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Are all
summer students automatically registered for LEAP?
NO! LEAP is a choice each student makes
by registering for LEAP 097 courses. LEAP is a
special program which creates a small-college
atmosphere within the larger University by fostering
a sense of community. Of the first-year students
who will begin their studies at Penn State University
Park this summer, more than half will participate
in LEAP. In the past, well over 80% of LEAP students
were glad they participated! The program is only
for first year students who have already been
offered fall or summer admission to Penn State
University Park, and only takes place during the
summer. Students admitted for fall must contact
the Admissions Office to change to summer admission.
How
does LEAP work? Each student selects
from one of a number of course combinations called
Prides. A pride consists of two 3 or 4-credit
classes with the same students in both. One is
usually either basic composition or basic speaking,
both required for all students. The other course
is chosen from a wide selection. If the student
was originally admitted for fall semester, their
admission must be changed to summer semester.
When they are in the computer system as a summer
admission student who has paid their registration
deposit, they can follow the directions on our
registration instructions page.
What
are the benefits of LEAP? There are many,
including:
- small classes: each section is
limited to 24 students, with a chance to really
get to know the faculty.
- integrated courses: your writing
or speeches in one class are based on the material
you're learning in the other class, and vice
versa.
- a mentor for each Pride: an
upperclass mentor is there to show you the way,
with study skills sessions, library and computer
help, social activities, and tips about college
life.
- the LEAP residence area: we
take over an entire dormitory area so that LEAP
students live together with other LEAP students!
There are no upperclass students, so you get
to know a lot of people starting college at
the same time as you.
What if
there is no Pride for my major or the Pride for
my major is filled? Don't worry! Remember,
over the course of your education, almost a third
of your coursework will be outside your major
department. Try a skill-related Pride, like Speaking/Writing,
which offers skills that any student will use
in nearly all of their courses. Every student
must take a set of General Education courses in
the arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences,
communication, quantification, and natural sciences.
This requirement is intended to broaden your education.
All Prides offer at least one course which fulfills
one of your General Education requirements. Look
for a “[GN]” or “[GH]”,
etc. after the course number on the Pride List,
indicating a “General Natural Science,”
or a “General Humanities.” These courses
are appropriate for a student in almost any major.
(Check with your advisor for specific requirements.)
Which
students should choose LEAP? LEAP is
for any first-year student coming to University
Park who wants a smooth transition into life at
a big University! The program is only open to
first-year students already admitted to Penn State
for the summer or fall semester, and is only offered
in the summer. Entrance to the program is first-come,
first-served after admission to the University
has been offered.
Can
fall admission students attend LEAP? Yes, but they must contact the Admissions Office
to change their admission to "summer."
Contact Admissions through their web page at http://www.psu.edu/admissions
under "Email Us," or call (814) 865-5471.
When can I
register? When you have paid your deposit
and have become an "admitted" student,
the computer system will be ready for your registration.
Information on how to register over the Web is
available on this page under "Registration
Instructions." Registration for LEAP 097 will open on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at 5:00 p.m.
How does a student
register for LEAP? Follow the web registration instructions on our "Registration
Instructions" page. If you are changing your registration from fall to summer, remember to complete two housing agreements on the web---one for fall and one for spring. That's it!
How much
does LEAP cost? There is no extra charge
for LEAP. A student's total fees are based on
the number of credits taken and the summer room
and meal plan. See the PSU Tuition Page for tuition
information. Information on housing and food costs
can be found at the Housing Office Web Page. For
the latest visit http://www.tuition.psu.edu
and http://www.hfs.psu.edu/rates.
Should
a student take any other courses in addition to
the two courses in their Pride? No. Six
or seven credits is really enough for the six
week semester. Summer classes meet every day,
Monday through Friday, in 75 minute periods. That's
a full-time student course load for summer. Students
will want time to make friends and learn their
way around "town and gown."
What if a student
doesn't want LEAP? Students who choose not to participate in LEAP will select from the standard schedule of courses when they meet with their adviser during the First-Year Testing, Counseling, and Advising Program (FTCAP) visits to campus ---usually in May or June. See http://soc.our.psu.edu/soc/ to search the courses offered in the summer.
How does a student
select courses? Students may review the list of LEAP courses under "LEAP Prides" on our web page, or in the LEAP brochure mailed to over 40,000 prospective students. Then when LEAP registration begins they will go on line following the directions in the web page under "Registration Instructions" and choose the pair of courses they'd like to take. If some LEAP 097 sections have filled, students may have to select an alternate choice. If a student doesn't wish to enroll in any of the LEAP Prides, they will choose summer courses when they meet with their adviser on campus at the First-Year Testing, Counseling and Advising Program (FTCAP). To review the choices available by course names visit http://soc.our.psu.edu/soc.
What is
FTCAP? FTCAP stands for First-Year Testing,
Counseling and Advising Program, offered by the
Division of Undergraduate Studies. After submitting
their deposit to Penn State, a student will be
given testing and counseling dates. During the
counseling phase, a student meets with an advisor
and selects courses. For students who choose LEAP
and are already registered for courses during
the summer, courses for fall semester will be
selected. Non-LEAP students will select both summer
and fall courses. For more information on FTCAP,
or if you have not received FTCAP notification
yet, visit their website at http://www.psu.edu/dus/ftcap.
Can I register
for LEAP at FTCAP? Your FTCAP advisor
can help you sign you up for any spaces remaining
in LEAP prides. Some of the more popular choices
may be unavailable, as LEAP 097 will be open on the web for registration in late February or early March, and FTCAP meetings don't begin until May.
Do local
area residents have to live on campus? If you choose to live at home, you must submit a written request for a freshman housing exemption to the Assignment Office before contracting for a room on the web. If you complete the web contract for a room, that is a legal contract making you responsible for room charges.For further information email assignmentoffice@psu.edu or call the Assignment Office for Campus Residences at (814) 865-7501.
Can I bring
a car? First-year students are allowed
to bring automobiles for the summer. You should
register the car as soon as possible after your
arrival, but certainly by the second day of classes.
The Parking Office in the basement of Eisenhower
Parking Garage (behind Eisenhower Auditorium)
will need a valid registration and driver's license.
See the Parking Office web page for more information
at http://www.transportation.psu.edu,
or call 814.863.7021.
What is the deadline
for LEAP registration? Registration for
summer begins on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at 5 p.m. Students
become a part of LEAP by registering for one of
the prides (LEAP 097) described in these pages.
(We will then notify the housing office when students
add LEAP so they can be placed in the LEAP housing
area, but you must submit a housing contract for summer over the web.)
Registration will continue until near the beginning
of the Summer Session. The problem with late registration
is that the courses and the course times you prefer
may be filled. Space in the LEAP housing areas
may be filled as well. Early enrollment proceeds
at a rapid pace, especially for the more popular
prides; many combinations may be closed to individuals
who wait too long to register for LEAP.
Do I need a camera
to take the Photography and Writing Pride?
Students may bring their own digital cameras for
ART 90 if they so desire. Two to three megapixel
resolution is recommended. Students are NOT required
to bring their own cameras. Students who do not
bring a digital camera may borrow one from Media
Services as needed throughout the summer. Traditional
film cameras will not be used for ART 90. Tripods
will be available for students to use during assignments.
Can I room
with a student who's not in LEAP? LEAP
housing areas are for LEAP students only. You
may request a non-LEAP roommate, but you will
not be assigned to live in a LEAP building.
Can I room with
another LEAP student I know? If you did not select a roommate at the time of contract submission, you may contact the Assignment Office for Campus Residences asking to add a name to your contract. Your friend
must contact housing as well. Requests submitted
after advising visits in May (FTCAP) may not be
honored as space gets more limited. Locate the Housing and Food Services website at www.hfs.psu.edu under University Park, email assignmentoffice@psu.edu, or call the Assignment Office for Campus Residences at (814) 865-7501.
Can I keep a bicycle
in my room? In the past students were
allowed to keep bicycles in their rooms. Some
locked storage boxes may also be available.
Can I live in my
brother or sister's apartment
for the summer and attend LEAP? University
policy states that all first-year students are
required to live on campus unless the student
will be residing with a parent or legal guardian
in their primary residence, is over 21 years of
age, is married, or is a veteran. If you have
a question about receiving an exemption, please
contact the Assignment Office for Campus Residences
directly at 814.865.7501.
Why do all LEAP classes
seem to be full?
LEAP students sign up for LEAP 097 sections, not for the actual courses they will take. We list the special LEAP sections of English, Philosophy, etc., with a class size of zero to keep upper class students from filling them up. The LEAP Office will transfer students from LEAP 097 into the regular class sections in June so that only LEAP students will be in these special groups. Go to http://soc.our.psu.edu/soc and search under LEAP 097 as the course Go to http://soc.our.psu.edu/soc and search under LEAP 097 as the course how many LEAP 097 space remain open. Recently as many as 350 students have signed up within 10 days, so don't delay.
Can provisional students or branch campus students register for LEAP? The LEAP Program is designed to help regular students admitted to University Park for the summer semester. Provisional students and students from other campuses may not register for LEAP."
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