<p>So, I'm getting ready to pay my deposit fee for Penn State and I read "Housing fee". The thing is is that I'm going to live with my parents and commute to school. Do I still have to pay these fee? Also, how do I let them know I wont be living in the dorms? I'm actually going to State College tomorrow; I have tickets for 1 pm so I actually wont visit the campus until Wednesday. Can we just go and ask the faculty? Or do we have to set up an appointment? We were just going to check out the surrounding town and stuff. </p>
<p>Also, I see a bunch of people on here and on facebook talking about this "FTCAP" test. What is it? When can I take it? Do we have to follow the test and which classes it directs us towards to? What If I bomb the chemistry (since that is my worst subject)?</p>
<p>Thanks, guys! Also, what's a cool place to visit in State College? Definitely want to try out The Creamery everyone's been raving about.</p>
<p>Since you talk about visiting State College, I’m assuming you don’t live there. Not sure if you’re aware, but PSU requires freshmen at University Park to live on-campus unless they are residents of State College (or very close by). You would need to try and get special approval to live off-campus - which I’ve heard isn’t that easy - so you could probably ask them about the fee at that time.</p>
<p>Oh, and yes, definitely check out the Creamery. If you go there right before you head home, they can pack up some ice cream in dry ice for you so you can take it home with you (depending on how far you will be going).</p>
<p>@momwriter - Thanks, so much. I’m definitely going to have to ask about that when I get to campus. I’m excited for The Creamery! lol plane leaves in a few hours.</p>
<p>In total the deposit is $300. This breaks down into a $100 students fee, $100 enrollment fee and $100 for the housing deposit. The contract states that when your contract is up, you’ll recieve your $100 deposit back for housing. </p>
<p>FTCAP is the First-Year Testing Consulting and Advising Program. Its basically a three part system that begins right after you accept your offer of admission pay your deposit. You will be directed to this site
[Penn</a> State FTCAP - Home](<a href=“http://dus.psu.edu/ftcap/]Penn”>http://dus.psu.edu/ftcap/)</p>
<p>There you will take a survey that will allow your advising counselor to better understand you and why you’re going to Penn State. They also use it to help you select courses.</p>
<p>The actual placement tests are pretty important, as they will determine the classes you must take when you attend. If you do poorly it’s not the end of the world. One student from CC stated that he did very poorly on the chemistry part. He told his counselor that he just forgot the material and could understand chemistry just fine. It was just so long since he took the class. He got a good grade in HS chemistry so she didn’t make him take a remedial chemistry course. SO basically as long as you have a good explanation for why you bombed.</p>
<p>After you take the tests you will be assigned an advising day where you must go to University Park to meet with your advising counselor and schedule your courses. You will also receive your Penn State ID card and online account for paying tuition and other fees.</p>
<p>As stated before, dorming is mandatory for first year students.</p>