Last month, I had the exciting opportunity to host two students for Celebration of Diversity Weekend. When I was a prospective student, I also visited CMU through these weekend programs, which they have at several times throughout the year. I was able to tour the campus, talk to faculty and students, attend a class, live in a real dorm, and experience campus dining. I was also able to meet new people and learn about the college’s diversity initiatives. It was a great time and I learned a lot about Carnegie Mellon, so I wanted to share a few tips on how to make the most of your Celebration of Diversity Weekend experience.

1. Watch a student-run show or production: CMU students are very talented and can definitely put on a show. When I visited, I watched a production on WWII put on by the School of Drama. They will inform you of the various shows that are running during that weekend, so make sure to check them out.
2. Make some friends! You never know if one of them will end up becoming your classmate in the future. Even if they don’t, it’s a great opportunity to meet students from around the country/world that have similar interests as you.
3. Bring a sleeping bag: During the year when I attended COD, they didn’t tell us to bring a sleeping bag to campus. Since you’ll be living in your host’s dorm, it’s definitely a good idea to bring one so that you can stay warm during the night.
4. Also, bring an umbrella: Pittsburgh rains/snows a lot, so you definitely should bring an umbrella to stay dry and to avoid getting sick. Plus, you’ll be able to explore campus or Pittsburgh even while it’s raining. A few of us made the mistake of not bringing one and were stuck indoors for a few hours. 

Have fun exploring CMU, and we look forward to having you on campus!