Educational Planning Survey: About the EPS
Prior to their participation in the advising component of the First-Year Testing, Counseling and Advising Program (FTCAP), all new, first-year students are asked to complete an Educational Planning Survey (EPS) which includes questions related to their educational background, curricular goals, and academic concerns.
The primary purpose of the EPS is to enable advisers working with the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) to discuss with each student his/her educational plans in an individual educational planning interview during the FTCAP advising day. Information from the EPS is also used by DUS in establishing programs to foster effective academic advising.
The EPS consists of two parts. Part I includes open-ended questions about the student's high school and out-of-school experiences, his/her educational, occupational, and extracurricular plans, and self-assessments of assets, weaknesses, and educational needs. Part I also asks students to indicate the importance of discussing various academic topics (choice of major, academic requirements, advanced placement, study skills, etc.) in the FTCAP individual interview.
Part II of the EPS is a machine-scannable form that is used to collect additional information from the student concerning his/her educational background and plans. The data collected from Part II have been summarized on this Web site.
Contact: Division of Undergraduate Studies (dus@psu.edu)