Parents of First-Year Students
First-Year Testing, Consulting and Advising Program (FTCAP)
The First-Year Testing, Consulting and Advising Program (FTCAP), conducted by Penn State's Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), assists new first-year students in evaluating their educational plans by providing them, prior to initial registration, with a comprehensive program of testing and individualized educational planning and academic advising. This program is the first stage of academic advising, providing students with an understanding of their scholastic preparation, academic abilities, and educational and professional interests, and introducing them to the academic structure and degree programs of the University.
The testing component of FTCAP is used for educational planning and academic advising purposes, to determine a student's appropriate starting levels in English, mathematics, and chemistry course sequences, and for basic skills purposes. The testing component involves approximately three hours or less of the student's time.
The educational planning and academic advising component of the program provides students and families with an understanding of each student's academic preparation and abilities as compared to other Penn State students through the Profile of Academic Abilities. The advising component of FTCAP also provides to each student an individual meeting with a FTCAP adviser in order to discuss the student's educational plans. The program also familiarizes students and families with the wide range of degree programs available at Penn State, acquaints them with the campus and some of its procedures, and helps students to select courses for their first semester of study.
How to Get Your Housing and Food Service Contract
First-year students are required to live on campus at University Park. To activate your eligibility for a Housing and Food Service Contract, you must first send your Acceptance Notification and fees to the Office of the Bursar.
Because rooms are assigned in the order that acceptance fees are received, it is to your advantage to send in your fees as soon as you decide to attend Penn State. Housing for first-year students is available across campus, but keep in mind that popular locations and Special Living Options (SLOs) fill up quickly. Students who submit their acceptance fees later in the process may not receive their residence area, SLO, and roommate preferences, and may be assigned to supplemental housing —a reduced-rate residence hall room that houses more than two people—rather than to a regular double room. Submit your Housing and Food Service Contract online.
2009 New Student Orientation Programs:
Second six-week Summer Session Arrival Week Orientation Schedule.
(Coming in June)
Fall 2009 New Student Parent and Family Information Session
Parents and Families Weekend, University Park
If your student is enrolled at University Park, please plan to join us during this weekend in October for Penn State’s Parents and Families Weekend. Hotel rooms fill up quickly for this event so plan to book your stay in the State College area soon. Learn more about this annual event.
Local Hotel Information
Lodging listing from the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau