Prospective Students - Admissions - Getting to the School of Medicine

Getting to the School of Medicine

The University of Pittsburgh is headquartered in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh. The School of Medicine is housed inside Scaife Hall, located at 3550 Terrace Street, across from the School of Dental Medicine and the Petersen Events Center.

The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is in Room 518 Scaife Hall. See this map for location detail: www.pitt.edu/~nisg/maps/S/scaif.html.

The most convenient parking is right next door in the Biomedical Science Tower: www.pitt.edu/~nisg/maps/B/bstwr.html

By Air

The Pittsburgh International Airport is located approximately 18 miles west of the University of Pittsburgh. From there, you can take a bus, a shuttle, or a cab.

Port Authority (PAT) - 28X Airport Flyer Bus
Telephone: (412) 442-2000
Web site: www.ridegold.com
Cheaper than cab or shuttle service, this public transportation shuttle bus travels from the airport to any Oakland hotel, for a fee of $2.25 each way. It is easily accessed at the airport and on campus. If you take this bus from the airport, and are staying at the Shadyside Inn, get off at Fifth and Oakland Avenues. Then take a PAT bus # 500 or 71D, ($1.75 one way) to continue out Fifth Avenue to the Shadyside Inn at Fifth and Aiken Avenues.

Express Shuttle USA
Telephone: (412) 321-4990
Web site: www.coachusa.com
Located in the baggage claim area of the airport terminal. For applicants staying at Shadyside Inn, ask the shuttle driver if he/she will take you directly to the Inn; they are usually accommodating at off-peak hours. If not, the best option is to take the shuttle to the Holiday Inn Select and call Yellow Cab at (412) 665-8100 ($24.00 one way, $48.00 round trip), or follow the Port Authority public transportation bus instructions, above, to the Shadyside Inn.

Yellow Cab
Telephone: (412) 321-8100
Available to and from the airport, at about $40.00 one way. Call to make arrangements or for more information.

By Car

Detailed directions are shown below. You may also want to try one of the numerous online point-to-point driving direction services (e.g. www.yahoo.com) for directions right from your doorstep.

From the East — Cars traveling from the east via the PA Turnpike (I-76) should take Exit 57 to I-376 West. From I-376 take Exit 3B, Oakland (University of Pittsburgh). Turn slight right onto Bates Street. Stay on Bates Street through the first traffic light and through the bend. Turn left onto McKee Place. Stay on McKee Place which turns into Darragh Street when crossing Forbes Avenue. Follow Darragh Street up the hill several blocks. Turn right on Terrace Street. Follow Terrace Street 1.5 blocks. Scaife Hall is located on the right side of street across from the Petersen Event Center.

From the West — Cars traveling from the west via the PA Turnpike (I-76) should take Exit 28 and follow I-79 South to I-279 South. (You exit to the left off I-79.) Follow I-279 toward the city, to the I-376 Monroeville Exit. Follow I-376 to the Forbes Avenue/Oakland Exit. Forbes Avenue leads right into the Pitt Campus. From Forbes Avenue turn left on Oakland Avenue (Gus Miller Newsstand on left). Oakland Avenue turns into DeSoto Street. Follow DeSoto Street to top of the hill, Scaife Hall is on the left side of hill, past UPMC Presby Emergency entrance.

From the North — Take I-79 South to I-279 South. (You exit to the left off I-79.) Follow I-279 to I-579, to the I-376 Monroeville Exit. Follow I-376 to the Forbes Avenue/Oakland Exit. Forbes Avenue leads right into the Pitt Campus. From Forbes Avenue turn left on Oakland Avenue (Gus Miller Newsstand on left). Oakland Avenue turns into DeSoto Street. Follow DeSoto Street to top of the hill, Scaife Hall is on the left side of hill, past UPMC Presby Emergency entrance.

From the South, including Pittsburgh International Airport — Merge onto PA 60S toward Pittsburgh 16 miles to I-279 North. Follow I-279 through the Fort Pitt Tunnels and across the bridge to the I-376 Monroeville Exit (first exit on the right). Follow I-376 to the Forbes Avenue/Oakland Exit. Forbes Avenue leads right into the Pitt Campus. From Forbes Avenue turn left on Oakland Avenue (Gus Miller Newsstand on left). Oakland Avenue turns into DeSoto Street. Follow DeSoto Street to top of the hill, Scaife Hall is on the left side of hill, past UPMC Presby Emergency entrance.

By Rail

Amtrak (800-872-7245 in western PA) has two eastbound, two westbound and one southbound train each day. Connections can be made in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. The Amtrak station is located at 1100 Liberty Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh. A cab to Oakland will cost about $8.00 one way.

By Bus

Greyhound (800-231-2222) offers service to Pittsburgh. A cab to Oakland will cost about $8.00 one way.

By Cab

Both Yellow Cab (412-321-8100) and Peoples Cab (412-441-5334) provide service to the Oakland area. Fares to and from downtown are approximately $8, and fares to and from the airport are approximately $40.

Hotel Accommodations

A number of hotels service the university neighborhood of Oakland, a five-minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh. Downtown and the adjacent riverfront offer all the hotel choices of a major city. A variety of bed and breakfast accommodations can be found in the adjacent neighborhoods of Shadyside and South Side. Here are just a few:

Shadyside Inn
Telephone: (412) 441-4444
Toll Free: (800) 767-8483
Web site: http://www.shadysideinn.com
Located approximately 1.5 miles east of Oakland on the corner of Fifth and Aiken Avenues. It is easily accessible via van service or public transportation. Reduced student rate available by mentioning the code “2001CB.” (Note: A number of Pitt med students live in Shadyside.)

Residence Inn by Marriott
University/Medical Center
Telephone: (412) 621-2200
Toll Free: (800) 331-3131
Web site: http://www.marriott.com/PITRO
Located in Oakland a few minutes from campus on Bigelow Boulevard. Reduced student rate available by identifying yourself as a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine applicant.

Hampton Inn at Playhouse Square
Telephone: (412) 681-1000
Toll Free: (800) 426-7866
Web site: http://www.pittsburghhamptoninn.com
Located in Oakland on the corner of Craft Avenue and Boulevard of the Allies. Reduced student rate available by identifying yourself as a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine applicant.

Quality Inn University Center
Telephone: (412) 683-6100
Toll Free: (800) 245-4444
Fax: (412) 682-6115
Web site: http://www.choicehotels.com
Located in Oakland on the corner of Halket Street and Boulevard of the Allies. Reduced student rate available by asking for the intern rate.

Holiday Inn Select at University Center
Telephone: (412) 682-6200
Toll Free: (800) 864-8287
Web site: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/pitsp
Located in Oakland on Lytton Avenue between Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard. Reduced student rate available by identifying yourself as a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine applicant.

Wyndham Garden Hotel
Telephone: (412) 683-2040
Toll Free: (877) 662-6242
Web site: http://www.pittsburghpawyndham.com
Located in Oakland on the corner of McKee Place and Forbes Avenue. Reduced Student Rate available by mentioning that you are visiting the University of Pittsburgh.

Student Hosting

Student hosting is available to those selected for an interview. Information on the student hosting program will be provided along with the interview invitation.