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The PittAdvantage provides undergraduate students who have completed the Outside of the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) financial assistance for a study abroad experience, an unpaid internship, or service learning project. This grant is designed to enhance the college experience of students and directly links to the purpose of the OCC: helping students receive a well-rounded education and ultimately gain a competitive edge for the job marketplace or graduate/professional school.
Past PittAdvantage Grant Recipient, Brett Curtis, studied abroad in Timor-Leste. Above he is showing his Pitt Pride with the Topu Honis kids that he met.
The overwhelming majority of every college student's experience takes place outside of the classroom. The OCC is a University-wide initiative and co-curricular program that is designed to help students receive a well-rounded education and gain skills needed for employment or graduate school. The OCC is a collection of experiences, programs, and events at Pitt that help students to make the most of their collegiate experience. Open to all Pitt students, regardless of major or career path, the OCC helps students develop highly desirable character traits and life skills. (Check out our different funding levels to the right to see the 10 OCC goal areas!)
By engaging in a wide range of programs and experiences connected to the OCC, students will:
Past PittAdvantage Grant Recipient, Taylor Giambrone, participated in service learning in Las Salinas, Nicaragua. Above she is shown outside of the FIMRC Clinic that she served with.
Employers and graduate schools value well-rounded students who demonstrate initiative and drive. Students who are awarded the PittAdvantage Grant are part of the top 10% of students who complete the OCC. The PittAdvantage is a grant program that provides financial assistance to these undergraduate students for either a study abroad experience, an unpaid internship, or service learning project. This is the fourth year that we will be awarding this grant to students with the goal of helping to alleviate costs associated with these invaluable learning experiences. The purpose of the grant expands upon the mission of the OCC - to help students receive a well-rounded education that ultimately sets them apart in the job marketplace or graduate/professional school.
In the past, The PittAdvantage grant has helped 85 Pitt students study abroad, intern, or participate in service learning in 35 different countries.
Past PittAdvantage Grant Recipient, Brandon McCracken, studied abroad in San Joaquin de Flores, Costa Rica. Above he is shown assisting researchers with turtle eggs at Pacuare Nature Reserve.
Funds raised through this campaign will provide direct support for students who are participating in a study abroad program, service learning experience, or an unpaid internship. Our goal this year is to raise $7,500, which will provide 5 scholarships of $1,500 to those student who have gone above and beyond outside of the classroom. While modest, this amount can provide the crucial difference to our undergraduates -- covering costs of airfare, housing, personal expenses, and other associated program fees. Awardees will be chosen based on seriousness of purpose, leadership and initiative, and goals.
Past PittAdvantage Grant Recipient, Jacob O'Neal, studied abroad in Cusco, Peru. Above he is shown sporting his OCC Honorary Society sweatshirt by the Moray Terraces.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR PAGE! YOUR DONATION LITERALLY MEANS THE WORLD TO OUR STUDENTS!!
Integrate an awareness of personal skills, abilities, values, and beliefs into the development of identity, a sense of purpose, and management of self.
Develop effective oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
Become conscious of the needs of others and commit to civic engagement and community service.
Gain knowledge, skills, and experience to lead others in achieving a common goal.
Understand diverse cultures and grow informed about issues that impact people, society, and nations.
Gain knowledge, skills, and experience to be competitive in obtaining employment or acceptance into graduate or professional school.
Improve knowledge, behaviors, and habits conducive to health and financial wellness.
Develop a personal definition of art derived from knowledge and experience. **Also, a donation at this level funds one grant!! THANK YOU!!!! :)
Develop a sense of belonging to the University and become engaged in the spirit and purpose of the community.
Conceptualize an ambitious goal and complete tasks needed to successfully achieve the goal.