Anyone here actually studying at McDaniel on Day 1 CPT?

General
1

Hey guys,

Just wanted to see if anyone here is currently doing Day 1 CPT at McDaniel College or thinking about it. I started the program a few months ago and figured I’d share what it’s been like so far and see what others think.

So far it’s been alright. The classes are real, like not just fake attendance stuff, and they actually make you participate. It’s hybrid so I only go to campus like once every 2 months, which works for me since I’m working full-time.

Getting CPT approved was smooth too. I sent them my job offer letter and got approval within like a week. The DSO replies pretty fast and helped with SEVIS stuff.

That being said…

  • You do need to renew CPT every semester, which is kinda annoying
  • They are pretty strict about attending class (even if it’s online)
  • I’ve been told you gotta make sure your job is clearly related to your major or it could be a problem later during H-1B

I haven’t had any visa issues so far, but I’ve seen people on Reddit saying they got RFE or visa denial after transferring to some Day 1 CPT schools so I’m just being extra careful.

Anyone else here at McDaniel right now?
How’s it going for you?
Any issues with SEVIS or DSOs?
Also curious if any alumni here went on to get H-1B or green card after going this route.

Drop your experience. Would love to know how others are handling it. :folded_hands:

2

Hey @Blaze — appreciate you sharing your experience so far! Always helpful to hear firsthand what the program actually feels like in real time.

:white_check_mark: It’s great to hear that McDaniel’s classes are legit and that the CPT approval process was smooth — especially the quick DSO response (rare win!). And yes, renewing CPT each semester is a bit of a pain, but also kind of standard for schools trying to stay on the safe side.

A couple thoughts based on what I’ve seen working with students:

  • You’re absolutely right to stay cautious about job relevance. More than one RFE has boiled down to someone listing a “project manager” role while majoring in data science, or something similarly mismatched.
  • McDaniel’s hybrid structure (once every 2 months on-site) seems to fit the CPT requirements better than some programs that overdo the “remote” part — so that’s a plus for long-term visa safety.
  • For anyone considering a transfer in: ask early about SEVIS transfer timelines and CPT start dates. These transitions can get tricky if not timed right.

Would also love to hear from any grads who made the H-1B leap after McDaniel. If you’re out there, drop some wisdom!

– Jill
(CPT reality-checker, friend to all DSOs who reply on time)