Day 1 CPT: On-Site Experiences

First-Hand On-Site Experiences

Attending on-site sessions is an essential part of Day 1 CPT programs. To maintain their F-1 status, students must go to on-site classes based on the school's policy, which could be once per semester, per month, or every other week. For many students, these sessions provide rare opportunities to interact with professors, university staff, and classmates in person, significantly shaping their impressions of the school.

To help prospective students understand what an on-site session looks like at each Day 1 CPT school, this page collects first-hand experiences from current students. The list will be continuously updated. If you would like to share your on-site experience, please contact us by info@goelite.us to share your story and receive a $20 Amazon gift card!

Selecting a Day 1 CPT School by On-Site Frequency

If you have any questions about Day 1 CPT, don't hesitate to book a free consultation with us. Our educational consultants will contact you within 48 hours.

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Westcliff University

California

1/semester

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CIAM

California

2/semester

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Harrisburg University

Pennsylvania

1/month

Westcliff University

On-site Campus: 17877 Von Karman Ave, 4th Floor, Irvine, CA 92614

On-site Frequency: 1 per semester

Duration: 2 pm-9 pm Friday, 8 am-8:30 pm Saturday, and 8am-12:30 pm Sunday

Student: Ellen Program: MBA Residence: CA

Commuting

I live in downtown LA, so it usually takes me about 1 hour to drive to Westcliff University. Since I don't have a car, I often rely on friends to give me a drive to campus. When they're not available, I’d call Uber, which costs around $70-80 per trip.I also used a carpool app made by GoElite, designed for Day 1 CPT students to share rides and split costs.

Parking on campus is convenient, and the school validates the tickets, which makes things easier.

Facilities

Westcliff occupies the entire floor of a very fancy and modernized office building in Irvine. You can watch the cityscape from the transparent glass windows.
The classrooms are very clean and outfitted with advanced facilities that enhance the learning experience. The space is open, making it convenient to walk to an advisor's office for consultations.

Moreover, there's a beautifully decorated lounge area where students can relax in a comfortable environment.

Agenda (May 31-June 2, 2024)

- Friday
14:00-17:30 AI Presentation
17:30-18:30 Dinner
18:30-21:00 Course Learning Outcome Presentations

- Saturday
08:00-13:30 Workshop
13:30-15:00 Lunch
15:00-17:30 Group Work
17:30-20:30 Work Remotely

- Monday
08:00-09:00 Group Work
09:00-11:30 Presentations
11:30-12:30 Networking, Presentation Showcase, & Awards

Class Experience

Attending the 3-day on-site session was a bit exhausting, but I found the classes to be very engaging. The last session focused on AI, a very current and trendy topic. We delved into the ethical dimensions of AI, exploring responsible usage and its impact on different communities.

The sessions mainly revolved around student discussions. Although it was intense at times, the topic of AI could be explored from various perspectives. So it could be easier to actively participate in the conversations.

These class discussions also provided excellent networking opportunities. Day 1 CPT students come from diverse backgrounds; some of my classmates work in private equity, architecture, and cutting-edge technology. Interacting with them provided me with many valuable insights.

During the first two days of the on-site session, we needed to check in at the gate and then at our designated classrooms. Throughout these days, we submitted assignments via the GAP system, summarizing what we had learned from the classes. Saturday afternoon and evening were dedicated to team discussions, as we prepared for our presentations.

On the last day, each group delivered their presentations, and we participated in voting for the best presentations from other groups. At the end of the on-site session, we were asked to do an evaluation to assess our overall on-site experiences.

CIAM

Onsite Campus: 1000 S. Fremont Ave. Building A-10, 4th Floor, Alhambra, CA

Onsite Frequency: 2 per semester

Duration: 8 am-12 pm and 1 pm-5 pm (one Saturday)

Student: Jason Program: MBA Residence: CA

Commuting

I live in Arcadia, CA, just a quick 40-minute drive from CIAM. I usually head to school around 8:30 in the morning. One of the great things about CIAM is how convenient it is to park there. The parking fees are covered by the school, which is nice.

Facilities

CIAM is located on one floor of an office building. The environment isn't very fancy, but it's clean and well-equipped. The layout can be a bit confusing though; it's easy to get lost in the building.

Agenda

9:00-10:15 Welcome
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-12:00 1st Class
12:00-13:00 Lunch (free Subway)
13:00-14:30 2nd Class
14:45-15:00 Break
15:00-16:00 Zoom Class
16:00-16:45 3rd Class
16:45-17:00 Survey

Class Experience

The atmosphere during on-site sessions at CIAM is relaxing and inclusive. Professors don't do cold calls, but students actively participate in discussions. Classes are typically divided into groups of 4, which provides great opportunities to get to know each other.

Handouts are printed in advance, so bringing a laptop isn't necessary. New students enjoy free lunch, which is a great perk. However, the eating space is limited, so some students opt for food delivery instead.

Harrisburg University

On-site Campus: 326 Market St, Harrisburg, PA 17101

On-site Frequency: 1 per month

Duration: 8 am-12 pm or 1 pm-5 pm (one Saturday)

Student: Anna Program: MS Analytics Residence: NJ；CA

Commuting

I used to live in New Jersey, and back then, I often took the train to Harrisburg University. The train ride was about 3.5 hours. The train station is very close to the campus, so you can walk there.

Now I live in California, so I have to fly to get there. The good thing is their campus is only about a 20-30 minute drive from the airport, and taking an Uber is really convenient.

If I had a morning on-site class, I'd need to get there the night before. Harrisburg offers hotel discounts, so instead of paying the regular price of $150 per night, it's around $100 with the discount.

Facilities

The on-site class is held in a modernized building owned by Harrisburg. To get to the upper floors, you need to use your student ID. The classroom isn't very new, but it's equipped with good technology.

Agenda (May 31-June 2, 2024)

Each on-site class lasts for about 4 hours, usually split into a 2-3 hour lecture followed by a free discussion. Sometimes the class ends early, so you have extra time to explore the campus.

To prove attendance, professors would check the attendance or have you sign a sheet. Sometimes they also take a class photo.

Class Experience

The class size is about 30 people. Some professors are really knowledgeable and passionate, which makes the classes very informative and engaging. However, some professors just read from the PowerPoint slides, and the content can be redundant.

If you don't want to attend the free discussion after class, you may leave early.

On-Site Experiences

TABLE OF CONTENTS

First-Hand On-Site Experiences

Westcliff University

CIAM

Harrisburg University