I got into the Disney College Program!

[Distriv]

The letter arrived here at school while I was away for Thanksgiving break. I haven't accepted yet (my parents are still unsure if they want me to do it as a freshmen) but I'm rather excited. A entire semester living, learning, and working at WDW. This is basically my dream come true. Has anyone here done (or know someone that has done) the program?

 

[dreamergirl78]

CONGRATS!! If you are able to go, I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[blessedby3]

I dont know anyone who has done this, but I have a DD16 who is wanting to do this once she is able.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Congrats! I'm definitely going to apply as an international student once I finish my degree over here. I say go for it! What an experience!

 

[dizprincess717]

I did the College Program, and I got to work at Splash Mountain. I did the Program from January-May '06. While I was there I also went to a character face audition and was offered a role as Aurora/Cindy but I would have had to extend my Program from May-August and transfer from Splash at the end of my Program. For personal reasons, I was not able to extend and so I had to decline the role offer.

Being a CP was the best experience of my entire life. I learned so much about myself, I pushed myself to the limit (because let's face it, working 14 hours isn't that easy!!!), and I made some of my best friends there. I have friends all over the world, too!

Go to the College board that's on here. There's lots of CPs there.

I will give you this fair warning though - it will be all fun and games in the beginning. But once busy season comes around (either Christmas or for me, it was Easter), you will most likely get 1 day off a week and be scheduled anywhere from 60-70 hours/week. The most I pulled off in a week, without asking for more hours or being asked to extend my shift, was 72 hours. It's tough work. But you'll end up being great friends with all the other CPs and regular CMs at your work location and you'll have fun.

Even though at times you'll want to go home, just do the College Program. My only wish is that everyone could be a CP.

 

[phisigprincess]

Congrats!!!! I second the PP - I would check out the college board here on the DIS. There are a ton of people who are doing the CP over there.

 

[CarolB]

I am the mom of 2 ex-College Program students - "ex" only because their terms ended and have very good things to say about it. My oldest DD did the program 4 times, that's how much she loved it and actually worked for WDW for almost a year after the last experience (post graduation) as a Manager before moving on to other things. Other DD just did the spring/summer program and is now a rep for her University. Since I work at a college, I have known many students who have done the program as well. Feel free to have your mom/dad pm me if they have questions. Also, if you decide to go with it, be sure to be in touch with your college/university coordinator, so that you do the paperwork right and don't have any issues when you come back to school.
Good luck and check out that other board, as suggested.
(PS - 2 of my oldest DD's good friends and roommates from the CP program were PSU students ..one now lives in FL and one in VA - both returned to PSU to finish their degrees after being a CP).

 

[safetymom]

Congratulations. My daughter did the CP twice. It was a great experience for her.

 

[Remember The Magic]

i was offered a place from June of this year until next January but I had to turn it down. If you are allowed to do it, do it. it's better to regret something you did than something you didn't do.

 

[mrsv98]

My niece did the CP the Spring sem of her Freshman year and now my nephew (her brother ) is doing the same thing. She loved it, still misses it and plans to go back as soon as she can, most likely for the advanced internship. A previous poster was right about the hours. She worked at Casey's on Main Street and at first she barley worked enough to pay her bills. But once spring break time hit, then grad nights, she was working 60+ hours a week and some times nearly all night.

Go, you will have a great time!

 

[tar heel]

A question for those of you with CP experience, either as a participant or a parent: Did any of you do it immediately after graduating? My DS is a senior and is considering applying this spring for summer/fall. Some kids want to backpack around Europe after graduation -- he wants to live at Disney World. If I understand the rules correctly, he will still be eligible as long as he is in school when he applies and his selected. I know he could just go get a job at WDW, but he would like to have the already-chosen roommates, place to live, etc.

 

[CarolB]

A question for those of you with CP experience, either as a participant or a parent: Did any of you do it immediately after graduating? My DS is a senior and is considering applying this spring for summer/fall. Some kids want to backpack around Europe after graduation -- he wants to live at Disney World. If I understand the rules correctly, he will still be eligible as long as he is in school when he applies and his selected. I know he could just go get a job at WDW, but he would like to have the already-chosen roommates, place to live, etc.

My DD did her final experience after graduating from college. Someone at the school still has to sign off (as I understand it anyway), but he would be filling out that paperwork while still in school....basically it just says he is a student in good standing, etc. It has nothing to do with credits or anything else.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

Congratulations! So awesome!

 

[Keggy]

A question for those of you with CP experience, either as a participant or a parent: Did any of you do it immediately after graduating? My DS is a senior and is considering applying this spring for summer/fall. Some kids want to backpack around Europe after graduation -- he wants to live at Disney World. If I understand the rules correctly, he will still be eligible as long as he is in school when he applies and his selected. I know he could just go get a job at WDW, but he would like to have the already-chosen roommates, place to live, etc.

He is able to appy for 6 months after he graduates. He does not have to be a student still at school - unless the rules have changed since I did mine - and they very well could of since I did mine in 2000. I applied for an Advanced Intern and was able to because I was within 6 months after graduation.

I did CP right after graduation. I had been accepted for the summer before my senior year but I had commitments at school that I could not leave for. I reapplied and was accepted for the semester after I graduated. I was not alone there were plenty of others who were "older." It was easier for me to come down this way. My apartment was already set up, as well as my job. If he decides to stay on then he will have met others and will know the area better to move into an apartment.

For me coming after graduation was easier because I was ready to try to pursue a career here. I do think anyone who has the chance to do it should.

To the OP - if your parents give you the ok - I think you should go for it! It can be a lot of long hours. But, it is a ggreat opportunity and will look fantastic on your resume. I met my DH on my CP! Out of my group of friends from my CP three of us are married to people who we met on our CP! One is a PSU alum!

Kelly

 

[tar heel]

Thanks. I think this would be a fun thing for him to do before getting too far out into the real world.

 

[RadioNate]

If I were your mom I'd tell you to go in a heartbeat.

BEST time of my life...LOVED it!

Congrats!

 

[dizneenut]

Congratulations!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Congrats!!! I'm still debating over whether or not I want to do it. Well, I really want to do it, but I'm just afraid I'm going to get homesick.

 

[minnie56]

My DD was in the 'Int'l College Program' this past May through August (as you can see below in her HM costume!) and she loved it!!

Good Luck with your decision!

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

How exciting!

I did the CP in the fall of '05. I was in Quick Service Food and Beverage at Magic Kingdom in Stands East. The work can be tedious (as any job can) and you're going to work a LOT of overtime during the busy season (thanksgiving and christmas were the busiest) but I seriously had the time of my life. I met some wonderful friends that I still talk to regularly and you just can't beat the experience. And getting to go to the parks whenever I wanted for free was the best. There are a lot of perks that come with being a CM.

If you decide to go, have a blast!