FAQ
Q: How many people will be on each trip?
A: Each trip will have approximately 10 to 12 first years and 2 to
4 second year trip leaders. Q: When are the trip dates?
A: All trips depart on either Saturday August 23, 2008 or Sunday August
24, 2008 and will return on either Saturday August 30, 2008 or Sunday
August 31, 2008. A few trips will return on Monday September 1 2008,
which is Labor Day.
Q: Can I come back early or stay longer?
A: No. All trip dates are set and we cannot accommodate requests for
early or later departures. If you have extenuating circumstances,
please contact Scott Brodrick at sbrodric@chicagogsb.edu or Rick
Rosenfeld at rick@travelmba.com, (888) 438-1170 or (847) 236-1170
and we can discuss your situation.
Q: Do I have to fly out with the
group from Chicago or can I meet up at the trip destination?
A: All incoming students must depart with the group from Chicago.
This is to ensure that we can obtain the best group rates on airfare.
If you have extenuating circumstances, please contact either Scott
Brodrick at sbrodric@chicagogsb.edu or Rick Rosenfeld at rick@travelmba.com,
(888) 438-1170 or (847) 236-1170.
Q: How does the trip registration
process work?
A: Registration will begin with the first Admit Weekend at 4:30
pm on March 7, 2008. At this time, a link will be activated on
the Random Walk website that will allow you to register and list
your top three trip preferences. At the time that you register,
a deposit of $250 will be required. This deposit must be made
via credit card (there is a $10 processing fee that will also
be charged at this time- Amex, Visa, or Mastercard only). All
registrations must be made via the website.
The first four students
who register for each trip will be guaranteed to go on that
trip (provided extenuating circumstances do not prevent the trip from
going). You need to sign up as soon as possible! If demand
for a specific trip reaches a certain point, we reserve the right
to close that trip off to additional registration to encourage
interest in other trips that are offered.
Official trip registration
will be closed at 11:59 p.m. on May 20, 2008. At that time, we will
make sure that as many applicants as possible are assigned to one of
their top three choices. We will try to ensure that as many students
as possible get their first choice trip; however we will also consider
other factors to ensure that each trip has a good balance
of students.
Q: Can I pay my deposit via check?
A: Deposits are encouraged to be made via credit card. If
you have extenuating circumstances and cannot pay the deposit
via credit card, please contact Scott Brodrick at sbrodric@chicagogsb.edu or Rick Rosenfeld at rick@travelmba.com, (888) 438-1170,
or (847) 236-1170.
Q: I'm no longer able to go on
a Random Walk – is
the deposit refundable?
A: No. The deposit is non-refundable immediately after
you register.
Q: When is final payment for my Random Walk
trip due?
A: A non-refundable $250 deposit is payable at registration
and will be applied to your final payment. Final payments
for all Random Walk Trips are due on Monday June 16, 2008.
Failure to make payment in full by this date will result
in cancellation of your registration.
** Final payments for
Peru will be required as soon as that trip is full and trip
assignments made. Due to the way permits are assigned for
the Inca Trail, we will need to collect money and passport
data earlier than for other trips.
Q: Can I use frequent flyer
miles to purchase my flight?
A: No. Because the flights were booked in advance at group
rates, frequent flier miles can't be used as a method
of payment. However, you will be eligible to earn frequent
flier miles for most of the Random Walk flights.
Q: I just
received notice of my admission but the trip registration
process has closed! Is there any chance I can still go
on a Random Walk?
A: Traditionally, after the May 20 registration deadline
passes, we still have slots available for some of the trips
for several weeks. As soon as your acceptance into the
GSB is confirmed, please contact Rick Rosenfeld at rick@travelmba.com,
(888) 438-1170 or (847) 236-1170 and he will advise you
of your trip options and take care of your registration
directly.
Q: When will I find out which trip I will be going
on?
A: You will be notified of your final trip assignment no
later than Monday May 27, 2008.
Q: I am only interested in
going on a specific trip – can
I sign up and be guaranteed of getting that one?
A: No, your spot will not be guaranteed (unless you are
one of the first four students to register for that trip
as discussed above). We highly encourage you to choose
three distinct destinations--they are all great!
Q: I've signed
up already, but changed my mind about the order of my choices. Can
I change this?
A: We prefer that there are no changes to trip preferences
after you register. However, exceptions will be made up
to the date registration closes. Please contact Scott Brodrick
at sbrodric@chicagogsb.edu or Rick Rosenfeld at rick@travelmba.com,
(888) 438-1170 or (847) 236-1170.
Q: Can I be on the same Random Walk as
another incoming student?
A: We ask you to rank your top three choices and we will
do our best register you for the trips you want. Historically,
90% of people get their first choice and almost everyone
else ends up with their second choice. However, we can
not specifically place people on the same trip.
Q: Can
my significant other register for a Random Walk?
A: Your significant other can only register for the Couples
Trip to Costa Rica. Be sure that you register both yourself
and your significant other at the time that you complete
your registration for this trip. In the rare case that
another trip has extra slots, we may offer the slots to
significant others on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q:
Who can go on the Couples Trip to Costa Rica?
A: This year we are offering a Couples Trip to Costa Rica
to accommodate incoming students and their significant
others who will be accompanying them to Chicago. We are
offering this trip to allow students and their partners
to have a chance to meet other students and their partners
who are also in Chicago. If your significant other will
not be moving to Chicago, we ask that you please refrain
from registering for this trip. If slots are still open
after registration closes we may open the trip to others
on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q: Will I miss any
GSB activities if I go on a Random Walk?
A: As set forth by the university, all trips will return
before the start of Core and after the optional Pre-MBA
Accounting course. The trips will overlap with the optional
Pre-MBA Statistics course.
Q: If I am going on a Random
Walk when should I plan on moving into my apartment?
A: We would recommend that you come to Chicago a few days
before the Random Walk trips depart. This will give you
time to get acclimated to your new surroundings, un-pack
and get settled before leaving. In addition, we will be
hosting a Random Walk Kick-Off Party on the night of Friday
August 22, 2008. You don’t want to miss that!
Q: What
do I need to bring on the trip?
A: Packing lists will be posted on the trip pages as
the trip gets closer.
Q: Are passports required for travel
to non-U.S. destinations?
A: Passports are required for all trips except for the
US domestic trip. Students should make sure their passports
are current and will not expire until March 3, 2009 since
a 6-month validity is now required by many countries.
Q: Are
visas required for travel to non-U.S. destinations?
A: U.S. nationals will require visas in advance for Brazil,
China, El Salvador and Vietnam/Cambodia. Landing visas
or tourist cards may require for other countries. For more
information, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
International
students may have visa requirements for travel to some
non-U.S. destinations. More detailed guidelines for visas for international
students will be provided once trip assignments are made. In addition to visas for travel
to a Random Walk country, it is the responsibility of all
international students to make sure they have the appropriate
documentation to re-enter the United States after travel
is complete. Please contact Scott Brodrick at sbrodric@chicagogsb.edu or Rick Rosenfeld at rick@travelmba.com, (888) 438-1170
or (847) 236-1170 should you have any questions or concerns.
Please note
that visa fees are not included in the trip price. Q: Can I purchase trip cancellation insurance?
A: Trip cancellation insurance is a good way to protect the investment
of your trip cost in the event of unexpected illness or natural disaster.
You will get more information on the trip insurance after registration
ends. Note that insurance is mandatory for Belize trip and is built
into the price.
For this year's trips, insurance premiums are
in the $67 to $102 range.
If you need insurance to protect your
investment due to an pre-existing medical situation for you or a member
of your family, you MUST purchase insurance within two weeks of making
your Random Walk deposit. If you need such coverage, please contact
Rick Rosenfeld at rick@travelmba.com to discuss your situation in more
detail.
Q: What does it mean when a trip is CLOSED?
A trip that is closed has the full number of students registered for
the trip. Please note that just because a trip is not yet closed
does not mean you will be guaranteed that trip (unless you are one of
the first 4 to register). If you really want to go on
a trip that has been closed, please email Rick (rick@travelmba.com)
and he will add you to the waitlist.
Q: What does it mean when a trip is SUSPENDED?
A trip that is suspended is close to filling. Due to the need
to give second round admits a fair shot at each trip, we have temporarily
suspended registration on the trip. All suspended trips will re-open
for registration at 9am on Monday, April 14th .
Q: I've signed up already, but changed my mind about the order of my
choices. Can I change this?
A: We prefer that there are no changes to trip preferences after you
register. However, exceptions can be made up to the date registration
closes. Please contact Scott Brodrick at sbrodric@chicagogsb.edu or
Rick Rosenfeld at rick@travelmba.com,
(888) 438-1170 or (847) 236-1170.
Q: The trip I really want is suspended, can I register now and then
change my choices once the trip is re-opened for registration?
A: No. There is a degree of Game Theory that the suspension process
intentionally creates. If your first choice is suspended, by waiting
till registration re-opens, you run the risk of having your second and
third choices suspending as well, thus reducing the chance of getting
those trips as well. If you really want your first trip, it
might be worth the risk of waiting. If you are rather indifferent
between your top two choices, it might make sense to register now. |
