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 or her educational plans in an individual educational planning meeting during the FTCAP advising day. Information from the EPS is also used by DUS in establishing programs to foster effective academic advising.
The EPS is divided into two parts. Part I consists of open-ended questions about the student's high school and out-of-school experiences, his or 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 educational planning meeting.
Part II of the EPS consists of multiple-choice questions concerning a student's educational background and plans. The data collected from Part II have been summarized on this Web site.
Prior to 2004, both parts of the EPS were administered in paper and pencil format, with Part II being a machine-scannable form. Beginning in 2004, both parts of the EPS were administered via the Web.
Contact: Division of Undergraduate Studies (dus@psu.edu)