Quotas/Drinking/Science/GradvUGrad etc..
My ex-roommate was an advanced intern in casting. She had told me that there are quotas. This was a few years back, so Casting may have changed that since.
The first time i was on the program(fall96) there were a ton of people down there that i wouldn't trust lighting a gas grill if you know what i mean. Meanwhile, when i was accepted that first time, there were friends of mine that weren't accepted and would have definately added more to a guests experience than these others did. That's the problem with quotas; if they've filled most of their quota by the time your school comes around, the number of spots are limited.
Drinking: I went to Bridgewater State in MA, and the drinking was no different during all 3 programs that i was on. As others have said, there are wellness apartments, and apparently the program isn't as "collegy" as it used to be from the party atmosphere. To those who said this, is it because of all those new complexes?stricter security?the new academic requirements? I'm curious.
If you go to college parties, its going to be the same thing, only you just came from playing/working in a theme park before each one. Also, security should be taken seriously. Don't expect it to be like your RA's in the dorms that could care less if they smell something funny coming from your room. VistaWay Security WILL send you home the next morning. I had a friend(hi alisha from LI!) who was sent home 3 weeks into my first program and it wasn't fun. Just think, its hard enough convincing your parents that its a good idea to take a semester off to do this program. If you come home early and can't take classes on top of that, ...yeah...not a good idea. If you're over 21 i suggest goin out as much as you can. There are plenty of bars in the area that do specials all the time.
Science: The Land Pavilion in EPCOT has botany/horticulture advanced internships. But as someone else said, you have to be on the CP once and in good standing to apply for one. The best thing for you to do is to do your first program and try and network with the people in the program and 1)see if you really want to do it 2)get your foot in the door. Most of the AI's are very selective.
Undergrad/Grad: There's no distinction. Also age isn't an issue either. If you're 30/40/50 and in college and want to do the program, go for it. I saw a good number of older women on the program over the years.
Computers/packing in general: I wouldn't bother. I drove down all 3 times. But i didn't pack as if i was staying for an extended period of time. Treat it as a LONG vacation, ie emphasis on clothes/camera/small personals. TV's/large stereo systems/computers/PS2's aren't a good idea in my opinion. Because more than likely someone else WILL bring them. I brought my old crappy small cd player to have in our bedroom and the cd's i listened to the most. Girls apartments tend to be alot more decorated. Guys apartments will be like guys dorms/apts back home, emphasis on christmas lights and beer lights lol....
