Adult Student Orientation (ASO)

Welcome Adult Learners

So you've accepted your offer and paid your deposit. You are officially on your way to joining the Penn State Fayette family. Review the steps below to stay on track for orientation. Adult Student Orientation operates from a student-centered concierge model. This means we work with your schedule to plan a one-on-one appointment with a professional adviser in the Student Success Center for orientation and assist you all summer long in navigating all the processes you need to complete before you start your first day of classes. An SSC orientation team member is available to answer any questions you have. Call 724-4730-4119 or email [email protected].

Step 1: Activate your Access Account

When: After you have received an offer and when you are ready to pay your enrollment deposit.

You should have received an email, to the address you provided on your application to Penn State, inviting you to activate your student access account. You will have one week upon receipt of this email to activate your account. Without this account, you will not be able to view financial aid awards or complete the ALEKS Math placement exam. Additionally, without this account you will not be able to move through the orientation process or schedule courses.

If your email link has expired, please contact Penn State Identity Services: 814-865-HELP (4357) or itservicedesk.psu.edu or call the campus Admissions Office at 724-430-4130.

Pro-Tip: Can't find the email? Check your SPAM folder.

Step 2: If required, complete the ALEKS Math Placement Exam

When: ALEKS will become available to students in paid status beginning March, 2018.

Note for Transfer Adult Learners: If you are a transfer student coming in with more than 17 credits from a previous institution, you may not be required to take the ALEKS placement test. An orientation adviser will review your incoming credits to determine if you need to take the ALEKS and will provide you with directions on how to do so.

If you are a first-year adult learner with 0-17 credits earned from a previous institution, you will receive an email (to the address provided on your application) to complete the ALEKS Math Placement Exam after you have paid your deposit. ALEKS is required for all new first-year adult learners and should be completed as soon as possible. New students must complete this step in order to receive a formal invitation to register for New Student Orientation. Students cannot schedule fall courses without attending New Student Orientation. For more information about the ALEKS placement test, visit advising.psu.edu/aleks/.

Pro-Tip: The ALEKS Placement test should be taken very seriously. Allow 2-4 hours to complete the assessment and find a place with little distraction. Not pleased with your score? After completing 10 hours of module work, students will have the opportunity to retest (students are limited to three attempts at the assessment). This is strongly recommended for engineering, science, and business majors who did not place directly in MATH 140 "Calculus" on their first attempt at the placement. Give the Educational Planning Survey your full attention. This information is used to help tailor your advising session to your needs and interests.

Step 3: Complete the Educational Planning Survey and Register for the "Adult Student Orientation" Date in VZO

When: Registration for Orientation events will become available beginning April, 2018 to students who have completed their ALEKS assessment.

As mentioned above, Adult Student Orientation operates from a concierge model. This means we work with your schedule to plan a one-on-one appointment with a professional adviser in the Student Success Center for orientation.

Beginning April, 2018, one business day after you complete the ALEKS assessment you will receive an invitation to register for Orientation via the web application VZO. As an adult learner, you will select the "Adult Student Orientation" event to register. This is NOT an actual appointment date, but lets the Orientation team know that you are ready to schedule your appointment. Within 5 business days of selecting the ASO date in VZO, a Student Success Center orientation team member will call the number provided to schedule your ASO meeting. Don't want to wait? Call 724-430-4119 after you've registered in VZO to get your appointment on the books.

Step 4: Complete Pre-Orientation Homework

When: After ASO registration and before your event date.

It is important for students to complete the Pre-orientation checklist prior to attending an orientation appointment. This checklist helps to prepare you for your appointment.

Step 5: ATTEND YOUR ADULT STUDENT ORIENTATION APPOINTMENT

When: Your scheduled ASO appointment.

Mark your calendar and attend your ASO appointment. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to Penn State. Be sure to bring the following items to your ASO appointment:

  • Photo ID
  • Printed copy of your Educational Planning Survey result

Need to reschedule? If you need to reschedule your ASO appointment, please give us a call.

Support does not end with your orientation appointment.

You can access support by calling the Student Success Center to speak with an orientation team member at any time. For support and questions, please call Penn State Fayette Student Success Center at 724-430-4119 or email us at [email protected].