i'm doing my third and final rotation of co-op this summer, and i still haven't told the co-op office. i'm still considered a full time student by my insurance providers, so i don't really see a point to paying out $350 and doing a bunch of stupid paperwork (and probably paying late registration fees on top of that).

5/20/2006 9:36:46 AM

i don't see why it'd be important, unless you REALLY want that co-op certificate bullshit.

5/20/2006 10:08:08 AM

what good is a co-op certificate anyway?

5/20/2006 10:43:27 AM

The certificate is pointless ... only thing that matters is the actual experience/learning you got out of it. I think it's there to encourage people to do at least three full rotations and not treat the coop program like an internship program.

The only other thing paying the fees does is get you access to all other things fee-paying gets you access to ... namely the medical center and the gym. I'm not sure how good they are about tracking such things ... last thing you'd want is an unexpected $350 to show up on your bills, rather than an expected $350.

5/20/2006 10:48:22 AM

there is only one case when you should pay a co-op fee - if you need to be a fulltime student to remain on your parents' insurance - other than that it's 100% not worth it - they know this but they push as hard as they can to have you sign up for the 3 rotation deal - they have no real power over that though - most of the times the company prefers something different than the co-op office wants anyways

5/20/2006 10:52:05 AM

^cool, thanks.

5/20/2006 10:52:17 AM

I'm doing the same thing you are, but if you want to get your PE in 3 years after you graduate you need complete your full term. Thats what the certificate is for.

5/20/2006 11:01:02 AM

maybe my brain just isn't functioning this morning, but what do you mean by PE?

5/20/2006 11:06:12 AM

^ Professional Engineer

5/20/2006 11:26:59 AM

not sure i see the point of getting a PE.

[Edited on May 20, 2006 at 11:40 AM. Reason : .]

5/20/2006 11:36:23 AM

^
Doesn't matter for computer science usually.

5/20/2006 11:47:22 AM

that's the impression i have. thanks for the help all, i'm gonna go ahead and save my money :p

5/20/2006 11:50:14 AM

I was supposed to complete my third rotation of co-op this summer, but I really didn't think I would learn anymore then I already had at the company so I chose to stay on campus this summer and do research with one of my professors. The co-op department was actually really good about it.

5/20/2006 12:00:20 PM

i don't really feel like calling them to tell them that there is no point to taking a third rotation and spending money. they'll be alright, i've given them enough money

5/20/2006 12:03:34 PM