North Carolina State University
2010 First-Year Student Survey:
Gender and Racial/Ethnic Comparisons Comparisons
Applying to NC State
This document reports gender and racial/ethnic differences in respondents' experiences with the application process and factors influencing their decision to attend NC State. For information about the survey and analysis methods see "2010 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.
Number of Schools
Applied To | Contacts During the Admissions Process
| Factors Influencing Attendance Decision | Most
Influential Factor |
NC State as First Choice | Satisfaction with Admissions | Virtual Advising Center Rating
| Number of colleges applied to | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One | 12.4% | 15.3% | 9.5% | 9.0% | 6.4% | 10.9% | 13.4% | 10.9% |
| Two | 18.9% | 21.3% | 16.6% | 17.9% | 12.8% | 17.3% | 20.4% | 9.7% |
| Three | 22.7% | 22.6% | 22.8% | 24.1% | 23.9% | 18.2% | 22.7% | 22.4% |
| Four | 20.2% | 19.1% | 21.2% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 29.1% | 18.9% | 23.6% |
| Five or more | 25.9% | 21.7% | 29.9% | 28.3% | 32.1% | 24.5% | 24.6% | 33.3% |
| Total (N) | 2,832 | 1,383 | 1,449 | 145 | 234 | 110 | 2,178 | 165 |
| Call from faculty/staff | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 13.4% | 13.8% | 13.1% | 13.9% | 25.7% | 23.6% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| No | 63.3% | 62.9% | 63.8% | 68.8% | 54.0% | 54.7% | 64.3% | 64.6% |
| Don't know/Don't remember | 23.2% | 23.4% | 23.1% | 17.4% | 20.4% | 21.7% | 24.0% | 23.8% |
| Total (N) | 2,792 | 1,360 | 1,432 | 144 | 226 | 106 | 2,152 | 164 |
| Call from current student | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 16.6% | 17.1% | 16.2% | 12.6% | 26.7% | 38.0% | 14.6% | 18.4% |
| No | 65.2% | 65.1% | 65.3% | 74.8% | 56.4% | 45.4% | 66.5% | 64.4% |
| Don't know/Don't remember | 18.2% | 17.8% | 18.5% | 12.6% | 16.9% | 16.7% | 18.9% | 17.2% |
| Total (N) | 2,781 | 1,357 | 1,424 | 143 | 225 | 108 | 2,142 | 163 |
| Call from graduate of NC State | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 7.8% | 8.2% | 7.4% | 6.4% | 9.4% | 12.3% | 7.7% | 5.0% |
| No | 71.9% | 71.7% | 72.0% | 78.7% | 66.4% | 65.1% | 72.3% | 73.1% |
| Don't know/Don't remember | 20.3% | 20.0% | 20.5% | 14.9% | 24.2% | 22.6% | 20.0% | 21.9% |
| Total (N) | 2,760 | 1,348 | 1,412 | 141 | 223 | 106 | 2,130 | 160 |
| Letter from outside Admissions Office | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 49.8% | 49.0% | 50.6% | 47.6% | 54.7% | 54.6% | 49.4% | 47.6% |
| No | 20.5% | 22.7% | 18.4% | 19.3% | 23.3% | 18.5% | 20.7% | 17.1% |
| Don't know/Don't remember | 29.6% | 28.2% | 31.0% | 33.1% | 22.0% | 26.9% | 29.9% | 35.4% |
| Total (N) | 2,820 | 1,377 | 1,443 | 145 | 232 | 108 | 2,171 | 164 |
| Mean Rating (scale: 5=Very strong influence, 4=Strong influence, 3=Moderate influence, 2=Weak influence, 1=Very weak influence) |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All |
Men |
Women |
Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|
| Academic reputation | 4.23 | 4.24 | 4.22 | 4.01 | 4.40 | 4.41 | 4.21 | 4.21 |
| Availability of program | 4.06 | 4.04 | 4.09 | 3.92 | 4.05 | 4.14 | 4.08 | 3.89 |
| Level of support for my intended major | 4.06 | 4.15 | 3.98 | 3.87 | 4.08 | 4.17 | 4.07 | 4.06 |
| Acceptance into the First Year College Program | 3.99 | 3.98 | 4.00 | 3.71 | 3.92 | 4.11 | 4.04 | 3.74 |
| Facilities and resources available | 3.98 | 3.97 | 3.98 | 3.93 | 4.04 | 4.08 | 3.98 | 3.81 |
| Location | 3.87 | 3.82 | 3.92 | 3.85 | 4.10 | 4.08 | 3.83 | 3.96 |
| Campus visit prior to orientation | 3.73 | 3.64 | 3.81 | 3.39 | 4.03 | 3.75 | 3.73 | 3.55 |
| Recommended by a friend, family member, teacher, counselor, etc. | 3.52 | 3.53 | 3.51 | 3.48 | 3.46 | 3.29 | 3.54 | 3.48 |
| Cost | 3.51 | 3.59 | 3.44 | 3.65 | 3.50 | 3.59 | 3.50 | 3.51 |
| Contact with a current student | 3.44 | 3.42 | 3.46 | 3.27 | 3.44 | 3.50 | 3.47 | 3.16 |
| Extracurricular opportunities | 3.36 | 3.32 | 3.40 | 3.27 | 3.60 | 3.52 | 3.34 | 3.34 |
| Scholarships/financial aid available | 3.28 | 3.26 | 3.31 | 3.71 | 3.80 | 3.80 | 3.17 | 3.24 |
| Size | 3.25 | 3.13 | 3.36 | 3.08 | 3.47 | 3.30 | 3.24 | 3.16 |
| Carmichael Complex Recreational facilities (e.g., gym, pool, fitness center, fields) | 3.16 | 3.23 | 3.10 | 3.17 | 3.34 | 3.38 | 3.14 | 3.05 |
| Campus Recreation programs | 3.15 | 3.17 | 3.13 | 3.16 | 3.36 | 3.27 | 3.13 | 3.03 |
| Contact with a graduate | 3.09 | 3.15 | 3.02 | 2.85 | 2.86 | 3.27 | 3.12 | 2.93 |
| Contact with a faculty or staff member | 2.89 | 2.88 | 2.90 | 2.93 | 3.08 | 3.03 | 2.86 | 2.84 |
| Pack Promise Program | 2.68 | 2.65 | 2.72 | 3.19 | 3.49 | 3.39 | 2.52 | 2.64 |
| Attendance at a College Fair | 2.66 | 2.69 | 2.63 | 2.65 | 2.99 | 2.97 | 2.62 | 2.49 |
| Publications from NC State | 2.61 | 2.59 | 2.63 | 2.67 | 2.97 | 2.91 | 2.55 | 2.68 |
| Number of hours transferred/credited | 2.49 | 2.51 | 2.47 | 2.62 | 2.74 | 2.73 | 2.44 | 2.54 |
| Letter from someone other than Admissions Office | 2.46 | 2.49 | 2.44 | 2.47 | 2.76 | 2.59 | 2.42 | 2.43 |
| Other | 4.00 | 3.94 | 4.07 | 3.37 | 3.84 | 4.26 | 4.05 | 3.95 |
Back to Top Q Most influential factor in decision to attend NC State
| Most influential factor | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic reputation | 23.3% | 27.1% | 19.6% | 28.5% | 32.9% | 25.5% | 21.9% | 22.4% |
| Level of support for my intended major | 19.4% | 21.3% | 17.6% | 11.1% | 14.1% | 16.4% | 20.7% | 19.4% |
| Availability of program | 11.0% | 10.2% | 11.7% | 9.7% | 6.0% | 10.9% | 11.8% | 7.9% |
| Location | 9.1% | 7.8% | 10.3% | 9.7% | 9.0% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 13.3% |
| Cost | 7.0% | 7.3% | 6.7% | 15.3% | 6.0% | 8.2% | 6.5% | 6.7% |
| Scholarships/financial aid available | 5.3% | 4.9% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 6.4% | 5.5% | 4.9% | 8.5% |
| Recommended by a friend, family member, teacher, counselor, etc. | 4.9% | 4.6% | 5.1% | 5.6% | 2.6% | 2.7% | 5.2% | 4.2% |
| Campus visit prior to orientation | 4.1% | 2.6% | 5.5% | 2.1% | 6.4% | 1.8% | 4.2% | 1.8% |
| Contact with a current student | 2.3% | 2.1% | 2.4% | 0.7% | 2.1% | 0.9% | 2.5% | 1.8% |
| Acceptance into the First Year College Program | 2.2% | 2.1% | 2.3% | 2.8% | 0.4% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 1.2% |
| Facilities and resources available | 2.1% | 1.4% | 2.7% | 0.7% | 1.3% | . | 2.4% | 1.2% |
| Pack Promise Program | 1.8% | 1.6% | 2.0% | 1.4% | 4.3% | 13.6% | 1.0% | 1.2% |
| Contact with a graduate | 1.1% | 0.9% | 1.2% | 0.7% | 0.9% | . | 1.2% | 0.6% |
| Extracurricular opportunities | 1.0% | 1.2% | 0.8% | . | 0.4% | . | 1.1% | 1.2% |
| Size | 0.8% | 0.4% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 1.3% | . | 0.8% | . |
| Contact with a faculty or staff member | 0.7% | 0.2% | 1.2% | . | 0.9% | 0.9% | 0.6% | 1.8% |
| Attendance at a College Fair | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.5% | . | 0.4% | . | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Number of hours transferred/credited | 0.1% | . | 0.3% | . | 0.4% | . | 0.1% | . |
| Letter from someone other than Admissions Office | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | . | . | . | 0.0% | 0.6% |
| Publications from NC State | 0.1% | 0.1% | . | . | 0.4% | . | 0.0% | . |
| Campus Recreation programs | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.7% | . | . | 0.1% | . |
| Carmichael Complex Recreational facilities (e.g., gym, pool, fitness center, fields) | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | . | . | . | 0.1% | . |
| Other | 3.3% | 3.6% | 3.0% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 0.9% | 3.1% | 5.5% |
| Total (N) | 2,826 | 1,379 | 1,447 | 144 | 234 | 110 | 2,173 | 165 |
| Was NC State first choice of colleges to attend | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| It was my only choice | 10.4% | 12.7% | 8.2% | 8.3% | 3.8% | 8.3% | 11.7% | 6.1% |
| Yes - it was my first choice | 54.9% | 55.5% | 54.3% | 34.5% | 56.4% | 50.0% | 56.7% | 49.4% |
| No - it was my second choice | 27.7% | 25.5% | 29.8% | 44.1% | 29.9% | 34.3% | 25.5% | 34.8% |
| No - it was my third choice or below | 7.0% | 6.4% | 7.7% | 13.1% | 9.8% | 7.4% | 6.1% | 9.8% |
| Total (N) | 2,829 | 1,383 | 1,446 | 145 | 234 | 108 | 2,178 | 164 |
| Satisfaction with university admissions process | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Rating | 3.55 | 3.49 | 3.62 | 3.52 | 3.69 | 3.53 | 3.55 | 3.51 |
| 4: Very satisfied | 59.4% | 53.4% | 65.2% | 54.2% | 71.2% | 57.8% | 58.7% | 57.3% |
| 3: Moderately satisfied | 37.3% | 42.6% | 32.2% | 43.8% | 26.6% | 38.5% | 37.9% | 37.8% |
| 2: Moderately dissatisfied | 2.7% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 2.8% | 2.7% | 3.7% |
| 1: Very dissatisfied | 0.6% | 0.8% | 0.5% | . | 0.4% | 0.9% | 0.6% | 1.2% |
| Total (N) | 2,824 | 1,382 | 1,442 | 144 | 233 | 109 | 2,174 | 164 |
| Satisfaction with departmental admissions process | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Rating | 3.58 | 3.52 | 3.64 | 3.50 | 3.58 | 3.61 | 3.59 | 3.51 |
| 4: Very satisfied | 61.6% | 55.7% | 67.3% | 54.3% | 64.9% | 62.9% | 62.0% | 57.8% |
| 3: Moderately satisfied | 35.1% | 40.8% | 29.7% | 41.4% | 29.3% | 35.2% | 35.3% | 36.0% |
| 2: Moderately dissatisfied | 2.7% | 3.0% | 2.4% | 4.3% | 4.4% | 1.9% | 2.2% | 5.6% |
| 1: Very dissatisfied | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.6% | . | 1.3% | . | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Total (N) | 2,729 | 1,335 | 1,394 | 140 | 225 | 105 | 2,098 | 161 |
| Virtual Advising Center website rating | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4: Excellent | 19.8% | 17.2% | 22.3% | 20.0% | 27.2% | 28.2% | 18.6% | 20.1% |
| 3: Good | 43.3% | 43.7% | 42.8% | 43.4% | 36.2% | 42.7% | 44.2% | 41.5% |
| 2: Fair | 9.7% | 10.0% | 9.5% | 13.8% | 5.6% | 13.6% | 9.7% | 9.1% |
| 1: Poor | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.0% | 1.4% | 0.9% | . | 1.2% | . |
| Never used | 26.1% | 28.0% | 24.3% | 21.4% | 30.2% | 15.5% | 26.3% | 29.3% |
| Total (N) | 2,829 | 1,383 | 1,446 | 145 | 232 | 110 | 2,178 | 164 |
| Virtual Advising Center website rating (among those who have used the website) | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4: Excellent | 26.8% | 23.9% | 29.5% | 25.4% | 38.9% | 33.3% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 3: Good | 58.6% | 60.7% | 56.6% | 55.3% | 51.9% | 50.5% | 59.9% | 58.6% |
| 2: Fair | 13.2% | 13.9% | 12.5% | 17.5% | 8.0% | 16.1% | 13.2% | 12.9% |
| 1: Poor | 1.4% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 1.2% | . | 1.6% | . |
| Total (N) | 2,090 | 996 | 1,094 | 114 | 162 | 93 | 1,605 | 116 |
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: January 2011
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