2017 SONS Transfers - Part 3: Random Module

Academic Experience
Student Life and Development
Items of Special Interest

Academic Experience

We would like to hear more about your perception of being an undergraduate at a research university. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements.

 Strongly disagreeDisagreeDisagree somewhatAgree somewhatAgreeStrongly agree
UC Berkeley has a strong commitment to undergraduate education 7 9 23 94 167 140
2% 2% 5% 21% 38% 32%
Attending a university with world-class researchers is important to me 6 7 23 90 143 168
1% 2% 5% 21% 33% 38%
The emphasis on research at UC Berkeley detracts from the quality of teaching on this campus 20 53 63 111 95 93
5% 12% 15% 26% 22% 21%

How important to you are the following aspects of being an undergraduate at a research university like UC Berkeley?

 Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery importantEssential
The prestige of this campus/faculty when you apply to grad school 8 20 37 109 115 151
2% 5% 8% 25% 26% 34%
The prestige of this campus when you apply for a job 6 7 26 107 125 168
1% 2% 6% 24% 29% 38%
Having access to a world-class library collection 9 26 52 108 119 125
2% 6% 12% 25% 27% 29%
Being able to attend plays, concerts, lectures, and other cultural events 11 34 61 122 103 105
3% 8% 14% 28% 24% 24%

How do you expect to use the library and library staff while you are at UC Berkeley? (Check all that apply)

Selected
To find data and statistical information 220
47%
As a quiet place to study 225
48%
For help in learning to do academic research 219
47%
To find scholarly articles 232
50%
For help in organizing my research 216
46%
As a place to work on group projects 203
43%
For printing, copying and scanning 221
47%
To find books 212
45%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
2
0%

If you were seeking help in doing library research, which ways would you prefer to communicate? Rank the following in order of preference from 1 (strongest preference) to 6 or from 1 to 7 if you select 'Other' below.

- Individual help at a library reference desk

ResponseNumberPercent
1 141 37%
2 95 25%
3 54 14%
4 38 10%
5 34 9%
6 18 5%
7 5 1%

- Individual help by appointment

ResponseNumberPercent
1 97 26%
2 91 24%
3 69 18%
4 63 17%
5 36 10%
6 18 5%
7 5 1%

- Take an hour-long class in library research methods

ResponseNumberPercent
1 24 6%
2 36 10%
3 56 15%
4 41 11%
5 55 15%
6 133 36%
7 29 8%

- Use a virtual chat widget

ResponseNumberPercent
1 34 9%
2 47 13%
3 41 11%
4 79 21%
5 87 23%
6 77 21%
7 9 2%

- Email

ResponseNumberPercent
1 80 21%
2 52 14%
3 85 22%
4 62 16%
5 63 16%
6 38 10%
7 6 2%

- Phone

ResponseNumberPercent
1 29 8%
2 55 15%
3 64 17%
4 78 21%
5 82 22%
6 55 15%
7 12 3%

- Other [Contact OPA for more information]

ResponseNumberPercent
1 9 8%
2 5 4%
3 6 5%
4 7 6%
5 9 8%
6 18 15%
7 65 55%

While attending UC Berkeley, how often would you like to interact with students from a country or state outside of your own in class (e.g., through section discussions, study groups or class projects)?

ResponseNumberPercent
Never 7 2%
Rarely 23 5%
Occasionally 72 17%
Somewhat often 74 17%
Often 134 31%
Very often 122 28%

How important is it to you to graduate in four years or, if you are a transfer student, in two years?

ResponseNumberPercent
Not important 13 3%
Not very important 19 4%
Somewhat important 52 12%
Important 78 18%
Very important 122 28%
Essential 151 35%

Regarding choice of a major, what advice have you received?

 Decide on a major as soon as possibleTake your time; explore optionsNo advice given
From your family 112 171 148
26% 40% 34%
From UC Berkeley advisors 92 172 164
22% 40% 38%
From friends 90 191 149
21% 44% 35%
From fellow UC Berkeley students 93 161 175
22% 38% 41%
From former teachers, instructors, or counselors 77 223 126
18% 52% 30%

What do you plan to do about a major?

ResponseNumberPercent
I have declared a major 251 58%
I will declare a major as soon as possible 168 39%
I plan to take my time and explore options 15 4%

Student Life & Development

Indicate how important each of the following college goals is to you.

 Not importantSomewhat importantVery important
Be in a position to give back to my community after finishing my education 16 155 298
3% 33% 64%
Acquire a well-rounded general education 17 114 337
4% 24% 72%
Explore and discover my personal identity 25 124 318
5% 27% 68%
Achieve a high GPA 22 173 273
5% 37% 58%
Form (a) romantic relationship(s) 157 174 138
34% 37% 29%
Establish meaningful friendships 20 132 316
4% 28% 68%
Be in a position to make a lot of money after finishing my education 43 190 236
9% 41% 50%
Explore new ideas 11 138 319
2% 30% 68%
Enjoy my college years before assuming adult responsibilities 75 152 239
16% 33% 51%
Develop an in-depth understanding of a specific field of study 11 110 347
2% 24% 74%
Integrate spirituality into my life 160 143 166
34% 31% 35%
Establish social networks that will help further my career 21 139 306
5% 30% 66%

On the scale from 1 to 6 below, please indicate how concerned you are about each of the following:

 (1) Not at all concerned(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) Very concerned
Financing my education at UC Berkeley 51 36 61 97 92 127
11% 8% 13% 21% 20% 27%
Finding affordable housing while I'm a student at UC Berkeley 59 35 48 92 90 137
13% 8% 10% 20% 20% 30%
Getting into my first choice of major 137 39 42 72 60 114
30% 8% 9% 16% 13% 25%
Being able to maintain a high GPA 11 18 40 96 116 179
2% 4% 9% 21% 25% 39%
Getting the academic advising I need 37 41 65 118 101 100
8% 9% 14% 26% 22% 22%
Getting the career and professional advising I need 29 39 52 121 96 123
6% 9% 11% 26% 21% 27%
Getting the psychological counseling I might need 91 68 70 103 80 49
20% 15% 15% 22% 17% 11%
Getting along with my roommate(s) 146 72 63 84 55 41
32% 16% 14% 18% 12% 9%
Being able to balance academic and social activities 36 33 65 112 134 83
8% 7% 14% 24% 29% 18%
Being able to make the kind of friends I want 43 35 61 106 118 98
9% 8% 13% 23% 26% 21%
Being away from family and friends; being 'homesick' 133 67 62 89 62 50
29% 15% 13% 19% 13% 11%
Being able to maintain good health 42 43 71 110 94 102
9% 9% 15% 24% 20% 22%
Being able to cope with expectations of parents and family 104 62 61 99 75 61
23% 13% 13% 21% 16% 13%
Being overwhelmed with all the things I'm expected to do my first semester 34 27 69 98 104 132
7% 6% 15% 21% 22% 28%
Regretting my decision to attend UC Berkeley 179 78 58 62 48 38
39% 17% 13% 13% 10% 8%

Based on your experience and observation, rate the general climate for students at UC Berkeley along the following dimensions:

Campus climate is...

ResponseNumberPercent
(6) Friendly 99 21%
(5) 138 30%
(4) 140 30%
(3) 59 13%
(2) 19 4%
(1) Hostile 8 2%
ResponseNumberPercent
(6) Caring 80 17%
(5) 116 25%
(4) 130 28%
(3) 86 19%
(2) 37 8%
(1) Impersonal 14 3%
ResponseNumberPercent
(6) Intellectual 232 50%
(5) 126 27%
(4) 67 15%
(3) 30 7%
(2) 5 1%
(1) Not intellectual 2 0%
ResponseNumberPercent
(6) Appreciative of diversity 157 34%
(5) 154 34%
(4) 82 18%
(3) 41 9%
(2) 17 4%
(1) Unappreciative of diversity 8 2%
ResponseNumberPercent
(6) Safe 56 12%
(5) 94 21%
(4) 99 22%
(3) 107 23%
(2) 70 15%
(1) Dangerous 33 7%
ResponseNumberPercent
(6) Too hard academically 79 17%
(5) 160 35%
(4) 175 38%
(3) 42 9%
(2) 6 1%
(1) Too easy academically 1 0%
ResponseNumberPercent
(6) Affordable 24 5%
(5) 54 12%
(4) 111 24%
(3) 118 26%
(2) 83 18%
(1) Not affordable 71 15%

As you start your first semester at UC Berkeley, please rank your concerns in these five general areas. One (1) is first or the area of most concern. (Rank the following from 1 to 5)

- Being successful academically (e.g., understanding material, GPA, getting into the major I want)

ResponseNumberPercent
1 214 47%
2 114 25%
3 53 12%
4 42 9%
5 29 6%

- Financing my education at UC Berkeley (e.g., money for expenses, being able to work, finding affordable housing)

ResponseNumberPercent
1 97 22%
2 73 16%
3 78 17%
4 66 15%
5 138 31%

- Making good choices, finding direction for my life (e.g., what I want to do after college, making the right career choice)

ResponseNumberPercent
1 48 11%
2 77 17%
3 90 20%
4 127 28%
5 110 24%

- Balancing things, finding time for everything (e.g., balancing academic and social life, not being overwhelmed)

ResponseNumberPercent
1 59 13%
2 116 26%
3 132 29%
4 101 22%
5 44 10%

- Making friends, having a personal life (e.g., not being lonely, having a good relationship)

ResponseNumberPercent
1 35 8%
2 69 15%
3 108 24%
4 115 25%
5 125 28%

As a beginning UC Berkeley student, how would you rate your competencies below?

 Very poorPoorFairGoodVery goodExcellent
Understanding of the complexities of global issues 8 26 116 158 99 51
2% 6% 25% 35% 22% 11%
Ability to apply disciplinary knowledge in a global context 7 23 113 172 86 56
2% 5% 25% 38% 19% 12%
Comfort working with people from other cultures 2 9 44 126 135 142
0% 2% 10% 28% 30% 31%

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Opportunities to develop my leadership skills while at UC Berkeley are important to me.

ResponseNumberPercent
Strongly disagree 17 4%
Disagree 12 3%
Disagree somewhat 14 3%
Agree somewhat 116 25%
Agree 180 39%
Strongly agree 120 26%

Items of Special Interest

What type of advising do you expect and hope to receive from an advisor? Please rank from 1 to 7, in order of what is personally important to you, assigning a 1 to the option you feel is most important.

- Career and Professional advising

ResponseNumberPercent
1 72 17%
2 84 20%
3 63 15%
4 66 16%
5 62 15%
6 51 12%
7 25 6%

- Choosing classes

ResponseNumberPercent
1 91 22%
2 82 19%
3 74 18%
4 55 13%
5 60 14%
6 38 9%
7 23 5%

- Enrichment opportunities (e.g., Study abroad, research)

ResponseNumberPercent
1 32 8%
2 67 16%
3 58 14%
4 66 16%
5 67 16%
6 76 18%
7 57 14%

- Financial aid and scholarships

ResponseNumberPercent
1 75 18%
2 58 14%
3 78 18%
4 56 13%
5 53 13%
6 43 10%
7 61 14%

- Understanding Campus Resources

ResponseNumberPercent
1 20 5%
2 31 7%
3 56 13%
4 69 16%
5 66 16%
6 115 27%
7 66 16%

- Selecting a major

ResponseNumberPercent
1 67 16%
2 43 10%
3 35 8%
4 38 9%
5 30 7%
6 53 13%
7 159 37%

- Academic Support

ResponseNumberPercent
1 80 19%
2 56 13%
3 66 16%
4 69 16%
5 76 18%
6 44 10%
7 33 8%

Did you use any of the following resources/people when selecting courses for your first semester? Please select all that apply.

Selected
Golden Bear Advising online content 136
28%
Golden Bear Advising interactive activities (e.g. completing assignments/quizzes, uploading class schedule, direct messaging with advisors, chatroom conversations) 117
24%
Other online resources (e.g., department website, Facebook, online Berkeley Academic Guide) 169
34%
College advisor in your home College (e.g., Letters & Science, College of Engineering) 81
17%
Major advisor 240
49%
Co-curricular Advisors/Student Services Support Staff (e.g., advising staff working in offices such as the Educational Opportunity Program, the Berkeley International Office, the Transfer Center) 40
8%
Faculty member 67
14%
Another student 157
32%
Parent, Guardian, or family member 76
16%
Friend(s) 172
35%
No resource/person 27
6%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
7
1%

Who provided the most useful guidance in the selection of your courses for the current term?

ResponseNumberPercent
Golden Bear Advising online content 36 8%
Golden Bear Advising interactive activities 18 4%
Other online resources 82 19%
College advisor in your home College 15 4%
Major advisor 136 32%
Co-curricular Advisors/Student Services Support Staff 5 1%
Faculty member 12 3%
Another student 38 9%
Parent, Guardian, or family member 12 3%
Friend(s) 31 7%
No resource/person 36 8%
Other
[Contact OPA for more information]
9 2%

How satisfied are you with the amount of individualized guidance you received from the people you consulted with in selecting your courses?

ResponseNumberPercent
Very dissatisfied 30 7%
Dissatisfied 31 7%
Somewhat dissatisfied 44 10%
Somewhat satisfied 143 33%
Satisfied 129 30%
Very satisfied 57 13%

Since being admitted, have you ever received advice from two different offices or staff members at UC Berkeley that was contradictory or in conflict?

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes 82 19%
No 351 81%

Please provide a brief explanation of what happened (when you received advice from two different offices or staff members at UC Berkeley that was contradictory or in conflict)

[Contact OPA for more information]

Select the top three factors that most influenced how you selected courses for your first semester.

First:

ResponseNumberPercent
I found the subject generally interesting 106 25%
Parental desires 10 2%
Recommendation of continuing UC Berkeley student 19 4%
Recommendation of another new UC Berkeley student 3 1%
Academic Advisor 54 13%
Co-curricular Advisor/Student Services Support Staff 2 1%
I thought/had heard a course was not as rigorous or demanding 2 1%
Reputation of professor 2 1%
Course(s) fulfilled a general or breadth requirement (e.g., Reading and Composition, American Cultures, Foreign Languages, etc.) 9 2%
Course(s) fulfilled a major requirement 175 41%
The course fit my schedule 10 2%
Prepares me for my major 36 8%

Second:

ResponseNumberPercent
I found the subject generally interesting 47 11%
Parental desires 3 1%
Recommendation of continuing UC Berkeley student 27 6%
Recommendation of another new UC Berkeley student 7 2%
Academic Advisor 47 11%
Co-curricular Advisor/Student Services Support Staff 3 1%
I thought/had heard a course was not as rigorous or demanding 4 1%
Reputation of professor 18 4%
Course(s) fulfilled a general or breadth requirement (e.g., Reading and Composition, American Cultures, Foreign Languages, etc.) 59 14%
Course(s) fulfilled a major requirement 71 17%
The course fit my schedule 79 19%
Prepares me for my major 58 14%

Third:

ResponseNumberPercent
I found the subject generally interesting 62 15%
Parental desires 5 1%
Recommendation of continuing UC Berkeley student 22 5%
Recommendation of another new UC Berkeley student 9 2%
Academic Advisor 41 10%
Co-curricular Advisor/Student Services Support Staff 6 1%
I thought/had heard a course was not as rigorous or demanding 11 3%
Reputation of professor 34 8%
Course(s) fulfilled a general or breadth requirement (e.g., Reading and Composition, American Cultures, Foreign Languages, etc.) 39 9%
Course(s) fulfilled a major requirement 37 9%
The course fit my schedule 90 21%
Prepares me for my major 66 16%

What other factors did you consider when setting up your course schedule for the current term?

[Contact OPA for more information]

How satisfied are you with each of the following, based on your experiences with accessing courses for the current semester?

 Very dissatisfiedDissatisfiedSomewhat dissatisfiedSomewhat satisfiedSatisfiedVery satisfied
Availability of courses for general education or breadth requirements 9 15 31 127 192 52
2% 4% 7% 30% 45% 12%
Availability of courses to fulfill prerequisite requirements 9 11 31 134 187 52
2% 3% 7% 32% 44% 12%
Ability to get into the lectures or seminars (i.e., primary courses) you wanted 17 22 51 111 167 59
4% 5% 12% 26% 39% 14%
Ability to get into the discussion sections or labs (i.e., secondary courses) you wanted 19 23 40 125 167 53
4% 5% 9% 29% 39% 12%
Variety of courses available 8 12 34 141 168 62
2% 3% 8% 33% 40% 15%
Access to small classes 25 38 48 133 137 46
6% 9% 11% 31% 32% 11%

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements:

 Strongly disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
I encountered difficulty in creating a course schedule for my first semester due to the lack of information about how my previous coursework articulates to UC Berkeley. 29 79 82 120 73 47
7% 18% 19% 28% 17% 11%
I have had trouble finding out what UC Berkeley degree requirements I have already satisfied through my past coursework. 35 96 88 108 67 37
8% 22% 20% 25% 16% 9%
I have had trouble finding out how many transferable units have been accepted and will count toward my UC Berkeley degree. 46 86 81 101 65 49
11% 20% 19% 24% 15% 11%

Have you completed all of the prerequisite courses for your desired UC Berkeley major(s)?

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes 197 46%
No 177 41%
I am not sure 59 14%

How many additional prerequisite courses for your desired major do you need to complete?

ResponseNumberPercent
1 63 27%
2 68 29%
3 21 9%
4 10 4%
5 or more 14 6%
I am not sure 60 25%

back to top                Part 4: Affordability