Student Development FAQ's

My child will be commuting - will he/she miss out on activities?

An essential part of the Pre-College experience develops outside of the classroom, and the Pre-College Student Development Staff encourages all Pre-College students to participate in the many social, recreational and exploratory opportunities available during the program. One of the five Pre-College Head Counselors is assigned to work primarily with commuting students. This Head Counselor coordinates with commuters to be sure they are aware of and involved with evening and weekend activities, including the events and trips programmed by the Pre-College Student Development Office.

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Where will my child be living?

Students in Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College programs are housed in a variety of university residence halls. If you live outside of the greater Pittsburgh area, your student must live in university housing; students who live in or around Pittsburgh have the option of commuting to campus.

Resident students are housed in facilities that are typically used by Carnegie Mellon first-year students. Most rooms are standard doubles, which means that students will have a roommate. Many students develop close friendships with their roommates that last well beyond the end of the summer program.

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How are the students supervised in student housing?

Resident Pre-College students live in Morewood Gardens residence hall. Student rooms are organized into single-gender floor sections, each with an assigned counselor. The Pre-College Counselors are supervised by Head Counselors, all of whom live in Morewood Gardens with the students. The Counselors and Head Counselors are current Carnegie Mellon undergraduates who have undergone thorough training programs to provide academic, social and personal support for their residents. This staff is supervised by the Director of Pre-College Student Development, John Hannon. John is a full-time staff member in the Student Development Office at Carnegie Mellon. Two assistant directors live near campus. All residential staff and the directors of Pre-College are based in the Pre-College Student Development Morewood Gardens.

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When will we receive a room assignment? Can I request a roommate?

Room assignments are arranged through the Housing Services office, based on the information on the Housing forms completed by each resident student. Roommates are assigned with consideration to geographic region, interests and areas of study. If two students desire to share a room during Pre-College, each should request the other on their housing forms. We will do our best to accommodate these requests, but roommate requests are not guaranteed. Students receive their room assignments upon check-in outside of Morewood Gardens on Opening Day. No room assignments will be given out prior to Opening Day.

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What support services will be available to my child should they have a problem?

Residence halls are staffed by undergraduate counselors at an approximate student to staff ratio of 25:1. These counselors have been trained to help students with academic and personal concerns. They assist students by mediating interpersonal conflicts, responding to emergency situations, enforcing policies and generally providing any assistance you may need during your stay. Counselors are available to offer support and guidance based on their own experiences as students at Carnegie Mellon. All counselors are supervised by a professional staff member from the Student Development Office.

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My child has special needs that I feel the staff should know about. Who do I notify?

The Pre-College Student Development Office keeps files for each student and appreciates information related to any special needs or extenuating circumstances that can help us support your child during their time at Carnegie Mellon. Please feel free to contact John Hannon, Director of Pre-College, at 412-268-9510 or pc-life@andrew.cmu.edu.

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Are there rules/regulations?

We have many rules and regulations that students must abide by while on campus. Please see the handbook. Those who do not comply with the rules, which are in place for your safety, are asked to leave the program.

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Is there a curfew?

There will be a limitation on student's freedom to be out on the campus at night.  Students will be restricted to the Pre-College residential area during the six-week experience. All students must be physically present inside Morewood Gardens at all times between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. Sunday - Thursday and midnight and 6:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.

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How do I contact my child during the program?   

Students will receive room phone numbers during check-in on Opening Day if they plan to hook up a room phone. Most students bring cellular phones with them. If you cannot reach them by phone, you may leave a message at the Morewood Gardens Service Desk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 412-268-2080. In case of emergency or if you are concerned by an inability to reach your son or daughter, please contact University Police at 412-268-2323, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or the Pre-College Student Development Office at 412-268-9510, available 8:30am-5:00pm Monday-Friday.

Postal mail for students should be addressed as follows:

Student's Full Name
Pre-College Program
SMC 7361
5032 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15289

Pre-College students are responsible for picking up their own mail each day at the Post Office located in the lower level of the University Center.

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Are students permitted to have cars on campus?

Resident Pre-College students are not permitted to have cars on campus. There are no exceptions to this policy. Morewood Gardens residence hall is right on campus, so all classes are within walking distance, students attending the Game Academy will be transported to and from campus by shuttle Monday-Friday. Students wishing to visit other parts of the city must use public transit, which is free with the Carnegie Mellon Student ID.

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Is parking available for commuter students?

Parking in university lots is available ONLY by obtaining a parking permit from the Parking Office located in the University Center, Lower Level. Permits for the six week program are available for approximately $150. Simply stop by the University Center office to complete your permit application or send an email request to parking@andrew.cmu.edu.

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Can we arrange for an air conditioner?

Air conditioners are not permitted for Pre-College students. The only exception to this policy is for students who, due to asthma or severe allergies, require an air conditioner for medical reasons. If your child needs an air conditioner for medical reasons, University Health Services must receive necessary documentation from the student's family physician. Contact the Health Services office at 412-268-2157 to coordinate this documentation. The university does not provide air conditioning units, so if approved, have your son or daughter connect with their Pre-College Counselor for assistance in shopping for an air conditioner with the necessary specifications. Necessary specifications for air conditioners are available by contacting Conference and Event Services at 412-268-1125. Air conditioners must be installed by the university and installation fees are charged for this service.

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Where do students eat?

Students get a meal plan while on campus and will eat most of their meals at the Carnegie Café. Other dining options are available on campus for a fee.

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How do students get around during the summer program?

Students receive free transportation on the Pittsburgh transit system through their Carnegie Mellon ID card.

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What can Pre-College students do when they aren't in class?

The Pre-College Student Development staff offers a lot of opportunities for students to make the best use of free time during the Pre-College program. Pre-College Counselors arrange weekly fun activities like movie nights, pizza parties, crafts and game nights to help the students relax and meet one another. These activities are all included in the Pre-College program fee. Each weekend, the Pre-College Student Development staff coordinates trips around Pittsburgh and beyond to keep students active and encourage them to explore the city. Tickets to great plays and musicals performed at the cities main theaters are available for Friday evenings, and Saturdays and Sundays include a diverse mix of trips from fun days at local amusement and water parks to more educational experiences at local art galleries, museums and architectural marvels. Tickets for these trips are an additional charge. Please refer to the tentative schedule of this summer's weekend trips.

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What is the policy about leaving campus during the Pre-College program? 

Students are only permitted to leave campus alone for off campus activities if they are using public transit. Pittsburgh city buses are free with a Carnegie Mellon Student ID card. Students are not permitted to leave campus with individuals not associated with the Pre-College program unless a signed Absence from Campus Form is on file in the Pre-College Student Development Office. Likewise, students are only permitted to stay overnight away from the residence hall if an Absence from Campus form is on file explicitly allowing for an overnight stay. Students are required to sign-in to the residence hall by curfew each night or have this form on file. Failure to sign in or complete the Absence from Campus form may result in a search.

This form should be received by the Pre-College Student Development Office 24 hours in advance of the student's departure. A copy of the Absence from Campus form can be found in the Pre-College Handbook. Permissions to leave campus will not be accepted via email due to the inability to verify their source. Forms can be faxed to 412-268-8346 or mailed to:

Pre-College Student Development Office
Carnegie Mellon University 
Morewood Gardens
1060 Morewood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

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What is Family Weekend? 

Family Weekend is an opportunity for families to explore Carnegie Mellon's campus, meet the faculty and see Pre-College student work and enjoy time with their child in the middle of the program. Events are hosted by Pre-College academic departments for academic showcases, the Office of Admission for admission information sessions and the Pre-College Student Development Office for family entertainment. Family Weekend 2011 will be held July 15-17th.

Registration is not necessary for parents who plan to attend the Family Weekend, though we encourage you to buy tickets for the entertainment opportunities in advance as most will sell out. Tickets will be available for sale on Opening Day and throughout the program at the Morewood Gardens Service Desk.

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Can I leave campus if I have vacation?

Because the program is an intense six-week academic/conservatory setting program, it is not encouraged that students leave for an extended period of time (more than one day).

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What will happen if I have to leave the program unexpectedly?

In some cases, students will be refunded their money if they must leave the program. It will be determined on a case-by-case basis and by the date of withdrawal. 

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My child has a learning disability, is there student support available?

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible to receive services from Carnegie Mellon's Equal Opportunity Services. Please visit our Disability Services site for more information.

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Are there televisions in student rooms?

Cable television is included in all student rooms. You will need to bring a cable-ready digital TV and a coaxial cable to connect.

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Should I bring a computer to campus?

Students may bring their own computer to campus or use one of the 25 computer labs, or clusters. Please refer Computing Services Pre-College page for more information.

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