Co-op questions

Jayvee

I just finished my first semester and was thinking of applying for co-op this semester but I have a few questions. I know that I should allow 2 semesters for the whole process...so does that mean that if I apply at the end of the spring semester then should I expect a placement in spring 2014 or summer 2014? Also, do people usually apply at the beginning of the semester or at the end of the semester? and should I declare a major before applying? (I'm currently in general sciences)
Any other tips on applying for co-op would be greatly appreciated!

ryan

So yeah it usually takes two semesters of work before you do your first coop. It can technically be done in one, but it is not recommended. When you apply doesn't really matter. I applied at the end of first year. You could just as easily apply at the beginning. In the first semester you will attend a little info session, do BOL I, and attend three workshops. You could spread the workshops out, but I recommend doing them all at once. It doesn't end up taking as long as they say, and doing all three with the same people is a plus. After this you will write up a resume and whatnot, and some coop people will go over it. Then you will spend the second semester doing BOL II and looking for a job. So if you were to apply now you would be comfortably set up for a coop term in Fall 13. Or if you applied at the end of the semester You would be ready by Spring 14. That said though if you wanted to get started early, then hold off until a later semester before doing your first coop that is fine too.

Im not sure if you need to declare a specific major first. Being in sciences may be enough...I'm not sure. Otherwise there may be some Science specific requirements like certain courses/number of credits. I also thing you may be exempt from one of the BOL's....don't know for sure though. These are all of the things the science coop advisor will explain to you when you apply.