North Carolina State University
2007 First-Year Student Survey:
Gender and Racial/Ethnic Comparisons of
Educational Intent and Interests
This document reports gender and racial/ethnic differences in respondents' enrollment and general education plans. For information about the survey and analysis methods, see "2007 First-Year Student Survey: Introduction, Methods, and Student Demographic Profile." Exact question wording is available on the web or by clicking on the "Q" next to the table heading.
Reasons for Less Than 15 Credit Hours | Intended Highest Level of Education | Goals and Objectives at NC State | Certainty of College Major | First Semester Employment Plans | Interest in Co-Curricular Activities
Q Reported Reasons for Less than 15 Credit Hours (Among Those Taking Less Than 15 credit hours)| NCSU | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will need to work | % | 21.2% | 22.4% | 20.5% | 18.4% | 21.1% | 23.8% |
| Courses unavailable | % | 22.2% | 28.5% | 18.8% | 12.2% | 22.5% | 28.6% |
| Want better grades | % | 43.6% | 43.0% | 44.0% | 55.1% | 42.2% | 42.9% |
| Advice of advisor | % | 11.4% | 13.3% | 10.4% | 14.3% | 12.0% | 6.3% |
| Did not need more courses | % | 9.5% | 8.5% | 10.1% | 12.2% | 9.4% | 7.9% |
| Combination of courses | % | 22.0% | 24.2% | 20.8% | 12.2% | 23.6% | 20.6% |
| Family responsibilities | % | 2.8% | 4.2% | 2.0% | 4.1% | 2.0% | 6.3% |
| Other | % | 14.0% | 16.4% | 12.8% | 16.3% | 14.0% | 12.7% |
| Total | N | 463 | 165 | 298 | 49 | 351 | 63 |
| Highest level of education planned | NCSU | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | % | 26.0 | 21.6 | 29.6 | 15.1 | 28.5 | 17.1 |
| Master's degree | % | 43.0 | 41.0 | 44.7 | 37.4 | 44.3 | 38.8 |
| Doctoral degree | % | 14.2 | 14.2 | 14.2 | 25.1 | 11.8 | 22.4 |
| Doctor of Veterinary Medicine | % | 4.2 | 7.6 | 1.4 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 2.4 |
| Medical degree | % | 8.4 | 11.0 | 6.3 | 13.1 | 7.2 | 13.5 |
| Law degree | % | 3.8 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 5.1 | 3.5 | 4.9 |
| Divinity degree | % | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Do not intend to complete a degree | % | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 |
| Total | N | 4347 | 1948 | 2399 | 390 | 3467 | 490 |
| Goal/objective for attending NC State | NCSU | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA/certificate only | % | 8.1 | 6.9 | 9.2 | 6.2 | 8.8 | 5.1 |
| BA for school preparation | % | 57.0 | 64.5 | 50.8 | 65.3 | 54.7 | 66.5 |
| BA for career preparation | % | 31.1 | 25.9 | 35.3 | 24.9 | 32.9 | 23.1 |
| Improve for current profession | % | 1.7 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 2.4 |
| Courses for personal interest | % | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.0 |
| Other | % | 1.3 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| Total | N | 4325 | 1949 | 2376 | 389 | 3446 | 490 |
| Certainty of college major | NCSU | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very certain | % | 28.0 | 28.8 | 27.3 | 35.7 | 27.4 | 26.1 |
| Certain | % | 43.7 | 41.3 | 45.7 | 41.9 | 43.6 | 46.4 |
| Uncertain | % | 22.4 | 23.0 | 22.0 | 18.5 | 22.8 | 23.2 |
| Very uncertain | % | 5.8 | 6.9 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Total | N | 4396 | 1980 | 2416 | 401 | 3504 | 491 |
| Semester employment | NCSU | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do not plan to work | % | 63.5 | 63.2 | 63.8 | 53.8 | 65.4 | 58.0 |
| Less than 20 hrs./wk. | % | 30.3 | 31.5 | 29.2 | 37.8 | 28.9 | 34.2 |
| 20 or more hrs./wk. | % | 6.2 | 5.2 | 7.0 | 8.4 | 5.7 | 7.9 |
| Total | N | 4206 | 1905 | 2301 | 381 | 3354 | 471 |
| Yes, interested in: | NCSU | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Government | % | 16.4% | 21.5% | 12.2% | 31.8% | 14.4% | 18.1% |
| Student Judicial Board | % | 4.5% | 4.8% | 4.2% | 9.7% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Residence Hall Councils | % | 9.8% | 11.9% | 8.1% | 22.1% | 8.2% | 11.3% |
| Student Leadership Development (workshops, conferences, etc.) | % | 15.8% | 19.9% | 12.4% | 27.3% | 13.8% | 20.8% |
| Co-op program | % | 30.6% | 20.1% | 39.2% | 37.0% | 29.9% | 30.8% |
| Study Abroad/Student Exchange | % | 50.5% | 61.6% | 41.4% | 54.6% | 49.6% | 53.4% |
| Volunteer Services | % | 31.1% | 46.1% | 18.7% | 37.7% | 29.4% | 37.3% |
| ROTC | % | 3.3% | 2.3% | 4.0% | 4.0% | 3.2% | 3.4% |
| Club Sports (cycling, baseball, martial arts, ultimate, etc.) | % | 46.0% | 34.5% | 55.4% | 30.3% | 47.6% | 47.4% |
| Fitness/Wellness (group fitness classes, yoga, pilates, etc.) | % | 40.0% | 59.2% | 24.3% | 36.5% | 40.2% | 41.3% |
| Indoor recreation (cardio room, weights, basketball, etc.) | % | 38.0% | 30.5% | 44.1% | 30.0% | 39.2% | 35.9% |
| Intramurals (basketball, flag football, golf, etc.) | % | 47.6% | 34.6% | 58.3% | 36.7% | 50.0% | 39.5% |
| Outdoor adventures (trips, equipment checkout, rock climbing workshops, etc.) | % | 36.5% | 32.0% | 40.1% | 13.6% | 39.2% | 35.7% |
| Social Fraternity/Sorority | % | 28.3% | 36.7% | 21.5% | 46.9% | 27.2% | 21.2% |
| Student Media/Publications | % | 10.2% | 11.4% | 9.2% | 11.9% | 9.6% | 13.1% |
| UAB programs/activities (cultural programs, concerts, etc.) | % | 7.4% | 11.3% | 4.2% | 11.9% | 6.2% | 12.3% |
| Multicultural/diversity programs/activities | % | 13.0% | 18.0% | 9.0% | 53.6% | 5.5% | 33.3% |
| Gender issues (gender communication, sexual assault, domestic violence, etc.) | % | 4.2% | 6.9% | 2.0% | 11.4% | 3.3% | 4.8% |
| Healthy lifestyles issues (stress management, sexuality, substance abuse, etc.) | % | 10.0% | 14.6% | 6.1% | 12.2% | 9.6% | 10.9% |
| Planning programs/services for children and families | % | 6.2% | 11.2% | 2.0% | 10.7% | 5.4% | 7.7% |
| Crafts center programs/activities | % | 8.9% | 15.7% | 3.3% | 6.5% | 9.0% | 9.9% |
| Music minor, bands, choirs, orchestras, chamber music, bagpipes, drums | % | 13.0% | 13.3% | 12.8% | 18.4% | 12.2% | 14.3% |
| Attending art exhibitions, meeting artists, museum internships | % | 11.9% | 17.5% | 7.4% | 6.9% | 11.9% | 16.1% |
| Theater participation as artist | % | 7.6% | 10.5% | 5.3% | 10.4% | 7.1% | 8.9% |
| Theater participation as audience | % | 18.3% | 24.4% | 13.2% | 15.4% | 17.9% | 23.2% |
| Student Dance Companies | % | 6.7% | 13.3% | 1.3% | 13.6% | 5.9% | 6.9% |
| Pre-Law services/planning | % | 5.3% | 5.9% | 4.7% | 5.5% | 5.2% | 5.8% |
| Total | N | 4415 | 1988 | 2427 | 403 | 3516 | 496 |
Back to Top NC State Co-Curricular Programs/Activities (Rank Order of Interest)
| Program/Activity | NCSU | Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study Abroad/Student Exchange | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Intramurals (basketball, flag football, golf, etc.) | 2 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| Club Sports (cycling, baseball, martial arts, ultimate, etc.) | 3 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| Fitness/Wellness (group fitness classes, yoga, pilates, etc.) | 4 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Indoor recreation (cardio room, weights, basketball, etc.) | 5 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Outdoor adventures (trips, equipment checkout, rock climbing workshops, etc.) | 6 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 5 | 7 |
| Volunteer Services | 7 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 5 |
| Co-op program | 8 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Social Fraternity/Sorority | 9 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 11 |
| Theater participation as audience | 10 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 10 |
| Student Government | 11 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 13 |
| Student Leadership Development (workshops, conferences, etc.) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
| Multicultural/diversity programs/activities | 13 | 13 | 15 | 2 | 22 | 8 |
| Music minor, bands, choirs, orchestras, chamber music, bagpipes, drums | 14 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 |
| Attending art exhibitions, meeting artists, museum internships | 15 | 14 | 17 | 24 | 14 | 14 |
| Student Media/Publications | 16 | 20 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 16 |
| Healthy lifestyles issues (stress management, sexuality, substance abuse, etc.) | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 19 |
| Residence Hall Councils | 18 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 18 |
| Crafts center programs/activities | 19 | 15 | 24 | 25 | 17 | 20 |
| Theater participation as artist | 20 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 21 |
| UAB programs/activities (cultural programs, concerts, etc.) | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 17 |
| Student Dance Companies | 22 | 17 | 27 | 15 | 21 | 23 |
| Planning programs/services for children and families | 23 | 22 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 22 |
| Pre-Law services/planning | 24 | 25 | 20 | 26 | 24 | 24 |
| Student Judicial Board | 25 | 26 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 25 |
| Gender issues (gender communication, sexual assault, domestic violence, etc.) | 26 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 26 | 26 |
| ROTC | 27 | 27 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
| Women | Men | AfAm | White | Other | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of Survey Respondents | % | 44.2 | 55.8 | 9.0 | 80.0 | 11.0 |
| Student government(N=725) | % | 59.0 | 41.0 | 17.7 | 69.9 | 12.4 |
| Student judicial board(N=197) | % | 48.2 | 51.8 | 19.8 | 66.5 | 13.7 |
| Residence hall council(N=434) | % | 54.6 | 45.4 | 20.5 | 66.6 | 12.9 |
| Student leadership program(N=697) | % | 56.8 | 43.2 | 15.8 | 69.4 | 14.8 |
| Co-op program(N=1,352) | % | 29.6 | 70.4 | 11.0 | 77.7 | 11.3 |
| Study abroad/student exchange(N=2,229) | % | 55.0 | 45.0 | 9.9 | 78.2 | 11.9 |
| Volunteer services(N=1,371) | % | 66.9 | 33.1 | 11.1 | 75.4 | 13.5 |
| ROTC(N=144) | % | 31.9 | 68.1 | 11.1 | 77.1 | 11.8 |
| Club sports(N=2,030) | % | 33.8 | 66.2 | 6.0 | 82.4 | 11.6 |
| Fitness(N=1,767) | % | 66.6 | 33.4 | 8.3 | 80.1 | 11.6 |
| Indoor recreation(N=1,676) | % | 36.2 | 63.8 | 7.2 | 82.2 | 10.6 |
| Intramurals(N=2,101) | % | 32.7 | 67.3 | 7.0 | 83.6 | 9.3 |
| Outdoor adventures(N=1,611) | % | 39.5 | 60.5 | 3.4 | 85.6 | 11.0 |
| Social fraternity/sorority(N=1,250) | % | 58.3 | 41.7 | 15.1 | 76.5 | 8.4 |
| Student Publications/Media(N=499) | % | 50.3 | 49.7 | 10.7 | 74.8 | 14.5 |
| UAB programs/activities(N=327) | % | 68.5 | 31.5 | 14.7 | 66.7 | 18.7 |
| Multicultural/diversity progs(N=576) | % | 62.0 | 38.0 | 37.5 | 33.9 | 28.6 |
| Gender issues(N=186) | % | 73.7 | 26.3 | 24.7 | 62.4 | 12.9 |
| Healthy-life issues(N=440) | % | 66.1 | 33.9 | 11.1 | 76.6 | 12.3 |
| Planning programs/services(N=272) | % | 82.0 | 18.0 | 15.8 | 70.2 | 14.0 |
| Crafts center programs/classes(N=392) | % | 79.6 | 20.4 | 6.6 | 80.9 | 12.5 |
| Musical interests(N=575) | % | 45.9 | 54.1 | 12.9 | 74.8 | 12.3 |
| Art exhibitions(N=527) | % | 66.0 | 34.0 | 5.3 | 79.5 | 15.2 |
| Theater as artist(N=336) | % | 61.9 | 38.1 | 12.5 | 74.4 | 13.1 |
| Theater as audience(N=806) | % | 60.3 | 39.7 | 7.7 | 78.0 | 14.3 |
| Student dance company(N=295) | % | 89.5 | 10.5 | 18.6 | 69.8 | 11.5 |
| Pre-Law services/planning (N=233) | % | 50.6 | 49.4 | 9.4 | 78.1 | 12.4 |
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: March, 2008
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