Basic DCP Questions

[khkatie]

Hi everyone!
I've been using these boards over the past month to get some information about the DCP and just had a few basic questions I was hoping DCP alumni and others could maybe help me answer. Any and all answers are greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!


If I want to do merchandising for the CP, how beneficial is it to have had a job in retail (or any job)? I realize having a job probably helps your chances, but would I still have a chance if I haven’t had any previous work experience?


This one might sound silly but if you’ve never had a roommate in college before, does this hurt your chances of being accepted into the program?


When is the earliest (approximately) you can apply for the Spring CP (or even the fall program)? (I’m interested in Spring 2013, so maybe any of you who applied for Spring 2012 might remember the earliest date you were able to submit your application)


Will I need references at any point in applying for the CP? If so, how many?



Thanks for reading, thank you in advance for any answers you may have! Have a magical day everyone!

 

[psherman42]

Hi everyone!
I've been using these boards over the past month to get some information about the DCP and just had a few basic questions I was hoping DCP alumni and others could maybe help me answer. Any and all answers are greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!


If I want to do merchandising for the CP, how beneficial is it to have had a job in retail (or any job)? I realize having a job probably helps your chances, but would I still have a chance if I haven’t had any previous work experience?


This one might sound silly but if you’ve never had a roommate in college before, does this hurt your chances of being accepted into the program?


When is the earliest (approximately) you can apply for the Spring CP (or even the fall program)? (I’m interested in Spring 2013, so maybe any of you who applied for Spring 2012 might remember the earliest date you were able to submit your application)


Will I need references at any point in applying for the CP? If so, how many?



Thanks for reading, thank you in advance for any answers you may have! Have a magical day everyone!

Having any job related to what role you want definitely would help your chances. I worked in a fast food restaurant before and ended up in QSFB. But not having any retail experience wouldn't mean you wouldn't get merchandise. It's one of the biggest roles that accepts the most people.

No, it wouldn't. I wasn't asked in my interview about past roommates but if you were, you could just say how you'd love to experience living with a roommate or something.

Applications for Spring 2013 will go up in August or September. The application went up the first week of September for Spring 2012 but in August for Spring 2011 so I don't know what to expect lol. I'm applying for spring 2013 as well.

As far as I can remember, you don't need references, but you do need to list past work experience.

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

Are you saying you've never worked before? As long as you've been in school and didn't spend much time just kind of sitting around I think Disney would be okay with it. School now days is basically a full time job! But my gf got into the CS (they dont offer it now basically the same thing as the CP) and it was only her second job. I also met a few people who said Disney is their first job. Just be sure to mention if you do any kind of charity work or anything like that.

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

...how beneficial is it to have had a job in retail (or any job)?

ANY work or volunteer experience is beneficial. If you can't get a job in retail, try finding some opportunities to help out in a retail setting (Community yard sale, selling tickets for a local fair, etc.) They will ask you questions about your work/volunteer/life experience and how that relates to a job with Disney in any capacity.


...if you’ve never had a roommate in college before, does this hurt your chances of being accepted into the program?

No, but you will likely be asked about how you would deal with conflicts that arise between roommates. Don't be fooled, they are also looking for your attitude about guests when they ask this question. Just think how you would handle a conflict that arose with someone you were living with, even if you haven't had that experience in college. You family does things, I'm sure, that are just as irksome as the things college roommates do


...Will I need references at any point in applying for the CP? If so, how many?

Your work/volunteer experience will be listed on your initial application. If Disney chooses to contact those work locations, that is there prerogative, however I have never heard of such a thing happening.

 

[mattthemickeyman]

Hi everyone!
I've been using these boards over the past month to get some information about the DCP and just had a few basic questions I was hoping DCP alumni and others could maybe help me answer. Any and all answers are greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!


If I want to do merchandising for the CP, how beneficial is it to have had a job in retail (or any job)? I realize having a job probably helps your chances, but would I still have a chance if I haven’t had any previous work experience?


This one might sound silly but if you’ve never had a roommate in college before, does this hurt your chances of being accepted into the program?


When is the earliest (approximately) you can apply for the Spring CP (or even the fall program)? (I’m interested in Spring 2013, so maybe any of you who applied for Spring 2012 might remember the earliest date you were able to submit your application)


Will I need references at any point in applying for the CP? If so, how many?



Thanks for reading, thank you in advance for any answers you may have! Have a magical day everyone!

All I can say is I've never had a previous job that dealt with guests or customers, never roomed with anyone in college, yet I got in and I got the area I wanted, which was Main Entrance Ops.

So while it may help that you had previous work experience... it is by no means required!

Good luck!

 

[khkatie]

Thank you mattthemickeyman, Que_Sarah_Sarah, WDW_lover_in_SC, and psherman42! I feel so much better now; your information has really helped me out! I think I'll look into a summer job but I'm definitely going to do lots of volunteer work. Hopefully I get in! (And I'm crossing my fingers for you psherman42! I'm sure you'll be accepted!) Thanks again guys, I really appreciate it!