Community College and DCP

[candlehead]

I'm wondering if anyone can help me on this. I go to a community college, and I don't have any major/program of study declared, and I'm having trouble figuring out who I need to talk to should I get into the DCP about seeing whether I can get credit/needing to take a leave of absence/enroll in online classes for the semester/etc. I've tried emailing a couple offices at the college (who've replied to me before on other matters) and I haven't gotten an answer. Anybody else at a CC had the same issue who could offer advice?

 

[Time Traveler]

I just went to student services at my college and spoke to an academic advisor. They weren't familiar with the program, so they asked someone else to figure out if they supported it at all. It turns out that they don't offer any credit for it, but taking a semester off isn't an issue as long as I inform the financial aid staff. I decided that it was still worth pursuing, and I'm currently waiting for a response from Disney (did my phone interview earlier today).

 

[candlehead]

I just went to student services at my college and spoke to an academic advisor. They weren't familiar with the program, so they asked someone else to figure out if they supported it at all. It turns out that they don't offer any credit for it, but taking a semester off isn't an issue as long as I inform the financial aid staff. I decided that it was still worth pursuing, and I'm currently waiting for a response from Disney (did my phone interview earlier today).

Ah! I don't have a lot of time during the day to visit different places with my class & transportation schedule, but if they're open early enough, I'll see about catching an earlier bus tomorrow and talking to someone in student services. I keep seeing "talk to your academic advisor" but I have no idea where to find anyone with that title. I'm guessing we call them counselors here, but I have no idea. I'd assumed there had been past participants from the college since reps for dcp visited a year or two ago, but maybe not. Did they say if it would affect your financial aid status at all? I'd expect as long as the office was informed it shouldn't. I think even if I can't get credit for it (I could swear I'd read somewhere it was possible through my school) I will still do the program if I'm accepted. Good luck to you! I hope to see you this fall.

 

[Time Traveler]

Ah! I don't have a lot of time during the day to visit different places with my class & transportation schedule, but if they're open early enough, I'll see about catching an earlier bus tomorrow and talking to someone in student services. I keep seeing "talk to your academic advisor" but I have no idea where to find anyone with that title. I'm guessing we call them counselors here, but I have no idea.

I'm guessing that your counselors are the same thing as our academic advisors.

I'd assumed there had been past participants from the college since reps for dcp visited a year or two ago, but maybe not.

My school hasn't had DCP reps visit from what I know (and we don't get credit for it), so yours probably offers some something for completing the program.

Did they say if it would affect your financial aid status at all? I'd expect as long as the office was informed it shouldn't.

It shouldn't affect my financial aid status as long as I inform them that I'll be taking off the Fall semester (assuming I get accepted). I don't think they'd appreciate it if I took the money even though I'm going to be out of state for several months...

 

[candlehead]

Nice. I'm really hoping I'll be able to go without declaring a major... I asked the campus twitter and they told me I should talk to "the internship person at the student success center." I've read through the internships page on the website, and if i remember, an internship has to apply to your major (which really doesn't make sense in regard to dcp, since most of the roles don't apply to any majors offered). :/ But my phone interview isn't for almost two weeks so I don't even know why I'm worrying about this yet.

 

[Wishes Count]

Nice. I'm really hoping I'll be able to go without declaring a major... I asked the campus twitter and they told me I should talk to "the internship person at the student success center." I've read through the internships page on the website, and if i remember, an internship has to apply to your major (which really doesn't make sense in regard to dcp, since most of the roles don't apply to any majors offered). :/ But my phone interview isn't for almost two weeks so I don't even know why I'm worrying about this yet.

Better to get going on it sooner, rather than later as you only have a few days to decide if you want to accept your offer. Also as others have said you are probably right in saying that your "counselor" is the same as academic adviser. It should be the person you would would talk to about registering for classes, what classes you need etc.

Many schools that have the program reps don't offer credit. But don't let that stop you from doing the program!!

 

[candlehead]

Better to get going on it sooner, rather than later as you only have a few days to decide if you want to accept your offer. Also as others have said you are probably right in saying that your "counselor" is the same as academic adviser. It should be the person you would would talk to about registering for classes, what classes you need etc.

Many schools that have the program reps don't offer credit. But don't let that stop you from doing the program!!

I'm gonna go after my class this afternoon and see if i can talk to someboday! Thanks for all the help!

 

[Believe the Magic]

My son is also in a Michigan Community College (Oakland CC). He has no declared major yet. He is getting NO academic credit but he felt the experience is worth it as it is a resume enhancer plus he gets exposure to a world class company. This is very common for community colleges. He did talk with his academic advisor and she was supportive overall of him going. She advised that any class you do take keep the results and paperwork and later on at a four year institute you might get credit. We know of an intern who was able to use it for her recreation management intern hours.

He is currently at Disney missing our wonderful Michigan Winter. He extended and has grown a lot. Be forewarned - you will work and work hard and come home with little money but tons of memories. So unless you are constrained by a financial scholarship or other academic/personal requirement go ahead and take the plunge.

 

[candlehead]

My son is also in a Michigan Community College (Oakland CC). He has no declared major yet. He is getting NO academic credit but he felt the experience is worth it as it is a resume enhancer plus he gets exposure to a world class company. This is very common for community colleges. He did talk with his academic advisor and she was supportive overall of him going. She advised that any class you do take keep the results and paperwork and later on at a four year institute you might get credit. We know of an intern who was able to use it for her recreation management intern hours.

He is currently at Disney missing our wonderful Michigan Winter. He extended and has grown a lot. Be forewarned - you will work and work hard and come home with little money but tons of memories. So unless you are constrained by a financial scholarship or other academic/personal requirement go ahead and take the plunge.

I really want to! I first read about DCP like three years ago before I was in college. I've read so much about it, and except last fall when I had A LOT of distractions, I've been focused on getting into the program. (Yesterday the weather wasn't so bad, we had a high of like 40 here, haha.) I still have one more class today and then I'm headed to the student center to chat with someone! Thanks for the encouragement!

EDIT: I went to the student center just a bit ago. The internship coordinator was out for the day, so i wasn't able to talk to anyone today. The receptionist I talked to had never hear of dcp but i left my information so i could be contacted with whatever information they had. I also emailed the counseling office last night, and still haven't heard back. Hopefully this isn't a crazy bump in the road.

 

[RogerRadcliffe]

EDIT: I went to the student center just a bit ago. The internship coordinator was out for the day, so i wasn't able to talk to anyone today. The receptionist I talked to had never hear of dcp but i left my information so i could be contacted with whatever information they had. I also emailed the counseling office last night, and still haven't heard back. Hopefully this isn't a crazy bump in the road.

Hey Anna,

I'd assume the Counseling office email is most likely a compiled email.

If you can get the Internship Coordinator's information (They should have a business card associated with the University) email them, explaining who you are and what you would like to accomplish. I'd also recommend sending them these two links, just incase they aren't aware of the Disney College Program:

CP Careers Site: http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/for-educators/overview/

Education Connection: http://disneyeducationconnection.com/

Try and schedule an appointment if they can't answer your question through email. Your main opportunity is your declaration of your major, right? Secondary is receiving credit for the program, I assume?

You can always declare your major as "General Education (Gen Ed)" If you're just completing your basic course, and have yet to get to the rigorous specific-major applications.

Best of Luck, and Have a Magnificently Magical Day!

 

[candlehead]

Hey Anna,

I'd assume the Counseling office email is most likely a compiled email.

If you can get the Internship Coordinator's information (They should have a business card associated with the University) email them, explaining who you are and what you would like to accomplish. I'd also recommend sending them these two links, just incase they aren't aware of the Disney College Program:

CP Careers Site: http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/for-educators/overview/

Education Connection: http://disneyeducationconnection.com/

Try and schedule an appointment if they can't answer your question through email. Your main opportunity is your declaration of your major, right? Secondary is receiving credit for the program, I assume?

You can always declare your major as "General Education (Gen Ed)" If you're just completing your basic course, and have yet to get to the rigorous specific-major applications.

Best of Luck, and Have a Magnificently Magical Day!

Thanks, Roger! I think in a bit I'll send a couple more emails to the necessary folks, with the links, as suggested.

I found contact info for the Internship Coordinator on the school website, so I'll hopefully get in touch with her soon.

I'm sort of unsure about declaring a major. I'll do it if I need to, though. I don't have anything specific in mind at the moment, so I haven't been following course guides for any programs. On my schedules and other documents, it shows me as "Undecided/Transfer Programs", and that's the way it's been since day one. I plan on transferring, but I don't know where because I don't know what major I want to study.

Recieving credit is another thing I'm okay with not doing, too, though it'd be absolutely wonderful if I could.

Thanks again!

 

[BigDreamer]

I had the same problem when I went through my Community College! I got the run around by people who had never heard of the program (internship counselor, academic advisor, etc). I finally ended up at my work study center and they knew exactly what I was talking about! They did not give internship credits for the program, but instead gave work credit hours. I'll be honest in that I'm not really sure what those would apply to, but for me, I was able to take 6 units of work study, which meant I was still considered enrolled in college and it didn't affect my Financial Aid. If I had taken a semester off, it would have caused my loan to go into repayment, so I HAD to take the six units.

I had to set goals for when I went to Disney and take some online seminars. i also had to work on my resume and my work study counselor had to talk to a manager who had direct supervision over me a couple times over the program (to make sure I was fulfilling my goals). In the end, I didn't get credit for any of the Disney courses I took out here, but doing the work study was WAY easier than taking online courses to stay an active student.

 

[candlehead]

I had the same problem when I went through my Community College! I got the run around by people who had never heard of the program (internship counselor, academic advisor, etc). I finally ended up at my work study center and they knew exactly what I was talking about! They did not give internship credits for the program, but instead gave work credit hours. I'll be honest in that I'm not really sure what those would apply to, but for me, I was able to take 6 units of work study, which meant I was still considered enrolled in college and it didn't affect my Financial Aid. If I had taken a semester off, it would have caused my loan to go into repayment, so I HAD to take the six units.

I had to set goals for when I went to Disney and take some online seminars. i also had to work on my resume and my work study counselor had to talk to a manager who had direct supervision over me a couple times over the program (to make sure I was fulfilling my goals). In the end, I didn't get credit for any of the Disney courses I took out here, but doing the work study was WAY easier than taking online courses to stay an active student.

Ahhhh this is a really great alternative to look into if I'm not able to do it the way i think i should, thank you for sharing! Luckily, I don't have any loans that would trip me up (yet :/ ), but I do get some grants and I'm not sure how those would work over the time I'd be gone from school.