FAQ
What should I bring?
What can my parents do?
Who will I stay with?
What are the residence halls like?
What can I do Sunday night?
What is the food like?
Where and when do I go when I arrive?
How is the schedule organized?
When does Sleeping Bag Weekend end?
What should I bring?
Bring everything you'll need for an overnight stay, including:
- sleeping bag
- pillow
- bath towels
- toiletries (including your toothbrush!)
- change of clothes
- cell phone and charger
- photo identification (school ID, driver's license, passport)
- any prescription medications you must take on a regular basis
- recreational clothing so you can take advantage of our athletic facilities
- notebook and pen/pencil to take notes on your experiences
There will be luggage rooms set up on both Sunday and Monday, so you won't need to lug your stuff around with you all day. Remember, it's important to bring your things with you when you leave your Overnight Ambassador's room on Monday morning in case you aren't able to meet up with him/her again before you leave campus.
What can my parents do?
Family members are welcome to participate in the weekend, however, we do not provide overnight accommodations for them. There are a number of nearby hotels and many of them offer free shuttle service to campus. Additional information specific for parents can be found on our Especially for Parents page. If there are multiple events that you would like to attend at one time, you and your parents can use attend separate sessions to gather more information.
Who will I stay with?
While we try to match participants with a student majoring in the same intended field, sometimes we aren't able to find an exact match. If the current student is not majoring in the field you're interested in, chances are he/she knows someone who is. You may stay in a traditonal residence hall or apartment–style suite.
What are the residence halls like?
At Carnegie Mellon there is a variety of housing options available through our 20 different residential communities. As a Sleeping Bag Weekend guest, you may have the opportunity to stay in any number of these residence halls. Further information and virtual tours of our residence halls can be found on our Housing Facilities website.
What can I do Sunday night?
The Sleeping Bag Weekend is designed to be a true-to-life college experience. While you will be staying with a current student, you may not be with them at all times. You can expect that your Overnight Ambassador will maintain their typical Sunday schedule of club meetings, study sessions or lab research. We encourage you to meet up with other prospective students, explore the campus or tag along with your current student.
What is the food like?
Dining at Carnegie Mellon is unique in that we do not have a central dining hall. Instead, we have a food court approach to meals and venues are placed across our entire campus. A wide variety of eating establishments are available including Indian, Mexican, Asian, vegetarian/vegan and traditional bistro-style meals. You will be provided with a special dining card, good at any of the above venues, that will grant you access to a limited number of meals during your time on campus.
Where and when do I go when I arrive?
Registration for the weekend will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m in the University Center. Click here for a campus map. Welcoming remarks will begin promptly at 11:15 a.m.
How is the schedule organized?
At check–in a finalized schedule of events and class list will be passed out. Students/families may pick and choose what events to attend, when to end their day and even take a break to wander around campus on your own.
When does Sleeping Bag Weekend end?
Monday's events and classes typically run until mid-to-late afternoon, though students may leave campus at any time of the day.