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STARTING AS A FIRST-SEMESTER STUDENT
Help and instructions about required and elective courses are provided to all entering
students. All students who enter Penn State as first semester students must participate in the
First-Year Testing, Consulting and Advising Program (FTCAP). Information about scheduling this
program is sent to each student after the offer of admission is accepted. FTCAP is a two-part
program consisting of placement tests, as the first part, and a full day of advising and scheduling,
as the second part.
Placement tests must be scheduled and taken by all students. These tests are used to
determine the most appropriate courses with which to start in English, math, and chemistry. As part of
the program, which goes on from the middle of May until the end of July every year, students come to
the campus to which they have been admitted to develop a schedule for their first semester with the
help of an adviser. Each student's schedule of courses will depend on the recommendations of the
placement tests results, the major of interest (undecided is acceptable), transfer credits, and
course availability of electives. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) which administers FTCAP.
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FIRST-YEAR TESTING, COUNSELING & ADVISING PROGRAM
All students who enter Penn State as first-semester students must take placement
tests to determine the best courses with which to start. These tests are taken by students only
after they accept the offer of admission from Penn State and are not designed to deny any program.
Presently, students take placement tests in math, chemistry, and English and the readiness level,
as evaluated by the tests, is used in developing an appropriate course schedule for each student's
first semester.
As part of the First-Year Testing,
Counseling & Advising Program (FTCAP), all first-semester students in the College of Engineering
must attend an information session about the degree requirements for the majors offered by the College
at the location where they will begin their degree program. Immediately after the information session,
students will work with advisers and faculty to develop a course schedule for their first semester.
The course schedule is based on the results of the placement tests, the student's goals and interests,
advanced placement or transfer credits, and course availability of electives.
Information about scheduling the placement tests and about the counseling and
advising session will be sent to students after they accept the offer of admission. The scheduling
and administering of FTCAP is done by the Division
of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). For more information, contact the DUS FTCAP office directly at
814-865-2578. The College of Engineering is only one of the participants in the program and relies
on DUS for the names of the students and their dates of participation.
Students who have earned at least 18 credits at another institution after graduating
from high school are considered for admission as advanced standing or transfer students and are
therefore not required to participate in FTCAP. If appropriate and relevant, they may, however, be
asked to take one or more of the placement tests to help in the scheduling of appropriate courses.
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FIRST-YEAR SEMINARS
First-Year Seminars are an
exciting way to begin your engineering education at Penn State. These small, interactive classes are
limited to 20 students and meet once or twice a week for lab projects, demonstrations, tours, or
discussions about engineering. You select a seminar to:
- Explore a range of engineering majors, or one field in particular;
- Meet faculty, alumni, and more advanced engineering students;
- Participate in hands-on projects and real-world engineering problems
in a team-based setting;
- Improve your time management, communication, and problem-solving skills;
- Discuss career opportunities with alumni and employers;
- Develop technical skills;
- Have fun and meet and network with other first-year engineering students
in a friendly environment.
Taking a First-Year Seminar is required for all entering students. The seminars are designed to welcome
you to the Penn State community and teach you valuable engineering skills and information.
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SPECIAL HOUSING OPTIONS
E-House, EASI First Year, and FISE House are special housing options at University Park
for first-year engineering students. Special housing options are a great way to meet friends
with the same interests and coursework, find out more about engineering and engineering careers,
and benefit from academic and social programs. See Special Housing Options for
more information about engineering-related housing programs available at University Park.
Penn State offers a variety of other special housing options at University Park
that may be of interest to you. To explore these options, go
to
Special Living Options. Students who are attending campuses other than University Park should
contact Housing and Food Services for information
about their campus of choice.
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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY & PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
First-year students gain engineering design and computer graphics experience
through innovative and team-based courses, minors, and activities housed in the School of
Engineering Design, Technology & Professional Programs (SEDTAPP), including the initial,
hands-on course, EDSGN 100, Introduction to Engineering Design. EDSGN 100 has served as a model
for first-year offerings at engineering schools throughout the country.
SEDTAPP also houses the Engineering Leadership Development Minor and the
Engineering Entrepreneurship Minor, as well as other innovative programs such as Engineers
Without Borders. Go to SEDTAPP for
more information.
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ENGINEERING MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
The Engineering Mentorship Program provides first-year students with the
opportunity to interact with upper-level and other first-year engineering students during
orientation activities, which span the first semester of a student's first year. Engineering
mentors serve as an informal resource for valuable information, both social and academic.
Before first-year engineering students come to Penn State, they receive
a personal letter from their mentor. Engineering mentors are a constant presence during
orientation activities, leading group breakout and icebreaker events, helping students find
their way around campus, and answering questions.
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