Advising at FTCAP
Registration for the Advising portion of FTCAP begins June 1st.
Advising dates begin the end of June. (See FTCAP Dates)
The advising component of FTCAP is the first stage of your academic advising. The focus of this program is on individual educational planning and academic advising based on a student's strengths. "Strengths are habits, attitudes, talents, abilities, ways of seeing the world and ways of interacting with people, things, and ideas that enable someone to do something particularly well. By capitalizing on one's strengths, motivation is increased, success is more likely, and obstacles are more easily overcome." (Schreiner, Henck, 2007).
At the Berks campus you will be invited to attend a FULL-DAY of FTCAP in late June or during the month of July. The invitations will be mailed beginning the end-of-May via a postcard AFTER your FTCAP placement tests are completed. You are strongly encouraged to keep your calendar free during this time so that you can attend your assigned FTCAP day. Your families are encouraged to attend this day with you.
This program:
- Provides you with an understanding of your academic preparation and abilities as compared to other Penn State students.
- Provides you with the results of your placement tests.
- Provides you with a one-on-one interview with a FTCAP adviser. During this interview, you will discuss your educational plans and the characteristics of those academic programs in which you have expressed an interest.
- Familiarizes you with the academic structure of Penn State and with the wide range of degree programs available.
- Provides you with a Penn State Student ID. In order to obtain a Penn State id+Card, students must present one of the following forms of photo IDs: A state issued drivers license or ID card, a passport, U.S. Military Photo ID. PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING TO YOUR FTCAP DAY.
- Provides you with a Penn State Computer Access Account. As you will see during the program, your computer access account is very important. On your FTCAP day, you will use your account for on-line registration.
- Provides parking permits for commuter students. Residence Hall students will receive their parking permits when they move in to the Halls. (Put your permit in a safe place so it is not misplaced between now and the start of the semester).
- Acquaints you with the Berks campus, our procedures, some of our staff, and our out-of-class environment.
- Helps you select courses and register for your first semester of study. Course selection is done via group College Meetings and is for students only.