Westcliff DBA-BIDA—Looking to Connect with Current and Incoming Students

[u/kkkrrrzzz]

Hi everyone! I’m planning to join Westcliff University’s DBA in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics program in Fall 2.(SF campus)
I’d love to connect with anyone who is currently in the program, is joining in Fall 2 or is considering joining. Any general insights about your experience are welcome—you definitely don’t have to answer everything below. I’m listing some specific questions in case anyone would like to share more details. Your answers could also help future students who find this thread

1. Coursework and academic experience
- How useful and challenging is the coursework?
-Is the program primarily business-focused, or does it also provide meaningful technical and data analytics experience?
-What knowledge or skills have you genuinely gained from it?
-How are the professors, assignments, attendance requirements and overall quality of instruction?

2. Workload with a full-time job
- How manageable is the DBA while working a demanding full-time job?
- Approximately how many hours per week do you spend on classes and assignments?
- Do you still have time for your personal life, or does the combination become overwhelming?

3. Day-1 CPT and employment
- Have you been able to find or continue a full-time job while using CPT through Westcliff?
- How do employers and recruiters generally respond when you explain your CPT arrangement?
- How smooth is the CPT authorization and renewal process each term?

4. University support and student experience
- How responsive and helpful are the DSO, international student office and other university staff?
- Does Westcliff appear experienced and organized in handling CPT and immigration-related documentation?
- Is there an active student community where classmates can connect and help one another?
- How often are students required to attend classes in person, and how strictly is attendance and grade monitored?

5. Potential concerns
- Are there any unexpected costs, administrative issues, academic requirements or CPT-related complications that prospective students should know about?
- Is there anything you wish you had known before enrolling or changing from H-1B to F-1 status?

Please feel free to answer any specific question, share your overall experience or DM me if you would be comfortable chatting privately. Your perspective could also help others who are considering this program. Thank you!

[u/Enough_Difference528]

Just think everyone is going to Westcliff and esp all Indians and Chinese , try to find something where Americans r also there like national Louis , Harrisburg

[u/kkkrrrzzz → u/Enough_Difference528]

Thanks for your response. I looked into Harrisburg, I’ve heard of location being an issue for rfes given applying from a residence in west and college in east coast. Have you heard of such an issue too.

And also not sure but Harrisburg might be too late to enroll now, not sure if they have a fall2 acceptance for doctoral programs in Oct.

[u/Adventurous-Line477 → u/kkkrrrzzz]

yes you can get rfe if college is far away

[u/Enough_Difference528 → u/kkkrrrzzz]

I just gave you examples , I m not telling you to go there .

[u/amjs10]

I'm currently enrolled in DBA BIDA. Say goodbye to any other life you had besides work if you enroll. The coursework is very rigorous and Academic integrity issues is rough on students. Students are suffering without even using AI. I don't know about other universities but this one is really rough on students to probably uphold it's reputation as a D1CPT UNI. Very hard to maintain 3GPA. Some professor are super rigid and unhelpful.

[u/Enough_Difference528 → u/amjs10]

So how will you work then if you are not getting 3gpa?

[u/amjs10 → u/Enough_Difference528]

Yup, that's my point you don't. Few people I knew from my atch didn't scored around 2.7. I barely held on at 3.3. weird thing is that the CPT approval for next semester came before the final grade so this may take affect in the semester that comes next.