College Program Questions Thread, Pt 3

[psherman42]

Answer honestly and strongly and you'll be fine. The timed parts are like 10 seconds a question? Maybe 15. It's to get your gut reaction, so you can't think about it too much

It's legal. They give you about 20 to 30 seconds to question a few questions. Most are not timed so don't really worry about it.

The most important thing is that you use the correct frame of mind and are consistent.

For example if a question was (I think this is actually one of the questions): How often do you arrive someplace late?

a) never
b) sometimes
c) often
d) very frequently

Now, I technically have two answers for this. In everyday life I would say c, because I'm often late (bad habit I know). But on the interview, I'd say a, because I'm very rarely late for situations like work, interviews, etc. The problems people run into with the Web-Interview is that they answer questions from an everyday perspective and not a professional perspective. Another example:

I get annoyed by people:
a) never
b) sometimes
c) often
d) very frequently

My everyday persona would put D, because people annoy me a lot and I have a short threshold lol. But in a professional situation it's easier to hold my calm and let things slide.

And again, keep answers consistent. Some questions are asked multiple times but asked in a different way. So if you say you enjoy working with people on one question, don't say that you prefer solo projects in another question.

Thank you guys so much. Are all the timed questions in one section or are they scattered throughout?

 

[SportsChick]

They're grouped together and they let you know that they're timed before you start the section. They're not hard questions at all, take a deep breath and be honest and consistant and you'll be fine

 

[graygables]

They're not hard questions at all, take a deep breath and be honest and consistant and you'll be fine

That's the key, being HONEST. Think of it like an eye exam. If you squint just right, you MIGHT be able to read the line, but that's not giving a true assessment of your vision. Once your glasses are made, you will very likely be unhappy with them because you cannot see properly. That is the idea behind the questions, to assess how you will adjust to the unique culture of the College Program.

While I also agree with the PP somewhat on the viewing the questions from a professional standpoint, don't overestimate things like your being on time or putting up with annoying people. If you are easily annoyed, there will be MANY times you will encounter that, so don't be all sunshine and butterflies about your answers. It's important that the "glasses" fit.

About being late...being late is a BIG thing not only at WDW, but in life, so if you are chronically late, work on getting better at it. I used to have that problem, but once I realized it's actually a show of disrespect to those who are waiting, it becomes easier to plan one's time to be respectful of everyone's schedule. You will be surprised how much respect you will earn by being on time, people REALLY appreciate that, particularly in the business world.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

My recruiter going into the FA/Fall 2010 semester said that on average there are 15,000+ who apply for approximately 5,000 spots. I know a bunch get weeded out during the online interview, but he didn't say how many.

I don't know how accurate those numbers are, they're just what was said to me

Well, thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

Hmmmm....
I wonder what sorts of things people are saying/doing in the online interview that causes them to be weeded out?

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

Well, thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

Hmmmm....
I wonder what sorts of things people are saying/doing in the online interview that causes them to be weeded out?

Not being consistent with your answers. That's the big thing in my opinion.

 

[psherman42]

Thanks guys! I'm so nervous about this. lol.

 

[MajorThomasina]

I'm going to apply to the spring semester once the opportunity arises. I had a couple questions myself.

What are the requirements to get into the high school program? As long as you graduated within the last 48 months, correct? I planned on getting into the college program if I don't get accepted in the high school one, but I was wondering if there are a certain number of credits I need before I get accepted. If that is true, I assume that I need to speak with my counselor about what qualifies as one full semester...or does Disney have their own view on that? Do both the HP and CP take classes and work? Does one do more than the other? Hope that makes sense. And also, is it entirely possible to become a "real" CM after the semester ends? I think I have an exceptional chance at being a "fur" CM due to my height (4'11")

 

[SportsChick]

You only have to be enrolled in college for one semester to do the CP. There is no minimum amount of credits

My university has three semesters (well, 5, but summer is broken into 3 parts). Fall, Summer 1, Summer 2, Summer 3 and Spring. 2 of the summers are 6 weeks and the other is 12 weeks.

I think the technical rule is that you have to have completed one semester and be enrolled at the time of application, so you can apply during your first semester of college if you really wanted to.

 

[psherman42]

Can anyone explain how the classes work? If I get accepted I'm probably going to take one or two of the collegiate courses(depending on if I can get credit back at school) and I'm just wondering how you'd go about registering and how many weeks they are? Also, what's the average number of classes a CP takes?

 

[Berlioz70]

Well, thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

Hmmmm....
I wonder what sorts of things people are saying/doing in the online interview that causes them to be weeded out?

There are three or four questions that only have one right answer, if you answer it incorrectly you are automatically out. Things like having full availability, working holidays, agreeing to a background check, etc.

I was told the most common mistake people make is the background check question. There are lots of "have you been charged with xyz..." back to back and by accident people will click 'no' when asked if they agree to a background check. So read the questions carefully!

 

[Pure_Imagination]

Someone mentioned earlier renter's insurance. I'm pretty sure that's always been required for the DL program but not WDW. Which program are you guys in?

 

[psherman42]

I have a couple more questions. A while ago I went through this thread and the interview questions thread and saved a whole bunch of stuff into a word document and started thinking of anwers to common interview questions so that if I get passed the web interview I'd be prepared. I'm going through it now and some of questions are things like, would you rather work in a fast or slow paced environment and would you prefer to work indoors or outdoors. Are 1-2 sentence answers ok for these types of questions? And also, I hear they often ask about favorite movie/ride/character/etc., do you explain why it's your favorite? Haha sorry for all the questions lately.

 

[illini4princess]

And also, I hear they often ask about favorite movie/ride/character/etc., do you explain why it's your favorite?

Probably a short explanation would be fine. It would be a bit awkward to just say "Sleeping Beauty" and then have dead silence lol. The most important thing with the question though I would think is that you actually say a Disney movie/character! Believe it or not people will answer saying Anastasia or the Swan Princess or something, neither of which are Disney movies!

 

[psherman42]

Probably a short explanation would be fine. It would be a bit awkward to just say "Sleeping Beauty" and then have dead silence lol. The most important thing with the question though I would think is that you actually say a Disney movie/character! Believe it or not people will answer saying Anastasia or the Swan Princess or something, neither of which are Disney movies!

Haha that's true. Thanks.

 

[AliSW]

I was surprised that they didn't ask my favorite anything.

 

[Pure_Imagination]

On the length of answers: you're doing an interview, not writing a book, so I think 1-2 sentence answers are mostly fine for the basic questions. When I was asked those kind of questions like, "would you rather work inside or outside?" I simply said "inside because I know if humidity is this bad here it has to be a million times worse in Florida!" and she laughed about that. And I ended up on a rotation that still left me outside for long periods of time, lol (but at least it wasn't *too* humid yet!).

Of course you still want to make sure you answer the question fully and explain yourself well, so take your time. Rushing through things doesn't sound too good, usually.

 

[meganDCP2010]

I have a couple more questions. A while ago I went through this thread and the interview questions thread and saved a whole bunch of stuff into a word document and started thinking of anwers to common interview questions so that if I get passed the web interview I'd be prepared. I'm going through it now and some of questions are things like, would you rather work in a fast or slow paced environment and would you prefer to work indoors or outdoors. Are 1-2 sentence answers ok for these types of questions? And also, I hear they often ask about favorite movie/ride/character/etc., do you explain why it's your favorite? Haha sorry for all the questions lately.

They didn't ask anything about my favorites, but it depends on who interviews you.

They pretty much ask general questions, like "Why do you want to work for Disney?" You'll be fine, since it seems like you already did a lot of your homework beforehand.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

There are three or four questions that only have one right answer, if you answer it incorrectly you are automatically out. Things like having full availability, working holidays, agreeing to a background check, etc.

I was told the most common mistake people make is the background check question. There are lots of "have you been charged with xyz..." back to back and by accident people will click 'no' when asked if they agree to a background check. So read the questions carefully!

Wow, that is very helpful, thanks. The post above was in response to a question I asked about the types of things applicants do/say that get them weeded out of the online interview.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi, I am wondering about the safety issues of bus stops at night for female students. For example, let's say a female cp student residing in Patterson gets off the bus at 2 am, 3 am after a long shift at work. I heard Patterson has no bus stop, so she will be getting off the bus at Chatham? I also heard this Chatham bus stop is a public bus stop, unlike the bus stop at Vista. If I'm wrong, bear with me or correct me, lol. My concern would be the walk from Chatham bus stop to Patterson at 3 am.

1. Would you say there are always others always getting off the bus at 2 am, 3 am, etc., or is there a chance the student could be getting off the bus alone or at least walking to Patterson alone?

2. What kind of walk is this? Through a parking lot? Through lighted walkways? Near a wooded area?

3. Same situation, but instead, the student is staying at Chatham. Any issues there from the bus stop to a more safe location?

If I sound like a parent it's because I am. I would appreciate any info on this. Thanks a bunch!

 

[ZeroToHero]

Hi, I am wondering about the safety issues of bus stops at night for female students. For example, let's say a female cp student residing in Patterson gets off the bus at 2 am, 3 am after a long shift at work. I heard Patterson has no bus stop, so she will be getting off the bus at Chatham? I also heard this Chatham bus stop is a public bus stop, unlike the bus stop at Vista. If I'm wrong, bear with me or correct me, lol. My concern would be the walk from Chatham bus stop to Patterson at 3 am.

1. Would you say there are always others always getting off the bus at 2 am, 3 am, etc., or is there a chance the student could be getting off the bus alone or at least walking to Patterson alone?

2. What kind of walk is this? Through a parking lot? Through lighted walkways? Near a wooded area?

3. Same situation, but instead, the student is staying at Chatham. Any issues there from the bus stop to a more safe location?

If I sound like a parent it's because I am. I would appreciate any info on this. Thanks a bunch!

1- I would say, if your daughter is getting off the bus at 2 or 3 am, she probably would be working an EMH shift or just a really late night, probably at MK, and you'd definitely have lots of other CPs getting off at the same time.

2- http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou....378582,-81.490552&spn=0.005031,0.007789&z=17

Here's a map. See the dark roofed buildings? That's Chatham. The light roofed buildings are Patterson. At least.... I'm pretty sure. The street names make sense like that. I'm not sure what's across I-drive, but maybe someone else can name the rest of the things around that area.

Either way, it's not bad at all.

3- As you can see, it's not bad. And there's security.