University Park, Pa. -- The transition from high school to college can be a scary one, but one program at Penn State is helping to make that move a little less frightening. Penn State's First-Year Testing, Counseling and Advising Program, now in its 47th year, is designed to help incoming freshman hit the ground running once the academic year starts.
This one-day program, better known as FTCAP (pronounced fit-cap), offers sessions designed for the incoming students and their family members. The students and family members attend separate sessions in the morning and joint sessions in the afternoon.
Judith J. Goetz, senior associate director in the Division of Undergraduate Studies, explained that the program has evolved using the technological advances of recent years to assist in introducing curriculum and to take advantage of the increasing abilities of technology. Goetz noted that technology has not changed some portions of FTCAP.
"What has remained over the years, because of the importance of these aspects of the program, are the individual meetings students have to discuss their educational plans and the programming for families," Goetz said.
Sue Pringle and her son Alex, and Franklin Perez with his son Marco, were a couple of the families that participated in FTCAP this year. Alex Pringle, a chemistry major, traveled with his mother from Philadelphia and Marco Perez, a student in The Smeal College of Business Administration, and his father made the trip from Short Hills, N.J.
Alex and Marco's individual student sessions began with an academic information meeting.
Before arriving on campus each student has taken a three-hour test to determine his or her appropriate starting levels in English, mathematics and chemistry course sequences, and for basic skills purposes. This test, together with the student's SAT score and high school performance, have been used to develop an individualized "Profile of Academic Abilities." In addition to receiving this profile, the student in the first session examines FTCAP's objectives and activities and discusses many of the academic adjustments necessary coming into the University.
Franklin Perez liked being involved in his son's academic career.
"I liked that they gave me his profile. I learned what his skill levels were. The information provided allowed me to be able to play a role. At least know and understand the achievements necessary to lead to his academic goals," he said.
Curriculum, general education coursework, programs of study and advising opportunities all are explained to the student's family, as well as to the student.
"It is important as well for the student's family to learn about these aspects of Penn State so that the family can support their student's educational exploration," Goetz said.
Franklin's son Marco noted that he learned about the structure of the University and about his curriculum. He also liked the way the information was presented.
"The advisers were very personable. They were very open," he said.
In the students' next session they met with a Division of Undergraduate Studies adviser to discuss their profiles. This time also was used to discuss their educational plans, occupational and professional interests, career goals and any other issues related to the academic experience at Penn State.
One of the student participants appreciated the additional information provided by FTCAP.
"The breakdown of the curriculum explained the academic side," Alex Pringle said. "I learned all the specifics of AP (advanced placement)."
Just before lunch the students attended a session titled "Real Life Choices." In this session they learned about building a healthy social community and the choices they will face regarding alcohol use, the role alcohol can play in sexual assaults and the importance of consent.
Concurrent to the students' morning sessions, family members attended sessions intended to help familiarize them with the University and the test results compiled in the students' "Profile of Academic Abilities." These sessions include a multimedia presentation delving into the academic structure of the University, a family conference with a Division of Undergraduate Studies adviser and a session on student living.
Sue Pringle, a college student herself, may have been a little more astute about college life than the average parent.
"I thought it (FTCAP) was good. A lot of the parents in our session needed a lot of handling. They couldn't get past the fact you drop your kids off, make sure their beds are made and leave," Pringle said. "One parent asked, 'What do I do on Friday?'" (referring to the day after the Thursday drop off date).
After lunch the students and family members proceed together to a meeting with a representative from the college in which the student plans to enroll and a subsequent academic advising interview. At the end of the day an optional conference is available to make sure no questions go unanswered.
One measure of FTCAP's success may be that last year about 96 percent of all new students and their family members took part in the sessions offered by this program.
For more information about FTCAP, visit http://www.psu.edu/dus/ftcap/
For pictures from some of this summer's FTCAP sessions, visit http://live.psu.edu/still_life/08_14_03_ftcap/index.html