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First-Year Student Survey Trends, 1994-2009:
Overview of Results

This overview report presents findings from all first-year students participating in the First-Year Student Surveys from 1994-2009. Tables detailing mean ratings and/or frequency distributions for all survey items asked in multiple years are included. In some cases, minor changes have been made in survey item wording over the years. Such changes are noted beneath affected tables. Many recurring survey items were not asked in earlier years or were asked in ways that make the item incomparable with later years. Years in which certain items were not asked or are not comparable over time have been omitted from the tables or have been assigned "NA" to indicate that the category does not apply to results for that year. For information about the survey and analysis methods, see "First-Year Student Survey Trends, 1994-2009: Introduction, Methods, and Student Demographic Profile."

Table of Contents:
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Background Information Preparaton for College
Home Community High School and Self Preparation
Household Characteristics Participation in Pre-College Programs
Religious Preference Educational Intent and Interests
Technical Capabilities Goals and Objectives at NC State
Applying to NC State Intended Highest Level of Education
Number of Schools To Which Respondent Applied First Year Employment Plans
Contacts During the Admissions Process Interest in Co-Curricular Activities
Factors Influencing Decision to Attend NC State Location of Future Employment
Satisfaction with Admissions
Virtual Advising Center
Paying for College
Financial Aid
Satisfaction with Financial Aid Process

Background Information

This section presents background information provided by first-year students who responded to the surveys, including home community and household characteristics, religious preference, musical interests, and technical capabilities.

Home Community (Table 1)

The distribution of respondents' high school area populations has changed very little over time. A majority of students reported that they come from a moderate-sized city or larger. In each year, less than one-fifth reported coming to NC State from a rural area.

Table 1: Home Community
High school area population (Q) 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Rural area 16.4% 18.9% 18.1% 17.3% 17.4% 17.2% 16.0% 16.1% 17.2% 16.4% 18.2% 15.3% 15.5% 13.1% 14.4% 15.4%
Small town 24.3% 24.9% 25.5% 24.4% 26.4% 24.7% 24.8% 25.4% 26.7% 26.5% 26.1% 26.7% 24.0% 24.9% 26.1% 27.7%
Moderate city 30.8% 28.3% 27.3% 29.7% 29.9% 28.4% 27.6% 29.0% 27.1% 28.2% 29.9% 28.5% 29.7% 30.3% 30.9% 29.1%
Large city 14.1% 12.3% 12.9% 12.2% 13.2% 12.6% 17.0% 13.3% 13.3% 13.6% 12.4% 14.8% 14.7% 15.8% 14.3% 13.0%
Urban area 14.4% 15.5% 16.2% 16.3% 13.1% 17.2% 14.6% 16.1% 15.7% 15.3% 13.5% 14.7% 16.1% 15.9% 14.3% 14.9%
Total (N) 2,772 2,685 3,130 3,049 3,100 2,868 3,267 3,313 3,066 3,300 3,182 3,421 3,662 4,158 3,612 3,022
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Household Characteristics (Tables 2-7)

With the exception of 2009, first-year students' reports of household size have changed very little since 1994. Prior to 2009, between 60 and 65 percent of respondents reported that their household contains four or more members. This figure jumped to 72 percent in 2009. However, this increase is likely due to a slight change in question wording on the 2009 survey. In each survey year, more than 60 percent of respondents said they were the only household dependent in college, ranging from a high of 71 percent in 1994 to a low of 64 percent in 2009.

Students were asked to report their parents' or guardians' combined income before taxes in the year prior to their freshman year in college. Student reports indicate that parent/guardian income has increased over time. Separate analyses looking at income in constant dollars (not reported here), suggest that the increase is not solely the result of inflation, but also indicative of a real shift in the income levels of first year students' parents/guardians. Over the survey years, the percentage of households grossing over $100,000 annually has increased, while the percentage grossing $30,000 or less has held fairly steady.

In each survey year at least 60 percent of respondents reported that the educational attainment of their father/male guardian was a baccalaureate degree or higher. The proportion of mothers/female guardians with a baccalaureate degree or higher increased across survey years, from about 50 percent in 1996 to 59 percent in 2009. A small proportion (less than 10 percent) of first year students in each survey year reported that neither parent had attended college, with the lowest level of first-generation students being reported in 2009 (6%).

Table 2: Household Size
Number in Household (Q*) 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
One 3.4% 4.0% 3.6% 3.6% 4.2% 3.6% 3.4% 3.0% 4.1% 3.9% 4.1% 4.1% 3.5% 3.4% 3.4% 1.9%
Two 10.8% 11.7% 11.7% 10.2% 11.0% 12.0% 10.1% 9.8% 11.9% 11.4% 10.6% 11.6% 11.0% 10.1% 10.4% 7.5%
Three 24.4% 23.7% 22.7% 23.4% 23.1% 21.8% 21.8% 22.7% 22.7% 22.0% 23.4% 22.0% 21.9% 22.6% 22.4% 18.7%
Four 38.6% 39.9% 38.2% 39.3% 39.6% 39.7% 41.8% 40.6% 37.5% 39.6% 37.2% 38.1% 39.6% 39.6% 39.7% 42.5%
Five or more 22.9% 20.7% 23.9% 23.5% 22.1% 23.0% 23.0% 23.9% 23.7% 23.1% 24.8% 24.2% 24.0% 24.3% 24.1% 29.4%
Total (N) 2,770 2,691 3,123 3,044 3,087 2,875 3,282 3,306 3,061 3,286 3,181 3,545 3,822 4,343 4,103 3,004
*Prior to 2009, question read, "How many people do your parents or guardians currently support in their household? Include yourself and parents or guardians, if applicable."

Table 3: Dependents in College
Number of dependents in college (Q) 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Only self 70.6% 68.7% 67.9% 68.6% 69.2% 68.3% 68.5% 68.2% 67.8% 67.4% 67.5% 67.0% 66.2% 65.8% 66.6% 64.3%
Two 23.0% 26.2% 27.6% 28.1% 27.2% 28.4% 27.9% 27.9% 28.3% 28.6% 27.8% 28.8% 29.0% 29.7% 28.3% 29.9%
Three or more 6.4% 5.2% 4.5% 3.3% 3.7% 3.3% 3.5% 3.9% 3.9% 3.9% 4.7% 4.1% 4.9% 4.5% 5.1% 5.8%
Total (N) 2,770 2,638 3,059 2,989 3,049 2,838 3,242 3,278 3,027 3,242 3,138 3,494 3,797 4,292 4,069 3,007


Table 4: Parent/Guardian Income
Parent/guardian income (Q) 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
$30,000 or less 14.0% 13.0% 13.2% 10.0% 10.4% 10.2% 10.7% 11.1% 10.8% 10.1% 10.3% 9.0% 9.2% 9.7%
$30,001-$50,000 21.6% 21.0% 20.1% 17.4% 15.4% 15.6% 15.2% 14.9% 14.6% 15.2% 13.9% 12.8% 12.9% 11.3%
$50,001-$75,000 26.9% 29.8% 28.6% 28.1% 25.3% 24.8% 24.8% 24.0% 21.0% 20.8% 21.8% 20.6% 20.4% 18.0%
$75,001-$100,000 17.8% 16.6% 17.5% 19.1% 20.7% 19.1% 18.8% 19.3% 19.3% 19.5% 18.9% 18.9% 18.0% 20.9%
$100,001-$150,000 11.8% 11.3% 13.3% 14.9% 17.1% 17.4% 17.8% 17.7% 20.3% 19.2% 19.7% 21.3% 21.8% 22.0%
$150,001-$200,000 4.2% 4.3% 3.5% 5.0% 5.7% 7.5% 6.5% 7.0% 7.3% 7.1% 8.0% 8.8% 8.0% 9.9%
More than $200,000 3.6% 4.0% 3.8% 5.4% 5.5% 5.4% 6.1% 6.1% 6.7% 7.9% 7.3% 8.6% 9.8% 8.2%
Total (N) 3,155 3,063 3,143 2,996 3,353 3,360 3,136 3,348 3,293 3,660 3,920 4,415 4,169 2,847
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Table 5: Father/Male Guardian Educational Attainment
Father/male guardian education (Q) 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Less than high school 2.9% 3.1% 2.5% 2.5% 2.3% 1.9% 2.2% 2.3% 2.8% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.8% 2.6%
High school graduate 14.1% 14.2% 14.9% 13.7% 13.8% 13.4% 13.9% 14.1% 13.3% 13.8% 15.0% 13.6% 13.5% 12.7%
Some college (no degree) 13.7% 12.8% 12.2% 11.1% 10.7% 11.7% 11.3% 11.1% 12.6% 12.2% 12.0% 12.0% 11.9% 12.7%
2-year associate degree/certificate 8.6% 9.5% 10.1% 10.6% 9.5% 10.1% 10.1% 9.7% 9.9% 10.1% 9.9% 10.0% 10.3% 8.9%
4-year baccalaureate degree 32.0% 32.0% 33.1% 33.1% 32.6% 33.4% 34.0% 34.9% 33.8% 34.5% 35.1% 33.8% 33.1% 34.5%
Some graduate/prof. coursework (no degree) 5.0% 4.7% 3.4% 4.1% 3.9% 3.3% 2.9% 2.8% 3.1% 3.4% 3.0% 3.3% 3.2% 2.8%
Master's degree 16.1% 15.3% 15.7% 15.9% 17.9% 17.0% 16.3% 16.5% 16.7% 15.5% 15.9% 16.2% 16.7% 17.2%
Doctorate or other professional degree 7.7% 8.6% 8.0% 9.0% 9.2% 9.2% 9.3% 8.7% 7.8% 8.3% 7.1% 8.8% 8.5% 6.8%
Don't know/not applicable NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1.9%
Total (N) 3,046 2,994 3,023 2,867 3,138 3,172 2,939 3,144 3,088 3,294 3,524 4,068 3,468 3,007


Table 6: Mother/Female Guardian Educational Attainment
Mother/female guardian education (Q) 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Less than high school 1.7% 1.9% 1.8% 1.6% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.3% 1.7% 1.6% 1.4% 1.5% 1.3% 2.0%
High school graduate 19.0% 17.9% 18.1% 15.3% 15.5% 15.7% 14.3% 14.0% 13.3% 12.0% 13.7% 11.4% 11.9% 10.8%
Some college (no degree) 15.5% 13.7% 13.1% 12.3% 12.7% 11.6% 12.5% 13.2% 12.4% 14.2% 12.6% 13.2% 12.6% 14.2%
2-year associate degree/certificate 14.3% 14.8% 14.7% 16.3% 13.7% 14.8% 13.3% 14.3% 15.2% 15.4% 15.0% 14.6% 14.5% 13.4%
4-year baccalaureate degree 28.3% 31.4% 30.3% 33.3% 33.8% 33.8% 34.5% 35.9% 36.0% 34.0% 36.7% 36.5% 36.8% 36.7%
Some graduate/prof. coursework (no degree) 4.6% 4.9% 4.3% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.8% 2.9% 3.9% 3.9% 3.7% 3.4% 4.2% 3.4%
Master's degree 15.1% 13.9% 15.5% 15.0% 16.9% 15.9% 17.0% 15.7% 15.2% 15.1% 14.0% 15.8% 15.2% 14.9%
Doctorate or other professional degree 1.5% 1.7% 2.1% 2.6% 2.5% 2.9% 3.1% 2.8% 2.3% 3.8% 2.9% 3.6% 3.6% 3.5%
Don't know/not applicable NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1.2%
Total (N) 3,087 3,018 3,059 2,878 3,155 3,165 2,837 3,121 3,023 3,317 3,585 4,113 3,912 2,883


Table 7: First Generation Student
  1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
First generation college student 9.4% 8.6% 9.7% 7.6% 8.3% 8.4% 7.9% 7.5% 6.9% 7.0% 8.1% 6.9% 7.3% 6.4%
First gen, at least one parent some college/no degree 21.8% 21.0% 20.0% 20.4% 18.4% 19.5% 19.0% 19.6% 20.7% 21.5% 20.5% 20.2% 20.2% 19.9%
Not first generation 68.8% 70.4% 70.4% 72.1% 73.3% 72.1% 73.1% 72.9% 72.4% 71.5% 71.5% 73.0% 72.5% 73.8%
Total (N) 3,111 3,032 3,076 2,889 3,288 3,295 3,056 3,293 3,187 3,564 3,833 4,352 4,096 2,999
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Religious Preference (Table 8)

Over the 15 years of the survey respondents have been asked to indicated their religious preference from a list that grew in length over the years, totaling over 35 specific religions in 2009. Only minor variations in the distribution of first year students' religious preferences have occurred since 1995. Baptist, Catholic, and United Methodist are consistently the most commonly reported religious affiliations, followed by Presbyterian and Inter/Nondenominational. Less than 5 percent of the students selected any of the other individual religions asked about. With the exception of 2009, in each year a substantial minority (usually around 15 percent) reported that they have no religious preference. This figure was a low of 6.4 percent in 2009, most likely due to the addition of the response option, "prefer not to answer" in 2009.

Table 8: Religious Preference (subset of most commonly reported religions from a list of over 35)
Religious preference (Q) 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Baptist 31.6% 28.0% 30.3% 27.4% 26.2% 25.4% 25.1% 24.7% 26.4% 27.8% 25.6% 26.1% 27.0% 25.7% 22.8%
Catholic 11.7% 13.0% 12.9% 11.6% 12.9% 12.7% 13.0% 12.8% 13.7% 12.2% 12.4% 15.0% 14.4% 14.3% 12.4%
Presbyterian NA 8.5% 7.8% 8.2% 9.1% 8.6% 7.4% 7.5% 7.7% 7.5% 7.8% 8.4% 8.0% 7.3% 6.7%
United Methodist 16.0% 15.2% 14.8% 15.3% 16.4% 15.2% 14.8% 14.8% 14.4% 16.3% 14.0% 13.7% 14.5% 14.4% 11.8%
Inter/Nondenomination* NA NA NA NA NA 6.6% 6.8% 7.4% 2.6% 4.9% 5.3% 9.8% 10.6% 7.9% 5.1%
No preference 14.5% 13.8% 15.5% 15.8% 15.7% 13.3% 15.0% 14.8% 15.3% 14.9% 15.4% 15.7% 16.5% 16.1% 6.4%
Total (N) 2,683 3,069 2,992 3,039 2,878 3,253 3,267 3,041 3,090 3,293 3,660 3,920 4,415 4,169 3,237
Note: Beginning in 2004, respondents were able to select multiple religious preferences.
*Prior to 2009, item was worded "Nondenominational."

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Technical Capabilities (Table 9)

Beginning in 2000, respondents were asked if they intended to have a personal computer at NC State. The percentage of students reporting that they plan to have a personal computer at NC State has increased steadily across survey years, from about 80 percent in 2000 to 98 percent in 2009. Since 2000, there has been a notable change in the type of computer students plan to bring to campus. In 2000, among those who planned to bring a computer to campus, close to 70 percent planned to bring a desktop. By 2009, this figure had dropped to about 1 percent, with the vast majority planning to bring a laptop.

Table 9: Technical Capabilities
Have personal computer at NC State (Q) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Yes: Desktop 54.8% 52.4% 49.0% 39.8% 26.1% 14.9% 6.0% 2.7% 1.8% 1.2%
Yes: Laptop 24.9% 30.5% 37.1% 50.2% 60.1% 73.1% 82.8% 88.1% 91.2% 91.9%
Yes: Both desktop and laptop NA NA NA NA 6.2% 6.1% 7.1% 5.3% 4.2% 4.4%
No 4.6% 3.3% 3.1% 1.9% 1.6% 1.5% 0.7% 0.6% 0.2% 0.6%
Do not know 15.7% 13.8% 10.8% 8.1% 5.9% 4.4% 3.4% 3.3% 2.5% 1.8%
Total (N) 3,197 3,178 2,940 3,170 3,144 3,508 3,792 4,371 4,114 3,030
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Applying to NC State

This section of the report explores entering students' experiences with the application process and examines those factors students considered influential in their decision to attend NC State.

Number of Schools To Which Respondent Applied (Table 10)

Students' reports of the number of school to which they applied remained fairly stable between 1994 and 2002, with about one-fourth reporting that they applied to NC State only and more than 40 percent reporting that they applied to three or more colleges including NC State. Since then, there has been a steady decrease in the proportion of students who applied only to NC State (13.8% in 2009) and a steady increase in the proportion who applied to three or more colleges including NC State (67.5% in 2009). The proportion of those saying they applied to five or more schools has almost doubled since 1994, going from 13 percent at that time to 24 percent in 2009.

Table 10: Number of Schools to Which Respondent Applied
Number of colleges applied to (Q) 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
One 24.9% 24.7% 24.0% 25.0% 28.1% 27.7% 24.8% 25.0% 24.6% 20.8% 21.8% 19.4% 17.7% 16.7% 14.3% 13.8%
Two 23.2% 25.5% 25.0% 25.1% 25.7% 24.0% 24.6% 25.4% 24.1% 23.0% 23.0% 22.8% 23.8% 20.5% 21.4% 18.7%
Three 24.4% 21.9% 24.9% 23.6% 22.1% 22.8% 23.8% 22.7% 24.4% 24.1% 25.6% 25.1% 25.3% 25.5% 24.5% 24.8%
Four 14.3% 15.3% 13.4% 13.3% 12.7% 13.4% 14.7% 14.1% 14.3% 16.9% 15.9% 16.8% 17.4% 18.8% 18.9% 18.5%
Five or more 13.2% 12.6% 12.6% 13.0% 11.4% 12.0% 12.2% 12.7% 12.7% 15.2% 13.7% 15.9% 15.7% 18.5% 20.8% 24.2%
Total (N) 2,781 2,707 3,116 3,040 3,130 2,974 3,340 3,346 3,130 3,344 3,287 3,652 3,915 4,401 4,160 3,235
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Contacts During the Admissions Process (Table 11)

Incoming students were asked whether or not various people outside of the admissions office had contacted them during the admissions process. In 2009 a "don't know/don't remember" response option was added, thereby affecting the distribution of responses. With the exception of 2009, between 17 percent and 22 percent of respondents said they received a call from an NC State faculty or staff member after applying for admission to NC State. In 2009, this figure dropped to a low of 12 percent, with 22 percent saying they don't know/didn't remember. The number of respondents receiving a call from a current student has fluctuated somewhat over survey years. Between 2002 and 2005, there was a spike in the proportion of students receiving a call from a current student, with about one-fifth or more reporting such calls. The number of students who received a call from an NC State graduate has generally declined across survey years, with no more than 11 percent reporting such calls in any given year. With the exception of 2009, in each year since the question was first asked in 1997, 60 percent or more first-year students reported receiving a letter from outside the Admissions Office. In 2009, this figure dropped to a low of 52 percent (although 28% said they "don't know/don't remember" if they got such a letter).

Table 11: Contacts During the Admissions Process (Q)
Call from faculty/staff 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Yes 18.9% 22.2% 21.6% 20.1% 19.3% 19.0% 17.2% 18.9% 21.2% 21.2% 21.5% 19.0% 16.6% 19.1% 17.0% 11.6%
No 81.1% 77.8% 78.4% 79.9% 80.7% 81.0% 82.8% 81.1% 78.8% 78.8% 78.5% 81.0% 83.4% 80.9% 83.0% 66.2%
Don't know/Don't remember NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 22.1%
Total (N) 2,784 2,738 3,155 3,063 3,143 2,996 3,353 3,360 3,136 3,348 3,293 3,660 3,920 4,415 4,169 3,186
Call from current student 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Yes 16.1% 17.5% 15.9% 15.1% 13.6% 18.1% 17.0% 16.5% 20.3% 23.1% 21.9% 20.4% 16.6% 19.1% 17.8% 17.3%
No 83.9% 82.5% 84.1% 84.9% 86.4% 81.9% 83.0% 83.5% 79.7% 76.9% 78.1% 79.6% 83.4% 80.9% 82.2% 65.4%
Don't know/Don't remember NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 17.3%
Total (N) 2,784 2,738 3,155 3,063 3,143 2,996 3,353 3,360 3,136 3,348 3,293 3,660 3,920 4,415 4,169 3,174
Call from NCSU graduate 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Yes 11.0% 10.8% 8.1% 5.8% 6.7% 7.7% 7.2% 7.1% 7.6% 7.3% 5.9% 5.8% 5.2% 8.1% 8.6% 7.2%
No 89.0% 89.2% 91.9% 94.2% 93.3% 92.3% 92.8% 92.9% 92.4% 92.7% 94.1% 94.2% 94.8% 91.9% 91.4% 73.1%
Don't know/Don't remember NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 19.7%
Total (N) 2,784 2,738 3,155 3,063 3,143 2,996 3,353 3,360 3,136 3,348 3,293 3,660 3,920 4,415 4,169 3,144
Letter from outside Admissions Office 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Yes NA NA NA 70.0% 66.7% 74.4% 65.2% 67.7% 64.6% 66.6% 61.3% 59.9% 66.1% 65.2% 59.5% 51.6%
No NA NA NA 30.0% 33.3% 25.6% 34.8% 32.3% 35.4% 33.4% 38.7% 40.1% 33.9% 34.8% 40.5% 20.8%
Don't know/Don't remember NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 27.7%
Total (N) NA NA NA 3,063 3,143 2,996 3,353 3,360 3,136 3,348 3,293 3,660 3,920 4,415 4,169 3,217
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Factors Influencing Decision to Attend NC State (Tables 12 and 13)

Respondents indicated the extent to which each of 21 different factors influenced their decision to attend NC State. The response scale ranged from 5 = "very strong influence" to 1 = "very weak influence." "Not applicable" responses were not used in the calculations of average ratings. On average, respondents consistently reported that the academic reputation of NC State, availability of program of interest, and level of support for intended major were strongly influential in their decision to attend NC State. Least likely to be influential in the decision-making process were letter from outside Admissions office, number of hours transferred/credited, NC State publications, and attendance at a college fair.

While average ratings for most items have remained fairly consistent across survey years, those for acceptance into the First Year College have steadily increased, going from 3.18 in 1997 to 3.94 in 2009. Also notably increasing in influence over the past five years were campus visits prior to orientation, cost, scholarships/financial aid available, contact with a current student, and contact with a faculty/staff member.

Respondents were also asked to indicate the single most influential factor in their decision to attend. Responses to this item reflect the importance of academics in the decision to attend NC State. The most influential factors overall were academic reputation and level of support for my intended major. Throughout the survey years availability of program has also been sighted as the most influential factor by more than 10 percent of incoming students. (An error in question wording in the 2009 survey resulted in a sharp decline in students selecting this response option in that year, and likely caused the corresponding uptick in the numbers selecting level of support for my intended major).

Table 12: Factors Influencing Decision to Attend NC State (Q)
  Mean Rating
Scale: 5="very strong influence," 4="strong influence," 3="moderate influence,"
2="weak influence," 1="very weak influence"
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Academic reputation 4.06 3.99 4.00 4.09 4.11 4.10 4.09 4.08 4.13 4.11 4.08 4.12 4.10 4.17 4.19
Availability of program 3.91 3.89 3.72 3.80 3.87 3.79 3.80 3.77 3.86 3.77 3.74 3.84 3.84 3.86 4.02
Level of support for my intended major 3.81 3.81 3.67 3.77 3.83 3.78 3.77 3.63 3.70 3.73 3.68 3.77 3.81 3.85 4.00
Facilities and resources available 3.89 3.87 3.64 3.73 3.75 3.66 3.66 3.59 3.64 3.63 3.56 3.69 3.72 3.73 3.94
Acceptance into FYC NA NA 3.18 2.83 3.09 3.52 3.50 3.46 3.63 3.47 3.63 3.73 3.78 3.87 3.94
Location 3.61 3.60 3.53 3.52 3.58 3.62 3.62 3.57 3.60 3.59 3.62 3.61 3.60 3.67 3.81
Campus visit prior to orientation 3.10 3.07 3.18 3.19 3.25 3.19 3.20 3.20 3.18 3.14 3.13 3.20 3.20 3.36 3.63
Cost 3.32 3.31 3.15 3.22 3.28 3.16 3.16 3.08 3.16 3.09 3.01 3.14 3.14 3.27 3.55
Recommended 3.29 3.26 3.24 3.34 3.36 3.32 3.34 3.31 3.35 3.36 3.36 3.46 3.36 3.45 3.50
Contact with a current student 3.09 3.21 3.04 3.12 3.10 3.08 3.10 3.07 3.12 3.03 3.05 3.12 3.09 3.23 3.45
Extracurricular opportunities 2.93 2.83 2.81 2.87 2.93 2.90 2.93 2.80 2.95 2.86 2.91 2.95 3.03 3.13 3.26
Scholarships/financial aid available 2.87 2.81 2.83 2.94 2.80 2.70 2.84 2.92 2.92 2.82 2.82 2.91 2.94 3.04 3.24
Size 2.86 2.86 2.71 2.78 2.89 2.89 2.96 2.96 3.01 2.94 2.98 3.03 2.97 3.00 3.23
Contact with a graduate NA NA 2.71 2.80 2.72 2.70 2.75 2.72 2.81 2.77 2.72 2.88 2.78 2.95 3.08
Campus Recreation programs NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 2.69 2.76 2.80 2.89 2.95 3.08
Contact with a faculty/staff member* 2.43 2.47 2.46 2.48 2.49 2.38 2.48 2.44 2.48 2.43 2.38 2.46 2.42 2.53 2.85
Attendance at a College Fair 2.25 2.19 2.16 2.16 2.11 2.09 2.06 2.16 2.28 2.19 2.20 2.30 2.28 2.34 2.58
Publications from NC State 2.47 2.43 2.25 2.29 2.28 2.25 2.27 2.25 2.36 2.23 2.25 2.30 2.23 2.31 2.56
Number of hours transferred/credited 2.33 2.33 2.08 2.19 2.19 2.14 2.18 2.15 2.20 2.11 2.18 2.25 2.24 2.23 2.47
Letter from other than Admissions NA NA 2.19 2.21 2.16 2.08 2.10 2.09 2.10 2.01 2.07 2.18 2.19 2.16 2.45
Other 4.22 4.46 4.23 4.45 4.54 4.47 4.34 4.34 4.34 4.21 4.03 3.92 4.04 4.15 4.13
*This item was "Contact with a school official" on the 1995 and 1996 surveys.
Frequency Distributions


Table 13: Most Influential Factor
Most Influential Factor (Q) 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Academic reputation 23.9% 22.4% 22.3% 24.7% 22.7% 23.5% 25.0% 26.2% 25.0% 26.0% 23.9% 25.6% 24.4% 24.1% 23.3%
Cost 6.6% 6.5% 5.9% 5.1% 5.9% 4.8% 4.6% 4.9% 5.0% 5.4% 4.7% 4.7% 4.4% 4.8% 7.4%
Location 10.7% 11.9% 10.7% 10.1% 9.4% 11.3% 9.9% 11.4% 9.9% 9.8% 11.2% 10.4% 9.5% 9.4% 9.5%
Size 0.8% 1.1% 0.6% 0.9% 0.9% 1.3% 0.9% 1.4% 1.3% 1.2% 1.4% 1.2% 1.5% 1.1% 1.1%
Availability of program* 18.1% 16.5% 14.1% 14.8% 14.3% 12.3% 11.5% 12.8% 16.3% 12.8% 13.0% 12.6% 13.3% 12.3% 2.6%
Recommended by friend, family, etc. 5.5% 5.6% 5.6% 5.9% 6.1% 6.6% 6.1% 6.2% 5.8% 7.0% 7.2% 7.3% 5.6% 5.8% 4.5%
Number of hours transferred/credited 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.4% 0.3% 0.4% 0.1% 0.2% 0.5% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2%
Level of support for my intended major 13.7% 15.5% 17.6% 17.1% 17.1% 18.5% 16.9% 13.5% 13.7% 16.4% 14.8% 15.5% 18.6% 17.2% 24.2%
Facilities and resources available 5.1% 4.8% 3.9% 4.0% 4.7% 3.1% 4.2% 3.1% 2.7% 2.7% 2.3% 3.4% 3.2% 3.3% 2.7%
Scholarships/financial aid available 4.2% 4.2% 4.3% 4.7% 4.1% 4.7% 5.8% 5.9% 6.0% 5.1% 5.5% 5.4% 5.3% 5.4% 6.7%
Pack Promise Program NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1.5% 1.5%
Campus visit prior to orientation 3.2% 3.4% 5.2% 4.0% 4.0% 3.1% 3.5% 3.9% 3.1% 3.4% 2.7% 3.0% 3.6% 3.3% 3.7%
Contact with a current student 2.4% 2.7% 2.9% 2.6% 2.8% 2.7% 2.9% 2.3% 2.3% 2.6% 3.0% 2.7% 2.7% 2.6% 2.6%
Contact with a faculty/staff member** 0.7% 0.5% 0.7% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.3% 0.6% 0.4% 0.6% 0.6% 0.4% 0.4% 0.7%
Contact with a graduate NA NA 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 0.5% 0.7% 1.1% 0.6% 0.9% 1.4% 1.0% 0.8% 1.2% 1.4%
Letter from other than Admissions NA NA 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1% 0.1%
Attendance at a College Fair 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.3% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
Publications from NC State 0.3% 0.3% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
Extracurricular opportunities 1.1% 1.3% 1.5% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 1.5% 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 1.1% 1.2% 1.4% 1.2%
Acceptance into FYC NA NA NA NA 1.7% 2.0% 2.0% 2.2% 2.3% 1.4% 2.0% 1.6% 1.9% 2.1% 2.3%
Campus Recreation programs NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 0.2% 0.2% 0.5% 0.3% 0.3% 0.1%
Carmichael Complex Recreational facilities NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 0.2%
Other 3.3% 2.9% 3.1% 3.1% 3.5% 3.8% 3.3% 3.2% 3.3% 3.0% 4.3% 2.7% 2.8% 3.2% 3.9%
Total (N) 2,707 3,059 3,040 3,013 2,742 3,092 3,107 2,921 3,043 2,914 3,165 3,466 3,993 3,763 3,217
* This item was mistakenly listed simply as 'Availability' in 2009.
**This item was "Contact with a school official" in the 1995 and 1996 surveys.

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Satisfaction with Admissions (Tables 14 and 15)

Survey respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction with the quality of various aspects of the NC State admissions process on a scale from 4 = "very satisfied" to 1 = "very dissatisfied." "Don't know/did not use" responses were excluded from the calculation of mean ratings. The vast majority of respondents in all years (about 90 percent) were "moderately" or "very satisfied" with university and departmental admissions processes. Other than a slight drop in 2005, the percentage of students reporting that they were "very satisfied" with both the university admissions process and the departmental admissions process increased steadily across survey years, with notable increases for both items in 2009.

Table 14: Satisfaction with University Admissions
University admissions process (Q) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Mean Rating 3.22 3.35 3.36 3.38 3.40 3.42 3.44 3.46 3.38 3.46 3.44 3.45 3.56
4: Very satisfied 36.5% 43.5% 45.4% 46.2% 48.1% 49.1% 50.4% 52.6% 47.2% 52.2% 51.0% 51.9% 59.1%
3: Moderately satisfied 51.9% 49.6% 46.9% 46.9% 45.3% 45.0% 44.3% 41.5% 45.1% 42.3% 42.9% 42.5% 38.1%
2: Moderately dissatisfied 9.2% 5.4% 6.0% 5.7% 5.6% 5.2% 4.6% 4.9% 6.8% 4.8% 5.2% 4.8% 2.4%
1: Very dissatisfied 2.4% 1.5% 1.7% 1.2% 1.0% 0.7% 0.7% 1.0% 1.0% 0.7% 0.9% 0.8% 0.4%
Total (N) 3,032 3,121 2,983 3,346 3,346 3,108 3,335 3,278 3,638 3,905 4,385 4,138 3,217


Table 15: Satisfaction with Departmental Admissions
Departmental admissions process (Q) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Mean Rating 3.25 3.33 3.37 3.36 3.37 3.37 3.39 3.43 3.36 3.42 3.43 3.43 3.56
4: Very satisfied 37.7% 42.6% 45.1% 44.9% 45.3% 45.5% 46.6% 50.6% 45.3% 50.0% 50.6% 51.0% 59.2%
3: Moderately satisfied 51.9% 49.6% 47.6% 48.1% 47.8% 47.1% 47.3% 43.0% 46.4% 43.1% 42.8% 42.3% 37.5%
2: Moderately dissatisfied 8.5% 6.3% 6.2% 5.5% 6.0% 6.3% 5.1% 5.6% 7.2% 5.9% 5.6% 5.9% 2.7%
1: Very dissatisfied 1.9% 1.6% 1.1% 1.6% 1.0% 1.1% 1.1% 0.8% 1.1% 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 0.5%
Total (N) 2,821 2,897 2,798 3,147 3,138 2,949 3,179 3,144 3,517 3,758 4,241 3,983 3,109
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Virtual Advising Center (Tables 16 and 17)

In 2009 the First Year Student Survey was conducted online, after students had attended New Student Orientation, whereas in previous years it had been conducted as a paper and pencil survey while students were at Orientation. This change in timing affected responses to questions about the Virtual Advising Center, which was discussed (and often used) during Orientation. In addition, by the time students completed the survey in 2009 they of course had had additional time to access the Vitual Advising Center website. Prior to 2009, two-thirds or more respondents in each survey year reported that they had never used the Virtual Advising Center website. This figure dropped substantially to 28 percent in 2009. However, the change in timing of the survey did not affect ratings of the website by those having used it. Among those who used the Virtual Advising Center website, more than 25 percent in each year rated it as "excellent" and another 60 percent or more rated it as "good."

Table 16: Virtual Advising Center Rating
Rate Virtual Advising Center website (Q) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Excellent 9.8% 8.1% 8.3% 7.9% 6.7% 8.5% 8.2% NA 6.2% 18.5%
Good 21.3% 20.2% 19.9% 19.0% 19.2% 20.9% 20.6% NA 17.2% 43.9%
Fair 2.9% 2.8% 3.1% 2.6% 3.7% 4.2% 4.2% NA 3.7% 8.8%
Poor 0.2% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.8% 0.6% NA 0.8% 1.3%
Know about/did not use 14.0% 11.6% 11.9% 12.2% 11.6% 10.0% 8.5% NA 7.5% NA
Never used* 51.7% 56.9% 56.3% 58.0% 58.5% 55.6% 57.8% NA 64.6% 27.5%
Total (N) 3,340 3,350 3,130 3,345 3,286 3,654 3,905 NA 4,161 3,229
*Prior to 2009, this response option was worded "Didn't know about."

Table 17: Virtual Advising Center Rating (among those who used website)
Rate Virtual Advising Center website (among those who used website) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009
Excellent 28.6% 25.6% 26.0% 26.5% 22.3% 24.8% 24.4% 22.3% 25.5%
Good 62.2% 64.3% 62.7% 63.7% 64.2% 60.7% 61.4% 61.5% 60.6%
Fair 8.5% 9.0% 9.8% 8.6% 12.5% 12.1% 12.5% 13.4% 12.1%
Poor 0.7% 1.0% 1.4% 1.2% 1.0% 2.3% 1.8% 2.8% 1.8%
Total (N) 1,144 1,054 995 997 985 1,256 1,313 1,161 2,341
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Paying for College

In this section, respondents' expectations for financial aid are reported, along with their satisfaction with the financial aid process.

Financial Aid (Tables 18 and 19)

The percentage of first-year students who reported that they were receiving some type of financial aid has generally increased across survey years, from 48 percent in 1994 to 73 percent in 2009. Increase in academic/merit and need-based aid account for most of this change. The percentage of students who reported that they were receiving academic-based aid increased from 26 percent in 1994 to a high of 43 percent in 2009. The percentage of students who reported that they were receiving aid based on financial need increased from 27 percent in 1994 to a high of 43 percent in 2008 before dropping slightly in 2009 to 38 percent.

Table 18: Receiving Financial Aid
  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Receiving aid (Q) 47.8% 52.1% 67.0% 58.0% 58.1% 58.8% 56.2% 59.3% 62.9% 65.4% 64.5% 63.6% 63.6% 62.0% 66.6% 72.5%
Total (N) 2,784 2,738 3,155 2,933 3,078 2,880 3,271 3,298 3,083 3,305 3,197 3,579 3,836 4,345 4,113 3,152


Table 19: Type(s) of Financial Aid (Q)
  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Academic/Merit scholarship or grant* 25.7% 25.4% 28.0% 31.7% 31.0% 32.7% 28.2% 31.3% 33.6% 34.0% 34.3% 32.9% 34.1% 31.4% 30.1% 43.3%
Athletic aid 2.6% 2.5% 2.1% 2.2% 2.2% 2.0% 2.0% 2.2% 2.3% 2.4% 2.5% 1.7% 2.0% 2.7% 2.5% 1.1%
Need-based scholarship or grant* 26.7% 31.9% 31.5% 34.3% 32.8% 31.9% 28.7% 31.8% 35.4% 40.2% 38.5% 37.7% 38.4% 37.5% 42.5% 38.1%
Other - dance, music, etc. NA NA 1.0% 1.0% 1.2% 1.2% 1.5% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.8% 1.6% 1.5% 1.2% 2.0% NA
Federal or state loans (including non-need and/or need-based loans) NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 41.3%
Veterans/ROTC/Private scholarship or grant NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 4.5%
Private loan NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 5.7%
Other 14.4% 10.3% 11.9% 10.3% 11.4% 12.0% 13.5% 13.6% 14.3% 14.5% 14.3% 14.8% 12.6% 12.2% 12.9% 7.9%
Total (N) 2,784 2,738 3,155 2,933 3,078 2,880 3,271 3,298 3,083 3,305 3,197 3,579 3,836 4,345 4,113 3,152
Note: Respondents could report more than one type of financial aid.
*Prior to 2009, item was worded "Academic."
**Prior to 2009, item was worded "Financial need."

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Satisfaction with Financial Aid Process (Table 20)

In each survey year, more than two-thirds of first-year students reported being either "very" or "moderately" satisfied with NC State's financial aid process. Satisfaction is growing, with the percentage of those saying they were "very satisfied" with the process increasing from 20 percent to 33 percent between 1997 and 2009. The percentage of respondents saying they were "very dissatisfied" with the financial aid process remained fairly stable through 2008 (ranging between 7 and 10 percent), before dropping to a low of 4 percent in 2009.

Table 20: Satisfaction with Financial Aid Process
Satisfaction with financial Aid process (Q) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Mean Rating 2.83 2.77 2.79 2.73 2.83 2.89 2.89 2.88 2.82 2.87 2.94 2.98 3.12
4: Very satisfied 19.7% 18.8% 20.0% 17.0% 22.1% 25.9% 25.6% 25.6% 24.5% 26.7% 28.4% 31.5% 32.6%
3: Moderately satisfied 52.0% 48.5% 48.0% 49.3% 46.9% 45.3% 45.7% 45.3% 42.9% 42.2% 44.4% 42.0% 50.8%
2: Moderately dissatisfied 20.3% 23.4% 23.2% 23.5% 23.0% 20.5% 20.4% 20.5% 23.0% 22.7% 20.0% 19.5% 12.8%
1: Very dissatisfied 8.1% 9.3% 8.8% 10.1% 8.1% 8.4% 8.3% 8.6% 9.6% 8.4% 7.2% 7.0% 3.8%
Total (N) 1,948 2,130 2,005 2,211 2,219 2,263 2,516 2,454 2,687 2,945 3,348 3,146 2,506
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Preparation for College

This section presents first-year students' reports of preparation for college, including high school and self preparation and participation in pre-college programs.

High School and Self Preparation (Tables 21 and 22)

About 10 percent of the students in each survey year indicated that they were "not very well prepared" by their high school for college, while less than half as many in each year felt "not very well prepared" by their own efforts. On the other hand, the proportion saying they feel "very well prepared" by their high school and by their own efforts has fluctuated but generally increased from between about one-third to 45 percent over the years of the survey. Student perceptions of how well they feel prepared by their high school notably declined between 2008 and 2009, reaching the lowest level since 1998. This decline, however, might be an artifact of the change in the timing of the survey (again, administered after rather than during New Student Orientation). For example, Orientation might have caused students to think more about the changes and challenges they would be facing in college, and to differently assess their preparedness for such changes.

Table 21: High School Preparation
High School preparation (Q) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Very well 37.5% 37.9% 42.6% 44.9% 41.9% 43.7% 45.9% 45.8% 44.9% 42.3% 43.2% 46.2% 40.4%
Somewhat well 51.6% 51.1% 47.9% 47.1% 49.0% 47.5% 46.5% 46.1% 45.7% 48.2% 48.1% 46.0% 49.5%
Not very well 10.9% 11.0% 9.4% 8.1% 9.1% 8.8% 7.6% 8.1% 9.4% 9.5% 8.7% 7.8% 10.1%
Total (N) 3,041 3,135 2,995 3,345 3,349 3,134 3,342 3,285 3,649 3,908 4,405 4,157 3,071
Note: Prior to 2009, response options were "well prepared," "adequately prepared," and "poorly prepared."

Table 22: Self Preparation
Self preparation (Q) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Very well 34.8% 36.9% 43.0% 43.7% 41.2% 44.3% 45.0% 45.0% 39.7% 38.7% 40.2% 46.5% 42.8%
Somewhat well 60.4% 58.0% 52.6% 53.1% 54.5% 51.0% 50.7% 50.5% 54.3% 56.3% 55.3% 49.9% 54.1%
Not very well 4.7% 5.0% 4.4% 3.3% 4.3% 4.7% 4.2% 4.6% 6.0% 5.0% 4.5% 3.6% 3.0%
Total (N) 3,036 3,135 2,989 3,344 3,349 3,131 3,338 3,283 3,645 3,903 4,400 4,155 3,053
Note: Prior to 2009, response options were "well prepared," "adequately prepared," and "poorly prepared."
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Participation in Pre-College Programs (Tables 23)

Since the question was first asked in 2007, about 3 percent of respondents reported participating in the pre-college program, Educational Talent Search. Less than 2 percent reported participation in Upward Bound.

Table 23: Participation in Pre-College Programs (Q)
  2007 2008 2009
Educational Talent Search 3.1% 2.6% 3.1%
Upward Bound 1.3% 1.8% 0.7%
Total (N) 4,415 4,169 3,237
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Educational Intent and Interests

This section of the report focuses on respondents' educational intent and interests. Specifically, it explores their goals and objectives at NC State, their plans for further education, their interest in various student programs and activities, and their employment plans.

Goals and Objectives at NC State (Tables 24 and 25)

Across survey years there has been a slight shift in students' reports of their main goal or objective for attending NC State. While the proportion of students saying their primary goal for attending NC State is to obtain a bachelor's degree as "preparation for graduate or professional school" has increased over survey years, the proportion saying their primary goal for attending NC State is to obtain a bachelor's degree as "career preparation" has decreased. In each year, more than two-thirds of students reported being "certain" or "very certain" of their choice in college major. The proportion of students indicating they were "very certain" of their college major spiked from 29 percent in 2008 to an all-time high of 36 percent in 2009, again probably a result of having completed the survey after attending New Student Orientation rather than during Orientation.

Table 24: Goal or Objective for Attending NC State
Primary goal for attending NC State (Q) 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Bach./certificate only 9.4% 7.4% 8.0% 8.5% 8.2% 8.5% 7.9% 9.4% 9.3% 9.7% 9.7% 8.4% 8.1% 8.5% 8.7%
Bach. for school preparation 54.6% 56.8% 53.8% 55.2% 56.8% 55.8% 52.5% 55.5% 53.6% 55.3% 55.6% 54.3% 57.0% 57.5% 60.6%
Bach. for career preparation 32.3% 31.4% 33.8% 32.3% 31.8% 32.6% 36.1% 30.8% 33.5% 33.7% 33.1% 32.0% 31.1% 30.9% 28.1%
Improve for current profession 1.5% 2.2% 2.1% 1.6% 1.1% 1.1% 1.3% 1.7% 1.6% 1.3% 1.6% 2.6% 1.7% 1.3% 1.3%
Courses for personal interest 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.6% 0.5% 0.7% 1.0% 0.7% NA NA 1.1% 0.8% 0.7% 0.7%
Other 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.9% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.3% NA NA 1.6% 1.3% 1.1% 0.6%
Total (N) 2,727 3,068 3,044 3,135 2,988 3,345 3,344 3,124 3,335 3,212 3,508 3,829 4,325 3,930 3,069
Note: Due to an error in data collection in 2004 and 2005, data for the response options, "to take courses for personal interest" and "other" are not available.

Table 25: Certainty of College Major
Certainty of college major (Q) 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Very certain 28.0% 24.9% 25.2% 25.5% 25.3% 28.6% 26.8% 27.0% 26.1% 27.6% 28.0% 28.0% 28.0% 29.3% 35.9%
Certain 44.3% 44.2% 42.8% 42.1% 44.1% 42.6% 44.3% 41.1% 43.9% 43.2% 42.3% 42.8% 43.7% 43.4% 41.0%
Uncertain 23.1% 25.0% 26.1% 26.3% 24.8% 23.1% 23.7% 25.6% 24.5% 23.2% 23.9% 23.9% 22.4% 22.5% 18.6%
Very uncertain 4.7% 5.9% 5.9% 6.0% 5.9% 5.8% 5.2% 6.3% 5.5% 6.0% 5.8% 5.4% 5.8% 4.7% 4.5%
Total (N) 2,729 3,110 3,034 3,118 2,982 3,339 3,351 3,125 3,328 3,277 3,642 3,906 4,396 4,142 3,074
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Highest Intended Level of Education (Table 26)

Since 1995, a large majority of respondents have indicated a desire to continue their education beyond a bachelor's degree. In general, responses to this item have been consistent over time with only minor and relatively random changes in the distribution

Table 26: Highest Intended Level of Education
Highest level of education planned (Q) 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Bachelor's degree 28.4% 25.7% 27.4% 25.3% 26.3% 26.4% 29.4% 27.2% 27.1% 29.7% 28.2% 27.6% 26.0% 25.7% 24.9%
Master's degree 39.0% 43.1% 44.4% 46.0% 44.2% 43.4% 42.9% 40.9% 41.5% 39.1% 41.1% 40.7% 43.0% 42.2% 39.7%
Doctoral degree 17.5% 15.3% 14.7% 15.8% 14.9% 13.9% 12.5% 14.4% 13.7% 13.8% 12.8% 14.2% 14.2% 14.2% 16.0%
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 6.3% 5.8% 5.5% 5.0% 5.0% 5.4% 4.2% 4.4% 5.2% 4.5% 4.9% 4.5% 4.2% 5.7% 6.1%
Other degree [95-98] 8.8% 10.1% 7.9% 7.7% NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Medical degree NA NA NA NA 6.2% 6.4% 6.5% 8.1% 7.1% 8.2% 8.0% 8.6% 8.4% 8.4% 9.5%
Law degree NA NA NA NA 3.3% 4.3% 4.2% 4.7% 4.9% 4.5% 4.6% 4.3% 3.8% 3.7% 3.7%
Divinity degree NA NA NA NA 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 0.1%
Do not intend to complete a degree 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1%
Total (N) 2,700 2,985 2,999 3,024 2,885 3,220 3,214 3,032 3,253 3,190 3,557 3,816 4,347 4,083 3,018
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First Year Employment Plans (Tables 27 and 28)

Prior to 2009, in each survey year about 35 percent of first-year students (ranging from 31% to 41%, with not consistent pattern) reported that they planned to work for pay during their first semester at NC State. This figure increased to 47 percent in 2009, when students were asked about their employment plans for their first year at NC State. The change in wording, from "semester" to "year" undoubtedly contributed to the change in responses.

Between 1994 and 2008, the vast majority of first-year students who planned to work during their first semester reported that they would work less than 20 hours a week. In 2009 respondents were asked about both on and off campus work hours, separately. Regardless of whether they will be working on or off campus, more than 90 percent of those planning to work during their first year reported planning to work 20 or fewer hours per week, with 60 percent saying they would be working 10 or fewer hours per week.

Table 27: First Year Employment Plans
Employment during first year* (Q) 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Yes 33.2% 40.9% 35.5% 31.4% 31.4% 31.5% 33.9% 32.3% 35.4% 36.3% 36.1% 36.2% 34.7% 36.5% 36.1% 46.9%
No 66.8% 59.1% 64.5% 68.6% 68.6% 68.5% 66.1% 67.7% 64.6% 63.7% 63.9% 63.8% 65.3% 63.5% 63.9% 53.1%
Total (N) 2,754 2,642 3,103 2,760 2,953 2,731 3,166 3,176 2,993 3,192 3,107 3,461 3,717 4,206 3,960 2,979
*Prior to 2009, respondents were asked about their plans for employment during their "first semester."

Table 28: Intended Work Hours per Week (1994-2008)*
Hours intend to work per week during 1st year* (among those planning to work) 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
on-campus off-campus
Less than 20 hrs/wk 77.9% 87.9% 81.6% 84.3% 84.7% 84.5% 82.1% 85.3% 84.1% 83.9% 80.3% 82.0% 82.3% 83.1% 83.7% NA NA
20 or more hrs/wk 22.1% 12.1% 18.4% 15.7% 15.3% 15.5% 17.9% 14.7% 15.9% 16.1% 19.7% 18.0% 17.7% 16.9% 16.3% NA NA
1-10 hours per week NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 59.8% 60.2%
11-20 hours per week NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 32.8% 31.2%
21-30 hours per week NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 5.2% 7.0%
31-40 hours per week NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1.4% 1.3%
More than 40 hours per week NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 0.8% 0.3%
Total (N) 913 1,081 1,103 868 928 859 1,072 1,026 1,060 1,158 1,122 1,254 1,290 1,534 1,431 864 782
*Prior to 2009, respondents were asked about their plans for employment during their "first semester."
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Interest in Co-Curricular Activities (Table 29)

From a list of co-curricular programs and activities available at NC State, survey respondents identified those in which they were interested in partipating. In general, campus recreation activities (intramurals, club sports, fitness, indoor recreation, and outdoor recreation) have consistently been the most popular activities across survey years. Large numbers of respondents have also consistently expressed interest in volunteer services, social fraternity/sorority, and the co-op program. Interest in study abroad/student exchange has dramatically increased over the survey years, with more than two and one-half times more students expressing an interest in study abroad in 2009 than in 1995 (49% vs. 19%). In contrast, interest in social fraternities/sororities has declined over the years, with 24 percent of respondents expressing such an interest in 2009, as compared to 41 percent in 1995.

Table 29: NC State Co-curricular Programs/Activities (Q)
  1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Student government 20.3% 19.7% 18.6% 25.0% 22.9% 26.0% 22.6% 21.4% 23.1% 19.2% 19.7% 15.1% 16.4% 16.4% 16.1%
Student Media/Publications 15.2% 13.3% 13.8% 13.1% 14.0% 13.8% 13.1% 13.2% 10.8% 11.1% 10.3% 9.6% 10.2% 9.8% 10.8%
Social fraternity/sorority 41.2% 40.3% 33.0% 31.6% 32.1% 34.0% 32.3% 31.9% 28.4% 26.8% 27.0% 26.2% 28.3% 29.9% 24.2%
Volunteer services 26.2% 25.1% 26.8% 33.6% 33.2% 33.8% 31.7% 36.8% 35.1% 30.3% 25.5% 27.1% 31.1% 26.6% 31.9%
Co-op program 33.9% 36.5% 35.6% 39.0% 34.4% 32.3% 33.0% 31.8% 33.3% 34.2% 29.1% 26.2% 30.6% 21.5% 23.6%
Student Leadership Development (workshops, conferences, etc.) 14.4% 13.8% 12.8% 15.7% 15.9% 14.5% 14.7% 16.0% 14.5% 15.6% 13.6% 13.1% 15.8% 12.5% 14.0%
Student judicial board NA 5.3% 7.3% 5.8% 6.9% 5.5% 5.3% 5.5% 5.6% 4.7% 3.7% 3.5% 4.5% 3.5% 2.9%
Music minor, bands, choirs, orchestras, chamber music, bagpipes, drums 8.0% 14.5% 11.8% 14.1% 13.8% 13.3% 12.4% 12.3% 12.8% 13.6% 14.6% 14.5% 13.0% 15.5% 13.1%
Fitness/Wellness (group fitness classes, yoga, pilates, etc.) 35.0% 29.8% 31.3% 44.5% 44.4% 45.1% 45.4% 48.2% 47.8% 40.8% 39.8% 39.0% 40.0% 34.7% 37.9%
Indoor recreation (cardio room, weights, basketball, etc.) 22.0% 15.3% 18.2% 21.2% 23.4% 24.1% 24.2% 23.9% 24.0% 39.8% 34.4% 37.6% 38.0% 34.2% 34.2%
Intramurals (basketball, flag football, golf, etc.) 58.4% 51.8% 55.1% 51.7% 52.8% 52.7% 53.4% 52.4% 52.2% 49.5% 45.0% 47.0% 47.6% 40.3% 43.7%
Club sports (cycling, baseball, martial arts, ultimate, etc.) 22.2% 21.3% 28.9% 31.4% 32.4% 34.8% 33.6% 31.3% 34.0% 45.8% 42.2% 44.1% 46.0% 41.2% 40.0%
Informal recreation 16.0% 11.9% 15.0% 16.0% 16.5% 17.6% 17.2% 17.0% 16.8% NA NA NA NA NA NA
Outdoor recreation (trips, equipment checkout, rock climbing workshops, etc.) 39.5% 35.5% 38.0% 41.3% 41.1% 39.5% 38.5% 38.1% 35.2% 34.2% 30.5% 33.2% 36.5% 31.4% 31.4%
Healthy lifestyles issues (stress management, sexuality, substance abuse, etc.) 10.4% 7.2% 7.9% 13.7% 11.2% 10.9% 11.1% 12.9% 11.3% 7.9% 8.3% 8.6% 10.0% 9.2% 9.0%
Student Dance Companies 4.9% 5.7% 5.3% 7.3% 8.2% 7.3% 7.2% 7.7% 7.1% 6.7% 7.6% 6.9% 6.7% 7.4% 5.8%
ROTC 6.4% 5.5% 4.7% 4.3% 4.0% 3.8% 4.5% 5.2% 5.0% 3.8% 4.0% 3.5% 3.3% 3.0% 3.6%
Study abroad/Student Exchange 18.5% 22.8% 27.4% 29.2% 30.5% 32.6% 36.0% 37.9% 40.6% 45.6% 41.7% 45.6% 50.5% 45.1% 48.6%
Union activities board (cultural programs, concerts, etc.)* 23.3% 10.0% 8.5% 7.6% 7.6% 7.5% 7.1% 7.5% 6.7% 7.8% 6.3% 6.5% 7.4% 7.7% 13.1%
Residence hall council NA NA NA 12.6% 11.8% 10.6% 9.7% 10.7% 10.6% 11.5% 10.2% 9.5% 9.8% 8.4% 9.8%
Crafts center programs/activities 4.7% 5.0% 5.8% 6.1% 6.2% 6.7% 7.0% 7.6% 9.3% 9.3% 8.0% 7.7% 8.9% 10.8% 7.0%
Theater participation as audience NA 19.1% 20.6% 24.8% 24.3% 22.9% 23.2% 21.9% 20.0% 20.7% 16.8% 16.6% 18.3% 17.6% 13.6%
Theater participation as artist NA 9.6% 8.1% 11.1% 10.8% 9.9% 8.4% 9.5% 9.1% 9.1% 7.8% 7.8% 7.6% 7.9% 5.6%
Attending art exhibitions, meeting artists, museum internships 4.6% 11.0% 12.2% 15.2% 13.9% 15.9% 15.1% 15.5% 13.4% 11.9% 11.4% 11.4% 11.9% 11.8% 10.8%
Performing arts selection/booking 3.5% 12.7% 11.6% 15.7% 14.3% 13.3% 13.6% 13.6% 11.6% NA NA NA NA NA NA
Planning programs/services for children/families 5.7% 4.8% 5.5% 7.8% 8.3% 7.5% 6.9% 8.6% 7.1% 5.6% 5.3% 4.9% 6.2% 5.0% 5.5%
Gender issues 6.4% 5.7% 4.6% 5.7% 5.7% 5.4% 4.7% 5.9% 4.7% 3.6% 4.4% 3.5% 4.2% 4.9% 4.0%
Multicultural/diversity programs/activities NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 11.1% 11.7% 11.1% 13.0% 12.0% 11.3%
Pre-Law services/planning NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 5.5% 5.3% 5.5% 4.1%
Total (N) 2,738 3,155 3,063 3,143 2,996 3,353 3,360 3,136 3,348 3,293 3,660 3,920 4,415 4,169 3,237
Note: Respondents could select multiple programs and activities. Changes in wording for co-curricular programs and activities on the 2004 survey might account for the relatively large changes in the numbers expressing an interest.
*"Union activities board" was collected as three activity categories in 1995 that have been combined for this analysis: International students program, African American Students program, and College Bowl.

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Intended Work Community (Tables 30 and 31)

Respondents were asked to indicate the general location in which they intend to seek employment after graduation. Probably reflecting plans for graduate or professional school, the percentage of respondents reporting that they "will not seek employment" has ranged from 20 percent to 34 percent across survey years. Among those seeking employment after graduation, there was little variation in location of intended work community between 2000 and 2006. However, there was a notable shift in 2007, with a 10 percentage point drop in the number of respondents saying that location is not important and a corresponding 10 percentage point increase in the number of respondents saying they plan seek employment "anywhere in the USA." The proportion of respondents saying they plan to seek employment "in North Carolina only" has remained stable, at about one-fifth, across survey years.

Table 30: Intended Work Community
Location of future employment (Q) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Anywhere; location is not important 32.5% 29.1% 36.1% 29.8% 29.0% 28.2% 33.1% 22.1% 29.2% 29.0%
In North Carolina only 16.6% 14.5% 14.4% 13.8% 14.9% 14.3% 16.4% 14.3% 16.6% 16.7%
Anywhere in the USA 27.9% 25.2% 29.1% 24.3% 23.5% 22.6% 26.3% 29.4% 31.7% 32.5%
Outside the USA only 0.5% 0.6% 0.9% 0.5% 0.5% 0.7% 1.1% 0.8% 1.0% 0.5%
I do not plan to be employed after graduation 22.5% 30.6% 19.5% 31.6% 32.2% 34.2% 23.1% 33.4% 21.6% 21.3%
Total (N) 3,269 3,302 3,051 3,289 3,173 3,488 3,749 4,211 3,787 3,013
Note: Beginning in 2000, students intending further education beyond a B.A. were instructed to select "will not seek employment." Prior to the 2000 survey, respondents expecting to attend graduate school may have selected other response options. This difference in respondent interpretation produced results that are not comparable across survey years and are therefore excluded from this report.


Table 31: Intended Work Community (Among those seeking employment)
Location of future employment (among those seeking employment) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Anywhere; location is not important 42.0% 41.9% 44.8% 43.6% 42.7% 42.8% 43.0% 33.2% 37.2% 36.8%
In North Carolina only 21.4% 20.9% 17.9% 20.2% 22.0% 21.7% 21.3% 21.4% 21.2% 21.2%
Anywhere in the USA 35.9% 36.3% 36.2% 35.5% 34.6% 34.4% 34.2% 44.1% 40.5% 41.3%
Outside the USA only 0.7% 0.9% 1.1% 0.8% 0.7% 1.1% 1.5% 1.2% 1.2% 0.7%
Total (N) 2,535 2,292 2,455 2,249 2,152 2,295 2,883 2,803 2,969 2,371
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For more information on trends in the 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: July, 2010

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