<p>The Sleeping Bad Weekend program seems like a good way to acquaint myself with Carnegie Mellon, and see if the school would be a good choice for me to aim for. However, I've run into a bit of a problem.</p>
<p>I can't drive to CMU because of the distance. I've looked into trains and buses, and nothing fits the schedule I need to follow.</p>
<p>Looking at planes for transportation, then, I seem to have two options from all of the airlines I've checked:
1) Take a late-night flight on Saturday night, arrive at Pittsburgh International Airport around 11 PM, and have nowhere to go over night until the morning when registration starts.
2) Take a morning flight on Sunday morning, arrive at the airport around 11 AM, get to CMU later than the registration time and earliest events.</p>
<p>So...if I do the first option, do you think I'd be able to find some place to go for the rest of the night while I wait? And if I do the second option, will I be able to catch up on anything I missed (if the November 11 schedule is similar to the October 7, that would be Registration (!), Campus Tour, Welcoming Remarks, and possibly part of Welcoming Luncheon)? I'm particularly worried about missing the Registration slot...would I still be able to participate in anything, and would this hurt me later on for specific college presentations? I'd really like to see anything that SCS wants to show.</p>
<p>I've tried contacting CMU about this via the email listed on the Sleeping Bag Weekend website, but I never received a reply (the email was sent roughly two weeks ago, I believe). I'm hesitant to use the phone contact number as I'm extremely phone shy, but I need to get my travel arrangements locked in as soon as possible.</p>
<p>There is a Hotel right at the airport, I believe it's a Hyatt, you could stay at the first night.</p>
<p>I agree, since you're going through the expense and trouble of flying there, I'd spend the night at an airport hotel or motel so you won't miss any of the program. There are a number of places at or near the airport that may be less expensive than the Hyatt. If you have a reservation, most places will have free transportation from the terminal to the h/motel...just call them after you gather your luggage. Then if I'm not mistaken there's a free bus to CMU.</p>
<p>I don't know which weekend it is, but the "Diversity Weekend" or somesuch is a two night program (Sat and Sun), which they let other people attend, the focus is just on URM recruitment or something. Would Saturday flights work in your schedule better?</p>
<p>If your flight gets in at 11 PM, the buses from the airport may have stopped running by the time you want to leave. Normally there's a bus that runs more or less directly from the airport to CMU for $2.25 or so.</p>
<p>The last bus leaves the airport at midnight on Saturdays and gets to campus just before 1:00 am (google 28X schedule for specifics). But then you'd need somewhere to stay on campus and the SBW site does specifically offer only Sunday night stays.</p>
<p>I don't think missing registration is any real problem. They don't take names at the doors of the college presentations; the only true individual appointment would be to meet with a counselor. If they know you are late they can hold your materials somewhere for late pickup. And there are coordinators around all day if you need assistance. But you really should contact CMU directly with your questions - they will be able to help you. Don't hesitate to call - they are used to dealing with shy high school students!</p>