North Carolina State University
2011 First-Year Student Survey:
Gender and Racial/Ethnic Comparisons
Preparation for College
This document reports gender and racial/ethnic differences in how well respondents are preparation for college, such as high school preparation, participation in pre-college programs, and current development of various knowledge, skills, and personal development goals. For information about the survey and analysis methods see "2011 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.
High School Preparation | Self Preparation | Participation in Pre-College Programs
Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Development:
Current Development
Importance
Scatterplots: Comparisons of Goal Ratings
| High School preparation for college | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very well | 48.9% | 48.1% | 49.7% | 53.0% | 42.9% | 46.7% | 49.1% | 52.4% |
| Somewhat well | 43.8% | 44.9% | 42.7% | 39.6% | 50.2% | 45.0% | 44.0% | 36.8% |
| Not very well | 7.3% | 7.0% | 7.6% | 7.5% | 6.8% | 8.3% | 7.0% | 10.8% |
| Total (N) | 2,711 | 1,326 | 1,385 | 134 | 205 | 120 | 2,067 | 185 |
| Self preparation for college | NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very well | 50.8% | 49.8% | 51.8% | 36.6% | 45.1% | 50.0% | 52.0% | 55.2% |
| Somewhat well | 47.4% | 48.2% | 46.7% | 61.2% | 52.9% | 48.3% | 46.5% | 41.4% |
| Not very well | 1.7% | 2.0% | 1.5% | 2.2% | 2.0% | 1.7% | 1.6% | 3.3% |
| Total (N) | 2,692 | 1,319 | 1,373 | 134 | 204 | 120 | 2,053 | 181 |
| NCSU | Men | Women | Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Talent Search | 2.5% | 2.7% | 2.3% | 3.6% | 5.3% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 5.3% |
| Upward Bound | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.9% | 1.4% | 3.4% | 0.8% | 0.4% | 2.1% |
| GEAR UP | 2.2% | 1.5% | 2.8% | 2.1% | 4.8% | 1.7% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| Early College | 3.8% | 4.3% | 3.3% | 4.3% | 5.8% | 4.1% | 3.5% | 4.3% |
| Total (N) | 2,748 | 1,344 | 1,404 | 140 | 207 | 121 | 2,093 | 187 |
Back to Top Q Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Development Current Development
| General Education Goals | Mean Rating (4=Excellent, 3=Good, 2=Fair, 1=Poor) |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All |
Men |
Women |
Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|
| Development: Logical reasoning skills | 3.34 | 3.43 | 3.24 | 3.18 | 3.24 | 3.23 | 3.37 | 3.30 |
| Development: Ability to adapt to changing technologies | 3.30 | 3.39 | 3.22 | 3.32 | 3.39 | 3.37 | 3.29 | 3.30 |
| Development: Ability to plan/carry out projects independently | 3.29 | 3.17 | 3.41 | 3.21 | 3.23 | 3.23 | 3.31 | 3.24 |
| Development: Listening skills | 3.29 | 3.24 | 3.34 | 3.27 | 3.42 | 3.31 | 3.28 | 3.28 |
| Development: Problem-solving skills | 3.25 | 3.34 | 3.17 | 3.11 | 3.16 | 3.16 | 3.28 | 3.22 |
| Development: Comprehension skills | 3.16 | 3.19 | 3.14 | 3.08 | 3.19 | 3.23 | 3.16 | 3.13 |
| Development: Ability to critically analyze ideas and information | 3.12 | 3.18 | 3.06 | 3.05 | 3.12 | 3.16 | 3.11 | 3.23 |
| Development: Using mathematics skills | 3.11 | 3.31 | 2.91 | 3.17 | 2.88 | 2.90 | 3.13 | 3.16 |
| Development: Understanding of diverse cultures and values | 3.08 | 2.92 | 3.23 | 3.55 | 3.46 | 3.36 | 2.97 | 3.34 |
| Development: Understanding everyday influence of science/technology | 3.08 | 3.28 | 2.89 | 3.16 | 3.05 | 3.10 | 3.08 | 3.12 |
| Development: Computer skills | 3.06 | 3.11 | 3.02 | 3.20 | 3.18 | 2.95 | 3.05 | 3.02 |
| Development: Using books/journals/articles from library/internet for research | 2.91 | 2.77 | 3.05 | 3.05 | 3.04 | 2.89 | 2.89 | 2.88 |
| Development: Writing skills | 2.87 | 2.80 | 2.93 | 2.83 | 2.87 | 2.92 | 2.86 | 2.86 |
| Development: Speaking skills | 2.85 | 2.84 | 2.85 | 2.70 | 2.99 | 2.90 | 2.84 | 2.84 |
| Development: Applying scientific methods of inquiry | 2.76 | 2.91 | 2.60 | 2.82 | 2.64 | 2.70 | 2.76 | 2.85 |
Back to Top
| Personal Development Goals | Mean Rating (4=Excellent, 3=Good, 2=Fair, 1=Poor) |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All |
Men |
Women |
Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|
| Development: Ability to function as part of a team | 3.48 | 3.47 | 3.50 | 3.41 | 3.58 | 3.46 | 3.48 | 3.44 |
| Development: Recognizing and acting upon ethical principles | 3.35 | 3.31 | 3.38 | 3.37 | 3.49 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 3.38 |
| Development: Ability to organize steps to complete group project | 3.28 | 3.17 | 3.39 | 3.25 | 3.27 | 3.20 | 3.30 | 3.22 |
| Development: Taking the initiative improve my work | 3.26 | 3.17 | 3.34 | 3.16 | 3.33 | 3.18 | 3.26 | 3.29 |
| Development: Personal growth | 3.24 | 3.23 | 3.25 | 3.17 | 3.34 | 3.26 | 3.23 | 3.25 |
| Development: Self-discipline | 3.16 | 3.15 | 3.17 | 3.07 | 3.28 | 3.18 | 3.16 | 3.03 |
| Development: Ability to lead or guide others | 3.12 | 3.07 | 3.18 | 2.89 | 3.16 | 3.01 | 3.14 | 3.16 |
| Development: Exercising public responsibility/community service | 3.08 | 2.96 | 3.21 | 3.15 | 3.18 | 2.92 | 3.08 | 3.09 |
| Development: Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 3.07 | 3.11 | 3.04 | 2.90 | 3.03 | 2.86 | 3.11 | 2.96 |
| Development: Self-confidence | 3.03 | 3.12 | 2.95 | 2.91 | 3.23 | 2.93 | 3.03 | 3.01 |
| Development: Ability to handle stress | 2.86 | 3.07 | 2.67 | 2.90 | 2.87 | 2.94 | 2.86 | 2.88 |
| Development: Time management | 2.73 | 2.64 | 2.81 | 2.63 | 2.61 | 2.55 | 2.76 | 2.66 |
Back to Top
| World View Goals | Mean Rating (4=Excellent, 3=Good, 2=Fair, 1=Poor) |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All |
Men |
Women |
Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|
| Development: Appreciating gender equity | 3.65 | 3.58 | 3.72 | 3.75 | 3.80 | 3.68 | 3.63 | 3.70 |
| Development: Appreciating racial equity | 3.65 | 3.60 | 3.69 | 3.78 | 3.83 | 3.75 | 3.61 | 3.75 |
| Development: Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds | 3.42 | 3.37 | 3.48 | 3.71 | 3.66 | 3.59 | 3.36 | 3.56 |
| Development: Tolerance for divergent views | 3.27 | 3.21 | 3.33 | 3.53 | 3.42 | 3.24 | 3.23 | 3.35 |
| Development: Appreciation for arts, music, literature | 3.17 | 3.01 | 3.33 | 3.35 | 3.41 | 3.08 | 3.13 | 3.36 |
| Development: Understanding present as it relates to history | 3.02 | 3.11 | 2.93 | 2.91 | 3.06 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 3.08 |
| Development: Understanding world issues/problems | 2.86 | 2.96 | 2.77 | 2.83 | 2.90 | 2.80 | 2.85 | 2.97 |
Back to Top Importance
| General Education Goals | Mean Rating (4=Very important, 3=Somewhat important, 2=Not very important, 1=Not at all important) |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All |
Men |
Women |
Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|
| Importance: Problem-solving skills | 3.77 | 3.78 | 3.76 | 3.75 | 3.77 | 3.80 | 3.76 | 3.79 |
| Importance: Comprehension skills | 3.73 | 3.68 | 3.79 | 3.69 | 3.80 | 3.82 | 3.72 | 3.76 |
| Importance: Listening skills | 3.72 | 3.65 | 3.78 | 3.62 | 3.87 | 3.77 | 3.70 | 3.74 |
| Importance: Logical reasoning skills | 3.72 | 3.74 | 3.70 | 3.73 | 3.78 | 3.68 | 3.72 | 3.71 |
| Importance: Ability to plan/carry out projects independently | 3.70 | 3.64 | 3.76 | 3.69 | 3.71 | 3.75 | 3.70 | 3.73 |
| Importance: Ability to critically analyze ideas and information | 3.62 | 3.63 | 3.61 | 3.70 | 3.69 | 3.73 | 3.60 | 3.67 |
| Importance: Speaking skills | 3.62 | 3.55 | 3.69 | 3.66 | 3.76 | 3.72 | 3.59 | 3.72 |
| Importance: Ability to adapt to changing technologies | 3.59 | 3.61 | 3.58 | 3.65 | 3.66 | 3.63 | 3.58 | 3.63 |
| Importance: Using mathematics skills | 3.57 | 3.68 | 3.46 | 3.60 | 3.53 | 3.66 | 3.56 | 3.54 |
| Importance: Computer skills | 3.55 | 3.57 | 3.53 | 3.64 | 3.59 | 3.55 | 3.54 | 3.54 |
| Importance: Using books/journals/articles from library/internet for research | 3.46 | 3.36 | 3.56 | 3.49 | 3.60 | 3.54 | 3.44 | 3.51 |
| Importance: Understanding of diverse cultures and values | 3.43 | 3.25 | 3.60 | 3.69 | 3.72 | 3.64 | 3.35 | 3.60 |
| Importance: Understanding everyday influence of science/technology | 3.43 | 3.52 | 3.35 | 3.48 | 3.43 | 3.47 | 3.43 | 3.42 |
| Importance: Writing skills | 3.33 | 3.15 | 3.50 | 3.26 | 3.65 | 3.44 | 3.28 | 3.54 |
| Importance: Applying scientific methods of inquiry | 3.22 | 3.29 | 3.15 | 3.25 | 3.09 | 3.27 | 3.22 | 3.26 |
Back to Top
| Personal Development Goals | Mean Rating (4=Very important, 3=Somewhat important, 2=Not very important, 1=Not at all important) |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All |
Men |
Women |
Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|
| Importance: Time management | 3.86 | 3.81 | 3.91 | 3.91 | 3.93 | 3.90 | 3.85 | 3.82 |
| Importance: Self-discipline | 3.83 | 3.80 | 3.86 | 3.87 | 3.93 | 3.84 | 3.82 | 3.77 |
| Importance: Ability to handle stress | 3.81 | 3.75 | 3.87 | 3.85 | 3.90 | 3.82 | 3.80 | 3.78 |
| Importance: Ability to function as part of a team | 3.78 | 3.76 | 3.79 | 3.78 | 3.83 | 3.77 | 3.77 | 3.77 |
| Importance: Personal growth | 3.77 | 3.72 | 3.82 | 3.78 | 3.92 | 3.86 | 3.75 | 3.77 |
| Importance: Self-confidence | 3.76 | 3.71 | 3.80 | 3.81 | 3.93 | 3.74 | 3.74 | 3.73 |
| Importance: Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle | 3.75 | 3.70 | 3.80 | 3.74 | 3.85 | 3.80 | 3.74 | 3.74 |
| Importance: Taking the initiative improve my work | 3.74 | 3.69 | 3.79 | 3.70 | 3.84 | 3.72 | 3.74 | 3.72 |
| Importance: Recognizing and acting upon ethical principles | 3.65 | 3.59 | 3.70 | 3.69 | 3.81 | 3.76 | 3.62 | 3.64 |
| Importance: Ability to organize steps to complete group project | 3.63 | 3.58 | 3.68 | 3.63 | 3.75 | 3.64 | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Importance: Ability to lead or guide others | 3.62 | 3.61 | 3.63 | 3.60 | 3.72 | 3.67 | 3.61 | 3.66 |
| Importance: Exercising public responsibility/community service | 3.52 | 3.39 | 3.64 | 3.54 | 3.70 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.49 |
Back to Top
| World View Goals | Mean Rating (4=Very important, 3=Somewhat important, 2=Not very important, 1=Not at all important) |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All |
Men |
Women |
Asian Amer |
Black / Afr Amer |
Hispanic |
White |
Other / Unknown |
|
| Importance: Appreciating racial equity | 3.71 | 3.63 | 3.78 | 3.82 | 3.92 | 3.73 | 3.68 | 3.75 |
| Importance: Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds | 3.68 | 3.59 | 3.76 | 3.84 | 3.85 | 3.79 | 3.64 | 3.75 |
| Importance: Appreciating gender equity | 3.67 | 3.60 | 3.74 | 3.80 | 3.84 | 3.64 | 3.65 | 3.71 |
| Importance: Understanding world issues/problems | 3.59 | 3.54 | 3.64 | 3.60 | 3.67 | 3.64 | 3.57 | 3.64 |
| Importance: Tolerance for divergent views | 3.59 | 3.49 | 3.68 | 3.80 | 3.75 | 3.66 | 3.55 | 3.62 |
| Importance: Understanding present as it relates to history | 3.32 | 3.31 | 3.34 | 3.22 | 3.42 | 3.34 | 3.32 | 3.35 |
| Importance: Appreciation for arts, music, literature | 3.27 | 3.11 | 3.42 | 3.42 | 3.51 | 3.26 | 3.22 | 3.43 |
Back to Top
Scatterplots: Comparisons of Goal Ratings
(a graphical representation of the relationship between current development and importance ratings of knowledge, skills, and personal development goals)
Scatterplot Comparing Goal Development and Goal Importance Ratings (All Respondents)
| 1 Appreciating gender equity | 18 Ability to lead or guide others |
|---|---|
| 2 Appreciating racial equity | 19 Ability to critically analyze ideas and information |
| 3 Ability to function as part of a team | 20 Using mathematics skills |
| 4 Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds | 21 Exercising public responsibility/community service |
| 5 Recognizing and acting upon ethical principles | 22 Understanding everyday influence of science/technology |
| 6 Logical reasoning skills | 23 Understanding of diverse cultures and values |
| 7 Ability to adapt to changing technologies | 24 Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle |
| 8 Ability to plan/carry out projects independently | 25 Computer skills |
| 9 Listening skills | 26 Self-confidence |
| 10 Ability to organize steps to complete group project | 27 Understanding present as it relates to history |
| 11 Tolerance for divergent views | 28 Using books/journals/articles from library/internet for research |
| 12 Taking the initiative improve my work | 29 Writing skills |
| 13 Problem-solving skills | 30 Ability to handle stress |
| 14 Personal growth | 31 Understanding world issues/problems |
| 15 Appreciation for arts, music, literature | 32 Speaking skills |
| 16 Comprehension skills | 33 Applying scientific methods of inquiry |
| 17 Self-discipline | 34 Time management |
Back to Top
| 1 Appreciating gender equity | 18 Ability to lead or guide others |
|---|---|
| 2 Appreciating racial equity | 19 Ability to critically analyze ideas and information |
| 3 Ability to function as part of a team | 20 Using mathematics skills |
| 4 Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds | 21 Exercising public responsibility/community service |
| 5 Recognizing and acting upon ethical principles | 22 Understanding everyday influence of science/technology |
| 6 Logical reasoning skills | 23 Understanding of diverse cultures and values |
| 7 Ability to adapt to changing technologies | 24 Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle |
| 8 Ability to plan/carry out projects independently | 25 Computer skills |
| 9 Listening skills | 26 Self-confidence |
| 10 Ability to organize steps to complete group project | 27 Understanding present as it relates to history |
| 11 Tolerance for divergent views | 28 Using books/journals/articles from library/internet for research |
| 12 Taking the initiative improve my work | 29 Writing skills |
| 13 Problem-solving skills | 30 Ability to handle stress |
| 14 Personal growth | 31 Understanding world issues/problems |
| 15 Appreciation for arts, music, literature | 32 Speaking skills |
| 16 Comprehension skills | 33 Applying scientific methods of inquiry |
| 17 Self-discipline | 34 Time management |
Back to Top
| 1 Appreciating gender equity | 18 Ability to lead or guide others |
|---|---|
| 2 Appreciating racial equity | 19 Ability to critically analyze ideas and information |
| 3 Ability to function as part of a team | 20 Using mathematics skills |
| 4 Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds | 21 Exercising public responsibility/community service |
| 5 Recognizing and acting upon ethical principles | 22 Understanding everyday influence of science/technology |
| 6 Logical reasoning skills | 23 Understanding of diverse cultures and values |
| 7 Ability to adapt to changing technologies | 24 Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle |
| 8 Ability to plan/carry out projects independently | 25 Computer skills |
| 9 Listening skills | 26 Self-confidence |
| 10 Ability to organize steps to complete group project | 27 Understanding present as it relates to history |
| 11 Tolerance for divergent views | 28 Using books/journals/articles from library/internet for research |
| 12 Taking the initiative improve my work | 29 Writing skills |
| 13 Problem-solving skills | 30 Ability to handle stress |
| 14 Personal growth | 31 Understanding world issues/problems |
| 15 Appreciation for arts, music, literature | 32 Speaking skills |
| 16 Comprehension skills | 33 Applying scientific methods of inquiry |
| 17 Self-discipline | 34 Time management |
Back to Top
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: April 2011
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