Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[Pam N]

Hi again everyone! Thanks for the information and wishing my daughter is accepted. I visited her today at her school and learned that her college only gives credit for hospitality, qsfb and fsfb for her major in order to obtain her degree. Her girlfriend has the same major-- hospitality-- at their school-- so she chose those same three positions that my daughter did--but--her girlfriends interviewer asked if she would be willing to do housekeeping, and she said yes, so she got accepted right away. My daughters interviwer never asked if she'd be willing to do housekeeping. She made some positive comments about the previous jobs my daughter worked, tho. So, who knows?! Keep me informed as to what happens with all of you and I'll do the same. Thanks!

 

[Pam N]

Im sorry guys but I dont know how to post a quote from someone, so, tlynk, congratulations to your daughter for being accepted so quickly! My daughter emailed her recruiter yesterday-- so we're waiting for a response from her-- if she doesnt hear by mid-week, she'll call her -- it'll be 6 weeks on 4/11. Imagine how nuts we've been going over all of this. Yikes!

 

[AtYourService247]

Im sorry guys but I dont know how to post a quote from someone, so, tlynk, congratulations to your daughter for being accepted so quickly! My daughter emailed her recruiter yesterday-- so we're waiting for a response from her-- if she doesnt hear by mid-week, she'll call her -- it'll be 6 weeks on 4/11. Imagine how nuts we've been going over all of this. Yikes!

Hi momma pam!! To quote someone whoever you wanna quote at the end of there message on here it says (quote) in the bottom corner of their post. I am keeping her in my thoughts! I will be so sad if we cant do this together. :-(

 

[Pam N]

Hi momma pam!! To quote someone whoever you wanna quote at the end of there message on here it says (quote) in the bottom corner of their post. I am keeping her in my thoughts! I will be so sad if we cant do this together. :-(

Hey! It was fun meeting you and having lunch with the two of you yesterday! Thanks for explaining how this "quote" thing works. Im not computer illiterate--but have never been on one of these boards--so some instruction is needed! Im praying every day that the two of you are able to do this CP thing together. Maybe we'll hear something this week. I guess if its meant to be, it'll happen. If not, there's a reason for everything. Its the waiting that's soooo nerve wrecking. Its too bad tho that the two of you couldnt have applied for numerous positions rather than the 3 that pertain directly to your Major in order to complete your degree. I'll keep praying, wishing, hoping, fingers crossed, etc! Stay in touch! Good Luck to everyone out there!

 

[Pam N]

You can pick as many as you want. I picked 4, and my recruiter recommends picking at least 4-5. But I know people who only picked 1-2.

Thanks for the info Joanna! Ive read so many of your posts--and you've been so helpful to everyone, so, thanks! What do you suggest we do? My DD emailed her recruiter a few days ago-- should she call her this week? It'll be 6 weeks on 4/11. As you may have seen on my other posts, my DD only chose 3 bcuz her school wont give credit towards her degree for all roles--just certain ones. Help!

 

[Pam N]

My son selected 5 options but I understand there are more than a dozen. He focused on positions that would allow him lots of customer contact but now he's kicking himself now thinking that he may have been too selective.

My son applied for fall - not fall advantage so he's got a little more time to work with. His plan is to apply for spring if he can't get in to fall and to keep applying until he gets in.

Good Luck to your Son! We hope he gets in! He's lucky to have more chances to apply--my DD graduates in May, so this is it for her.

 

[Pam N]

It's not really the number of roles selected... rather how competitive those selected are.

For example... if he picked BBB, and Character Performer those are incredibly competitve so I would say better luck in the future.

However, if he picked Quick Service Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Custodial etc... those have more openings and he'll have a better chance.

Hi Berlioz70!!! Im wondering what your thoughts are on what the next step would be for my DD to take since she's still waiting for a response to her interview. As Im sure you've read, it'll be 6 weeks 4/11-- should she call her recruiter this week? You're so knowledgeable on this subject so I sure would appreciate your advice! Thanks!

 

[lcrane]

My daughter Megan will be a senior next year she wants to do the Career Program first then the College Program. When does she need to apply for the Career Program. I also would like to know what she should put down on where she would like to work. She wants to be a Zoologist, she also has had 3 years of Swimming. Any and all Information would be great at this time.

Lisa

 

[JonnyJ18]

My daughter Megan will be a senior next year she wants to do the Career Program first then the College Program. When does she need to apply for the Career Program. I also would like to know what she should put down on where she would like to work. She wants to be a Zoologist, she also has had 3 years of Swimming. Any and all Information would be great at this time.

Lisa

im not sure when you would have to apply but you can look on the site for that info...she should put the roles that she wants to do(theres nothing really to do with zoology but maybe work at the ak lodge or attraction at ak, im a forensic psych major ichose lifeguard recreation transportation attractions and merch.) I would suggest putting down any job exp she has cause i have alot and my interviewer was impressed(as well as my certs in life saving and cpr) She also asked me about any competive swimming i have done which i thought was weird but i have so i guess that worked in my favor, it has been about 3 weeks since my interview and received a pending letter about a week and a half ago(which i think may have something to do with my run in with the law about 4 years ago drinking while underage but charges dropped later on but on the app they ask for anything even if earsed or dropped which is pretty extreme for a minimum wage internship but it is what it is) so i hoped this helped alittle bit

 

[Praise2Him]

Recruiting for CareerStart for this fall was supposed to begin Feb. 11, but they canceled it. So if she's wanting to do CS in fall of 2010, then they should start recruiting next Feb.

Their website is wrong. It says "We recruit for our Spring Advantage program between February and April. We recruit for our Fall program between September and November." but it's the opposite.

Here's a link to the CS website.
http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/careerstart/wdw/index.html

The CS program has fewer roles to pick from. They are: Quick-Service Food & Beverage, Custodial, Merchandise, Attractions, Full-Service Food & Beverage, Costuming, and Lifeguard. From what I've learned on here, it's better to choose as many as possible to increase your chances of getting hired.

My DD really wanted to do CS this coming fall, but they apparently aren't recruiting, except for a chosen few, so I wish your DD luck next year and hope that by then they'll be hiring again.

 

[Berlioz70]

Hi Berlioz70!!! Im wondering what your thoughts are on what the next step would be for my DD to take since she's still waiting for a response to her interview. As Im sure you've read, it'll be 6 weeks 4/11-- should she call her recruiter this week? You're so knowledgeable on this subject so I sure would appreciate your advice! Thanks!

If it has hit 6 weeks I'd contact the recruiter - no harm! You'd be surprised the number of people who contact after 3 or 4 weeks... they'll be surprised she was so patient!

 

[Pam N]

If it has hit 6 weeks I'd contact the recruiter - no harm! You'd be surprised the number of people who contact after 3 or 4 weeks... they'll be surprised she was so patient!

Hey! Thank You so much for your advice! We sent an email about a week ago and havent received a response, so, I will tell her to call now. We didnt want to be too pushy because we're aware that the recruiters are extremely busy--but at this point the frustration is driving us nuts! Today there will be a recruiter at her college and she was going to try to speak with her. Her thought is that maybe doing this in person could make a better impression. So, we'll see! Thanks again!

 

[luvsTink]

HI all,
It is nice to know that there are other parents as stressed and involved as I am! My DD had her phone interview on Monday. She had identified most of the roles as possibilities, but when asked her top three she chose photopass, attractions, and custodial. She really wants photopass as she is a photography major and has had quite a bit of experience. However, I have yet to see even one person on this board that was selected for photopass. She was very clear that she would like a lot of guest interaction, so I am betting on attractions, but we shall see.

Good luck everyone!

ps.....anyone else at all stressed out about storing all of your students "stuff"? Mine is currently living in an apartment and has a queen sized bed, couch, table, etc etc that would need to come to my house! Although, she is also considering keeping her place because she loves her room-mates, etc. But that would be an additional $250 in expenses each month.

 

[Pam N]

HI all,
It is nice to know that there are other parents as stressed and involved as I am! My DD had her phone interview on Monday. She had identified most of the roles as possibilities, but when asked her top three she chose photopass, attractions, and custodial. She really wants photopass as she is a photography major and has had quite a bit of experience. However, I have yet to see even one person on this board that was selected for photopass. She was very clear that she would like a lot of guest interaction, so I am betting on attractions, but we shall see.

Good luck everyone!

ps.....anyone else at all stressed out about storing all of your students "stuff"? Mine is currently living in an apartment and has a queen sized bed, couch, table, etc etc that would need to come to my house! Although, she is also considering keeping her place because she loves her room-mates, etc. But that would be an additional $250 in expenses each month.

Best of Luck to your daughter! And I agree, it is nice to know that there are other parents as stressed out and involved! We live our childrens emotions -- we feel their happiness and we feel their pain. As always, we're just hoping for the best for them. Good Luck!!!!!!

 

[kmg148]

HI all,
It is nice to know that there are other parents as stressed and involved as I am! My DD had her phone interview on Monday. She had identified most of the roles as possibilities, but when asked her top three she chose photopass, attractions, and custodial. She really wants photopass as she is a photography major and has had quite a bit of experience. However, I have yet to see even one person on this board that was selected for photopass. She was very clear that she would like a lot of guest interaction, so I am betting on attractions, but we shall see.

Good luck everyone!

ps.....anyone else at all stressed out about storing all of your students "stuff"? Mine is currently living in an apartment and has a queen sized bed, couch, table, etc etc that would need to come to my house! Although, she is also considering keeping her place because she loves her room-mates, etc. But that would be an additional $250 in expenses each month.

Any chance she could sublease is her roommates knew someone else who needed an apartment and we okay with it?

Use a storage facility otherwise. Luckily my uncle lives an hour from my school (I live 20 hours!) so I use his basement. I have tons of friends who use storage facilities.

 

[cp'ersmom]

Hi all! I'm new here too. My daughter was selected for the Fall '09 program. She got Merch which was way down on her list but after talking about it decided to accept. Now she is excited about the opportunity. The one thing that is throwing me is that according to my daughter, we still have to pay for her semester at school. Is this right? I'm also a little confused about the insurance issue but we have time to sort that out.

I think I am as excited as she is. I have been all over the boards and Youtube.

We plan to all fly down as a family a few days before check-in and then stay for a few days after just to help her get settled. Any other families planing to do this? Any other families planing to spend Christmas down there? WooHoo!

 

[Berlioz70]

Hi all! I'm new here too. My daughter was selected for the Fall '09 program. She got Merch which was way down on her list but after talking about it decided to accept. Now she is excited about the opportunity. The one thing that is throwing me is that according to my daughter, we still have to pay for her semester at school. Is this right? I'm also a little confused about the insurance issue but we have time to sort that out.

I think I am as excited as she is. I have been all over the boards and Youtube.

We plan to all fly down as a family a few days before check-in and then stay for a few days after just to help her get settled. Any other families planing to do this? Any other families planing to spend Christmas down there? WooHoo!

Congrats to your daughter!!

You would only need to pay at her institution if she is getting credit for the program, or taking on-line classes. If she is taking a semester break, with no credits, then she shouldn't have to pay anything to the college.

Insurance varies a lot based on the company. Typically, if the college recognizes the program as an internship and keeps her at full time status, then most insurances will accept that. It gets more complicated if she is not getting credit.

Most families visit during a different part of the year. The reason is because it was next to impossible to get Cast Discounted rooms and the main entrance pass is blocked out. Since most families want a room discount and want to get in the parks for free they'll go before the holiday season. My family came the second week of December and all the room discounts were gone so they had to stay off-site - but at least they could get into the parks for free!

 

[rita s]

Hey! Thank You so much for your advice! We sent an email about a week ago and havent received a response, so, I will tell her to call now. We didnt want to be too pushy because we're aware that the recruiters are extremely busy--but at this point the frustration is driving us nuts! Today there will be a recruiter at her college and she was going to try to speak with her. Her thought is that maybe doing this in person could make a better impression. So, we'll see! Thanks again!

Pam - Did your daughter connect with the recruiter? I'll bet that was difficult. How did it go? It's been over 6 weeks for my son so I'm watching how it goes for your daughter.

 

[Luv2Diz]

I think I am as excited as she is. I have been all over the boards and Youtube.

We plan to all fly down as a family a few days before check-in and then stay for a few days after just to help her get settled. Any other families planing to do this? Any other families planing to spend Christmas down there? WooHoo!

My son was accepted for Fall 09. He got in as Custodial - also way down on his list but he was thrilled just to get accepted! I was so happy that he got in. But am also a shade sad. We have always been very close and it will be hard to have him 3,000 miles from home for that long.

Yep - we are doing something similar. My husband will drive him down to get him checked in and stay for a few days. Then my daughter and I are going down to visit him a few weeks later to make sure he is settled, get him stocked on groceries, etc. Another lesser purpose for the trip....I do have to be at Disney after all for my birthday for the "What Will You Celebrate" promotion!

 

[rita s]

My son was accepted for Fall 09. He got in as Custodial - also way down on his list but he was thrilled just to get accepted! I was so happy that he got in. But am also a shade sad. We have always been very close and it will be hard to have him 3,000 miles from home for that long.

Yep - we are doing something similar. My husband will drive him down to get him checked in and stay for a few days. Then my daughter and I are going down to visit him a few weeks later to make sure he is settled, get him stocked on groceries, etc. Another lesser purpose for the trip....I do have to be at Disney after all for my birthday for the "What Will You Celebrate" promotion!

Us too. IF my son gets accepted (still pending!) we're planning to go down a few days early with him to get him settled and to enjoy the area. Then we'll visit again before the holidays and after the holidays. His buddies are planning to visit him over the Christmas holidays. I prefer visiting during off times anyway - less crowded.