I'm interested in the details. Now, it says "your selected to participate in a convention..." I work in the computer field. If I get those selections - it's because someone is selling something. Find out if this is "for real" or if 1/2 the class got this "selection". I'd be a bit worried that the school is just trying to sell seats at this convention and gets kick-back on the seats sold rather than being some value for the students. If the school is selecting students, they should also offer a way to pay for students they "select" who cannot afford to go. It's not a crime to not be able to afford such a trip - in today's economy with high gas prices, food costs and family costs - what school thinks a parent can afford some $1500 conference? I make good money and couldn't afford to send my kid(s) on a conference lke that.

So, don't worry about it too much. In fact, it could just be some school-based money-maker (like high-priced girl scout cookies). Or it could be legit but be careful about falling for stuff like this - conferences are not all they're cracked up to be. I've been to a number of them and for us older folks, we go to them mainly to see if we can get in a few rounds of golf at the location we're going.