<p>D & I go up for the May 23rd session. I went 3 years back with another D and got some good feedback then on how to avoid some of the lines for IDs and computer accounts. Does showing up at 7:15 at the HUB for your ID work best?</p>
<p>Good question, we go on June 11 and would like to know the same thing. Also, do they get their elion account that day too? My son only has the FPS account but we can't get into elion.</p>
<p>When we did FTCAP, we arrived the day before. S ran up to the HUB about five minutes before closing and got his ID. No lines....took about two minutes. So....I would suggest, if you arrive the day before, have your D go to the HUB ID office late in the afternoon.</p>
<p>We are taking S up on 6/6. Please explain a bit more about the ID and elion...what is elion? Thanks</p>
<p>For new parents, like me, here is a helpful PSU web site that explains all the good stuff our S's and D's can do with their new id+ card: Penn</a> State id+: FTCAP</p>
<p>I called and spoke to the id office at University Park and they said while their normal summer hours are 8am to 5pm, they 'usually' open at 7am on FTCAP days. We go up with my S on 6/3, so I will be interested to hear about your experiences from those that go up before then.</p>
<p>We're going for FTCAP tomorrow, and I didn't realize until it was too late that we could have gone up early and taken care of some of the stuff this afternoon. So I'm hoping the lines aren't <em>too</em> long in the morning.</p>
<p>Last year S and I had planned to take care of the ID and computer accounts at the end of the day, but when we cut through the HUB on our way to lunch the lines weren't too long so he took care of it then. I was impressed at how smoothly things went (and how quickly the lines moved). (He wasn't interested in getting up any earlier than absolutely necessary.)</p>
<p>Okay, we're back and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly we got through the lines. We had planned to get there early but got tied up in heavy construction near our house, so ended up getting there a little after 7. But we were still able to get through the ID and computer lines in time. </p>
<p>One thing my S didn't like: in the afternoon section, when they do the "one-on-one" advising and scheduling, they made the parents wait downstairs in another room. My S had thought I'd be able to go with him to help choose his schedule, and he walked away a bit unsure about some of his choices, so we may end up making some changes online. We were done and on our way home by 3:30.</p>
<p>momwriter - thanks for the info. I have heard from others on this site not to worry about that first schedule as you can make changes all summer as other kids add and drop classes, new seats and sections open up. </p>
<p>Anyway, tell us a little about your day. What did you do? Did they have anything specific for the parents? Is there a need for both parents to be there other than good company? Did you eat anywhere that you would/would not recommend? Just curious.</p>
<p>G Dad - yes, you're right. We had heard that, too. I was a bit disappointed, though, because I would have liked the opportunity to chat with one (or more) of the advisors. </p>
<p>Anyway, here are some specifics: </p>
<ul>
<li><p>Make sure your student brings photo ID, as they will need it to get their student ID card. </p></li>
<li><p>When they set up their E-mail account, there's a little card where they are supposed to write down their password. They will need that later.</p></li>
<li><p>If both parents do come along, I'd suggest having the driver drop off the student and other parent at/near the HUB, so they can get things started while the driver finds a parking spot. Some people did that, and it was a real time-saver.</p></li>
<li><p>Regarding the bus from the parking lot, we discovered it doesn't necessarily come every 8-12 minutes, as it says on the website. We waited more than 20 minutes for the bus. </p></li>
<li><p>I don't think it's critical for both parents to attend. They give you a lot of material to take home that explains pretty much all of the topics they discuss. </p></li>
<li><p>In the morning, the parents attend several sessions where you learn about the various credit/class requirements for certain degree programs, dorm policies, security issues and alcohol-related rules and policies. Meanwhile, the students are off talking with mentors. Also, they're given guidance about choosing a major - which was a short discussion for my S, since he has already chosen a major. </p></li>
<li><p>You are also given a copy of your child's entrance test results, with a graph that compares their stats with other students in similar degree programs. Then university staffers come around and ask each parent if they have any questions. (This is really the only one-on-one conversations you have with university reps during the day.) </p></li>
<li><p>Since yesterday's event was attended mainly by students who will be attending in the summer, they also spent some time addressing specific summer topics. For example, freshmen are allowed to bring a car in the summer, if there is enough parking available. </p></li>
<li><p>We ate at a pizza place near campus (I think it's called HiWay Pizza), just because it was the first thing we spotted. The pizza was good, though. </p></li>
<li><p>The afternoon session is college-specific. We were in college of communications, so other college divisions may do things differently. </p></li>
<li><p>We were surprised at how many Fall classes are already filled. Many of the classes my S tried to get didn't have any slots left. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>momwriter- thank you for that detailed report. My FTCAP advising day is not until June 4th. What kind of classes were already filled? I can't believe some classes are already filled.</p>
<p>Don't stress ashlieh. Classes open up all the time. Go to FTCAP with a bunch of classes you might want and make the best schedule you can and then you can tweak it all summer and even into the first week of school. Just keep looking on line.</p>
<p>I'm in the Eberly College of Science as a perspective chemistry major so I'm not too stressed, but thank you for the advice sax.</p>
<p>When we went with my s to his scheduling (a few years ago) the room was jammed with parents. It was difficult for the kids to talk with the advisors because the parents were monopolizing them. So I think that is why they are enforcing the one-on-one idea.</p>
<p>I had my Schreyer FTCAP on the 20th, and overall I thought it went very well. I kind of appreciated that they let us schedule without our parents, as I know I probably would have debated with my mother over some things, and its not like they don't give you the rest of the summer to make changes. And even then, I too was surprised by how many classes were already filled, or close to being full.</p>
<p>Thank you momwriter. I appreciate the insight!</p>