I might be starting a Day 1 CPT program soon, and there’s a chance I’ll have a full-time job lined up too. Just being real—I’m a little worried about how manageable that combo actually is.
I know you have to stay enrolled and follow the program’s rules to keep your status, but juggling that with a full-time job sounds kinda overwhelming.
Anyone here doing both right now? How are you handling it? Would love to hear what it’s really like.
Hey! I totally get where you’re coming from. I felt the same way at first.
I’m currently doing Day 1 CPT at Westcliff University and working full-time, and honestly? It’s been super manageable. The coursework is pretty straightforward, and classes are usually scheduled in a way that doesn’t interfere with your work hours. Most of it is online too, which really helps.
As long as you stay organized and check in on your assignments regularly, you’ll be fine. It’s not like you’re drowning in papers every week or anything.
So don’t stress too much, you’ve got this! Feel free to DM me if you have questions about Westcliff specifically.
I went to CIAM and I think their workload is pretty manageable: 6 hours per week at most. But I heard that Trine University requires heavy coursework. My friend went there and now she regrets very much lol.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’m in a Day 1 CPT program now with a full-time job, and yeah… it’s a lot.
Classes are usually designed to be flexible (like weekends or online), but you still need to show up, participate, and submit stuff on time.
Balancing deadlines from both work and school can get messy—time management is everything.
Some people treat school like a “compliance checkbox,” but that’s risky. USCIS or the school can crack down if you’re not actually attending or making academic progress.
If you’re organized and pick the right school with reasonable workload, it’s doable. Just don’t underestimate the mental load.
At first for sure, if you are not in luck with course load, you might need to squeeze 10+ hours in a week for assignments and classes. However, you will get better at it and pick up time to study from day-to-day. Now I make sure I do some assignments every day or every other day and classes are recorded so manageable.
Hey! Thanks for bringing this up—it’s definitely something a lot of us have thought about (or are actively navigating).
I’m currently on Day 1 CPT and working full-time, so I can share what it’s been like. To be honest, it is a lot at first. The biggest challenge is time management, especially if your program has synchronous classes or assignments with strict deadlines. You really have to stay on top of your coursework to stay compliant and not let anything slip through the cracks.
A few things that have helped me:
Choose the right program: Some CPT programs are more flexible than others. Look for one that offers evening or weekend classes if you’re working traditional hours.
Stay super organized: I use a calendar religiously—blocking out time for class, work, and study helps me keep my balance.
Talk to your employer: If they’re supportive, they might let you adjust hours slightly to attend class.
Communicate with your DSO: Don’t be shy about asking questions—better safe than sorry when it comes to immigration compliance.
The good news? Once you settle into a routine, it gets more manageable. You just have to be clear with yourself about priorities and make peace with saying “no” to some social stuff now and then.
Hope this helps! And good luck—having a full-time job and working on your degree is a big accomplishment in itself