Transfer Student Questions and Answers
Q. What Are Some of the Unique Features of the College of General Studies (CGS)?
A. Students enrolled in CGS have access to the academic, co-curricular, and student service opportunities available to every University of Pittsburgh student. As an added service, CGS offers classes structured to meet the varied needs of a more diverse student population who may be working full- or part-time and have other responsibilities such as career or family.
When registering, CGS students may take advantage of a wide range of days and times from which to select their classes. Students can choose traditional morning and afternoon times as well as evening and Saturday classes that meet once per week. Some students combine day and evening classes, while others prefer day or evening only. CGS career and academic support services, financial aid, advising, and registration staff are available during day and evening hours to meet the needs of all students.
Q. What Degrees and Majors Are Available through CGS?
A. CGS offers ten degrees exclusive to CGS: administration of justice, dental hygiene, health services, humanities, legal studies, liberal studies, media and professional communications, natural sciences, public service, and social sciences.
Q. If I Enroll in CGS, What Degree of Flexibility Do I Have to Transfer Later to Another Pitt School?
A. Entering Pitt through CGS can prepare you for transfer to one of the other nine undergraduate colleges or schools at the University. You can discuss your interests with an academic advisor who will help you enroll for the prerequisite classes appropriate to our pre-professional programs like business, education, engineering, nursing, pharmacy, health and rehabilitation sciences, information sciences and social work.
Transfer admission to the School of Arts and Sciences (A&S) may be requested after completing 24 credits and achieving at least a 2.0 grade point average. If you plan to declare an A&S major at some later point, you must transfer to A&S before you earn a total of 90 Pitt and transfer credits combined.
Transfer to pre-professional programs requires completion of a specific number of preparatory classes. Grade point average requirements vary, as do the terms for which admission is possible and the number of credits needed for transfer. Your academic advisor can apprise you of the different admissions criteria for each of the pre-professional programs.
Q. Are There Off-Campus Housing Facilities?
A. If you wish to stay in off-campus housing, you may use the services of the Department of Property Management and/or the Housing Resource Center. The Department of Property Management assists students who wish to learn about housing in primarily University owned off-campus apartments, while the Housing Resource Center specializes in information on non-University housing opportunities. These offices are located in the ground floor of Ruskin Hall, at 127 North Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213, and can be reached at 412-624-9900.
Q. What Kinds of Dining Options Are Available for University of Pittsburgh Students?
A. A variety of dining plans are available to both on-campus residents and commuters. Each plan is designed to meet the needs of individual eating habits, tastes, and schedules. Additional options are available through Choice Dollars, which allow students to use a debit-card system to pay for meals both on campus and at local, approved restaurants. For more information, call the Department of Food Services at 412-648-2164.
*Note: students who apply on a timely basis and are eligible for need-based financial aid will be considered for additional aid resources to assist them with the added costs of meal plans and living on campus or in an apartment.
Q. Are There Special Incentives for University of Pittsburgh Students to Use Public Transportation to and from Campus?
A. Yes! University of Pittsburgh students, with valid student IDs, may ride free of charge on any Port Authority of Allegheny County bus, light rail vehicle, or incline within Allegheny County, seven days a week, 365 days a year!
Q. Can You Tell Me About Parking and Ridesharing?
A. If you live in Pittsburgh or the surrounding Allegheny County area, we recommend that you utilize public transportation, as described in the above question. It is definitely the easiest and most cost-effective way to access the University. However, if you wish to inquire about on-campus parking, contact the University of Pittsburgh Parking Office, 204 Brackenridge Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260. The Parking Office can also be reached at 412-624-4034. You may also wish to investigate Ridesharing; call 412-624 0687 to learn about this program.
Q. What Student Activities Are Available?
A. There are close to 300 clubs and organizations available to University of Pittsburgh students. In addition, students have access to athletic facilities like the Petersen Events Center, Trees Hall and the Cost Center, on-campus films, concerts, and guest speakers, use of the Career Service Center, and all of the other programs, services, and resources provided to students on the Pittsburgh campus.
Q. How Is Safety on Campus?
A. Pittsburgh is rated one of the safest cities of its size in the United States. However, as in any environment, you need to exercise common sense in your day-to-day activities. If you would like to receive a safety and security brochure that describes safety and security policies at the University, as well as campus crime statistics for the past three years, you can write to:
Campus Safety Information
Mailing Services
University of Pittsburgh
480 Melwood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Or, you can access For Safety's Sake information from www.pitt.edu/~safety
.
Q. Who Can Provide More Information?
College of General Studies (CGS)
4th Floor, Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-6600
E-mail: cgs+@pitt.edu
www.cgs.pitt.edu
