Daryl Burleigh, a recruiter for the University of Pittsburgh, travels across rural Pennsylvania to connect with prospective students and their families. Growing up in Wayne County and spending time on his uncle’s dairy farm, Burleigh brings personal experience to his role as he visits high schools and attends college fairs throughout the state.
“I fell in love with admissions because it gives me the ability to get out and meet and talk with people,” said Burleigh. “It’s my favorite part of the job.”
Burleigh explained that his approach is not about persuading every student to attend Pitt. Instead, he focuses on helping students decide if the university is right for them. “Some people have a misconception that admissions counselors are trying to convince everybody to go to their school. What I tell students is, ‘I am your go-to person for all things Pitt, and I’m here to help you determine if Pitt is the best fit for you.’”
He noted that rural students are often grouped together but come from diverse backgrounds. Some are first-generation college hopefuls from small schools with limited resources, while others have family support and guidance through the application process. Despite these differences, many face similar challenges when transitioning from tight-knit communities to an urban campus.
“I always recommend that students visiting the Pittsburgh campus from eastern Pennsylvania spend the night and explore the city a little. A lot of them think Pittsburgh is basically like Philly but on the other side of the state. But no, it’s a much different city.”
Burleigh described Pitt as offering both large-scale opportunities and a sense of community: “Pitt’s first-year retention rate is well above the national average,” he said. “So even if students don’t have that feeling initially, I think if they stick around and get comfortable, they’ll feel at home. We have a lot of supports here to help them.”
The University of Pittsburgh also offers programs like Partners for Rural Student Success Impact and Mobility Project (PRSSIM) aimed at supporting rural students throughout their academic journey.
