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North Carolina State University
and UNC-General Administration
First-Year Student Surveys
Summary of Question Items

Information on Table Layout:

*UNC-GA required items are blocked in gray.
*Numbers reported represent the survey question numbers.
*Differences in question wording are noted when relevant.

Question Categories:
Student Demographic Information Interests and Involvement
Financing the Undergraduate Experience Application Process
NC State Education Plans Primary Goal/Objective
Post Graduation Plans Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Development and Goals
Employment While at NC State


Student Demographic Information

  Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Father/Male guardian level of education 21_1 23_1 23_1 23 23 23 23 23 22 23 24 30  
Mother/Female guardian level of education 21_2 23_2 23_2 23 23 23 23 23 22 23 24 30  
Religious Preference 18 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 20 21 22 15 15
Own a computer 22 24 24 24 24 24 24 24          
Connection to the Internet   25 25 25 25 25 25 25          
Parent/Guardian's Income 25 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 25 26 28 20 21
Legally Blind         20_1 20_1 20_1 20_1 19_1 20_1 21_1 26_1 27_1
Mobility Impairment         20_2 20_2 20_2 20_2 19_2 20_2 21_2 26_2 27_2
Traumatic Head Injury         20_3 20_3 20_3 20_3 19_3 20_3 21_3 26_3 27_3
Hard of Hearing/Deaf         20_4 20_4 20_4 20_4 19_4 20_4 21_4 26_4 27_4
Learning Disability/ADD         20_5 20_5 20_5 20_5 19_5 20_5 21_5 26_5 27_5
Psychological         20_6 20_6 20_6 20_6 19_6 20_6 21_6 26_6 27_6
Other Disability         20_7 20_7 20_7 20_7 19_7 20_7 21_7 26_7 27_7
Number in household 26 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 26 27 29 21 22
Number of other dependents in college 27 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 27 28 30 22 23
Number of dependent children                     31 23 24
Age of dependent children                     32 24 25
Area lived in during high school 28 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 28 29 33 25 26
Number of colleges applied to 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Preparation by high school 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 10    
Preparation by self 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 11 11    
Question Categories


Financing the Undergraduate Experience

  Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
University financial aid process 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 8 9 9    
Receiving financial aid 23 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 23 24 26    
Receiving academic-based aid 24_1 27_1 27_1 27_1 27_1 27_1 27_1 27_1 24_1 25_1 27_1 19_1 20_1
Receiving financial need-based aid 24_2 27_2 27_2 27_2 27_2 27_2 27_2 27_2 24_2 25_2 27_3 19_2 20_3
Receiving sthletic-based aid 24_3 27_3 27_3 27_3 27_3 27_3 27_3 27_3 24_3 25_3 27_2 19_3 20_2
Receiving other aid (dance, music, etc.) aid 24_4 27_4 27_4 27_4 27_4 27_4 27_4 27_4 24_4 25_4 27_4 19_4  
Receiving other aid 24_5 27_5 27_5 27_5 27_5 27_5 27_5 27_5 24_5 25_5 27_5 19_5 20_4
Question Categories


NC State Education Plans

  Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Certainty of major 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 12 12 6 6
Foreign language study beyond requirement                     25 18 19
Highest level of education planned 13 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 13 14* 14* 8* 8*
Expected lifetime education                     39*    
Intended time to complete degree   15 15 15 15 15 15 15 14 15 15 9 9
First semester course load   16 16 16 16 16 16 16 15 16 16 10 10
Intended course work during the late afternoon and evening hours                     17 11 11
Reasons for less than 15 hrs. first semester 14 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 16 17 35 28  
Reasons would leave before receiving degree                     41    
Question Categories


Post-Graduation Plans

  Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Post-graduation employment 30 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 30 31 36 29 29
Question Categories


Employment While at NC State

  Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
First semester employment 29 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 29 30 34 27 28
Question Categories


Interests and Involvement

Interested in learning about/participating in: Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Student Government 19_1 22_1 22_1 22_1 22_1 22_1 22_1 22_1 21_1 22_1 18_1 12_1 12_1
Social Fraternity/Sorority 19_14 22_14 22_14 22_14 22_3 22_3 22_3 22_3 21_3 22_3 18_3 12_3 12_3
Volunteer Services 19_7 22_7 22_7 22_7 22_4 22_4 22_4 22_4 21_4 22_4 18_4 12_4 12_4
Co-op (Cooperative Education) program 19_5 22_5 22_5 22_5 22_5 22_5 22_5 22_5 21_5 22_5 18_5 12_5 12_5
Student Leadership Development Program 19_4 22_4 22_4 22_4 22_6 22_6 22_6 22_6 21_6 22_6 18_6 12_6 12_6
Student Judicial Board 19_2 22_2 22_2 22_2 22_7 22_7 22_7 22_7 21_7 22_7 18_7 12_7
Music 19_22 22_22 22_22 22_22 22_8 22_8 22_8 22_8 21_8 22_8 18_8 12_8 12_8
Fitness 19_10 22_10 22_10 22_10 22_9 22_9 22_9 22_9 21_9 22_9 18_9 12_9 12_9
Indoor Recreation 19_11 22_11 22_11 22_11 22_10 22_10 22_10 22_10 21_10 22_10 18_10 12_10 12_10
Intramurals 19_12 22_12 22_12 22_12 22_11 22_11 22_11 22_11 21_11 22_11 18_11 12_11 12_11
Club Sports 19_9 22_9 22_9 22_9 22_12 22_12 22_12 22_12 21_12 22_12 18_12 12_12 12_12
Informal Recreation         22_13 22_13 22_13 22_13 21_13 22_13 18_13 12_13 12_14
Outdoor Adventures 19_13 22_13 22_13 22_13 22_14 22_14 22_14 22_14 21_14 22_14 18_14 12_14 12_13
Healthy lifestyle issues 19_19 22_19 22_19 22_19 22_15 22_15 22_15 22_15 21_15 22_15 18_15 12_15 12_15
Student Dance Companies 19_26 22_26 22_26 22_26 22_16 22_16 22_16 22_16 21_16 22_16 18_16 12_16 12_16
ROTC 19_8 22_8 22_8 22_8 22_17 22_17 22_17 22_17 21_17 22_17 18_17 12_17 12_7
Study Abroad/National Student Exchange 19_6 22_6 22_6 22_6 22_18 22_18 22_18 22_18 21_18 22_18 18_18 12_18 12_17
International student programs                         12_18
African-American programs                         12_19
Union Activities Board programs/activities 19_16 22_16 22_16 22_16 22_19 22_19 22_19 22_19 21_19 22_19 18_19 12_19  
College Bowl                         12_24
Student Publications/Media 19_15 22_15 22_15 22_15 22_2 22_2 22_2 22_2 21_2 22_2 18_2 12_2 12_2
Residence Hall Councils 19_3 22_3 22_3 22_3 22_20 22_20 22_20 22_20 21_20 22_20      
The Crafts Center programs/classes 19_21 22_21 22_21 22_21 22_21 22_21 22_21 22_21 21_21 22_21 18_20 12_20 12_20
Theater                         12_21
Theater participation as audience 19_25 22_25 22_25 22_25 22_22 22_22 22_22 22_22 21_22 22_22 18_21 12_21  
Theater participation as artist 19_24 22_24 22_24 22_24 22_23 22_23 22_23 22_23 21_23 22_23 18_22 12_22  
Attending art exhibitions 19_23 22_23 22_23 22_23 22_24 22_24 22_24 22_24 21_24 22_24 18_23 12_23 12_22
Selecting Performing Arts attractions         22_25 22_25 22_25 22_25 21_25 22_25 18_24 12_24 12_23
Planning programs and services for children and families 19_20 22_20 22_20 22_20 22_26 22_26 22_26 22_26 21_26 22_26 18_25 12_25 12_25
Gender issues 19_18 22_18 22_18 22_18 22_27 22_27 22_27 22_27 21_27 22_27 18_26 12_26 12_26
Multicultural/Diversity programs/activities 19_17 22_17 22_17 22_17                  
Pre-Law services/planning 19_27 22_27                      
Pre-college programs 20                        

  Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Plan to enroll in ROTC                       14 14
Play any musical instrument 16 19 19 19                  
Play Violin/Viola         19_1 19_1 19_1 19_1 18_1 19_1 20_1 16_1 16_3, 4
Play Cello/Double Bass         19_2 19_2 19_2 19_2 18_2 19_2 20_2 16_2 16_1, 2
Play Flute/Piccolo         19_3 19_3 19_3 19_3 18_3 19_3 20_3 16_3  
Play Oboe/Bassoon         19_4 19_4 19_4 19_4 18_4 19_4 20_4 16_4 16_5, 6
Play Clarinet/Saxophone         19_5 19_5 19_5 19_5 18_5 19_5 20_5 16_5  
Play French Horn/trumpet/Cornet         19_6 19_6 19_6 19_6 18_6 19_6 20_6 16_6 16_7
Play Trombone/Baritone/Euphonium/Tuba         19_7 19_7 19_7 19_7 18_7 19_7 20_7 16_7  
Play Tympani/Mallet/Percussion         19_8 19_8 19_8 19_8 18_8 19_8 20_8 16_8 16_9, 10
Play Bagpipes         19_9 19_9 19_9 19_9 18_9 19_9 20_9 16_9 16_8
Recent participation in choral group 17 20 20 20                  
Question Categories


Application Process

Factors influencing decision to attend Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Academic reputation 4_1 5_1 5_1 5_1 5_1 5_1 5_1 5_1 4_1 5_1 4_1 2_1 2_1
Cost 4_2 5_2 5_2 5_2 5_2 5_2 5_2 5_2 4_2 5_2 4_2 2_2 2_2
Location 4_3 5_3 5_3 5_3 5_3 5_3 5_3 5_3 4_3 5_3 4_3 2_3 2_3
Size 4_4 5_4 5_4 5_4 5_4 5_4 5_4 5_4 4_4 5_4 4_4 2_4 2_4
Availability of program 4_5 5_5 5_5 5_5 5_5 5_5 5_5 5_5 4_5 5_5 4_5 2_5 2_5
Recommended 4_6 5_6 5_6 5_6 5_6 5_6 5_6 5_6 4_6 5_6 4_6 2_6 2_6
Number of hours transferred 4_7 5_7 5_7 5_7 5_7 5_7 5_7 5_7 4_7 5_7 4_7 2_7 2_7
Level of suport for intended major 4_8 5_8 5_8 5_8 5_8 5_8 5_8 5_8 4_8 5_8 4_8 2_8 2_8
Facilities and resources 4_9 5_9 5_9 5_9 5_9 5_9 5_9 5_9 4_9 5_9 4_9 2_9 2_9
Scholarships/financial aid 4_10 5_10 5_10 5_10 5_10 5_10 5_10 5_10 4_10 5_10 4_10 2_10 2_10
Campus visit 4_11 5_11 5_11 5_11 5_11 5_11 5_11 5_11 4_11 5_11 4_11 2_11 2_11
Contact with current student 4_12 5_12 5_12 5_12 5_12 5_12 5_12 5_12 4_12 5_12 4_12 2_13 2_13
Contact with faculty or staff 4_13 5_13 5_13 5_13 5_13 5_13 5_13 5_13 4_13 5_13 4_13 2_12* 2_12*
Contact with a graduate 4_14 5_14 5_14 5_14 5_14 5_14 5_14 5_14 4_14 5_14 4_14    
Letter from someone other than Admissions 4_15 5_15 5_15 5_15 5_15 5_15 5_15 5_15 4_15 5_15 4_15    
Attendance at a College Fair 4_16 5_16 5_16 5_16 5_16 5_16 5_16 5_16 4_16 5_16 4_16 2_14 2_14
Publications from NC State 4_17 5_17 5_17 5_17 5_17 5_17 5_17 5_17 4_17 5_17 4_17 2_15 2_15
Extracurricular opportunities 4_18 5_18 5_18 5_18 5_18 5_18 5_18 5_18 4_18 5_18 4_18 2_16 2_16
FYC 4_19 5_19 5_19 5_19 5_19 5_19 5_19 5_19 4_19 4* 6*    
Campus recreation programs 4_20 5_20 5_20 5_20                  
Other 4_21 5_21 5_21 5_21 5_20 5_20 5_20 5_20 4_20 5_19 4_19 2_17 2_17
Most influential factor in decision to attend 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 6 5 3 3

  Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Rate Virtual Advising Center Web site   4 4 4 4 4 4 4          
Rate university admissions process 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 7 7    
Rate departmental admissions process 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 8 8    
Received call from faculty or staff after applying to NC State 2_1 2_1 2_1 2_1 2_1 2_1 2_1 2_1 2_1 2_1 2_1 4_1 4_1
Received call from student after applying to NC State 2_2 2_2 2_2 2_2 2_2 2_2 2_2 2_2 2_2 2_2 2_2 4_2 4_2
Received call from graduate after applying to NC State 2_3 2_3 2_3 2_3 2_3 2_3 2_3 2_3 2_3 2_3 2_3 4_3 4_3
Received letter from outside Admissions after applying to NC State 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3    
Personal contact a positive factor in decision to enroll                       5 5
Question Categories


Primary Goal/Objective

  Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Primary goal/objective for attending NC State 12 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 12 13 13 7 7
Question Categories


Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Development

General Education: Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Acquiring a broad general education 15_1 18_1 18_1 18_1 18_1 18_1 18_1 18_1 17_1 18_1 23_1 17_1 18_1
Writing skills 15_2 18_2 18_2 18_2 18_2 18_2 18_2 18_2 17_2 18_2 23_2 17_2 18_2
Speaking skills 15_3 18_3 18_3 18_3 18_3 18_3 18_3 18_3 17_3 18_3 23_3 17_3 18_3
Listening skills 15_4 18_4 18_4 18_4 18_4 18_4 18_4 18_4 17_4 18_4 23_4 17_4 18_4
Comprehension skills 15_5 18_5 18_5 18_5 18_5 18_5 18_5 18_5 17_5 18_5 23_5 17_5 18_5
Ability to apply mathematical skills 15_6 18_6 18_6 18_6 18_6 18_6 18_6 18_6 17_6 18_6 23_6 17_6 18_6
Understanding how science and technology influence life 15_7 18_7 18_7 18_7 18_7 18_7 18_7 18_7 17_7 18_7 23_7 17_7 18_7
Ability to apply scientific principles 15_8 18_8 18_8 18_8 18_8 18_8 18_8 18_8 17_8 18_8 23_8 17_8 18_8
Developing computer skills 15_9 18_9 18_9 18_9 18_9 18_9 18_9 18_9 17_9 18_9 23_9 17_9 18_9
Ability to critically analyze events, information and ideas 15_10 18_10 18_10 18_10 18_10 18_10 18_10 18_10 17_10 18_10 23_10 17_10 18_10
Ability to plan and carry out projects independently 15_11 18_11 18_11 18_11 18_11 18_11 18_11 18_11 17_11 18_11 23_11 17_11 18_11
Understanding diverse cultures and values 15_12 18_12 18_12 18_12 18_12 18_12 18_12 18_12 17_12 18_12 23_12 17_12 18_12
Personal Development: Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Taking responsibility for my own behavior 15_13 18_13 18_13 18_13 18_13 18_13 18_13 18_13 17_13 18_13 23_13 17_13 18_13
Viewing learning as a lifelong process 15_14 18_14 18_14 18_14 18_14 18_14 18_14 18_14 17_14 18_14 23_14 17_14 18_14
Recognizing and acting upon ethical principles 15_15 18_15 18_15 18_15 18_15 18_15 18_15 18_15 17_15 18_15 23_15 17_15 18_15
Leadership skills 15_16 18_16 18_16 18_16 18_16 18_16 18_16 18_16 17_16 18_16 23_16 17_16 18_16
Ability to function as part of a team 15_17 18_17 18_17 18_17 18_17 18_17 18_17 18_17 17_17 18_17 23_17 17_17 18_17
Exercising public responsibility and community service 15_18 18_18 18_18 18_18 18_18 18_18 18_18 18_18 17_18 18_18 23_18 17_18 18_18
Understanding my own abilities and interests 15_19 18_19 18_19 18_19 18_19 18_19 18_19 18_19 17_19 18_19 23_19 17_19 18_19
Commitment to personal health and fitness 15_20 18_20 18_20 18_20 18_20 18_20 18_20 18_20 17_20 18_20 23_20 17_20 18_20
Having self-confidence 15_21 18_21 18_21 18_21 18_21 18_21 18_21 18_21 17_21 18_21 23_21 17_21 18_21
Realizing my potential for success 15_22 18_22 18_22 18_22 18_22 18_22 18_22 18_22 17_22 18_22 23_22 17_22 18_22
Sense of personal identity 15_23 18_23 18_23 18_23 18_23 18_23 18_23 18_23 17_23 18_23 23_23 17_23 18_23
Coping with change 15_24 18_24 18_24 18_24 18_24 18_24 18_24 18_24 17_24 18_24 23_24 17_24 18_24
Being independent and self-reliant 15_25 18_25 18_25 18_25 18_25 18_25 18_25 18_25 17_25 18_25 23_25 17_25 18_25
Ability to handle stress 15_26 18_26 18_26 18_26 18_26 18_26 18_26 18_26 17_26 18_26 23_26 17_26 18_26
Time management 15_27 18_27 18_27 18_27 18_27 18_27 18_27 18_27 17_27 18_27 23_27 17_27 18_27
Self-discipline 15_28 18_28 18_28 18_28 18_28 18_28 18_28 18_28 17_28 18_28 23_28 17_28 18_28
World View: Fall
2007
Fall
2006
Fall
2005
Fall
2004
Fall
2003
Fall
2002
Fall
2001
Fall
2000
Fall
1999
Fall
1998
Fall
1997
Fall
1996
Fall
1995
Understanding issues and problems facing the world 15_29 18_29 18_29 18_29 18_29 18_29 18_29 18_29 17_29 18_29 23_29 17_29 18_29
Understanding the present as it relates to history 15_30 18_30 18_30 18_30 18_30 18_30 18_30 18_30 17_30 18_30 23_30 17_30 18_30
Being able to interact & work with people from diverse backgrounds 15_31 18_31 18_31 18_31 18_31 18_31 18_31 18_31 17_31 18_31 23_31 17_31 18_31
Advancing your appreciation of the arts 15_32 18_32 18_32 18_32 18_32 18_32 18_32 18_32 17_32 18_32 23_32 17_32 18_32
Developing a tolerance for divergent views 15_33 18_33 18_33 18_33 18_33 18_33 18_33 18_33 17_33 18_33 23_33 17_33 18_33
Valuing gender equity 15_34 18_34 18_34 18_34 18_34 18_34 18_34 18_34 17_34 18_34 23_34 17_34 18_34
Valuing racial equity 15_35 18_35 18_35 18_35 18_35 18_35 18_35 18_35 17_35 18_35 23_35 17_35 18_35
*Respondents were asked to rate 1) current level of development; and 2) importance.
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For more information on NC State Student Surveys contact:
Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Assistant Director for Survey Research
University Planning and Analysis
Box 7002
NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu

Posted: October, 2001
last update: May, 2008

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