Pre or Post-Grad College Program

[willonlyflytodisney]

Hey guys,

So - it has been my dream to work at Disney for quite some time, but since I transferred schools, I need to stay every semester in order to graduate on time.

The whole time, my plan had been to do the CP my semester after I graduate - as I would be applying my last semester of college, and I understand that a lot of people do this. I was then planning on applying for an internship for the following semester and then after that year was up, going to grad school.

But, as a transfer, most of my friends are all a year younger than me anyway (I'm currently a junior and most of my friends are sophomores).

I guess, I've heard so many people talk about how they hated going back to school after the CP and how it was never the same. So, I don't know if I could do that.

At the same time, I know I want to live in New York and I have dreams there and I'm worried that if I have graduated already, I will get sucked into the Disney magic and won't want to leave. This is no offense to people who do end up working there, but my dream is to work in the corporate offices in New York - its just a different dream.

Anyway - thoughts from people who have done either/both?

 

[DisneyGirl421]

I graduated in May, and am currently on the CP now. I am one of the people who got sucked in to the disney magic, lol, as I am staying down here after my program ends in january (I already signed a lease haha).

But I don't think it will be a permanant thing, just for a year or two. There is nothing for me at home right now, and eventually I will probably go to grad school, but for now, I'm staying down in Orlando!

 

[Joanna71985]

I've done both. 4 of my 6 CPs were done while I was still in school (and let me tell you- it was TORTURE going back to school after finishing the programs). I then did my last 2 after I graduated (Fall 2009/Spring 2010), then went FT at Disney.

I have to say- if you know where you want to work after graduating, I think you would be fine doing the CP after you finish school.

 

[mollay]

I'm having the same sort of issue as you... up til now I was so set on doing the Fall 2011 CP (which would have been my Junior year). When I switched to an education double major I realized I wouldn't be able to take the semester off and still graduate "on time." No big deal, I would just set myself back one semester. Still eight semesters, same cost, just a few months behind.

But now I'm realizing that if I do the CP during school, I won't get to pick my classes with everyone else (which means I will have last pick... which is bad seeing as I'm just barely on track to graduate on time with all the classes required for my majors). I'm also nervous that I'll do the CP in the fall, come back to school in January and be completely miserable. (Going from sunny Florida to the miserable winter weather of Long Island, NY, is not something I'm looking forward to...)

HOWEVER! I fear that if I try to just get my schooling finished, I'll be swept up by the rest of life and end up not doing the CP when I graduate. If I get offered a job after my last semester at school, how could I justify turning it down to go play in Disney World for a semester? And then what'll I do once I get back?

I'm just beginning to fear that there's simply no time for someone like me to do the CP.

 

[Berlioz70]

I went through my entire undergrad, wanting to do the CP, but was never able to justify leaving school. So I didn't. Two years later, I was wrapping up my Graduate degree and could not shake the regret of not doing the program. So I did it post graduation, with my masters.

I was unsure if I wanted to stay at Disney long term, but as opportunities kept popping up, I kept taking them. Then I bought a house. So I'm here!!