There’s more than one way to complete some of the admissions application steps. We hope you’ll find this tip sheet helpful, but as always, call us at 412-624-PITT(7488) or e-mail us if you have questions.

1. Arrange to have your official high school transcript sent to the University of Pittsburgh Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (OAFA), or ask to have it faxed directly from your guidance office.

   University of Pittsburgh
   Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
   Alumni Hall, 4227 Fifth Avenue
   Pittsburgh, PA 15260
   
   OAFA fax number: 412-624-8184

   • Go to your high school guidance office to arrange this.
   • Be sure to provide OAFA’s full mailing address and/or fax number, with area code. Giving your counselor a postage-paid, stamped envelope along with your request may speed up the process.
   • Some high schools require that you fill out a form to request a transcript.
     
     Note: Initially, we’ll accept a transcript faxed directly from your high school, but we will need a mailed copy of your final, official transcript after graduation if you enroll at the University.
   
   

2. Forward your official SAT I or ACT test result(s) to OAFA.

   • If you listed Pitt as a recipient college when you signed up for the test, we’ll get it electronically unless there’s a problem, like an incorrect social security number.
   • Even if your test results are on your high school transcript, we’ll need an official copy of every test result. To arrange that, contact College Board for the SAT I and/or American College Testing Program for the ACT. The contact information and Pitt’s identifying code numbers are below (Note: there is a fee):

     SAT I # 2927
     www.collegeboard.com/testing
     609-771-7600
     
     ACT # 3734
     www.act.org/aap/scores
     319-337-1313

   • Send all your scores—we take your highest verbal and highest math SAT I subscores and put them together for your score. The new writing subscore will be used in a supplemental way, as separate information, when needed by the Admissions Committee.
   
   

3. Pay an application fee of $45 in one of the following ways:

   • Send a check or money order, payable to the University of Pittsburgh, to OAFA. Note on the check that it is for an application fee, and include the student's name and/or the student's social security number so we'll be sure to apply it to the right application. Please do not send cash.
   • Pay online with a Visa or Master Card.
   • Call OAFA and pay over the phone with a Visa or MasterCard.

The personal essay is optional. However, applications are reviewed individually by the Admissions Committee, and you are your own best advocate. You should definitely submit a personal essay if you want:

1. Scholarship consideration
2. Guaranteed admission to a graduate/professional program
3. Special consideration in the admission process due to extenuating circumstances affecting a term's grades
4. The Admissions Committee to review more than just your high school transcript and college entrance examination results

Likewise, while not required, one to three letter(s) of recommendation from a person or persons who know you well can help us get to know you better.

Wondering whether we’ve received something you've sent? You can check online to see whether your credentials have been received and posted at my.pitt.edu using the log-in information we send to each student who applies for admission.

Misplaced your log-in information? You can either retrieve it here or just contact the staff person who is preparing your application for committee, below.

Select the appropriate contact person, based on the first letter of your last name, below.