2014 SONS Transfer: Results and Summary: Part 1 | Office of Planning and Analysis

Jump To:

Berkeley Experience
Transition to UC Berkeley
Academic and Personal Development
Campus Climate for Diversity
Your Berkeley Plans
Future Plans and Aspirations
Prior College Experiences

Early Berkeley Experiences

1. Please rate the start of your Berkeley experience by completing the following statement. Overall, I am off to ...

a great start	203	22%
a very good start	252	27%
a good start	309	33%
just an OK start	146	15%
not a good start	36	4%

2. What has gone surprisingly well, much better than expected?

[Contact OPA for more information]

3. What has not gone well? What has caused you problems, anxiety or disappointment?

[Contact OPA for more information]

4. As you begin your academic career at Cal, what is your level of agreement or disagreement with the statements below. Click here if you would like to review definitions of diversity and academic dishonesty.

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Somewhat disagree	Somewhat agree	Agree	Strongly agree
I feel valued as an individual on this campus	15	37	75	281	366	152
I feel valued as an individual on this campus	2%	4%	8%	30%	40%	16%
There is a clear sense of appropriate and inappropriate behavior on this campus	13	27	59	195	436	198
	1%	3%	6%	21%	47%	21%
I am proud to be a student at this campus	7	2	8	73	235	604
I am proud to be a student at this campus	1%	0%	1%	8%	25%	65%
Most students are proud to attend this school	5	1	6	53	288	574
Most students are proud to attend this school	1%	0%	1%	6%	31%	62%
This institution values students' opinions	14	14	37	203	357	302
This institution values students' opinions	2%	2%	4%	22%	39%	33%
Academic dishonesty is a problem on this campus	127	336	233	95	69	62
Academic dishonesty is a problem on this campus	14%	36%	25%	10%	8%	7%
I feel that I belong at this campus	17	30	91	244	299	244
I feel that I belong at this campus	2%	3%	10%	26%	32%	26%
Diversity is important on this campus	15	15	40	151	347	358
Diversity is important on this campus	2%	2%	4%	16%	38%	39%
Diversity is important to me	6	9	27	99	281	506
Diversity is important to me	1%	1%	3%	11%	30%	55%

Your Transition into UC Berkeley

5. To what extent do you agree that each of the following resources has helped with your transition into UC Berkeley? If you did not participate in the service listed, please select "N/A" in the left column.

	N/A; DID NOT USE THIS SERVICE	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Somewhat disagree	Somewhat agree	Agree	Strongly agree
CalSO	112	45	41	56	173	253	224
CalSO	22%	4%	2%	2%	16%	29%	25%
Cal Student Central	235	23	36	40	166	248	133
Cal Student Central	27%	3%	4%	5%	19%	28%	15%
Summer workshops or webinars hosted by a UCB office	692	6	27	21	60	69	26
Summer workshops or webinars hosted by a UCB office	77%	1%	3%	2%	7%	8%	3%
Convocation for new students	536	23	30	44	129	94	43
Convocation for new students	60%	3%	3%	5%	14%	11%	5%
Getting Your Bearings activities	373	16	29	46	181	173	72
Getting Your Bearings activities	42%	2%	3%	5%	20%	19%	8%
Transfer Edge (Summer Sessions)	717	8	8	10	33	49	74
Transfer Edge (Summer Sessions)	80%	1%	1%	1%	4%	6%	8%
Summer Bridge	819	3	6	9	21	22	20
Summer Bridge	91%	0%	1%	1%	2%	2%	2%
Fall Program for Freshmen (UC Extension)	834	4	6	10	18	18	5
Fall Program for Freshmen (UC Extension)	93%	0%	1%	1%	2%	2%	1%
TRSP: Transfer, Reentry, & Student Parent Centers (including Cal Veteran Service Center and Cal Independent Scholars Network)	459	9	10	18	116	156	131
	51%	1%	1%	2%	13%	17%	15%
Berkeley International Office	751	4	6	12	45	55	27
Berkeley International Office	83%	0%	1%	1%	5%	6%	3%
Academic Achievement Program and Center (Includes SSS Scholars Academy, McNair Scholars Program, & Miller Scholars Program)	751	4	6	12	45	55	27
	83%	0%	1%	1%	5%	6%	3%
Athletic Study Center	831	5	5	12	22	19	8
Athletic Study Center	92%	1%	1%	1%	2%	2%	1%
Disabled Students' Program	792	4	8	14	30	25	28
Disabled Students' Program	88%	0%	1%	2%	3%	3%	3%
Undocumented Students Program (USP) - (Academic Counselors, Dreamers Resource Center, Legal Support, etc.)	811	4	4	9	23	28	23
	90%	0%	0%	1%	3%	3%	3%

(...continued) To what extent do you agree that each of the following resources has helped with your transition into UC Berkeley? If you did not participate in the service listed, please select "N/A" in the left column.

	N/A; DID NOT USE THIS SERVICE	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Somewhat disagree	Somewhat agree	Agree	Strongly agree
Gender Equity Resource Center (LGBTQ, Women, Sexual/Relationship Violence Advocacy & Education)	791	5	7	8	29	35	9
	90%	1%	1%	1%	3%	4%	1%
Multicultural Student Development (Includes African American Student Development, Asian Pacific American Student Development, Chicago/Latino Student Development, Multicultural Community Center, Multicultural Immigrant Student Program, & Native American Student Development)	760	5	1	12	37	44	26
	86%	1%	0%	1%	4%	5%	3%
A Multicultural Recruitment & Retention Center (e.g., Black Recruitment & Retention Center, Raza Recruitment & Retention Center)	763	5	4	9	37	35	28
	87%	1%	1%	1%	4%	4%	3%
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Office ? (Academic Counselors, Peer Academic Counselors, Fee Waivers, etc. Serving first-generation, low-income, or historically underrepresented students)	590	6	8	18	73	99	85
	67%	1%	1%	2%	8%	11%	10%
Student Learning Center	597	4	1	18	77	107	75
Student Learning Center	68%	1%	0%	2%	9%	12%	9%
Residence Hall Staff (Resident Directors, Program Assistants, Resident Assistants, Theme Program Advisors)	588	11	10	20	95	88	56
	68%	1%	1%	2%	11%	10%	7%
Academic Services in the Residence Halls (Includes Tutoring, Peer Advising)	740	8	4	12	51	45	21
	84%	1%	1%	1%	6%	5%	2%
New Student Services website	540	7	8	22	110	137	57
New Student Services website	61%	1%	1%	3%	13%	16%	7%
My Years at Cal website	723	8	4	11	49	53	24
My Years at Cal website	83%	1%	1%	1%	6%	6%	3%
My Berkeley Application website	86	11	18	34	159	273	297
My Berkeley Application website	10%	1%	2%	4%	18%	31%	34%
Resource (The UC Berkeley Student Handbook)	493	11	10	27	124	140	69
Resource (The UC Berkeley Student Handbook)	56%	1%	1%	3%	14%	16%	8%
Another Berkeley student	141	5	6	20	138	263	307
Another Berkeley student	16%	1%	1%	2%	16%	30%	35%
A family member	434	14	21	28	120	128	134
A family member	49%	2%	2%	3%	14%	15%	15%
A UC Berkeley major/ departmental advisor	163	29	18	52	158	223	238
A UC Berkeley major/ departmental advisor	19%	3%	2%	6%	18%	25%	27%
A UC Berkeley College advisor (e.g., Letters & Science, Natural Resources)	336	23	10	36	135	183	159
	38%	3%	1%	4%	15%	21%	18%
A 98 or 198 course for new students	515	10	10	18	87	112	132
A 98 or 198 course for new students	58%	1%	1%	2%	10%	13%	15%

5a. Please list up to 3 additional resources, individuals, or programs that helped with your transition into Berkeley (Note, if you list individuals by name, please also indicate their office or departmental affiliation if they work on campus):

1. [Contact OPA for more information]

2. [Contact OPA for more information]

3. [Contact OPA for more information]

5b. Please share with us any additional information regarding your transition into UC Berkeley, and the resources you found helpful, particularly those not asked about above:

[Contact OPA for more information]

Academic and Personal Development

1. Please rate your current level of proficiency in the following areas.

	Very poor	Poor	Fair	Good	Very good	Excellent
Analytical and critical thinking skills	2	10	93	250	284	160
Analytical and critical thinking skills	0%	1%	12%	31%	36%	20%
Ability to be clear and effective when writing	4	16	113	254	280	130
Ability to be clear and effective when writing	1%	2%	14%	32%	35%	16%
Ability to read and comprehend academic material	3	18	101	266	281	125
Ability to read and comprehend academic material	0%	2%	13%	34%	35%	16%
Foreign language skills	54	145	163	160	137	136
Foreign language skills	7%	18%	21%	20%	17%	17%
Understanding of a specific field of study	2	18	82	292	278	117
Understanding of a specific field of study	0%	2%	10%	37%	35%	15%
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills	17	77	189	256	168	90
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills	2%	10%	24%	32%	21%	11%
Ability to speak clearly and effectively in English	4	21	62	155	234	317
Ability to speak clearly and effectively in English	1%	3%	8%	20%	30%	40%
Ability to understand international perspectives (economic, political, social, cultural)	9	25	105	217	262	177
	1%	3%	13%	27%	33%	22%
Leadership skills	10	42	136	248	217	143
Leadership skills	1%	5%	17%	31%	27%	18%
Ability to collaborate (e.g., team participation, groupwork) well with others	7	11	74	215	273	215
	1%	1%	9%	27%	34%	27%

(...continued) Please rate your current level of proficiency in the following areas.

	Very poor	Poor	Fair	Good	Very good	Excellent
Internet research skills	5	7	64	202	263	255
Internet research skills	1%	1%	8%	25%	33%	32%
Library research skills	9	71	194	271	169	83
Library research skills	1%	9%	24%	34%	21%	10%
Other research skills	7	37	164	297	197	92
Other research skills	1%	5%	21%	37%	25%	12%
Ability to prepare and make a presentation	8	29	116	252	245	146
Ability to prepare and make a presentation	1%	4%	15%	32%	31%	18%
Interpersonal (social) skills	9	30	110	226	232	190
Interpersonal (social) skills	1%	4%	14%	28%	29%	24%

2. Please rank your top 3 areas of expected growth.

Rank 1:

Analytical and Critical thinking skills	210	27%
Ability to be clear and effective when writing	66	8%
Ability to read and comprehend academic material	65	8%
Foreign language skills	22	3%
Understanding of a specific field of study	127	16%
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills	53	7%
Ability to speak clearly and effectively in English	33	4%
Understanding of international perspectives	13	2%
Leadership skills	47	6%
Collaboration skills (ability to work well with others)	17	2%
Research skills	80	10%
Ability to prepare and make a presentation	10	1%
Interpersonal (social) skills	46	6%

Rank 2:

Analytical and Critical thinking skills	111	14%
Ability to be clear and effective when writing	102	13%
Ability to read and comprehend academic material	92	12%
Foreign language skills	36	5%
Understanding of a specific field of study	84	11%
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills	49	6%
Ability to speak clearly and effectively in English	38	5%
Understanding of international perspectives	30	4%
Leadership skills	58	7%
Collaboration skills (ability to work well with others)	41	5%
Research skills	82	10%
Ability to prepare and make a presentation	21	3%
Interpersonal (social) skills	44	6%

Rank 3:

Analytical and Critical thinking skills	64	8%
Ability to be clear and effective when writing	47	6%
Ability to read and comprehend academic material	90	11%
Foreign language skills	36	5%
Understanding of a specific field of study	94	12%
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills	40	5%
Ability to speak clearly and effectively in English	30	4%
Understanding of international perspectives	39	5%
Leadership skills	63	8%
Collaboration skills (ability to work well with others)	53	7%
Research skills	113	14%
Ability to prepare and make a presentation	40	5%
Interpersonal (social) skills	78	10%

Campus Climate for Diversity

3. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements in terms of yourself. Answer only those items that apply to you.

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Somewhat disagree	Somewhat agree	Agree	Strongly agree
I feel free to express my political beliefs on campus	8	24	22	167	311	226
I feel free to express my political beliefs on campus	1%	3%	3%	22%	41%	30%
I feel free to express my religious beliefs on campus	10	19	36	160	294	230
I feel free to express my religious beliefs on campus	1%	3%	5%	21%	39%	31%
Students of my race/ethnicity are respected on this campus	10	8	26	133	339	250
Students of my race/ethnicity are respected on this campus	1%	1%	3%	17%	44%	33%
Students of my socio-economic status are respected on this campus	9	8	37	151	338	220
	1%	1%	5%	20%	44%	29%
Students of my gender are respected on this campus	2	6	16	95	346	303
Students of my gender are respected on this campus	0%	1%	2%	12%	45%	40%
Students of my religious beliefs are respected on this campus	7	11	27	122	332	237
	1%	2%	4%	17%	45%	32%
Students of my political beliefs are respected on this campus	9	19	20	115	331	255
	1%	3%	3%	15%	44%	34%
Students of my sexual orientation are respected on this campus	2	6	17	72	323	326
	0%	1%	2%	10%	43%	44%
Students of my immigration background are respected on this campus	6	12	17	100	308	273
	1%	2%	2%	14%	43%	38%
Students with a physical, psychological, or learning disability like mine are respected on this campus	11	10	16	113	281	231
	2%	2%	2%	17%	42%	35%

Your Berkeley Plans

1. If you were assured admittance to any major, what major would you choose?

African American Studies	1	0%
Anthropology	19	3%
Applied Mathematics	4	1%
Architecture	16	2%
Art Practice	14	2%
Astrophysics	4	1%
Bioengineering	3	0%
Bioengineering/Materials Science and Engineering Joint Major	2	0%
Business Administration	61	8%
Celtic Studies	1	0%
Chemical Biology	3	0%
Chemical Engineering	9	1%
Chemical Engineering/Nuclear Engineering Joint Major	3	0%
Chemistry (College of Chemistry)	3	0%
Chemistry (College of L & S)	2	0%
Chinese Studies	1	0%
Civil Engineering	8	1%
Cognitive Science	11	1%
Comparative Literature	1	0%
Computer Science	17	2%
Conservation and Resource Studies	8	1%
Development Studies	5	1%
EPS - Geology	1	0%
Economics	51	7%
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences	28	4%
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences/Materials Science and Engineering Joint Major	3	0%
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences/Nuclear Engineering Joint Major	3	0%
Energy Engineering	2	0%
Engineering Physics	3	0%
English	37	5%
Environmental Earth Science	2	0%
Environmental Economics and Policy	7	1%
Environmental Engineering Science	1	0%
Environmental Sciences	4	1%
Film	7	1%
Forestry and Natural Resources	5	1%
Gender and Women's Studies	1	0%
Geography	3	0%
Geophysics	1	0%
History	15	2%
History of Art	5	1%
Individual Major	2	0%
Industrial Engineering and Operations Research	2	0%
Integrative Biology	3	0%
Interdisciplinary Studies	11	1%
Italian Studies	1	0%
Landscape Architecture	2	0%
Legal Studies	5	1%
Linguistics	9	1%
MCB, Plan 1, Emphasis 1: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	9	1%
MCB, Plan 1, Emphasis 3: Immunology	2	0%
MCB, Plan 2, Emphasis 2: Cell and Developmental Biology	5	1%
MCB, Plan 2, Emphasis 3: Neurobiology	11	1%
Materials Science and Engineering	2	0%
Materials Science and Engineering/Mechanical Engineering Joint Major	1	0%
Mathematics	22	3%
Mechanical Engineering	18	2%
Mechanical Engineering/Nuclear Engineering	1	0%
Media Studies	24	3%
Microbial Biology	4	1%
Molecular Environmental Biology	4	1%
Music	9	1%
Nuclear Engineering	2	0%
Nutritional Science	9	1%
Peace and Conflict Studies	7	1%
Philosophy	13	2%
Physical Sciences Field Major	1	0%
Physics	12	2%
Planetary Science	2	0%
Political Economy	19	3%
Political Science	42	5%
Psychology	58	8%
Public Health	11	1%
Religious Studies	1	0%
Rhetoric	5	1%
Scandinavian	1	0%
Social Welfare	9	1%
Society and Environment	4	1%
Sociology	24	3%
Spanish - Spanish Language and Literature	1	0%
Statistics	12	2%
Theater and Performance Studies	5	1%
Undeclared College of Letters and Science	3	0%
Urban Studies	4	1%
NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN	6	1%

2. Is that the major with which you expect to graduate?

Yes	625	81%
No	146	19%

IF NO: In which major do you expect to graduate?

American Studies	1	1%
Anthropology	4	3%
Applied Mathematics	3	2%
Architecture	1	1%
Art Practice	2	1%
Business Administration	5	3%
Chemistry (College of Chemistry)	3	2%
Chemistry (College of L & S)	1	1%
Civil Engineering	2	1%
Cognitive Science	1	1%
Computer Science	1	1%
Conservation and Resource Studies	2	1%
Economics	15	10%
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences	3	2%
English	7	5%
Environmental Economics and Policy	4	3%
Film	2	1%
Forestry and Natural Resources	1	1%
Gender and Women's Studies	1	1%
Geography	1	1%
History	3	2%
History of Art	2	1%
Integrative Biology	2	1%
Interdisciplinary Studies	3	2%
Legal Studies	2	1%
MCB, Plan 1, Emphasis 1: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	2	1%
Materials Science and Engineering/Mechanical Engineering Joint Major	1	1%
Mathematics	2	1%
Mechanical Engineering	6	4%
Mechanical Engineering/Nuclear Engineering	1	1%
Media Studies	6	4%
Molecular Environmental Biology	4	3%
Peace and Conflict Studies	1	1%
Philosophy	2	1%
Physics	2	1%
Political Economy	2	1%
Political Science	11	8%
Psychology	8	5%
Rhetoric	2	1%
Social Welfare	2	1%
Society and Environment	2	1%
Sociology	11	8%
Spanish - Spanish Language and Literature	2	1%
Statistics	1	1%
Urban Studies	1	1%
NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN	6	4%

2b. UC Berkeley is planning a new interdisciplinary program related to early childhood development and family studies. If available, would you consider majoring in Early Childhood Development and Family Studies?

Yes	49	17%
No	237	83%

2c. If available, would you consider minoring in Early Childhood Development and Family Studies?

Yes	97	34%
No	188	66%

2d. If yes, may we contact you in the future to provide more detailed information about this major or minor program?

Yes	77	31%
No	175	69%

3. Please select the top 3 factors in in deciding on your major.

First:

Intellectual curiosity in the subject	489	64%
Leads to a high paying job	52	7%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career	116	15%
Parental desires	8	1%
Allows time for other activities	6	1%
Provides international opportunities	25	3%
Prestige	7	1%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school	33	4%
Other (please specify) [Contact OPA for more information]	32	4%

Second:

Intellectual curiosity in the subject	109	14%
Leads to a high paying job	79	10%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career	283	37%
Parental desires	10	1%
Allows time for other activities	21	3%
Provides international opportunities	90	12%
Prestige	25	3%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school	125	17%
Other (please specify) [Contact OPA for more information]	15	2%

Third:

Intellectual curiosity in the subject	56	8%
Leads to a high paying job	107	14%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career	132	18%
Parental desires	9	1%
Allows time for other activities	41	6%
Provides international opportunities	104	14%
Prestige	55	7%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school	182	24%
Other (please specify) [Contact OPA for more information]	61	8%

Future Plans & Aspirations

4. What do you anticipate you will be doing within a year after you graduate?

Be self-employed	16	2%
Do something else	8	1%
Enroll in graduate or professional school	324	42%
Join Peace Corps	8	1%
Join armed forces	3	0%
Paid internship	30	4%
Study or work abroad	51	7%
Take a year off	12	2%
Unpaid internship/volunteer	13	2%
Work full-time	222	29%
Work part-time	13	2%
I have no idea at this point	52	7%
Other	15	2%

5. In what career field do you hope to eventually work after you've completed your education?

Architecture	13	2%
Business	115	15%
Communications/Arts/Entertainment	64	8%
Education/Teaching	70	9%
Electrical Engineering/Computers	34	5%
Engineering	54	7%
Environmental/Natural Resources	33	4%
Government/Nonprofit/Social Services	75	10%
Law	70	9%
Medicine	53	7%
Other Health-Related Field	38	5%
Research	58	8%
I have no idea whatsoever	42	6%
Other	45	6%

6. What is the HIGHEST academic degree or credential that you plan to eventually earn?

Academic master's (MA, MS, etc.)	123	16%
Bachelor's degree (BA, BS, etc.)	65	9%
Business master's (MBA)	70	9%
Doctorate (PhD, EdD, etc.)	201	26%
Law degree (LLB or JD)	71	9%
Medical doctor (MD)	27	4%
Medical doctorate other than MD (DO, DDS, DVM, etc.)	8	1%
Multiple doctoral degrees (MD/PhD)	42	6%
Other professional master's (MEd, MPP, MPH, MFA, MLIS, MSN, MSW, M.ARCH, etc.)	63	8%
Teaching credential	10	1%
I don't know yet	87	11%

Prior College Experiences

1. Thinking back over your transfer college coursework, how often were you REQUIRED to do the following?

	Never	Rarely	Occasionally	Somewhat often	Often	Very often
Recognize or recall specific facts, terms and concepts	1	6	53	120	304	273
Recognize or recall specific facts, terms and concepts	0%	1%	7%	16%	40%	36%
Explain methods, ideas, or concepts and use them to solve problems	1	17	57	156	296	228
	0%	2%	8%	21%	39%	30%
Break down material into component parts or arguments into assumptions to see the basis for different outcomes and conclusions	6	53	97	178	246	177
	1%	7%	13%	24%	33%	23%
Judge the value of information, ideas, actions, and conclusions based on the soundness of sources, methods and reasoning	9	43	78	185	255	185
	1%	6%	10%	25%	34%	25%
Create or generate new ideas, products or ways of understanding	23	79	114	179	210	148
	3%	11%	15%	24%	28%	20%

2. Thinking back on your transfer college experience, how often did you do each of the following?

	Never	Rarely	Occasionally	Somewhat often	Often	Very often
Used facts and examples to support your viewpoint	0	2	36	75	287	354
Used facts and examples to support your viewpoint	0%	0%	5%	10%	38%	47%
Incorporated ideas or concepts from different courses when completing assignments	2	20	72	152	251	256
	0%	3%	10%	20%	33%	34%
Examined how others gathered and interpreted data and assessed the soundness of their conclusions	10	60	107	171	239	166
	1%	8%	14%	23%	32%	22%
Reconsidered your own position on a topic after assessing the arguments of others	5	39	107	147	254	203
	1%	5%	14%	20%	34%	27%

back to the SONS 2014 Transfer results