NoleGrad09

I have participated in this program and I wholeheartedly recommend it. I did the Chicago Summer 2008 program and I worked for a pro sports team doing promotions and marketing for the team. I really enjoyed it and found the price well worth it. It would have cost me that much money to sublease an apartment for 2 months, and to pay for food and transportation and all of the activities that I got to do during the program. The price covers housing, a meal plan, transportation, and planned weekend activities. I got to see Wicked, went to a Cubs game, a dinner cruise, city tour on a double decker bus, saw a comedy show at Second City, and spent the night in a luxury condo on Lake Geneva for 4th of July. I met a lot of really great people and learned a lot while I was there. I definitely think you should look into it.

And by the way - i am highly offended by some of these posts because I did participate in this program and I really enjoyed it. And I am not a spoiled rich kid that can't get a job. I am actually quite poor and this program offered me financial aid to be able to participate. I am a senior advertising major about to graduate from FSU and I was working a part-time job, taking 15 credit hours, and I was active in 3 student organizations when I decided to enroll in UofDreams. I probably could've gotten an internship on my own but I found it highly convenient to have someone supply housing, food, and transportation for me instead of having to seek it out myself. I also was required to have 6 credit hours of an internship to graduate so I couldn't risk the possibility of not procuring one on my own. The guarantee at UofDreams is that they will help secure you an internship that you approve in your industry of choice, or you will receive your money back. I would watch what you say about a program that most of you clearly know nothing about.

j6a2y7

I participated in the 2008 Chicago summer program and I loved it. Although most UofD internships are unpaid, I was paid a monthly stipend. Additionally, I am an independent student which means my parents have no part in paying for my education. This made me very hesitant about participating in the program because I wasn't sure if it would be a smart investment for me. After speaking with various UofD alumni, which I contacted through facebook, I decided to participate in the program. My school funded half of the cost so I only paid about $3,000 .

I was placed in a corporate public relations firm and my experience there was priceless. I also attended the weekly seminar series where UofD brought in professional guest speakers from different fields. This was actually my favorite part of the summer program because I left those seminars being very inspired and motivated to reach for my dreams. I was influenced so much that I did a presentation for the other interns and executives at the company I was interning at.

I don't believe UofD is for everyone but it was definitely worth it for me. UofD gave provided me with the guidance, inspiration, experience I needed to go out on my own and pursue my career. My roommate didn't feel the same as I did about the program but then again, she didn't actively participate in everything UofD had to offer. She also wasn't happy with her internship so you should do your research before you accept your internship job instead of relying solely on the enrollment advisers.

Lastly I want to note that YES, I am a new member to this website BUT I think it's important to also know that the only reason I became a member was to respond this forum.

consultinghopefu

lol.............................. all these 1 post promoting :-p...it's pretty obvious

JaszG

I was doing some research on University of Dreams, and came across this thread. I'm honestly shocked at the number of people who have shot U of D down because you have to pay. Think about it, most degree programs require an internship, and when you get one it is usually unpaid, and you have to provide your own housing, food, and transportation. If you live in Alabama, and are interning in New York, your expenses would be outrageous!! With this program you are guaranteed an internship, place to live, a meal plan, and other activities. It saves you a lot of stress! I'm pretty sure these people are making the money that they need to be made, so I really don't think that they'd come on here and make one little post to "CHANGE EVERYONES MIND WITH 4 SENTENCES" Its not that deep....and for the people who said they'd just take summer classes...summer classes don't get you contacts, and you can't really add that to your resume'. Has anyone else had any experiences with U of D? I'm thinking of trying them out.

imrightuarewrong

Someone should delete this thread. Half the people posting in it are either the same person or all people who work for this piece of crap.

Just by the fact that they feel the need to come defend themselves on an internet forum and spam everyone with advertisements leads me to believe they're not legit.

JaszG

EVERY company promotes. From McDonald's, to Sephora, to nursing homes. Why should University of Dreams be any different? I have never seen an ad from them, I was on my schools website looking for internships, and they linked to University of Dreams. People are always so busy trying to find fault in everything that they pass up a good thing. Think about it; you're interning in New York and you live in Alabama. You don't know anyone there. You have to have a roof over your head, and rent there is ridiculous. You have to eat, you have to get to where you have to go. I will be looking for an internship in 2011, and honestly, I'd invest in U of D. It reminds me of summer camp, which is pretty cool.

imrightuarewrong

But you obviously work for them or are paid by them to post on this forum, what you really think you made an account just to defend this company?

kinglin

University of Dreams is a scam. Ignore the people posting with less than 5 post.

If you want an internship, go out and find one yourself. Don't pay someone $8,000 to find one for you.

Then again, I'll find you an internship if you're willing to pay me $50.

JaszG

No, I made this account because I am a college student, and there is information about the school that I will be attending. I thought that U of D could be a scam, but then I came to the realization that if I where going to try and go to an unfamiliar place, I may as well pay that price, rather than possibly get screwed over in the long run. I am defending the company because I think what they are doing is good. Kinglin, I would be more than willing to give you $50 if you could guarantee me an internship, place to live, food to eat, and transportation...think you can handle all that in NYC for me? I'll be looking for an internship in advertising for the summer of 2011.

JaszG

Uh oh!! My 5th post! Check me out!!! lol.

drizzl

This university of BS is a good example of a general problem in our society. A lot of people are always looking for quick-fix solutions instead of long term commitment. "Oh crap, it's summer and I don't have an internship. Here are 8k, fix me up". It's sort of like buying one of those ab crunchers and thinking you will have a six pack in two weeks.

I mean come on: "guaranteed internship" from the "University of Dreams". I go to a top15 school and even they can't guarantee me anything but the University of Dreams supposedly can ?

julia9627

Alright, alright.... let's try and make this a no judgement zone... i'll tell you what I know, what I have experienced and what I am experiencing with the University of Dreams.

Ok, so in September of 2007 I got accepted into the NYC UofDreams program. I applied early b/c by doing so, I got 1,000 dollars off the program. My sister went through the LA program in 2004 and gained a lot of knowledge, experience and got an internship at E! entertainment. From about October on I was being contacted by an enrollment advisor who took me through the resume process. I was sent a resume tutorial to base my own off of, was given lots of resume training and had my resume looked over many times so it was perfect before it was sent off to companies. After that, my enrollment advisor told me to go online and look at all of the companies that the UofDreams has connections with. I chose my top 3 and my resume was sent off to those companies. By this time, I was having mock interviews with my enrollment advisor and was given a list of the types of questions that employers ask when conducting phone interviews. I must say, my first interview was with World News (ABC)...I didn't get it and I think it was because I was wayyy too nervous...but anywho I went through about 4 other interviews until I was hired by a production company in lower Manhattan. I was housed in an awesome NYU dorm in the middle of Union Square which had an awesome gym in the bottom level which I had use of(even had a swimming pool). I was set up in a room with three other roommates...One was from Holland (22), Toronto(24), and Michigan(22). There are activities that are included in the plan you pay for like a NYC bus tour, Yankees game, Washinton D.C. overnight trip, dinner dance cruise...Not to mention the speakers that are brought in (Vice president of ESPN, Heather Hale..a 2-time emmy winning tv writer). After each seminar, you can introduce yourself and actually connect with people who achieved their dreams. Ok, so I went through the program, had a blast and then I became a Campus Marketing Intern for the company my senior year. Then this summer, I was hired as a summer staff back in NYC...
Ok yes, I work for the company but NOONE is paying me to write this...I was looking at the website because it is going through a transformation which I am helping with by shooting video throughout the summer...so I typed in University of Dreams on google and right below the official website is this blog.
Yes, it is a lot of money..I agree, $8,000 is an investment, but if you do go through the program and take advantage of every event and activity you payed for, I'm telling you...you will come out of it a more focused person. The whole idea of this program is to let students have an experience that opens their eyes up to what they truly want to do in life and the steps they need to take to achieve their dreams, hence the name. Another thing is the other students that do this program are driven and have dreams of their own...it's always good to be surrounded by people who believe in themselves and want to achieve great things....

So, I'm probably going to get some hate for this...but I just wanted to write this because I feel like those who are saying negative things have never experienced it and basically, you're wrong.

imrightuarewrong

LOL another 1 post wonder, this is hilarious. You're trying too hard University of Dreams, just give it up.

jdp349

Hah, Julia you got ripped off. I go to NYU, rent an apartment with 2 other friends in the East Village (which costs the same for an entire years rent as 2 semesters in NYU housing) and am interning at NBC Universal this summer, and likely continuing into the fall. You shelled out $8,000 for something I did for free, simply put, you're a sucker.

Also, the in NYC, hearing big name speakers from the media speak is easy. Just google center for communications, they have a top notch seminar almost every week for free. Hell, last fall I was a VIP at the Daily Show, and was able to meet the producers, and the talent... for free.

The Resume process ... it's called the college career center. Every half decent University career center has one, and guess what, they help you craft your resume and do mock interviews ... for free.

j6a2y7

1. University of Dreams costs a substantial amount of money
2. Securing an internship, housing, food, etc. can all be done on your own

Both of these statements are true. I think the problem here is that UofD comes off as a company that caters to wealthier students who have the financial means to pay for the program and lack the effort to seek out an internship themselves. In some cases, this is probably true. This was not the case for me but I can see how some may perceive it that way.

For those of you seriously considering this program, here are my thoughts. First, UofD is a legitimate company. I think the real question boils down to "Is the UoD program worth the money?"

The answer: It depends.

As stated in my previous blog, I definitely received what I paid for but my roommate did not feel the same way. My best advice is to connect with former participants. Some of them will have a great story to tell, some won't. From there, you can evaluate if the program is for you or not depending on your current situation.

I believe there are many aspects of the program that can only be understood by the UofD participants. So, those who haven't experienced the program cannot possibly offer any kind of real insight. It's just opinions, speculations about something external to them.