Since the Fat Letters recently went out to the incoming class of 2021, I thought I would share some of what I think are CMU’s strengths and weaknesses based off of my freshman year experiences.
Weaknesses:
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Not sleeping is like a competition. People here are always bragging about the limited amount of sleep they get because they are just so busy. This is an unhealthy trap, so don’t fall into it. Instead, brag about something you should be proud of like how much sleep you get. Sleeping is what will keep your mind fresh and active, so please try to get more of it!
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People are obsessed over getting jobs and internships. This is fine, but most of the time it’s too excessive. I understand that jobs and money are important, but constantly stressing about what company will hire you your freshman year just makes you sound overprivileged.
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There are many atheists on campus that critique your religious beliefs (This point only applies to people who are religious). This of course is fine because everyone has the right to believe in what they choose, however you may find them openly mocking your religion and picking it apart, which is really hurtful, so you just have to be prepared and develop a thick skin.
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Everything’s a competition. Students will constantly complain about how much of a workload they have, but that is usually their way of saying that they are taking harder classes than you. This is something you just have to accept and tune out.
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If you’re not a STEM major, you’re not considered “smart.” Unfortunately, in a school that focuses so much of its energy on math and sciences, the humanities are often shamed. Dietrich is a really great school that is too often overlooked and it’s truly upsetting when certain majors in Dietrich are embarrassed of their college or think that they deserve to be in a better school like Tepper. Props to you if you are a Dietrich kid because we take a lot of intentional and unintentional jabs aimed at the careers we wish to pursue.
Strengths:
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Orientation. Orientation will be your most memorable week spent here at CMU. Our orientation program is top of the line and you get to meet so many people, but don’t be nervous. The fun part about Orientation is that everyone is trying to meet people and make new friends, so it’s totally not weird to go up and introduce yourself to someone else. You can meet some of your best friends during this week, but no pressure.
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Learning! The faculty and staff here are one of a kind and incredibly intelligent. I encourage you to take classes outside of your major too! Who knows? you might discover a new passion. Although classes can be stressful at times, the amount of things you can learn is a semester is truly amazing.
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Our Campus! CMU has a really beautiful campus and it’s great because everything is relatively close to each other, so you don’t have to walk too far when it’s cold out. Pitt is just down Forbes Ave and has plenty of great restaurants and Shadyside is within walking distance.
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You find your people. People here are really great apart from the weaknesses mentioned above. Because there are so many different types of people who go to CMU, you are sure to find a good friend group. There are plenty of organizations that you can get involved with if you want to meet new people.
- Growing as a person. You grow a lot in your first year of college because you discover how you want to be viewed by others. Also, freshman year is a whole new slate in your life, so you can practically start over if you want, which gives you room to try new things. I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone in your first year here because those things might not be as scary as they seem.