Applying to college can seem like a daunting task. At Pitt-Johnstown our goal is to take some of the worry and anxiety out of the process for you and your family. We’ve all been there and we look forward to helping you take the next step.
Application Process & Review
To be considered for admission, applicants must submit:
- Application for Admission (Fee waived)
- Official High School Transcript, Self-reported Transcript Academic Record System (STARS is available on the On-Line Application for Admission), or GED. Transcripts can be submitted to upjadmit@pitt.edu or through our Transcript Upload Form.
Optional items include:
- Standardized Exam Scores (SAT or ACT)
- SAT (2934)
- ACT (3735)
- Letter(s) of Recommendation
- Essay
Upon receipt of your completed application for admission and required materials, your application is routed to an Admissions Counselor for initial review. Applicants will be notified of their decision via email and direct postal mail (US residents). In situations where a student is not offered a seat in a particular academic program, they may be offered admission to Pitt-Johnstown as an Undeclared student, or offered admission to another academic program. Regardless, all students enrolled at Pitt-Johnstown will receive the support and advising to meet their academic, personal, and career goals.
Highly qualified applicants may be considered for early admission to select University of Pittsburgh graduate programs through our Guaranteed Admission Program.
Test Optional Policy
Freshman applicants may choose whether or not to submit SAT and/or ACT scores for admission. Pitt-Johnstown bases its admission decision on the whole student, with emphasis placed on the quality of work reflected in your high school transcript. Our goal is to predict a student's potential for success in their chosen academic program.
Academic Requirements
The tables below detail the high school coursework that must be completed or in progress to be considered for admission to academic programs in one of our seven Academic Divisions and Undeclared students.
- Business & Enterprise, Education, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Respiratory Care/Surgical Technology, and Undeclared
Subject Units Required Units Preferred English 4 Laboratory Science 1 2 Algebra 2 Geometry 1 Foreign Language 2 (same language) Social Sciences 4 - Engineering & Computer Science
Subject Units Required Units Preferred English 4 Chemistry 1 Algebra 2 Physics 1 Plane Geometry 1 Trigonometry .5 1 Calculus 1 Foreign Language 2 (same language) Social Studies 4 Pre-calculus 1 While test-optional for students applying for Fall 2021 and beyond, historical competitive standardized test scores for admission to Pitt-Johnstown Engineering programs have been 1100 or higher SAT (critical reading & math) 22 or higher ACT (composite)
- Nursing
Subject Units Required Units Preferred English 4 Chemistry 1 Laboratory Science 2 Algebra 2 Academic Math 2 Foreign Language 2 (same language) Social Studies 3 4 While test-optional for students applying for Fall 2021 and beyond, historical competitive standardized test scores for admission to the Pitt-Johnstown Nursing program have been:
1130 or higher SAT (critical reading and math) 23 or higher ACT (composite)
Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I apply?
Pitt-Johnstown operates on a rolling admissions process, which means that decisions are made as applications arrive. The Admissions committee typically begins to make decisions on applications beginning in September of a student's senior year. As a result, that is the optimal time to apply for admission, though we accept applications at any time.
- What does Pitt-Johnstown like to see in a prospective student?
The Pitt-Johnstown Admissions committee welcomes well-rounded students, both academically and personally. We consider each application carefully, looking beyond the numbers, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the student. Academic performance is first and foremost, including all high school coursework. SAT, and/or ACT scores are optional for students applying for Fall 2021 and beyond. We look at grades from 9th to 11th - and beyond - as an assessment of each student's capabilities. In addition to academics, involvement in clubs, community service, sports, or leadership roles will be taken into account, though they are not a requirement.
To keep yourself on the correct path in high school, we've included charts to illustrate what coursework all prospective Pitt-Johnstown students need to complete. Most college-bound high school students will complete these requirements as a matter of course, however it's wise to double-check, especially for engineering and nursing applicants.
- What are the admission requirements for specific majors?
Admission requirements, specifically the classes taken in high school, differ for, Engineering, and Nursing. The tables above identify the admissions requirements for selected programs.
- When will I be notified of a decision?
The Admissions staff at Pitt-Johnstown prides themselves on the quick turn-around time from application to decision, provided that we have received all of the required information to complete your file. You will be notified promptly if any additional documents are needed.
Once all materials are received, the Admissions Committee will review your file and, in order to make sure the good news is received, notify you of our decision via:
- Acceptance Notification Email to the email address provided on the Application for Admission
- Official Acceptance Packet via US Mail
- Should I meet with an Admissions Counselor?
Unless specifically requested, meeting with a member of the Admissions staff is not required; however, we strongly encourage prospective and admitted students to schedule a campus visit. This includes a full campus tour and an admissions interview, which is an excellent time to ask questions about the campus, your application, majors, and the admissions and financial aid process.
If you are interested in scheduling a campus visit, please contact the Admissions Welcome Center at 1-855-LIKE-UPJ.
- Can I earn credit for Advanced Placement (AP) classes?
Students who take the AP (Advanced Placement) test are encouraged to send their results to the Admissions Welcome Center for a full analysis of college credit equivalency. Pitt-Johnstown will accept a score of 3 or better. You will receive college credits and your AP score may exempt you from certain courses. The AP Guidelines page offers a general overview. For more information, contact the Registrar's Office.
