1998 First Year Student Survey:

1998 First Year Student Survey:
Highlights
(Report No. 1)
Survey Methods

NC State conducted its annual survey of entering first-year students during New Student Orientation sessions held in June and August 1998.
The survey had a response rate of 85.5% (n=3240).
There were no significant gender or racial/ethnic differences between the first-year students actually enrolled at NC State and those responding to the survey.

Student Background

Over half of all survey respondents (57.8%) expect to receive some form of financial aid. About one-third (32.1%) of respondents expect need-based aid. Slightly fewer (29.8%) expect aid based on academic ability.
The most common parent/guardian educational attainment reported was a four-year baccalaureate degree.
A majority of first-year students (61.1%) report having four or more people currently supported by parents/guardians. Respondents rarely reported that their family included more than two dependents currently enrolled in college (3.6%).

Applying to College

Slightly less than half of the respondents (43.3%) applied to more than two colleges, including NC State.
Almost two-thirds (63.1%) of survey respondents reported that, after applying for admission to NC State, they received a letter from someone at NC State other than the Admissions Office.
The factors rated most influential in respondents’ decision to attend NC State were academic reputation, availability of program, and level of support for my intended major.
38.8 percent of the First-Year College (FYC) respondents stated that acceptance into FYC was ‘important’ or ‘very important’ in their decision to attend NC State.
The vast majority of respondents were ‘moderately satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with university (93.1%) and departmental (92.1%) admission processes.

Educational Intent

Over two-thirds of respondents at orientation sessions (68.3%) indicated that they were "certain" or "very certain" in their choice of college major.
About two-thirds of survey respondents (67.2%) indicated four years as the amount of time intended to take to complete a degree at NC State. Just over one-half (53.6%) of respondents indicated they intended to earn a Bachelor’s degree as preparation for graduate or professional school.
Respondents indicated greatest interest in intramurals, fitness, and outdoor adventures from a list of 27 co-curricular activities and programs.
Over two-thirds (68.1%) of respondents’ employment plans during the first semester were to not work at all.
88.2% of all survey respondents intended a course load of 15 credit hours or more their first semester. The most common reasons given for taking on a course load of less than 15 credit hours were ‘courses wanted were not available’ and ‘wanting to make better grades.’

Student Goals for Undergraduate Education

Seven of the highest mean ratings of items in respondents’ current level of development were in the area of Personal Development Goals. The other four highest ratings were from the area of World View Goals.
Personal Development Goals also received higher mean ratings for importance than did General Education and World View goals (8 out of the 10 highest scores).
As a whole, survey respondents look for improvement in all the goals.

For more information on the 1998 First Year Student Survey contact:
Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Coordinator for Survey Research
University Planning and Analysis
Box 7002
NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu

Posted: August, 1999

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