Rejected Again--questions

Took · Sep 24, 2016

My DD has been NLIC for the third time to the Disney CP. She's completing her sophomore year at our local CC. She has great grades, good work experience, does community service, and has said she will accept any work (not picky), and so forth. She been to WDW every year of her life and has dreamed of doing the CP. She was pretty upbeat the first time or so she got rejected but is pretty disheartened this time.

She has never gotten past the application phase, no interview ever.

I honestly don't know what to say. I know kids who have gotten in and can't see ANYTHING different about their applications.

Has anyone else had this experience. What kinds of things on her application could be "wrong" or not as attractive?

dizagain · Sep 24, 2016

Took said:
My DD has been NLIC for the third time to the Disney CP. She's completing her sophomore year at our local CC. She has great grades, good work experience, does community service, and has said she will accept any work (not picky), and so forth. She been to WDW every year of her life and has dreamed of doing the CP. She was pretty upbeat the first time or so she got rejected but is pretty disheartened this time.

She has never gotten past the application phase, no interview ever.

I honestly don't know what to say. I know kids who have gotten in and can't see ANYTHING different about their applications.

Has anyone else had this experience. What kinds of things on her application could be "wrong" or not as attractive?

I'm so sorry!! I know how frustrated and sad my girls would be.

The only thing I can think if is when describing experiences, use "key words" that a computer program might search for. Responsibility, guest service, guest satisfaction, facilitate, lead, etc. Even if it's McDonalds you can fluff the vocabulary up. Open to lots of roles and full availability are also a must- it's good that she's doing that. Does she let you look at it before she sends it?

I hope she doesn't give up - it really does take many tries for some and it's so worth it, despite the agony of the application process.

Took · Sep 25, 2016

Dizagain, I did not see her application so I don't know if she's using the right keywords. I did not see this latest application. Thanks for the post.

wilkeliza · Sep 25, 2016

I wouldn't too much weight into anything. Does she get NLIC simply based on the application or is she getting to the web based interview?

If it is the application then there is really no way to know exactly why. Perhaps your local community college doesn't qualify her? I'm not sure if every single college is eligible. I don't think job experience matters as I met people on my program who had never had a job even volunteer experience and got in. When she is answering the placement question is she just marking everything as highly likely or is she seriously considering and putting maybe 1 or 2 things she wouldn't do? I know I put I absolutely wouldn't do housekeeping. I think it shows the system you are real if everything isn't answered exactly the same way.

goofy4tink · Sep 26, 2016

I doubt anyone knows what those 'key' words are!! I really believe there is some kind of algorithm in place...it searches for specific words/phrases on the online application. If it 'sees' these words, the applicant is moved on the web interview. Again, it searches for specifics. When those are found, the phone interview is scheduled. Those that are 'held aside', not NLIC, but not accepted, probably had a lower percentage of those specific words found. Those with a higher percentage go on.
My dd was incredibly lucky...she must have found a lot of those words. She applied on Jan 12, within an hour had her web interview, then scheduled her phone interview for the following week. But...she then was held 'in progress' until Feb 22! Tons of kids, some that had applied after she did, were getting accepted, while she sat and waited. But, there were kid that also applied that first day and were 'in progress' up until the last day!!
Tell your dd to keep trying. I know a lot of kids that applied more than 3 times and finally got to go!!! But man, it's hard to see our kids so unhappy.

thumpergirl101 · Sep 26, 2016

When you first submit an application, it immediately goes into "submission", which means that it hasn't been opened even by a computer yet. Once it has been opened for the initial key word scan, it will move to "In Progress."

However, some applications never leave the Submission phase, and no one is sure why. It sounds like that's what happened to your daughter, since she never received any interview. That means that no one, whether computer or person, even looked at her application, so I doubt there are any major red flags in the application itself.

Still, I'm sorry this keeps happening. If she wants to apply next season, I would try doing something different like changing up the info she includes on the application or applying at a different time. No one really understands submission, but maybe shaking things up would help.

Took · Sep 26, 2016

thumpergirl101 said:
When you first submit an application, it immediately goes into "submission", which means that it hasn't been opened even by a computer yet. Once it has been opened for the initial key word scan, it will move to "In Progress."

However, some applications never leave the Submission phase, and no one is sure why. It sounds like that's what happened to your daughter, since she never received any interview. That means that no one, whether computer or person, even looked at her application, so I doubt there are any major red flags in the application itself.

Still, I'm sorry this keeps happening. If she wants to apply next season, I would try doing something different like changing up the info she includes on the application or applying at a different time. No one really understands submission, but maybe shaking things up would help.

I will ask her if she moved from "in submission" to "in progress" since I think that would make a difference in how she proceeds. It would be strange if no one or no computer EVER looked at her application, don't you think?

thumpergirl101 · Sep 27, 2016

It is weird, definitely, but to my knowledge that's what submission means. I've successfully applied to the program 3 times, and each time my application has moved to "In Progress" within like twenty minutes of submitting it, and shortly after that I've moved on to the WBI portion.

Disney does receive thousands of applications, but no one really knows why some don't leave submission. It does seem like such a simple step to have it scanned by the computer, but for some reason a fair number of applicants don't make it that far.

goofy4tink · Sep 29, 2016

thumpergirl101 said:
It is weird, definitely, but to my knowledge that's what submission means. I've successfully applied to the program 3 times, and each time my application has moved to "In Progress" within like twenty minutes of submitting it, and shortly after that I've moved on to the WBI portion.

Disney does receive thousands of applications, but no one really knows why some don't leave submission. It does seem like such a simple step to have it scanned by the computer, but for some reason a fair number of applicants don't make it that far.

I still maintain that those that go to 'in submission' are in a holding pen. They just didn't hit enough of what the computer was looking for. I can't, for the life of me, think that there are applications that the computer just doesn't 'read'. There are a lot of kids that are in submission for awhile, then are asked to go on to the WBI. Some don't progress to the phone interview though. The computer is obviously very discerning in what it looks for each time.

Took · Oct 10, 2016

goofy4tink said:
I still maintain that those that go to 'in submission' are in a holding pen. They just didn't hit enough of what the computer was looking for. I can't, for the life of me, think that there are applications that the computer just doesn't 'read'. There are a lot of kids that are in submission for awhile, then are asked to go on to the WBI. Some don't progress to the phone interview though. The computer is obviously very discerning in what it looks for each time.

Yes, I only wish I could fathom what. Utterly stumped.

Boopuff · Oct 11, 2016

Google "disney college program application" there are a ton of great videos, blogs etc. describing the process thoroughly. Make sure your DD is consistent in her answers. If the question asks "do you like to work in a group" and you put "High" then don't say "high" to "I like to work alone" Also, as a Sophmore your DD is on the "young" side. So she's been applying Freshmen year. That could also be a disadvantage. (older kids can work/sell alcohol -easier to place) My DD watched a ton of videos, and was extra prepared. Good luck!

disney is my life · Oct 11, 2016

I'm currently in the application process for the second time for the international program. I'm not sure if what they look for is the same as the DCP but I would imagine its pretty similar. Personally through watching the Facebook group to see who got through and who was NLIC'd I noticed that most of the people NLIC'd were first year students. The only first years that I saw get through to interviews were AT LEAST bilingual if not trilingual or more...

luvmydoodle · Oct 12, 2016

My son applied for the first time for Spring 2017. He is in submission. He is in his second year of college at a community college near our home. Does Disney accept students from community colleges for DCP?

SureAsLiz · Oct 12, 2016

luvmydoodle said:
My son applied for the first time for Spring 2017. He is in submission. He is in his second year of college at a community college near our home. Does Disney accept students from community colleges for DCP?

Yes. As long as it is an accredited program or institution, he is eligible

Lyricallie · Oct 12, 2016

I think it is also just quite random, or maybe the course she's doing. My two friends and myself applied for the International College Programme a couple of years ago. I studied law, the other medicine and the other economics. We all went to the same senior school, although different universities, same rough customer service experience and all had volunteered. Only two of us got to interview and then accepted onto the programme (although only I went). It was myself and the medic who got on. So the only difference we could think of was the degree choice. Which doesn't make sense as economics is a good degree. So I think sometimes it's just random.

SingingMom · Nov 1, 2016

My guess (totally my own opinion) is that the reason is her age/inexperience. Many of the applicants use the DCP like a "semester abroad" or "internship" before or immediately following graduation. Freshman & Sophomore year at a Community College isn't as much as experience as a student who has a few years under their belt or looking toward a post graduate career. With the vast number of applicants, I think the most experience they can bring to the table, the better. Don't let her get too discouraged. Try again! Best wishes to her!

DisOrBust · Nov 2, 2016

PLease don't be offended but is there any criminal record that would eliminate her? That all I can really think of if she didn't even get to the WBI. Did she apply within the same six months? I think they hold your application for that long but I'm not positive. Has she ever worked for Disney in the past?

Taylor Hart · Jan 13, 2017

Took said:
My DD has been NLIC for the third time to the Disney CP. She's completing her sophomore year at our local CC. She has great grades, good work experience, does community service, and has said she will accept any work (not picky), and so forth. She been to WDW every year of her life and has dreamed of doing the CP. She was pretty upbeat the first time or so she got rejected but is pretty disheartened this time.

She has never gotten past the application phase, no interview ever.

I honestly don't know what to say. I know kids who have gotten in and can't see ANYTHING different about their applications.

Has anyone else had this experience. What kinds of things on her application could be "wrong" or not as attractive?

I hate this for her! I was rejected at first, so I know the feeling. I would just encourage her to continue being active in other areas of life, but to keep pursuing this experience and applying. Surely they will notice that she is determined and has a strong desire to work for them!

stitchlovestink · Feb 4, 2017

Boopuff said:
Google "disney college program application" there are a ton of great videos, blogs etc. describing the process thoroughly. Make sure your DD is consistent in her answers. If the question asks "do you like to work in a group" and you put "High" then don't say "high" to "I like to work alone" Also, as a Sophmore your DD is on the "young" side. So she's been applying Freshmen year. That could also be a disadvantage. (older kids can work/sell alcohol -easier to place) My DD watched a ton of videos, and was extra prepared. Good luck!

They can sell/serve alcohol at 18. DD was 19 and was selling/serving alcohol at her DCP job/location.

BadDad · Feb 22, 2017

My #1 question to those who were "NLIC" - What roles did you select? Custodial, Quick Service, and Merchandising should have been selected.

My S did the program twice, both times as QS - when he applied as a tour guide -> NLIC.

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