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North Carolina State University
2005 First-Year Student Survey


This document lists survey questions and response options for the 2005 First-Year Student Survey. To view frequency distributions of responses to a question, click on the question number.

1. How many colleges did you apply to this year, including NC State?
1 2 3 4 5 or more

2. After applying for admission to NC State, did you receive a phone call or phone calls from any of the following people? (yes or no)
a. An NC State faculty or staff member
b. A current NC State student
c. A graduate of NC State

3. After applying for admission to NC State, did you receive a letter from someone other than the admissions office? (yes or no)
Yes No

4. Overall, how would you rate the NC State Virtual Advising Center Web site? (If you didn't know about it before coming to orientation, just say so.)
Didn't know about Know about but never used Excellent Fair Good Poor

5. To what extent did each of the following factors influence your decision to attend NC State? Using the scale below, please enter the number closest to your opinion for each factor listed. (5=very strong influence, 4=strong influence, 3=moderate influence, 2=weak influence, 1=very weak influence, 0=not applicable)
a. Academic reputation l. Contact with a current student
b. Cost m. Contact with a faculty or staff member
c. Location n. Contact with a graduate
d. Size o. Letter from someone other than admissions Office
e. Availability p. Attendance at a College Fair
f. Recommended by a friend, family member, teacher, counselor, etc. q. Publications from NC State
g. Number of hours transferred/credited r. Extracurricular opportunities
h. Level of support for my intended major s. Acceptance into the First Year College Program
i. Facilities and resources available t. Campus Recreation programs
j. Scholarships/financial aid available u. Other (please specify)
k. Campus visit prior to orientation

6. Using the list from question 5, please select the single most influential factor in your decision to attend NC State, and fill in the letter below.
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u

For questions 7-9, please rate your satisfaction with the quality of that area at NC State. Use the following scale: 4 = very satisfied, 3=moderately satisfied, 2=moderately dissatisfied, 1=very dissatisfied, 0=Don�t know/Didn�t use
7. How satisfied were you with the university admissions process?
8. How satisfied were you with your departmental admissions process?
9. How satisfied were you with the university financial aid process (the process for applying for aid, not the award amount)?

Please use the following scale for questions 10 and 11: 3=well prepared, 2=adequately prepared, 1=poorly prepared
10. How well do you think your high school prepared you for college?
11. How well do you think you prepared yourself for college?

12. How certain are you about your choice of a college major?
Very certain Certain Uncertain Very uncertain

13. What is your primary goal or objective for attending NC State? (Mark only one.)
To obtain a bachelor�s degree or certificate only To improve knowledge, technical skills, and/or competencies required for current profession
To obtain a bachelor�s degree as preparation for graduate or professional school To take courses for personal interest
To obtain a bachelor�s degree as preparation for a new career or profession Other (please specify)

14. What is the highest level of education you plan to complete?
Certificate (Agricultural Institute only) Medical Degree (MD)Law Degree (JD)
Bachelor's degree Law Degree (JD)
Master�s degree (MA, MS, MBA) Divinity Degree (M.Div, D.Min)
Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D.) Do not intend to complete a degree
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM

15. How long do you intend to take to complete your bachelor�s degree at NC State?
Less than 4 years 5 1/2 years
4 years 6 or more years
4 1/2 years Do not intend to complete bachelor's degree at NC State
5 years

16. What will your enrollment status (course load) be during your first semester at NC State?
15 credit hours of classes or more 12 � 14 credit hours of classes Less than 12 credit hours of classes

17. If you will be enrolling for less than 15 credit hours during your first semester, please indicate the reason(s) below.
Will need to workParticipated in an internship, co-op, practicum, student teaching, or international study
Courses wanted were not available Combination of credit hours would have been too much if I had taken another big course
Want to be able to make better grades Family responsibilities
Was advised to carry a lighter load by my advisor Other (please specify)
Was completing degree requirements and did not need more courses

18. Below is a list of knowledge, skills, and personal development goals held by NC State for your undergraduate preparation. In the left-hand column, please indicate your current level of development using the following scale: 5=very high, 4=high, 3=average, 2=low, 1=very low, 0=don�t know. In the right-hand column, please rate how important this goal is to you right now, using the following scale: 5=very important, 4=important, 3=moderately important, 2=of limited importance, 1=not important, 0=don�t know
General Education Goals
Acquiring a broad general education
Ability to communicate ideas in writing
Ability to communicate ideas orally
Developing good listening skills
Developing good reading comprehension skills
Ability to apply mathematics skills
Understanding how science and technology influence everyday life
Ability to apply scientific principles
Developing computer skills
Ability to critically analyze events, information and ideas
Ability to plan and carry out projects independently
Understanding diverse cultures and values
Personal Development Goals
Taking responsibility for my own behavior
Viewing learning as a lifelong process
Recognizing and acting upon ethical principles
Improving leadership and management skills
Ability to function as part of a team
Being involved with public and community affairs
Understanding my own abilities and interests
Developing a commitment to personal health and fitness
Having self-confidence
Realizing my potential for success
Clarifying personal identity
Coping with change
Being independent and self-reliant
Handling stress
Managing my time
Having self-discipline
World View Goals
Understanding issues and problems facing the world
Understanding the present as it relates to historical events/processes
Being able to interact and work with people from diverse backgrounds
Advancing my appreciation of the arts, music and literature
Having a tolerance for different points of view
Valuing gender equity
Valuing racial equity

19. Do you play any musical instrument(s)?
No Yes (please specify) ___________

20. Have you recently participated in a choral group in your school, community, or place of worship?
No Yes

21. What is your religious preference?
Non-Denominational Christian:
Assemblies of God Latter-Day Saints Campus Christian Fellowship
Baha'i Lutheran Campus Crusade for Christ
Baptist Moravian Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Buddhist Muslim Great Commission
Catholic Presbyterian (PCA) InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Disciples of Christ Presbyterian (USA) Navigators
Episcopal Unitarian No preference
Hindu United Methodist No preference
Jewish Other (please specify):

22. Please indicate your interest in learning about and/or participating in the following NC State co-curricular programs/activities by marking the appropriate bubbles. (Mark all that apply.)
Student Government Social Fraternity/Sorority
Student Judicial Board Student Media/Publications
Residence Hall Councils Union Activities Board programs/activities (cultural programs, concerts, etc.)
Student Leadership Development (workshops, conferences, etc.) Multicultural/Diversity programs/activities
Co-op (Cooperative Education) program Gender issues (gender communication, sexual assault, domestic violence, etc.)
Study Abroad/National Student Exchange Healthy lifestyles issues (stress management, sexuality, substance abuse, etc.)
Volunteer Services Planning programs and services for children and families
ROTC The Crafts Center programs/activities
Club Sports (Cycling, Baseball, Martial Arts, Ultimate, etc.) Music Minor, Bands, Choirs, Orchestras, Chamber Music, Bagpipes, Drums
Fitness/Wellness (Groups fitness classes, Yoga, Pilates, etc.) Attending art exhibitions, meeting artists, museum internships
Indoor Open Recreation (Cardio Room, Weights, Basketball, etc.) Theater participation as artist
Intramural Sports (Basketball, Flagfootball, Golf, etc.) Theater participation as audience
Outdoor Adventures (Trips, Equipment Checkout, Rock Climbing Workshops, etc.) Student Dance Companies

23. Indicate the educational attainment of each parent/guardian: (Mark only one in each column.)
Less than a high school graduate 4-year baccalaureate degree
High school graduate Some graduate or professional coursework/no degree
Some college/no degree Master�s degree
2-year associate degree or certificate Doctorate or other professional degree (medicine, dentistry, law, etc.)

24. This fall, will you have a computer for your personal use at NC State?
Yes, a laptop Yes, a desktop Yes, both laptop and desktop No Don't know

25. If yes, will you be able to connect your computer to the Internet at NC State?
Yes No Don't know

26. Are you receiving any type of financial aid? Include work study, grants, loans, and scholarships. (yes or no)

27. If you answered yes to question 26, please indicate what kind(s) of aid you are receiving. (Mark all that apply.)
Academic Athletic based Other than listed above
Financial need Other (dance music, etc.)

28. For the year 2004, what was the amount of your parents� or guardians� combined pre-tax income? Please try to answer even if you are financially independent. (Mark the category that represents your best estimate.)
$10,000 or less $20,001-$25,000 $35,001-$40,000 $60,001-$75,000 $150,001-$200,000
$10,001-$15,000 $25,001-$30,000 $40,001-$50,000 $75,001-$100,000 More than $200,000
$15,001-$20,000 $30,001-$35,000 $50,001-$60,000 $100,001-$150,000

29. How many people do your parents or guardians currently support in their household? Include yourself and parents or guardians, if applicable.
1 2 3 4 5 or more

30. How many of your parents� or guardians� dependents including yourself are currently enrolled in college? (Mark only one.) 
Only myself 2 dependents 3 or more dependents

31. Which best describes the area in which you lived during high school?
Rural area Moderate size city (20,001-60,000) Urban area (over 100,000)
Small town (20,000 or less) Large city (60,001-100,000)

32. Do your plans include employment during your first semester? (Mark only one.)
I plan to work 20 hours or more each week. I plan to work less than 20 hours each week. I do not plan to work.

33. After graduation, where do you plan to seek employment? (Mark only one.)
Anywhere; the location is not an important factor in my job search In the USA only I will not be seeking employment after graduation.
In North Carolina only Outside the USA only


For more information on the 2005 First-Year Student Survey contact:
Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Associate Director for Survey Research
Office of Institutional Planning and Research
Box 7002
NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu

Posted: February, 2007

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