As prospective students consider their educational paths, firsthand experiences can be invaluable. Students may have expectations that don’t quite line up with reality. Now that we’re a month into the fall term, we gathered insights from seven new students at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS) about their journey so far. Read what Madi, Paige, Taylor, Zack, Morgan, Courtney, and Abbey had to say about their expectations, experiences, and the unique atmosphere at PIMS.

How Touring Can Impact Expectations

Before making the decision to enroll, all seven respondents participated in tours of the school, just as all new students do. The overwhelming consensus was that PIMS represented itself well during these visits. Students noticed the staff was passionate and depicted what to expect from the program in an honest and authentic way. Many of the students felt the tours provided a clear picture of what to expect from the school, and they could already tell that it would be a supportive environment.

One of the respondents of the form, Abbey, had this to say: “Getting the tour from someone who knew the building so well and getting to see students in the actual learning environment helped to give a good idea and accurate representation of what life at PIMS is like.”

Another student, Courtney, said, “I’ve been on college tours before and they never went too much in depth like PIMS. I could tell everyone is passionate about what they do, and they want you to succeed.”

Academic Expectations: Ready for the Challenge

As they prepared for their first day, students had varying expectations about the academic workload. Many of the students who responded to our questions said that they were concerned that they would have an intense and difficult workload. 

In reality, the way the student’s felt about the workload is split. Some students think that it is much easier than they expected, but others find it to be much harder. Morgan was somewhere in the middle saying, “Some days I find the studying and assignments incredibly challenging and some days I find myself getting through everything with ease.” 

Building Connections: Peers and Community

Entering a new academic environment can be daunting, but students shared their experiences of finding a supportive community at PIMS. All seven of the students who participated in the first term interview stated that they felt accepted as they are, with Courtney saying, “Everyone has been really welcoming, and I feel like I have found my people.” 

All seven of the students also said that they noticed similarities between themselves and other students, and because of these similarities have even made some friends. Morgan said, “This is a tough field. I think we are all leaning on each other a little as we embark on this.”

Engaging with Instructors and Staff

The expectations students had regarding instructors were also met with positive outcomes. Many students thought their instructors would be tough and serious, and while some felt that there are still more serious instructors, others are more relaxed than they expected. 

Abbey enjoys the science courses, noting Ms. Cush’s specifically. “Some of the instructors are more on the serious side, but others like to joke throughout the lesson and engage in a little bit of a more relatable way.” 

Zack gave a rundown of his thoughts, noting that Mr. Ricci seems to be a bit more serious and Dr. Lease’s Gerontology class seems more centralized on open discussion. “He will often go over a topic and then we will spend time sharing our thoughts as a class. I think both of the teaching styles contrast beautifully. For one portion of my day, I am able to sit quietly while I listen and take notes. For the other portion, we’re encouraged to pick our brains and talk about the lesson.”

The supportive staff at PIMS goes beyond educational instructors. The admission advisor, Ms. Cecilia, and administrative coordinator, Mrs. Sproull also received praise from students. 

“Ms. Cecilia is incredibly helpful, as is Mrs. Sproull. They both go above and beyond to ensure that you adjust well and if you don’t, they are there with open arms to talk to you and figure out what works best for you,” said Paige.

Zack also praised the administrative staff saying, “I would like to say that all of the staff on the administrative team do a fantastic job. They are all very easy to talk to, and always encourage students to interact. It wouldn’t be PIMS without the administrative team.”

A Vibrant School Atmosphere

Students also praised PIMS’ overall vibe. They really appreciated how welcoming of an environment there was. A few students also loved how the building of the school itself has such a rich history. 

In contrast with students loving the age of the building, Madi said, “The lunchroom on the second floor gives off cold and sad vibes.” Fortunately, the school is expecting many renovations in the future, adding on to what they’ve already updated, such as their latest remodeling of the prep room. While PIMS loves to embrace their rich history, they also recognize that continuous growth and improvement is vital in the industry. The institute always strives to incorporate the latest technology and continues to update their facilities.

Despite this, though, students notice the welcoming and supportive environment. Morgan said that the overall vibe was fairly relaxed. “Everyone here seems to know what we are in for (this can be a tough field) but I don’t feel stressed when I arrive. I think because we are all familiar with what will be expected, we try our best to keep a lightness to the day to day. It certainly helps seeing Sydney regularly.”

Abbey responded by saying she felt 100% accepted as she is. “I think us being here all together shows we must have similar core values, and I have seen other students and spoken with other students who have similar interests as me which helps coming to school be easy and holds back the dread.”

Regarding the school’s supportive environment, Zack said, “Staff and students are both very accepting of differences. As a trans man, I was very nervous to start fresh in a new place. However, no one made me feel different or ostracized. Everyone is very respectful about my identity as well as others.”

Looking Ahead: Life in the Funeral Service

Looking forward, students expressed eagerness for hands-on learning experiences in upcoming terms, particularly in classes focused on embalming and restorative arts. Zack mentioned being excited for Restorative Art and embalming clinicals specifically.

Most of the students are eager to make a difference in the lives of families in various ways. Paige stated about her future in funeral service, “I am most excited to make arrangements. I love to decorate so helping families pick what suits them best and helping that dream come alive is going to be amazing.” 

Advice for Future Students

For those who are considering attending PIMS, students offered some valuable advice. They encouraged potential applicants to ask questions, be prepared for a challenging academic experience, and embrace the supportive community that PIMS provides. Many noted that while the journey might be arduous, the rewards of the funeral service career make it worth it in the end.

Taylor provided some simple yet effective advice to anyone interested in PIMS: “Be prepared to study a ton and be busy!” 

Final Thoughts

The insights shared by the new students at PIMS paint a picture of nurturing and engaging educational environment. PIMS aims to make their school not only educational, but also embrace a fun environment. It houses two beloved animals, Sydney, the service dog, and Jessica, the PIMS office hamster.

If you’re considering a path in funeral service, PIMS might just be the right choice for you.

P.S. Ms. Cecilia says thank you for the ego boost and adds, “You all deserve A’s. I’ll tell Mr. Entenmann.”