a few (semi) specific questions about DCP!

[collegejunkie]

i'm thinking of applying for fall 2011 or spring 2012. i'll be taking a year off from my undergraduate studies to study abroad and to, hopefully, be on the disney college program. i have a few questions:

1. do i have to have a roommate? i saw that rooms are for two people only and didn't see anything about singles. can i pay twice the rent for a room to myself?

2. if my final job offer is something i don't want and i decide to decline the offer, will this hinder any future application to the program?

3. for program alumni - what were the benefits of doing the program if you applied to professional (law, medical, dental) school? did it help you stand out?

4. besides available classes, what could a pre-health student do while on the program to stay active in their pursuit of medical or dental school? would there be any help finding volunteer programs or anything?

thanks in advance and sorry if i posted this in the wrong area - i'm new to this whole forum thing have a magical day!

 

[ifoceanscollide]

1. if you are living in the Disney provided apartments, you have to have a roommate. (2 people per room, most apartments have anywhere from 2-4 bedrooms) Sorry, it's a space issue. Letting you occupy two spaces means that someone else is denied entry into the CP all together.

2. No, you can decline your offer with no future consequences.

3. I'm in the program right now, so I'm not really an alum, but there are people on this board who can write paragraphs about the benefits, lol

 

[WishAndDream]

1. Yes, you must have a roommate. I believe you can pay a $50 fee to live elsewhere (by elsewhere I mean outside of Disney housing), so if you're comfortable finding a place to live on your own, you might consider that.

2. Yes. I believe you can decline without punishment at any time up until you're actually supposed to show up in Florida (or California, depending on which CP you're doing).

3. My understanding is that sometimes you have to get a little creative when explaining the benefits. It's work experience with a well-known company. You'll have excellent customer service skills, good communication, ability to work as a team, and good flexibility (from working a physically and mentally demanding job). Not to mention a great attitude!

4. It's a little tough because your schedule won't necessarily be the same week to week and Disney expects you to have complete availability. You could take some relevant online courses (it seemed like you were referring more to Disney classes in your post) to stay on top of things. You might be able to see about volunteering at Celebration Hospital, since lots of hospitals have volunteer programs. It might be tricky to get there without a car, since I doubt the buses go there, and I don't even know if they take volunteers there, but it might be worth looking in to. I think there is also a clinic for employees by EPCOT... I seem to have heard this before. You might be able to volunteer there, and then it would be somewhere the buses go (if you don't have a car). I believe CP participants can volunteer with Give Kids the World, which "is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need." The program is run by Disney, and more information can be found here: http://www.gktw.org/index.asp

I hope that helps!

 

[collegejunkie]

thanks so much! i'll continue speaking with my advisors and see what will be possible.