The College Program Questions thread

[hopesethigh]

Well, I decided to visit WDW for the first time the week before I check into WDWCS. They put a not on my reservation confirmation that I was a 2007 WDW CareerStart Student. I have a feeling this means I'll be watched...or is there another reason?

I'm so excited!

 

[Loves Disney]

I will first admit that I have not read through this entire thread so if this question has already been asked, I apologize in advance!

I am entering college this fall as a freshman and am EXTREMELY interested in doing the college program. I just got back from college orientation and attended the short little meeting about the CP. I heard an option about extended fall or something like that. I know you have to be a sophomore to do the CP so my question is this:

If the extended fall option starts in May, is it still possible for me to take part in this option for the year 2008 keeping in mind that I will be ending my freshman year at that time? Or do I have to start by taking the spring option in the year 2009 after I have already completed a semester of sophomore year?

TIA!!

 

[Joanna71985]

I will first admit that I have not read through this entire thread so if this question has already been asked, I apologize in advance!

I am entering college this fall as a freshman and am EXTREMELY interested in doing the college program. I just got back from college orientation and attended the short little meeting about the CP. I heard an option about extended fall or something like that. I know you have to be a sophomore to do the CP so my question is this:

If the extended fall option starts in May, is it still possible for me to take part in this option for the year 2008 keeping in mind that I will be ending my freshman year at that time? Or do I have to start by taking the spring option in the year 2009 after I have already completed a semester of sophomore year?

TIA!!

Actually, you do not need to be a sophmore to do the CP. I did my first CP after one semester. I'm really not sure what your question is, but there are 2 different CP programs: Spring and Fall. The Spring program runs either Jan to May (Spring) or Jan to Aug (Spring Advantage). And the Fall program runs either May to Early Jan (Fall Advantage) or Aug to Early Jan (Fall). Hope this helps. If not, I will try again.

 

[Loves Disney]

Actually, you do not need to be a sophmore to do the CP. I did my first CP after one semester. I'm really not sure what your question is, but there are 2 different CP programs: Spring and Fall. The Spring program runs either Jan to May (Spring) or Jan to Aug (Spring Advantage). And the Fall program runs either May to Early Jan (Fall Advantage) or Aug to Early Jan (Fall). Hope this helps. If not, I will try again.

Yep! I does help, thanks!

The college I am attending requires us to be sophomores to take part in the CP.

 

[Joanna71985]

Ah, ok.

 

[Nancymousehouse]

Does anyone know anything about the color codes in entertainment?????

 

[Joanna71985]

Color Coding shows your level for animation and dance (and for some people, stilts and puppets). It is used to determine for shows, parades, ect.

 

[sulleyfan]

After reading all 86 pages, I still have a couple questions ....I'm really looking at doing CP, probably not until Fall Advantage '08 though, I'm just starting back to school and want to get a year under my belt.

First, do they basically let anyone who wants to extend their CP do so as long as they're in good standing w/ Disney?

Second, I noticed some of you mentioned going seasonal after your CP is done, what exactly does this mean? And how do you do it if you're going to school in another state?

I'm really hoping this will be a stepping stone to getting a full-time position w/ Disney once I've got my degree. Thanks for your help everyone!!

 

[Joanna71985]

After reading all 86 pages, I still have a couple questions ....I'm really looking at doing CP, probably not until Fall Advantage '08 though, I'm just starting back to school and want to get a year under my belt.

First, do they basically let anyone who wants to extend their CP do so as long as they're in good standing w/ Disney?

Second, I noticed some of you mentioned going seasonal after your CP is done, what exactly does this mean? And how do you do it if you're going to school in another state?

I'm really hoping this will be a stepping stone to getting a full-time position w/ Disney once I've got my degree. Thanks for your help everyone!!

Anyone can extend as long as you are in good standing, and your record card is good. However, if you want to transfer there is limited roles/room.

Seasonal means you only have to work a certain amount of hours to keep your training. You could do it over the summer. Or over holidays.

 

[SplshMtnLvr28]

I have a few questions...

I'm still in high school, so how early should I apply for the CP?

If you don't do the CP in the summer, are you exempt from that semester? Or does the CP happen before your freshman year, so you just start college when you get back? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm curious.

 

[orangekid13]

I don't think there's any way to do the CP before your freshman year unless you have a lot of college credit from programs like my school district had where you spend at least half the day at the community college taking classes the HS doesn't offer. The school pays for it and you get double credit.

If there's a presentation on your campus, go to it your first semester and start the application process there.

 

[SplshMtnLvr28]

I'm just wondering what do you for the classes you would have missed while you were doing the CP.

 

[orangekid13]

you don't miss classes, you don't enroll in them that semester. your university might give you credit for doing the CP, or the classes offered while you're there.
you take a semester (or a quarter or two) off, you just put everything off a semester, it can get complicated if certain classes are only offered certian semesters.

 

[Joanna71985]

I have a few questions...

I'm still in high school, so how early should I apply for the CP?

If you don't do the CP in the summer, are you exempt from that semester? Or does the CP happen before your freshman year, so you just start college when you get back? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm curious.

Unfortunately you have to have done at least one semester in college, and be at least 18, to do the CP. However, if you have finished HS, you could probably do the career start program.

 

[SplshMtnLvr28]

you don't miss classes, you don't enroll in them that semester. your university might give you credit for doing the CP, or the classes offered while you're there.
you take a semester (or a quarter or two) off, you just put everything off a semester, it can get complicated if certain classes are only offered certian semesters.

Oh ok. Yeah, I was wondering about those classes that are only offered certain semesters. Thanks.

 

[Navarra81]

Hey there! I was accepted for the CP this fall and will be driving down in August! I'm so excited, but nervous and worried. I've been reading this board for a while and just now made a name for myself. Can anyone help me answer a few questions I haven't been able to find answers to yet?

1. What kind of paperwork is needed on arrival day (such as car or medical paperwork) and is medical insurance necessary?

2. What is something you regret bringing and what did you have to buy when you got there that no one told you about?

3. How big are the lockers and what are they for?

4. Would you recommend not bringing games such as PlayStation or XBox?

5. I was just informed I moved from Quick Food and Beverage Service to Attractions. Can I chose what role in Operations I want once I get there or am I restricted to one area or ride?

6. What's the best number of rooms and roommates, in your opinion?

7. I know I'm not going to be getting credit for the classes there. Are they worth taking just for fun or would you suggest more free time?

Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[TXDisneyGirl]

Hey there! I was accepted for the CP this fall and will be driving down in August! I'm so excited, but nervous and worried. I've been reading this board for a while and just now made a name for myself. Can anyone help me answer a few questions I haven't been able to find answers to yet?

1. What kind of paperwork is needed on arrival day (such as car or medical paperwork) and is medical insurance necessary?

2. What is something you regret bringing and what did you have to buy when you got there that no one told you about?

3. How big are the lockers and what are they for?

4. Would you recommend not bringing games such as PlayStation or XBox?

5. I was just informed I moved from Quick Food and Beverage Service to Attractions. Can I chose what role in Operations I want once I get there or am I restricted to one area or ride?

6. What's the best number of rooms and roommates, in your opinion?

7. I know I'm not going to be getting credit for the classes there. Are they worth taking just for fun or would you suggest more free time?

Thank you so much for your help!!

Hi! I'll be down there in August for my 2nd CP. What's your arrival date? Mine is the 22nd. I think I can answer your questions:

1. I don't think they'll ask for any paperwork if you bring a car, maybe just proof of registration/insurance. If you have any medical conditions that restrict what kind of work you can do, bring paperwork for that. This isn't necessarily paperwork, but make sure you bring your social security card! That was the one thing I forgot to bring and I had to get on a bus with a few other people that forgot theirs and we spent 5 hours at the federal office downtown waiting to sign a paper to get a new one sent to us just so we could show proof of it. It would've been easier for my mom to have just overnighted it to me, but they made us go anyway.
2. I'm not much help on this question because I flew out there and didn't have a car, so I pretty much packed only things that I needed. And as far as buying things, nothing was too unexpected. You have to buy your own shoes for your costume and they have to be solid color. It's not something that you can buy before hand either since you don't know your exact work location. Just bring some extra cash so that you can get those within the first week you're there.
3. The lockers are pretty small-I'm not good at measuring, so I'm not even going to estimate. They're there for you to use to place any items that you may not want to leave out while you're not there. I put my laptop in mine the first few weeks, until I knew I could trust my roomies with it. After that, I just mainly used it as extra storage space.
4. It's up to you if you want to bring video games. You could store them in your locker when you're not there if you don't feel safe leaving them out. We only had one tv in our apartment and it would have been nice if we had some video games to play rather than just surfing the channels.
5. That's weird that they moved you since it seems like they are desperate for QSFB people! Hmm. Unfortunately, you won't be able to choose your specific role.
6. When I did my 1st CP I had a 3 bedroom apartment, with 5 roomies. At first I didn't like it, because I like my quiet time, but I found that it was a lot easier to make more friends that way since there were more of us. Plus, there was a better chance of someone else having the same day off as me so we could go to the parks or whatever. Plus, it's cheaper!
7. If you want to take advantage of the networking opportunities, I would recommend taking a class. I didn't take any classes when I was there last, mainly because I missed the opportunity to sign up for them since I spent 5 hours at the Fed Office to get my SS card! But, I heard that the classes were actually pretty interesting and the homework wasn't too hard. Plus, that's another way to meet more people. But, if you don't take a class, that will give you more opportunities to work extra hours if you need the cash.

Phew, well I hope this helps and isn't just an info overload. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Navarra81]

Phew, well I hope this helps and isn't just an info overload. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks! You helped me so much!!
My arrival date is the 15th of August. Are you going to be taking classes this year, then, since you missed out last year?

 

[TXDisneyGirl]

Thanks! You helped me so much!!
My arrival date is the 15th of August. Are you going to be taking classes this year, then, since you missed out last year?

You're welcome! Less than a month for you! So exciting!

I can't decide if I want to take a class or not. Now that I've graduated I'm pretty much being cut off from the parents, so I'm going to have a lot more expenses than I did last time. So, I need to make sure I can work enough to pay for everything. But, I'm really interested in the Marketing U class so we'll see.

 

[Joanna71985]

Hey there! I was accepted for the CP this fall and will be driving down in August! I'm so excited, but nervous and worried. I've been reading this board for a while and just now made a name for myself. Can anyone help me answer a few questions I haven't been able to find answers to yet?

1. What kind of paperwork is needed on arrival day (such as car or medical paperwork) and is medical insurance necessary?

2. What is something you regret bringing and what did you have to buy when you got there that no one told you about?

3. How big are the lockers and what are they for?

4. Would you recommend not bringing games such as PlayStation or XBox?

5. I was just informed I moved from Quick Food and Beverage Service to Attractions. Can I chose what role in Operations I want once I get there or am I restricted to one area or ride?

6. What's the best number of rooms and roommates, in your opinion?

7. I know I'm not going to be getting credit for the classes there. Are they worth taking just for fun or would you suggest more free time?

Thank you so much for your help!!

1. On the website (after you are able to log in after accepting) it lists all the paperwork that is aceptable to bring. A SS card, birth certificate, and liscense work (that's what I used). As for insurance, that depends on you. I am carried on my parent's.

2. I don't really regret bringing anything, but I probably always bring too much clothes. As for what stuff to bring, I would suggest bringing a router for the internet (though there is a chance of a roomie bringing one). A lot of stuff it's easier to just get down in FL.

3. The lockers are not that big. They are pretty much just for locking up valuables (like a laptop, camera, ect).

4. I LOVE video games. I brought my Nintendo DS with me, and play it all the time. They probably would fit in the locker.

5. Your role is chosen for you. You will have been placed already when you arrive. And did it specifically say attractions? Because if it said operations that also includes parking and tickets (turnstiles).

6. I would say either a 2 or 3 bedroom. I did a 2-BR for my first 2 CPs, but am currently in a 3-BR. I think I prefer the 3-BR because it is cheaper, and there are 3 baths.

7. That would be up to you. The classes can be fun, but I wouldn't take any.