1) Who gets to go?
The 35 students with the highest number of points and the 5 PetroBowl team members will get to go to Florence. These people will be chosen by the end of the month.

2) How much will it cost?
Airfare for each student is $1210. You will be required to pay that amount to OU SPE by July 1st to reserve your spot in the trip. Depending on the total cost of trip and the amount of money raised during the golf tournament, 20-60% of your money may be refunded.

3) How much school will I miss?
We will leave from Dallas the evening of Thursday, September 16th and return to Dallas the afternoon of Friday, September 24th. There are a few professors who are planning on attending the conference. This does not necessarily mean that they will cancel class! This just means that they have said that they are going. Also, the Career Fair is scheduled for the 16th, the day that we leave. You may be able to attend part of the fair, but you will miss interviews scheduled for the next day. You will still be able to sign up for interviews scheduled for the 27th and 28th as we will have internet access in Florence.

4) Can I pay my own way?
You are absolutely more than welcome to attend the conference if you pay for the total cost of your trip. Unfortunately, you probably will not be able to fly with the SPE group. However, if you let me know far enough in advance, I can put you in the same hotel with the rest of the group.

5) Will I need a Passport?

You must have a valid passport by July 1st to get to go on the trip! Your passport must not expire before December 24, 2010!

So go double check your passports.
If you need to get a passport for the first time or renew one, follow these links.
Apply in person for a new or renewed passport- http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
Renew your passport by mail- http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html
Passport locations- http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

If you are an international student not from the US or EU, you will need to apply for a visa to get into Italy. The link below generates a letter that outlines the reason for your travel and is used as a supporting document in your visa application.
Visa letter- http://www.spe.org/apps/pages/customizedvisa/generalcustomvisa.jsp?confType=10atce
You must register for ATCE before you can receive this invitation letter. Online registration should be up soon on the ATCE website (http://www.spe.org/atce/2010/index.php).
SPE note: It is the sole responsibility of the attendee to obtain the necessary paperwork for entry to Italy. This letter does not guarantee that you will be granted a visa, nor does it commit SPE to assist you in obtaining a visa. SPE will not pay any expenses incurred by you. We cannot send the letter to the embassy or consulate for you, nor can SPE contact the embassy or consulate on your behalf.
Information on how to apply for a visa after you generate the letter and list of Italian consulates- http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp

6) Will ATCE Florence be the best ATCE ever?
Yes. Yes, it will.
--
Kinleigh Carstens

ATCE Chair