North Carolina State University
2008 Sophomore Student Survey:
Highlights

• NC State conducted its annual survey of sophomores during the spring 2008 semester. Eligible students had completed 45-59 credit hours, with at least 30 at NC State. The survey methodology consisted of a web survey, followed by a paper survey distributed by academic advisors to those students not responding on the web. The final response rate was 54.9 percent (1,353 of 2,464 students), with a margin of error of ±1.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence interval.

• The vast majority of sophomores are happy in their decision to attend NC State. About 85 percent report experiencing a sense of belonging at NC State either to 'some' or a 'great extent,' and over 90 percent they plan to complete their degree here. Only 6 percent of respondents say they would not choose to attend NC State if they had it to do over again. 15 percent of respondents, however, had seriously considered leaving NC State. The most common reasons given for thinking about leaving were related to academic program (e.g., to enter a program not offered at NC State, or to attend a school with a stronger program), or for personal reasons (e.g., family concerns, general happiness, etc.)

• Sophomores are very satisfied with the academic environment and instruction at NC State. About 90 percent rate the intellectual environment on campus as "strong" or "very strong," and rate the overall education and the overall quality of instruction as "excellent" or "good." Another 90 percent say that NC State is meeting their intellectual growth needs. In addition, a majority of sophomores give NC State faculty high marks on all aspects of instruction asked about. While still rated positively by most respondents, relatively lower marks are given to faculty providing opportunities to learn cooperatively with other students.

• Sophomores appear to have limited opportunities to work closely with faculty. Only about one-third of respondents say they met regularly with a faculty member to get academic guidance - - the most commonly reported type of "mentoring" relationship among those asked about. Only about 5 percent of sophomores report working with a faculty member on an independent study project, a non course-related research project, or a non course-related extension or public service project. However, the large majority of those participating in any type of mentoring relationship say it contributed "some" or "a great deal" to their personal or professional growth.

• The majority of sophomores believe that the NC State community is committed to creating an environment that promotes and supports diversity. There are, however, racial/ethnic differences in beliefs about the extent to which this is happening. Virtually all (97%) white respondents agree that NC State is committed to minority student success, compared to about three-fourths of African American respondents. About 85 percent of white respondents agree that NC State leaders foster diversity on campus, compared to two-thirds of African American respondents.

• Paid employment is fairly widespread among NC State sophomores. About half of respondents are employed during the academic year. Students working in off-campus jobs are far more likely than those working on campus to work more than 10 hours per week (70% versus 39%). Regardless of whether working on or off campus, less than 15 percent of employed sophomores are working in jobs directly related to their academic major. The most common reason among all respondents given for paid employment was the need to pay for basic expenses like rent and utilities, closely followed by earning extra money for personal expenses (e.g., entertainment, travel, etc.).

For more information on the 2008 Sophomore 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: April 2009

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