So you want to do the Disney College Program
With applications coming up soon, I thought I might share how my experience applying and doing the program has been.
First, I suggest waiting until the day after apps open up to apply. There's a few reasons why:
in my experience applying, now that its not guaranteed everyone gets a WBI, most people I see that don't get a WBI email are the ones that apply right as applications go up.
when applications first go up, you're anxious (understandably). waiting to apply/not sitting by your phone waiting for someone to post in the facebook group will just make you so much more relaxed and you're going to be more careful doing your application.
And people will tell you all the phone interview dates get scooped up right away, which is completely false. I applied late the day after apps went up and still got an interview within the first 5 days of the interview days. Before they used to let you know within a week or two what your status was, but now they actually wait the full 2-3 weeks before they start sending acceptances.
When it comes to actually applying-
Make sure you list any work experience you have, and be ready to talk it up like its the most important job in the world.
When selecting roles you'll be interested in, actually pick roles you'll be interested in. Had I known how much I would hate QSFB I would have never selected it (I originally didn't and my interviewer actually convinced me too, which was rather unfortunate). Save yourself the $300 deposit, your plane ticket and your tears and don't sign up for a role you're going to end up hating. Honestly, its not worth it, I promise you.
For the WBI (web based interview)
Just be honest, I mean I've applied 3 times and the two times I've taken the WBI I've passed? Like I feel like its not hard but people fail it all the time? Whatever~
Talk about your work experience and achievements! Talk about how it will work well with Disney, how it helps you stand out, and how you can tie your previous experience into being the best cast member you can be!
Don't be afraid to ask questions about the roles and if something doesn't sound like what you thought it was, ask your interviewer to change your interest level on it!
Be prepared to pick your "top 3 roles" and explain why they're your top 3 and why you really think they're the best fit for you.
If you have tattoos/piercings be prepared to talk about them and answer questions about sizes and what not.
Ask questions about the program! Any questions you have, your interviewer will give you time at the end to answer anything for you, its also a good time to get to show your personality a bit more.
In my experience and talking to other people (and also having interviewed people in my previous job) a good interview is 15-20+ minutes
Think about why you want to do the program. Personally, I did it because I saw it as an opportunity to move to Florida and establish myself a bit down here before I moved for school down here.
If you want to work for Disney- work for Disney, its not that hard to get a job in the park. The college program is something completely different though. You will work long hours, your paycheck will suck because you're getting paid less than part timers/full timers, and the housing situation really does suck. With my 6 roommates we pay over $2300 a month (we live in one of the cheaper apartments, too) and you basically have no freedom. Security is ruthless and I honestly constantly fear of doing something wrong and getting termed (a friend of mine said "f***!" in front of a security guard passing by and the guard termed him). I feel in a lot of ways the program isn't what I was promised, but whatever, I did it so I could start to live in Florida in school and *~*~**~here I am~*~*~*. Just, really think about what you want out of the program before you agree to do it, because I mean you're taking a semester off of school, not everyone gets credit for it, and if you end up self-terming because you don't like other aspects of the program then you basically screw yourself for working for Disney in the immediate future.
Oh and one more thing, if you're thinking of doing the DCP and then going seasonal immediately after, fun fact, they don't do that anymore! They make you wait 3 months, and I had Spring Advantage friends who applied to go seasonal, not to extend their program though, and didn't find out until the week their program ended that they couldn't go seasonal immediately anymore (something that is basically promised in every program before)
Feel free to ask me any other questions you might have though, I'd be happy to answer!
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