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North Carolina State University
2007 First-Year Student Survey:
Frequency Distributions of Survey Item #15
(Goal Development and Importance)


This document reports the frequency distributions by gender and race/ethnicity of survey item #15 of the Fall 2005 First-Year Student Survey. The exact wording of the survey item is as follows:

Below is a list of knowledge, skills, and personal development goals held by NC State for your undergraduate preparation. In the left-hand column (of the survey), 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 (of the survey), 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")

Note: "Don't know" responses were excluded from the analyses.

Current Development: General Education Goals | Personal Development Goals | World View Goals
Goal Importance: General Education Goals | Personal Development Goals | World View Goals

General Education (Current Level of Development)
Current level: Broad general education NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.63 3.70 3.58 3.85 3.61 3.62
5: Very high % 14.3 17.6 11.6 23.8 13.4 13.2
4: High % 39.6 38.7 40.4 38.6 39.4 42.1
3: Average % 42.1 40.5 43.5 36.1 43.2 39.7
2: Low % 3.3 2.8 3.7 1.5 3.4 3.3
1: Very low % 0.7 0.5 0.9 . 0.7 1.7
Total N 4327 1955 2372 391 3452 484

Current level: Communicate ideas in writing NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.24 3.37 3.14 3.44 3.22 3.21
5: Very high % 8.3 10.8 6.2 11.9 7.9 8.3
4: High % 29.0 32.1 26.5 32.9 28.6 28.5
3: Average % 44.6 42.6 46.3 43.5 44.9 43.5
2: Low % 14.9 12.2 17.1 10.1 15.3 15.7
1: Very low % 3.2 2.3 4.0 1.5 3.3 4.1
Total N 4359 1970 2389 395 3472 492

Current level: Communicate ideas orally NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.45 3.50 3.41 3.60 3.44 3.40
5: Very high % 13.2 15.3 11.5 20.3 12.3 14.1
4: High % 34.4 33.8 35.0 33.2 35.3 29.1
3: Average % 38.5 37.8 39.0 35.7 38.4 41.1
2: Low % 12.0 11.6 12.3 8.4 12.1 14.1
1: Very low % 1.9 1.6 2.2 2.5 1.9 1.6
Total N 4356 1964 2392 395 3470 491

Current level: Good listening skills NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.75 3.86 3.67 3.89 3.74 3.77
5: Very high % 19.4 22.1 17.1 28.4 18.3 19.3
4: High % 43.6 46.2 41.4 39.7 43.8 44.8
3: Average % 31.0 27.4 34.0 25.1 31.9 30.0
2: Low % 5.3 4.0 6.4 6.1 5.2 5.3
1: Very low % 0.7 0.3 1.1 0.8 0.8 0.6
Total N 4350 1964 2386 395 3462 493

Current level: Good reading comprehension skills NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.47 3.55 3.40 3.62 3.45 3.43
5: Very high % 14.3 16.5 12.5 18.4 14.3 11.2
4: High % 33.1 34.1 32.2 35.2 32.8 33.0
3: Average % 39.6 38.8 40.4 37.2 39.1 45.0
2: Low % 10.9 9.1 12.3 8.2 11.4 9.0
1: Very low % 2.1 1.5 2.6 1.0 2.3 1.8
Total N 4352 1961 2391 392 3469 491

Current level: Apply math skills NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.65 3.42 3.83 3.67 3.63 3.71
5: Very high % 21.5 15.4 26.6 20.3 21.4 23.8
4: High % 35.3 31.9 38.0 38.3 35.0 34.8
3: Average % 31.4 35.6 28.0 31.2 31.4 31.8
2: Low % 9.7 14.0 6.2 8.6 10.1 7.7
1: Very low % 2.1 3.2 1.2 1.5 2.2 1.8
Total N 4363 1964 2399 394 3478 491

Current level: Influence of science/technology NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.59 3.37 3.78 3.67 3.58 3.64
5: Very high % 18.5 12.3 23.6 22.3 17.8 20.6
4: High % 34.4 29.9 38.0 31.5 34.7 34.0
3: Average % 36.7 42.6 31.9 37.7 36.8 35.6
2: Low % 9.0 13.3 5.5 7.7 9.2 8.8
1: Very low % 1.4 1.9 1.0 0.8 1.5 1.0
Total N 4345 1958 2387 390 3464 491

Current level: Apply scientific principles NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.31 3.11 3.48 3.34 3.30 3.37
5: Very high % 11.4 7.7 14.5 13.3 10.8 14.3
4: High % 28.8 22.7 33.8 26.3 29.3 26.9
3: Average % 41.9 45.4 39.1 44.0 41.6 42.8
2: Low % 15.1 20.7 10.5 13.8 15.5 13.6
1: Very low % 2.7 3.4 2.2 2.6 2.8 2.4
Total N 4339 1954 2385 391 3457 491

Current level: Develop computer skills NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.59 3.52 3.65 3.87 3.56 3.64
5: Very high % 18.2 14.6 21.3 26.6 17.0 20.0
4: High % 35.0 35.8 34.3 38.3 34.6 34.6
3: Average % 36.3 38.8 34.3 31.0 36.9 36.9
2: Low % 8.9 9.1 8.7 3.6 9.8 6.7
1: Very low % 1.6 1.8 1.5 0.5 1.7 1.8
Total N 4353 1963 2390 394 3468 491

Current level: Critically analyze information NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.58 3.58 3.59 3.64 3.58 3.61
5: Very high % 13.6 13.6 13.6 16.1 13.0 15.7
4: High % 39.0 38.0 39.8 39.4 39.2 37.0
3: Average % 40.4 41.8 39.2 37.6 40.7 40.5
2: Low % 6.4 6.0 6.7 5.9 6.6 5.8
1: Very low % 0.6 0.6 0.7 1.0 0.5 1.0
Total N 4337 1958 2379 391 3462 484

Current level: Carry out projects independently NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.70 3.85 3.58 3.78 3.70 3.64
5: Very high % 19.1 23.7 15.2 24.4 18.7 17.6
4: High % 39.8 42.9 37.3 36.9 40.2 39.3
3: Average % 33.9 28.5 38.4 31.8 34.1 34.2
2: Low % 6.3 4.3 8.0 6.1 6.2 7.6
1: Very low % 0.9 0.6 1.1 0.8 0.8 1.4
Total N 4350 1961 2389 393 3468 489

Current level: Diverse cultures/values NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.57 3.78 3.40 4.08 3.46 3.98
5: Very high % 19.1 25.0 14.2 40.1 14.5 34.6
4: High % 33.5 37.1 30.5 31.9 33.3 36.4
3: Average % 35.2 30.3 39.2 24.4 38.2 22.7
2: Low % 10.3 6.6 13.3 3.3 11.8 5.1
1: Very low % 2.0 1.0 2.8 0.3 2.3 1.2
Total N 4340 1961 2379 389 3462 489
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Personal Development Goals (Current Level of Development)
Current level: Responsibility for own behavior NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.25 4.37 4.16 4.45 4.24 4.22
5: Very high % 43.4 49.5 38.3 57.8 41.7 43.6
4: High % 40.7 38.8 42.4 30.8 42.3 37.7
3: Average % 14.2 10.9 16.8 10.4 14.3 15.8
2: Low % 1.4 0.7 2.1 1.0 1.3 2.7
1: Very low % 0.3 0.2 0.4 . 0.3 0.2
Total N 4359 1970 2389 393 3478 488

Current level: Viewing learning as lifelong NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.06 4.19 3.95 4.32 4.02 4.09
5: Very high % 36.3 42.2 31.4 52.6 34.0 39.1
4: High % 37.7 37.0 38.2 30.1 38.7 36.5
3: Average % 22.2 18.3 25.4 14.3 23.4 20.1
2: Low % 3.2 2.2 4.1 2.6 3.3 3.3
1: Very low % 0.6 0.3 0.9 0.5 0.6 1.0
Total N 4347 1965 2382 392 3467 488

Current level: Acting on ethical principles NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.00 4.13 3.88 4.16 3.98 3.98
5: Very high % 31.5 37.2 26.8 40.1 30.3 33.7
4: High % 40.9 40.9 40.9 38.5 41.7 37.1
3: Average % 23.8 19.8 27.0 19.4 24.3 23.9
2: Low % 3.2 1.9 4.3 1.8 3.2 4.3
1: Very low % 0.6 0.1 1.0 0.3 0.5 1.0
Total N 4355 1966 2389 392 3473 490

Current level: Leadership/mgmt. skills NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.63 3.71 3.57 3.79 3.63 3.52
5: Very high % 15.9 17.4 14.6 24.2 15.3 13.5
4: High % 40.0 42.0 38.4 37.9 40.7 36.7
3: Average % 35.9 34.6 36.9 31.6 36.0 38.7
2: Low % 7.6 5.6 9.3 5.3 7.5 10.2
1: Very low % 0.6 0.3 0.8 1.0 0.5 0.8
Total N 4352 1969 2383 393 3471 488

Current level: Function as part of team NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.99 4.06 3.92 4.19 3.97 3.92
5: Very high % 29.6 32.1 27.5 43.3 28.1 29.1
4: High % 43.9 45.0 43.0 36.9 45.3 39.5
3: Average % 22.8 20.4 24.7 15.8 23.1 26.1
2: Low % 3.2 2.2 4.0 3.8 2.9 5.1
1: Very low % 0.6 0.4 0.8 0.3 0.7 0.2
Total N 4353 1969 2384 393 3469 491

Current level: Involved in public/community affairs NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.33 3.56 3.14 3.50 3.32 3.28
5: Very high % 13.2 17.7 9.5 20.8 12.2 14.7
4: High % 27.8 33.6 23.0 26.7 28.8 21.9
3: Average % 40.7 37.2 43.5 36.9 40.7 43.6
2: Low % 15.4 10.2 19.6 13.1 15.5 16.0
1: Very low % 2.9 1.2 4.3 2.6 2.8 3.9
Total N 4340 1968 2372 390 3461 489

Current level: Understanding own abilities/interests NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.85 3.88 3.82 4.08 3.83 3.80
5: Very high % 23.4 25.1 22.1 39.9 21.6 23.4
4: High % 43.4 43.0 43.9 34.0 45.1 39.3
3: Average % 28.4 27.6 29.0 21.5 28.6 32.0
2: Low % 4.0 3.7 4.2 3.6 3.9 4.5
1: Very low % 0.8 0.6 0.9 1.0 0.8 0.8
Total N 4343 1965 2378 391 3464 488

Current level: Commit to health/fitness NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.66 3.65 3.67 3.72 3.67 3.51
5: Very high % 23.4 22.4 24.2 28.8 23.3 19.1
4: High % 32.8 32.5 33.0 29.3 33.7 29.1
3: Average % 32.0 33.7 30.6 29.8 31.5 37.3
2: Low % 10.1 10.2 10.0 9.4 9.7 13.3
1: Very low % 1.8 1.2 2.3 2.8 1.8 1.2
Total N 4350 1966 2384 393 3469 488

Current level: Having self-confidence NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.67 3.60 3.72 4.03 3.64 3.61
5: Very high % 21.3 18.6 23.5 38.5 19.3 22.0
4: High % 36.2 36.1 36.2 32.9 37.5 29.2
3: Average % 32.5 34.2 31.0 22.2 32.8 38.5
2: Low % 8.1 8.7 7.7 5.9 8.4 8.4
1: Very low % 1.9 2.3 1.6 0.5 2.0 1.9
Total N 4346 1965 2381 392 3468 486

Current level: Realizing potential for success NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.75 3.74 3.75 4.15 3.71 3.69
5: Very high % 21.7 20.9 22.5 42.1 19.6 20.5
4: High % 38.2 39.0 37.6 33.9 39.0 35.9
3: Average % 34.1 34.5 33.7 21.4 35.2 36.8
2: Low % 5.1 4.8 5.2 1.8 5.4 5.5
1: Very low % 0.9 0.8 1.0 0.8 0.9 1.2
Total N 4335 1966 2369 392 3456 487

Current level: Clarifying personal identity NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.73 3.78 3.69 4.05 3.70 3.71
5: Very high % 21.0 21.8 20.3 36.4 19.2 21.5
4: High % 38.8 41.0 37.0 36.9 39.5 35.7
3: Average % 33.6 31.7 35.2 23.1 34.4 36.3
2: Low % 5.6 4.7 6.3 2.9 6.0 5.1
1: Very low % 1.0 0.7 1.2 0.8 0.9 1.4
Total N 4314 1959 2355 385 3441 488

Current level: Coping with change NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.54 3.47 3.59 3.74 3.50 3.62
5: Very high % 18.4 17.0 19.6 25.2 17.4 20.2
4: High % 33.3 32.2 34.2 35.7 32.9 34.4
3: Average % 35.0 35.5 34.5 29.3 35.8 33.6
2: Low % 10.0 11.6 8.6 6.9 10.3 10.4
1: Very low % 3.3 3.6 3.0 2.8 3.6 1.4
Total N 4332 1958 2374 389 3452 491

Current level: Being independent NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.83 3.85 3.81 3.94 3.83 3.74
5: Very high % 26.5 27.2 26.0 33.2 26.0 25.1
4: High % 38.7 38.8 38.6 34.9 39.8 34.1
3: Average % 27.2 26.8 27.5 26.3 26.6 32.0
2: Low % 6.4 6.4 6.4 4.3 6.4 7.8
1: Very low % 1.2 0.9 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.0
Total N 4348 1965 2383 392 3466 490

Current level: Handling stress NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.44 3.25 3.61 3.62 3.43 3.44
5: Very high % 15.1 9.9 19.5 21.4 14.2 16.6
4: High % 32.0 28.3 35.0 33.7 32.0 30.5
3: Average % 38.0 42.3 34.5 32.9 38.7 37.1
2: Low % 12.0 16.0 8.7 9.2 12.3 12.3
1: Very low % 2.9 3.5 2.4 2.8 2.8 3.5
Total N 4347 1967 2380 392 3467 488

Current level: Managing my time NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.26 3.37 3.17 3.36 3.25 3.21
5: Very high % 11.5 12.7 10.5 14.4 11.1 11.9
4: High % 28.1 31.9 24.9 31.0 28.2 25.1
3: Average % 39.1 37.6 40.3 34.4 39.5 39.8
2: Low % 17.3 14.9 19.3 17.2 17.2 18.3
1: Very low % 4.1 2.9 5.0 3.1 4.0 4.9
Total N 4343 1966 2377 390 3466 487

Current level: Having self-discipline NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.74 3.78 3.70 3.97 3.71 3.74
5: Very high % 22.2 22.9 21.7 33.8 20.5 24.9
4: High % 39.4 41.2 37.9 36.4 40.4 34.4
3: Average % 30.0 28.2 31.6 23.8 30.5 31.5
2: Low % 7.0 6.8 7.2 4.6 7.1 8.2
1: Very low % 1.4 0.9 1.8 1.3 1.4 1.0
Total N 4342 1968 2374 390 3463 489
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World View Goals (Current Development)
Current level: World problems/issues NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.39 3.34 3.44 3.48 3.37 3.45
5: Very high % 11.7 10.8 12.4 15.7 10.9 13.9
4: High % 30.8 27.2 33.8 30.4 30.8 30.9
3: Average % 44.4 48.2 41.2 41.0 45.0 42.8
2: Low % 11.3 12.2 10.5 11.6 11.4 10.5
1: Very low % 1.9 1.5 2.2 1.3 1.9 1.8
Total N 4319 1957 2362 388 3443 488

Current level: Present as it relates to history NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.30 3.19 3.38 3.43 3.28 3.29
5: Very high % 11.0 9.2 12.4 14.2 10.6 11.3
4: High % 27.9 23.2 31.8 32.5 27.8 25.1
3: Average % 43.4 47.4 40.1 38.4 43.5 46.8
2: Low % 15.2 17.7 13.1 11.9 15.6 15.0
1: Very low % 2.5 2.5 2.6 3.1 2.6 1.8
Total N 4318 1956 2362 388 3443 487

Current level: Work w/ people from diverse backgrounds NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.92 4.06 3.80 4.34 3.84 4.11
5: Very high % 29.2 34.6 24.8 53.5 25.4 37.0
4: High % 39.3 40.5 38.3 28.7 40.2 41.3
3: Average % 26.4 21.4 30.6 16.3 28.7 18.1
2: Low % 4.3 3.2 5.2 1.6 4.8 2.9
1: Very low % 0.8 0.3 1.2 . 0.9 0.8
Total N 4315 1955 2360 387 3441 487

Current level: Appreciate arts/music/literature NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.43 3.65 3.24 3.69 3.38 3.55
5: Very high % 20.5 25.5 16.4 29.0 19.6 20.7
4: High % 26.9 29.6 24.7 27.2 26.0 33.4
3: Average % 32.6 32.1 32.9 31.1 33.0 30.3
2: Low % 14.6 10.2 18.3 9.3 15.7 11.0
1: Very low % 5.4 2.6 7.7 3.4 5.7 4.6
Total N 4294 1951 2343 386 3426 482

Current level: Tolerance for different views NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.81 3.93 3.71 4.09 3.75 3.97
5: Very high % 25.6 29.3 22.5 37.0 23.2 33.3
4: High % 38.0 39.4 36.9 38.8 38.3 35.4
3: Average % 29.4 26.7 31.7 21.1 30.7 27.0
2: Low % 5.3 4.0 6.4 2.6 5.8 3.5
1: Very low % 1.7 0.7 2.5 0.5 1.9 0.8
Total N 4317 1955 2362 389 3442 486

Current level: Valuing gender equity NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.28 4.46 4.13 4.52 4.23 4.41
5: Very high % 49.7 59.8 41.4 66.0 46.8 57.9
4: High % 32.0 27.8 35.4 22.2 33.7 27.5
3: Average % 15.7 11.3 19.4 10.3 16.7 13.2
2: Low % 1.7 0.7 2.5 1.3 1.9 0.8
1: Very low % 0.9 0.4 1.3 0.3 1.0 0.6
Total N 4313 1954 2359 388 3441 484

Current level: Valuing racial equity NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.29 4.46 4.15 4.61 4.23 4.48
5: Very high % 51.4 60.4 43.9 73.2 47.2 63.5
4: High % 30.2 26.4 33.3 16.8 32.7 23.5
3: Average % 15.4 11.8 18.4 8.8 16.7 11.3
2: Low % 2.1 1.0 3.0 0.8 2.4 1.0
1: Very low % 1.0 0.4 1.5 0.5 1.1 0.6
Total N 4318 1954 2364 388 3445 485
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General Education (Level of Importance)
Importance: Broad general education NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.37 4.51 4.25 4.58 4.34 4.42
5: Very important % 55.2 63.1 48.7 71.8 53.0 57.7
4: Important % 30.2 27.2 32.7 17.3 31.8 29.5
3: Moderately important % 11.6 7.9 14.5 8.1 12.1 10.6
2: Of limited importance % 2.3 1.4 3.0 2.3 2.4 1.4
1: Not important % 0.8 0.4 1.1 0.5 0.8 0.8
Total N 4352 1958 2394 393 3467 492

Importance: Communicate ideas in writing NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.05 4.26 3.88 4.43 4.00 4.10
5: Very important % 39.2 47.5 32.4 60.8 36.7 40.0
4: Important % 34.5 34.3 34.6 24.7 35.3 36.3
3: Moderately important % 19.5 15.0 23.2 11.2 20.6 18.4
2: Of limited importance % 5.4 2.7 7.7 3.1 5.9 3.9
1: Not important % 1.4 0.5 2.1 0.3 1.5 1.4
Total N 4335 1958 2377 393 3452 490

Importance: Communicate ideas orally NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.35 4.49 4.24 4.64 4.31 4.42
5: Very important % 53.1 60.3 47.2 73.1 50.4 56.3
4: Important % 31.9 29.8 33.7 19.0 33.4 31.8
3: Moderately important % 12.6 8.5 15.9 7.1 13.6 9.9
2: Of limited importance % 1.9 1.3 2.5 0.8 2.1 1.8
1: Not important % 0.4 0.2 0.7 . 0.5 0.2
Total N 4346 1956 2390 394 3465 487

Importance: Good listening skills NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.35 4.51 4.23 4.68 4.32 4.32
5: Very important % 54.6 63.1 47.5 76.0 52.3 53.2
4: Important % 29.9 26.7 32.4 17.3 31.2 30.3
3: Moderately important % 12.6 8.3 16.2 5.4 13.4 12.7
2: Of limited importance % 2.2 1.5 2.8 1.3 2.2 3.1
1: Not important % 0.7 0.4 1.0 . 0.8 0.8
Total N 4344 1957 2387 392 3463 489

Importance: Good reading comprehension skills NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.26 4.41 4.13 4.65 4.21 4.29
5: Very important % 49.1 56.4 43.2 73.3 46.4 49.1
4: Important % 31.9 30.5 33.0 19.0 33.0 34.1
3: Moderately important % 15.1 11.2 18.2 7.4 16.0 14.2
2: Of limited importance % 3.3 1.7 4.5 0.3 3.8 2.1
1: Not important % 0.7 0.2 1.0 . 0.8 0.6
Total N 4338 1953 2385 390 3461 487

Importance: Apply math skills NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.25 4.15 4.32 4.48 4.22 4.24
5: Very important % 50.1 45.0 54.3 62.1 48.8 49.6
4: Important % 29.9 31.8 28.4 26.5 30.3 30.0
3: Moderately important % 15.5 17.9 13.6 8.8 16.2 16.3
2: Of limited importance % 3.3 3.9 2.8 2.3 3.4 3.3
1: Not important % 1.2 1.5 0.9 0.3 1.3 0.8
Total N 4319 1939 2380 388 3441 490

Importance: Influence of science/technology NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.12 4.02 4.20 4.25 4.10 4.15
5: Very important % 44.7 39.9 48.5 52.3 43.6 46.3
4: Important % 29.7 30.6 29.0 26.7 30.1 29.2
3: Moderately important % 20.0 22.6 17.8 15.9 20.6 18.7
2: Of limited importance % 4.5 5.4 3.8 4.4 4.5 4.9
1: Not important % 1.2 1.4 0.9 0.8 1.2 0.8
Total N 4323 1944 2379 390 3447 486

Importance: Apply scientific principles NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.96 3.88 4.03 4.09 3.95 3.99
5: Very important % 37.7 34.6 40.2 43.3 36.8 39.0
4: Important % 30.5 30.0 30.9 30.8 30.7 29.0
3: Moderately important % 23.8 25.4 22.4 18.2 24.3 24.4
2: Of limited importance % 6.6 8.3 5.2 6.7 6.6 6.8
1: Not important % 1.5 1.7 1.3 1.0 1.6 0.8
Total N 4310 1935 2375 390 3433 487

Importance: Develop computer skills NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.18 4.18 4.19 4.50 4.16 4.11
5: Very important % 45.5 45.1 45.8 62.2 44.0 42.8
4: Important % 33.4 33.3 33.4 26.5 34.2 33.0
3: Moderately important % 16.3 16.7 16.0 10.0 16.8 18.1
2: Of limited importance % 3.8 4.0 3.6 1.3 3.9 4.5
1: Not important % 1.1 0.9 1.2 . 1.1 1.6
Total N 4329 1942 2387 389 3449 491

Importance: Critically analyze information NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.26 4.33 4.20 4.47 4.23 4.28
5: Very important % 46.8 49.7 44.4 59.4 45.0 48.8
4: Important % 35.2 35.4 35.0 29.8 36.0 33.9
3: Moderately important % 15.6 12.9 17.8 9.3 16.5 14.5
2: Of limited importance % 2.1 1.8 2.3 1.5 2.1 2.4
1: Not important % 0.4 0.2 0.5 . 0.4 0.4
Total N 4331 1950 2381 389 3452 490

Importance: Carry out projects independently NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.42 4.54 4.32 4.51 4.41 4.41
5: Very important % 57.0 64.7 50.7 63.9 56.5 55.0
4: Important % 29.8 26.4 32.6 24.8 30.1 31.8
3: Moderately important % 11.3 7.5 14.4 9.7 11.4 12.0
2: Of limited importance % 1.6 1.2 2.0 1.3 1.7 1.2
1: Not important % 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 .
Total N 4338 1953 2385 391 3456 491

Importance: Diverse cultures/values NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.10 4.40 3.85 4.57 4.02 4.26
5: Very important % 45.9 58.9 35.2 70.5 41.7 55.8
4: Important % 27.6 25.7 29.3 18.5 29.4 22.6
3: Moderately important % 19.0 12.5 24.3 9.0 20.6 15.6
2: Of limited importance % 5.5 2.7 7.9 1.8 6.2 3.9
1: Not important % 2.0 0.3 3.3 0.3 2.2 2.1
Total N 4316 1952 2364 390 3440 486
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Personal Development Goals (Level of Importance)
Importance: Responsibility for own behavior NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.64 4.75 4.54 4.75 4.63 4.63
5: Very important % 73.0 80.9 66.5 83.0 71.8 73.5
4: Important % 19.7 14.5 24.0 11.2 20.8 18.8
3: Moderately important % 5.9 3.7 7.7 4.3 6.1 5.9
2: Of limited importance % 0.9 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.8 1.2
1: Not important % 0.5 0.1 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.6
Total N 4346 1963 2383 393 3463 490

Importance: Viewing learning as lifelong NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.43 4.57 4.32 4.61 4.40 4.48
5: Very important % 59.6 67.5 53.1 71.5 57.8 62.7
4: Important % 26.6 23.1 29.6 19.8 27.7 24.9
3: Moderately important % 11.5 8.2 14.2 7.4 12.1 10.4
2: Of limited importance % 1.8 0.9 2.4 0.8 1.9 1.4
1: Not important % 0.5 0.3 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.6
Total N 4339 1964 2375 393 3456 490

Importance: Acting on ethical principles NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.47 4.60 4.36 4.61 4.45 4.49
5: Very important % 61.2 69.1 54.7 70.2 59.8 64.1
4: Important % 26.8 23.1 29.9 21.1 27.8 24.3
3: Moderately important % 10.0 6.6 12.7 8.0 10.4 8.6
2: Of limited importance % 1.5 1.0 1.9 0.8 1.4 2.2
1: Not important % 0.5 0.2 0.8 . 0.5 0.8
Total N 4332 1957 2375 389 3453 490

Importance: Leadership/mgmt. skills NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.46 4.55 4.39 4.67 4.44 4.47
5: Very important % 60.0 64.6 56.3 74.8 58.3 60.2
4: Important % 28.3 26.7 29.7 18.3 29.5 28.0
3: Moderately important % 9.6 7.5 11.3 6.1 10.0 10.0
2: Of limited importance % 1.8 1.1 2.3 0.8 1.9 1.8
1: Not important % 0.2 0.1 0.4 . 0.3 .
Total N 4346 1961 2385 393 3461 492

Importance: Function as part of team NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.44 4.52 4.37 4.61 4.43 4.38
5: Very important % 57.7 62.4 53.9 70.5 56.8 54.2
4: Important % 30.4 27.9 32.5 20.9 31.3 31.7
3: Moderately important % 10.1 8.7 11.2 7.6 10.0 12.1
2: Of limited importance % 1.4 0.9 1.8 0.8 1.4 1.6
1: Not important % 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.4
Total N 4335 1958 2377 393 3453 489

Importance: Involved in public/community affairs NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.07 4.32 3.86 4.33 4.04 4.07
5: Very important % 39.0 49.7 30.1 53.1 36.8 43.2
4: Important % 36.1 35.7 36.5 30.8 37.7 29.0
3: Moderately important % 19.1 12.1 24.9 13.1 19.6 20.4
2: Of limited importance % 4.6 2.0 6.8 2.6 4.6 6.2
1: Not important % 1.2 0.5 1.8 0.5 1.3 1.2
Total N 4318 1956 2362 390 3442 486

Importance: Understanding own abilities/interests NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.50 4.60 4.41 4.66 4.48 4.49
5: Very important % 62.2 68.1 57.3 74.6 60.8 62.2
4: Important % 26.9 24.1 29.3 18.6 28.0 26.5
3: Moderately important % 9.6 7.1 11.7 6.1 10.0 10.1
2: Of limited importance % 0.9 0.6 1.1 0.3 1.0 0.4
1: Not important % 0.3 . 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.8
Total N 4335 1963 2372 393 3455 487

Importance: Commit to health/fitness NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.45 4.57 4.34 4.54 4.44 4.42
5: Very important % 59.6 66.6 53.9 67.3 59.0 58.0
4: Important % 27.8 25.2 30.1 22.5 28.2 29.8
3: Moderately important % 10.5 7.2 13.1 7.9 10.9 9.4
2: Of limited importance % 1.7 0.8 2.4 1.8 1.6 2.0
1: Not important % 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.8
Total N 4345 1963 2382 391 3464 490

Importance: Having self-confidence NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.60 4.72 4.51 4.76 4.58 4.65
5: Very important % 69.6 76.5 63.9 82.4 67.7 72.3
4: Important % 22.9 19.5 25.8 13.0 24.1 22.4
3: Moderately important % 6.3 3.6 8.4 3.6 6.9 4.1
2: Of limited importance % 0.9 0.5 1.3 0.5 1.0 0.8
1: Not important % 0.3 . 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.4
Total N 4342 1963 2379 392 3459 491

Importance: Realizing potential for success NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.55 4.68 4.45 4.78 4.53 4.56
5: Very important % 65.6 73.3 59.2 82.7 63.5 66.8
4: Important % 25.6 21.9 28.7 13.2 27.2 24.2
3: Moderately important % 7.5 4.1 10.3 3.6 8.0 7.6
2: Of limited importance % 1.1 0.6 1.5 0.5 1.1 1.2
1: Not important % 0.2 0.1 0.3 . 0.2 0.2
Total N 4324 1957 2367 393 3443 488

Importance: Clarifying personal identity NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.38 4.57 4.22 4.59 4.36 4.36
5: Very important % 57.0 68.0 47.9 71.9 55.2 57.9
4: Important % 27.8 23.0 31.8 17.7 29.4 25.2
3: Moderately important % 12.0 7.7 15.6 8.8 12.2 13.3
2: Of limited importance % 2.2 1.0 3.2 0.8 2.4 2.0
1: Not important % 0.9 0.3 1.4 0.8 0.8 1.6
Total N 4304 1957 2347 385 3430 489

Importance: Coping with change NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.36 4.53 4.21 4.53 4.34 4.32
5: Very important % 54.7 64.3 46.9 68.2 53.7 51.4
4: Important % 30.0 26.2 33.1 20.5 30.4 34.8
3: Moderately important % 12.2 8.3 15.5 7.9 13.1 9.4
2: Of limited importance % 2.2 0.9 3.2 2.3 2.1 2.5
1: Not important % 0.9 0.3 1.3 1.0 0.7 1.8
Total N 4320 1953 2367 390 3442 488

Importance: Being independent NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.58 4.73 4.46 4.65 4.57 4.56
5: Very important % 68.5 77.9 60.8 75.2 67.9 67.3
4: Important % 22.9 17.8 27.1 17.9 23.3 24.3
3: Moderately important % 7.0 3.5 9.8 4.3 7.4 6.1
2: Of limited importance % 1.2 0.7 1.6 1.5 1.1 1.4
1: Not important % 0.4 0.1 0.7 1.0 0.3 0.8
Total N 4334 1957 2377 391 3453 490

Importance: Handling stress NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.56 4.71 4.44 4.68 4.55 4.53
5: Very important % 67.0 76.3 59.4 74.9 66.0 67.8
4: Important % 23.7 18.6 27.9 19.7 24.7 20.0
3: Moderately important % 8.1 4.9 10.7 4.1 8.1 10.6
2: Of limited importance % 0.7 0.2 1.2 0.8 0.8 0.6
1: Not important % 0.5 0.1 0.8 0.5 0.4 1.0
Total N 4332 1958 2374 391 3451 490

Importance: Managing my time NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.71 4.81 4.62 4.80 4.69 4.76
5: Very important % 77.4 84.6 71.4 84.0 76.1 81.2
4: Important % 17.0 12.3 20.8 12.5 17.8 14.9
3: Moderately important % 4.8 2.8 6.6 3.1 5.3 3.1
2: Of limited importance % 0.7 0.3 1.0 0.5 0.7 0.6
1: Not important % 0.1 0.1 0.2 . 0.1 0.2
Total N 4338 1962 2376 393 3456 489

Importance: Having self-discipline NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.64 4.73 4.56 4.76 4.63 4.65
5: Very important % 72.5 78.2 67.8 82.7 71.3 73.2
4: Important % 20.7 17.5 23.2 11.7 21.7 20.4
3: Moderately important % 5.5 3.6 7.1 4.3 5.7 4.9
2: Of limited importance % 1.0 0.6 1.3 1.0 1.0 0.8
1: Not important % 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.6
Total N 4334 1961 2373 392 3453 489
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World View Goals (Level of Importance)
Importance: World problems/issues NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.28 4.44 4.15 4.35 4.27 4.29
5: Very important % 49.2 56.9 42.8 54.5 48.4 50.4
4: Important % 33.6 31.6 35.3 29.6 34.4 31.1
3: Moderately important % 14.2 10.1 17.6 12.7 14.1 16.0
2: Of limited importance % 2.3 1.1 3.2 2.6 2.2 2.3
1: Not important % 0.7 0.2 1.1 0.5 0.8 0.2
Total N 4292 1944 2348 385 3425 482

Importance: Present as it relates to history NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.98 4.08 3.90 4.22 3.96 3.94
5: Very important % 36.0 38.7 33.8 51.6 34.3 35.3
4: Important % 34.0 35.5 32.7 24.6 35.6 30.1
3: Moderately important % 23.4 21.0 25.4 19.4 23.2 28.6
2: Of limited importance % 5.2 4.1 6.2 3.4 5.5 5.0
1: Not important % 1.3 0.6 1.9 1.0 1.4 1.0
Total N 4277 1943 2334 386 3412 479

Importance: Work w/ people from diverse backgrounds NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.39 4.58 4.22 4.66 4.35 4.45
5: Very important % 57.8 68.7 48.7 76.8 55.0 62.5
4: Important % 27.2 22.7 30.9 16.0 28.9 24.5
3: Moderately important % 11.8 7.2 15.6 5.2 12.8 9.7
2: Of limited importance % 2.3 0.8 3.5 1.0 2.4 2.5
1: Not important % 0.9 0.6 1.2 1.0 0.9 0.8
Total N 4294 1950 2344 388 3421 485

Importance: Appreciate arts/music/literature NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 3.82 4.08 3.60 4.08 3.77 3.93
5: Very important % 36.8 44.9 29.9 49.9 34.7 40.6
4: Important % 25.3 26.4 24.4 20.4 25.8 25.8
3: Moderately important % 25.0 21.5 28.0 19.6 26.0 22.5
2: Of limited importance % 8.6 5.6 11.2 8.3 8.8 7.9
1: Not important % 4.2 1.5 6.5 1.8 4.7 3.1
Total N 4236 1938 2298 387 3369 480

Importance: Tolerance for different views NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.34 4.55 4.17 4.59 4.30 4.45
5: Very important % 54.6 66.0 45.1 69.8 51.7 62.7
4: Important % 29.3 24.5 33.4 20.6 31.2 23.4
3: Moderately important % 12.9 8.1 16.8 8.0 13.7 11.0
2: Of limited importance % 2.3 1.2 3.2 1.3 2.5 1.9
1: Not important % 1.0 0.3 1.5 0.3 1.0 1.0
Total N 4287 1946 2341 388 3416 483

Importance: Valuing gender equity NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.50 4.66 4.37 4.75 4.46 4.56
5: Very important % 65.3 74.4 57.8 83.5 62.5 70.7
4: Important % 22.7 18.5 26.2 11.1 24.7 17.8
3: Moderately important % 9.5 6.2 12.3 3.1 10.4 8.9
2: Of limited importance % 1.7 0.7 2.4 1.8 1.6 1.7
1: Not important % 0.8 0.2 1.3 0.5 0.8 0.8
Total N 4284 1944 2340 388 3414 482

Importance: Valuing racial equity NCSU Women Men AfAm White Other
Mean 4.52 4.68 4.39 4.78 4.48 4.65
5: Very important % 67.3 76.2 59.9 85.5 64.0 76.6
4: Important % 21.0 16.8 24.5 9.3 23.3 14.3
3: Moderately important % 9.2 5.9 11.8 3.6 10.1 7.3
2: Of limited importance % 1.7 0.9 2.3 1.3 1.7 1.7
1: Not important % 0.8 0.1 1.4 0.3 1.0 0.2
Total N 4287 1941 2346 386 3419 482
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For more information on the 2007 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: March, 2008

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