses and 12 in English literature courses.

Majors must choose one of three tracks: fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. In most cases, students will take other writing courses as well. Each track consists of three levels of courses. The introductory courses (0500s) offer a broad introduction to the skills required of writers in a particular area and generally should be taken no later than the first term of the junior year. The intermediate courses (1000s for fiction, 1200s for poetry, 1300s for nonfiction) refine and develop those skills. The senior seminars (1700s) provide a capstone experience for the student writer. Students should check prerequisites carefully before registration.

English Writing prerequisite

Students must complete one of the following prerequisite courses before declaring the major.

• ENGCMP 0200 - SEMINAR IN COMPOSITION
• ENGCMP 0203 - SEMINAR IN COMPOSITION: GENDER STUDIES
• ENGCMP 0205 - SEMINAR IN COMPOSITION: FILM
• ENGCMP 0207 - SEMINAR IN COMPOSITION: EDUCATION
• ENGCMP 0208 - SEMINAR IN COMPOSITION: SERVICE-LEARNING
• ENGCMP 0210 - SEMINAR IN COMPOSITION: ENGINEERING
• ENGCMP 0212 - SEMINAR IN COMPOSITION: TOPICS IN DIVERSITY
• ENGCMP 0213 - SEMINAR IN COMPOSITION: DISABILITY STUDIES
• FP 0003 - FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR
• FP 0006 - FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR

Fiction track

Writing courses.

• ENGWRT 0520 - INTRODUCTION TO FICTION WRITING
• ENGWRT 1010 - INTERMEDIATE FICTION
• ENGWRT 1094 - READINGS IN CONTEMPORARY FICTION
• ENGWRT 1710 - SENIOR SEMINAR IN FICTION
• Three additional ENGWRT elective courses

Literature courses

• ENGLIT 0325 - THE SHORT STORY
• Two ENGLIT electives from the list below
• One additional ENGLIT elective at the 1000-level from the list below

Nonfiction track

• ENGWRT 0610 - INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM AND NONFICTION
• ENGWRT 1330 - INTERMEDIATE NONFICTION: SCENE AND POINT-OF-VIEW
• ENGWRT 1390 - READINGS IN CONTEMPORARY NON-FICTION
• ENGWRT 1750 - SENIOR SEMINAR IN NONFICTION
• ENGLIT 0321 - ESSAYS AND MEMOIRS

Poetry track

• ENGWRT 0530 - INTRODUCTION TO POETRY WRITING
• ENGWRT 1210 - POETRY WORKSHOP
• ENGWRT 1290 - READINGS IN CONTEMPORARY POETRY
• ENGWRT 1730 - SENIOR SEMINAR IN POETRY
• ENGLIT 0315 - READING POETRY

English Writing elective courses

Elective courses may be taken in another track if the student wishes.

English Literature approved courses

• ENGLIT 0500 - INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL READING
• ENGLIT 0505 - HOW TO DO THINGS WITH LITERATURE 1
• ENGLIT 0560 - CHILDREN AND CULTURE
• ENGLIT 0562 - CHILDHOOD’S BOOKS
• ENGLIT 0570 - AMERICAN LITERATURE
• ENGLIT 0573 - LITERATURE OF THE AMERICAS
• ENGLIT 0580 - INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEARE
• ENGLIT 0590 - FORMATIVE MASTERPIECES
• ENGLIT 0597 - BIBLE AS LITERATURE
• ENGLIT 0610 - WOMEN AND LITERATURE
• ENGLIT 0616 - EXILES, NOMADS, AND MIGRANTS
• ENGLIT 0625 - DETECTIVE FICTION
• ENGLIT 0626 - SCIENCE FICTION
• ENGLIT 0628 - WORKING CLASS LITERATURE
• ENGLIT 0629 - THE WILD WEST
• ENGLIT 0630 - SEXUALITY AND REPRESENTATION
• ENGLIT 0636 - THE GOTHIC IMAGINATION
• ENGLIT 0640 - ALLEGORY
• ENGLIT 0642 - COMEDY
• ENGLIT 0643 - SATIRE
• ENGLIT 0644 - MYTH AND FOLKTALE
• ENGLIT 0645 - FANTASY
• ENGLIT 0655 - REPRESENTING ADOLESCENCE
• ENGLIT 1020 - HISTORY OF LITERARY CRITICISM
• ENGLIT 1028 - LITERATURE AND PSYCHOANALYSIS
• ENGLIT 1100 - MEDIEVAL IMAGINATION
• ENGLIT 1115 - CHAUCER
• ENGLIT 1125 - MASTERPIECES OF RENAISSANCE LITERATURE
• ENGLIT 1135 - LITERATURE, MEDIA, AND SCIENCE IN THE AGE OF SHAKESPEARE
• ENGLIT 1126 - ADVANCED SHAKESPEARE
• ENGLIT 1127 - SHAKESPEARE ON FILM
• ENGLIT 1128 - SHAKESPEARE’S SEXUALITIES
• ENGLIT 1150 - ENLIGHTENMENT TO REVOLUTION
• ENGLIT 1170 - ROMANTIC NATURE
• ENGLIT 1175 - 19TH CENTURY BRITISH LITERATURE
• ENGLIT 1180 - HUMANS, ANIMALS, MACHINES IN VICTORIAN LITERATURE
• ENGLIT 1181 - VICTORIAN NOVEL
• ENGLIT 1200 - AMERICAN LITERATURE TO 1860
• ENGLIT 1220 - CIVIL WAR TO WORLD WAR 1 IN AMERICAN LITERATURE
• ENGLIT 1272 - THE ROARING 20’S: FROM FARMERS TO FACTORY WORKERS, FROM FLAPPERS TO FINANCIERS
• ENGLIT 1325 - MODERNISM
• ENGLIT 1360 - TOPICS IN 20TH CENTURY LIT
• ENGLIT 1380 - WORLD LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
• ENGLIT 1645 - CRITL APPRCH TO CHILDREN’S LIT
• ENGLIT 1704 - WOMEN NOVELISTS
• ENGLIT 1756 - BALLADS AND BLUES
• ENGLIT 1738 - IRISH LITERATURE

English Writing additional information and requirements

• A minimum grade of C or better (not C-) is required in a 0500-level writing course to advance to the first 1000-level course in that track. Students who earn less than a C in their first 1000-level course may not advance to other courses in that track. Moreover, students must earn a C or better (not C-) grade in their senior seminar or internship course.
• Students are encouraged to take additional writing and literature courses beyond the required minimum. Courses in film studies, women’s studies, business, and technical writing are particularly useful for English writing majors.
• Completion of at least one composition course is required for enrollment in a writing program course.
• ENGWRT 0400 - INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING    and ENGWRT 0411 - INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE NONFICTION     are optional introductory courses and may be taken during the second year by students who have recently declared a major in writing, are seriously considering writing as a major, or are taking their first 0500-level course. ENGWRT 0400    can only count as an elective towards the Writing degree if taken before ENGWRT 0520    or ENGWRT 0530   . Likewise, ENGWRT 0411    may be taken as an elective before ENGWRT 1330 - INTERMEDIATE NONFICTION: SCENE AND POINT-OF-VIEW   .
• There is no limit on the number of courses English majors may take on an S/NC basis, either inside or outside the department.
• English writing majors automatically fulfill Dietrich School requirements for W courses. Students pursuing a second major are required to complete an additional W course for that major.
• Students who contemplate graduate study in English should remember that many schools do require second language competence, sometimes in more than one language.

The English department confers honors on those graduates who maintain a 3.25 overall GPA with a GPA of 3.50 or better in English department courses. The GPA is based on all English department courses, not just those that fulfill major requirements.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

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Extracurriculars.

How to Write the University of Pittsburgh Application Essays 2016-2017

About the university of pittsburgh.

Formerly known as The Pittsburgh Academy, the University of Pittsburgh began as just a small log cabin in 1787. At this time, the young academy was surrounded by miles of wild Pennsylvanian frontier. Over its nearly 250 years of history, the university has endured incredible change and, today, it lies at the center of a bustling, urban city.

The University of Pittsburgh occupies over 130 acres of land — a far cry from its log cabin beginnings — and boasts nearly 30,000 students. These students are lucky to call the university home, as it ranks in the top 10 among all public universities, earning the university great respect as an institution of higher learning.

Over the years, the University of Pittsburgh has racked up a long list of famed alumni. Maybe you’ve heard of the following people: businessman Mark Cuban (think basketball), economist Andrew Mellon (Does Carnegie Mellon ring a bell?), film actor Joe Manganiello (among his films is Spiderman ), and U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (recall the presidential race).

University of Pittsburgh Application Essay Prompts

We here at CollegeVine will walk you through how to craft the 2016–2017 essays in a way that will maximize your shot at getting accepted. Without further ado, the following are this year’s University of Pittsburgh prompts and supporting paragraph.

“The Admissions Committee reviews responses for quality rather than length. However, the most effective responses typically range from 250-500 words in total for all three questions. Responses that are longer or shorter are acceptable. If you decide to submit short answers, please answer all three questions: How have you overcome failure and what did you learn from it? How have you exhibited outstanding leadership Why is Pitt a good choice for you?

Now, it’s time to tackle each essay prompt!

How have you overcome failure…

Step 1: writing the first prompt.

It’s best to split this question into two parts, the first being how you’ve overcome failure and the second about what you’ve learned from it. We’ll begin by dealing with the first part of the question. The wording of this prompt is fairly vague, yet still requires a great deal of detail in its response. For this reason, multiple approaches can be taken to answer this question. Here are some ideas to help you brainstorm your approach to this segment of the essay question:

• You may choose to provide a single example of a time during your life in which you overcame failure.
• You may choose to brainstorm multiple ideas about instances when you overcame failure and find a common theme between all these experiences. Then, you may concentrate your essay on this particular theme.
• You may choose to write an anecdote or metaphorical story that reveals the ways in which you’ve overcome failure; this would require a bit of creativity. For example, let’s suppose that your primary problem was that you were a kid who never seemed to fit in with the others. Perhaps you want to portray yourself as a metaphor of the ugly duckling. Maybe you tried to join the other kids at school in activities, but there was something different or “ugly” about you (in their eyes) that made them shun you. Then, maybe later, you can portray yourself as a metaphor of the beautiful swan after you discuss how you learned how to use your unique differences or “beauty” to be social and happy.
• Many other ideas that were not mentioned here.

Perhaps you would like to write about something that was not covered here. In that case, just make sure that the idea relates to the prompt enough so that admissions readers aren’t forced to make a vague connection. (The prompt is general for a reason, but you should not abuse that power!)

Next, it’s time to brainstorm different instances in which you overcame failure. Search your mind for experiences related to school, your hobbies, interactions with others, etc. in which you faced failure in some way. The possibilities are endless, and you may need to give yourself some time to come up with concrete ideas (which is why it’s important to start early).

If you seem to get stuck somewhere along the way, set your brainstorming list aside and come back to it later. You may even come up with something good for your list randomly throughout the day. Aim for at least five or so items for your list, as this will allow you to have sufficient examples for ideas, theme, and creativity.

With your brainstorming list finished, you may now consider the second part of the question: “What did you learn from it [overcoming failure]?” For each item on your list, try to answer this question in as detailed a way as possible. What did you gain from overcoming a failure in one single instance? Through all the different failures in your life, did you finally realize the core problem you had and solve it — and gain wisdom in the process? Did overcoming failure change you in a major way? These are just some questions to get you started when answering the second part of the question.

Now, think of various connections you can make between the items on your list and the different approaches you are considering for your essay (from Step 1). It may help to create two separate columns — one titled “brainstorming ideas” and the other titled “approaches” — on a sheet of paper. You may choose to draw lines across columns to represent connections between items.

Another way to visualize these connections  is to write a possible approach beside each item from your brainstorming list. Regardless of your preferred method for relating and connecting, you should try to be as specific as possible in naming different approaches for each item you could potentially discuss in your essay.

Now it’s time to finalize the idea and approach that you’ll be using when you craft your essay! Eliminate items and ideas on your list based on criteria such as the following:

• Amount of detail it may provide
• How interesting it will be to readers
• How much the theme/experience meant to you

Now that you have your ideas finalized, it’s time to get cracking on that essay! Remember to apply your creativity and ensure that your tone, diction, and content coalesce into a clear voice.

Begin with a statement that will catch readers’ attention. There are so many ways to do this, including but not limited to the following: plunge readers into the action, write about something seemingly random that then relates to the rest of your essay, or start off with a relevant quotation. Then, craft the body of your essay with what you brainstormed.

Once you’ve done that, tie up your essay and end in a way that is satisfying, memorable, and satisfying. You may choose to do this in the following ways: set your essay into a larger context, reference something you discussed in your first paragraph (your attention-grabber is ideal for this), write a pithy and short final sentence, etc.

As you can see, there are countless ways you can approach the beginning and the end! You may come up with even more ways on your own. Once you are done with your first essay draft, read through it multiple times by yourself for edits . Have teachers, parents, and mentors aid you in your essay editing as well.

How have you exhibited outstanding leadership?

Step 1: writing the second prompt.

The keyword in this essay prompt is “leadership.” Before you even begin brainstorming, it’s best to have a clear idea of what the word means: “leadership” is often defined as the action and ability to lead a group of people or an organization. It is also important to consider the connotations and common associations of the word: guidance, management, passion, power, etc. Try generating your own list of associations that you know with the word “leadership.” What does “leadership” mean in the many ways you’ve heard it or seen it used?

Now that you have an idea of what “leadership” means and encompasses, it’s time to begin brainstorming! Think of the following questions when writing out ideas: During what specific instances in your life have you demonstrated leadership? Do you exhibit leadership very often, maybe even in everyday life? Are you always the first to step up and lead, or does taking a leadership role require you to step out of your comfort zone? When does the leader in you come out strongest or most frequently?

It’s now time to narrow down your brainstormed list and finalize what idea(s) you would like to write about. Eliminate items and ideas on your list based on criteria such as the following:

• How much the leadership experience meant to you

Keep this in mind: Like the last essay prompt, this prompt is a bit vague. It does not ask for a specific instance in which you demonstrated leadership but rather how you’ve demonstrated leadership in a general sense. This vague question opens up a lot of doors for how you may approach your essay, but make sure that there is an unquestionable connection between your response and the original question.

Now that you have your ideas finalized, you may begin writing your essay! See step 6 of question 1 for tips on how to do this, including ways to begin and end your essay.

Why is Pitt a good choice for you?

OVERVIEW : This is your typical “Why this school?” essay. Basically, what you’ll be doing for this prompt is answering why you think the University of Pittsburgh is the school for you. Remember to be as specific as possible throughout the process of crafting this essay.

STEP 1: writing the third prompt

Brainstorming is key for this essay! Why do you hope to attend the University of Pittsburgh? Why is it a good fit for you? Be honest and jot down all the contributing reasons for your interest in the school. Maybe it’s a certain extracurricular activity that compels you to submit your application; maybe it’s a few specific classes that really catch your interest; maybe it’s a renowned professor you’ve been dying to meet and learn from.

Regardless of your reason(s), be as thorough and honest as you can. We advise that you refrain from adding blunt or distasteful reasons for why you want to attend this school (e.g., “I don’t want to attend this college, but my parents are making me apply.”) We recommend that you save your creativity and imagination mostly for the other essays; this is a very standard “Why this school?” essay that typically doesn’t shed as much light on the applicant’s personality as the other two. The answers you brainstorm for this question should be very specific.

Keep in mind that thousands and thousands of applicants will be submitting very similar reasons for wanting to attend this school, so you need to a) stand out and b) seem genuinely interested and knowledgeable about the school.

It is highly recommended that you conduct some research on the school for a very thorough and personal list of reasons for wanting to attend. If you do choose to incorporate research, as most of you likely will, be sure not to sound like a robot reciting researched facts! Be as genuine as possible, and simply use relevant facts to lightly support your reasons for liking the University of Pittsburgh in the first place.

Consider every point you jotted down on the list. By now, you should have a clear idea of the reasons you will incorporate and the clear writing style you will use when writing this essay. You may choose to narrow down and finalize your reasons based on criteria similar to the following:

• How much detail you can provide
• How important the reason is to you personally
• How related the reason is to the rest of the reasons you want to write about

You may also realize at this point that no matter what, some ideas may be hard to weave into your essay due to how common or unspecific they are to the University of Pittsburgh. For example, thousands of students applying to the University of Pittsburgh may say that they are interested in the school for its location in bustling Pittsburgh. Unless you have a compelling personal need to present this interest of yours, you should try to choose a more personal and less common reason to write about.

Once you’ve finalized your reasons, begin writing your essay! Remember to make sure that you project a clear voice with your diction and tone. Generally, try to steer clear of long anecdotes and metaphors in this particular essay; this prompt was not meant to showcase of your writing skills or creativity (save that for the first two essay prompts)!

Even though this essay is relatively straightforward, you may still choose to start with an interesting grabber. This can be done in many ways, including the following: plunge readers into just a bit of action, write about something seemingly random that then relates to the rest of your essay, or begin with a rhetorical question.

Then fill in the body of your essay with what you brainstormed earlier. Once you’ve done this, tie up the ends of your essay and end on a satisfying, final, and memorable note. There are many ways to do this, including the following: speculate about the contents of your essay on a broader scale, reiterate something you discussed in your first paragraph (your introductory statement would be wonderful for this), or write a thought-provoking statement composed of pithy and short words.

There’s countless ways to imagine your beginning and end! Do some more brainstorming to find your own ways to begin or end. Once you are done writing, read through your first essay draft multiple times for edits. Then, have teachers, parents, and mentors aid you in your essay editing for a more complete round of edits.

Now that you have a general idea of how to respond to the University of Pittsburgh’s prompts, it’s time to conduct some research and write. We highly recommend that you don’t procrastinate , even though this seems like a lot of work! Every word and idea counts, and we hope that our guide will help you reach an essay in which each of these simply shines.

In the meantime, you may consider visiting the campus of the University of Pittsburgh to check out the campus and get some inspiration. Good luck on your essay!

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

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• RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
• 17 May 2024

Reading between the lines: application essays predict university success

Analysis of more than 40,000 university application essays found that gradual transitions between chunks of text correlated with higher marks. Credit: Dusan Stankovic/Getty

Aspiring students who wrote content-rich university admission essays were more likely to end up with higher grades in their classes 1 .

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01396-8

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Volume 56 | ISSUE 19: May 17, 2024

Pitt issues third report on esg investment considerations.

By SUSAN JONES

The Office of Finance released its third report on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investment Considerations at Pitt earlier this month.

Pitt’s ESG criteria were developed in 2022 after a report from the Socially Responsible Investment Committee of faculty, students and staff established by then-Chancellor Patrick Gallagher. This review was largely prompted by ongoing complaints about the University’s holdings in fossil fuel-related businesses.

The Board of Trustees subsequently developed a socially responsible investment policy and formed the ad hoc committee on fossil fuels. That committee recommended in 2021 that Pitt stay the course to reduce private holdings in fossil fuel-related businesses in the consolidated endowment fund to zero by the end of 2035.

The consolidated endowment fund was $5.5 billion at the end of the 2022-23 fiscal year.

The ESG reports serve to update the consolidated endowment fund’s exposure to fossil fuels. The 2024 report found that holdings in fossil fuels increased from 8.1 percent as of June 30, 2022, to 8.2 percent on June 30, 2023.

This increase, the report said, was the result of fluctuations in public fund holdings, which are outside the University’s direct control, and more clarity about what is in those holdings. The University has not made any direct investment in fossil fuel companies or new commitments to fossil fuel funds in more than three years.

In addition, external investment managers that currently oversee about 93 percent of the consolidated endowment fund have formal ESG policies in place or take ESG considerations into account when making investments. This is up from 87 percent the previous year.

Holdings in fossil fuels decreased from 10 percent of the endowment in 2015 to 5.9 percent as of June 30, 2021.

The Office of Finance does not typically make direct investments in individual operating companies, instead preferring to invest in funds managed by third-party investment managers who are responsible for selecting the underlying holdings, the report said, and the timeframe over which the consolidated endowment fund’s private investment managers liquidate the investments is generally not within the University’s control.

Jeffrey Choudhry told Pittwire that, “Pitt was one of the first universities to publish an ESG report for its endowment. With this third report, it remains our goal to enhance awareness and understanding regarding the endowment’s investment practices.”

The full report, along with links to the 2022 and 2023 reports and other related documents, can be found on the Office of Finance website .

Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at [email protected] or 724-244-4042.

Have a story idea or news to share?  Share  it with the University Times.

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