2017 SONS Freshmen - Part 1: Early Experiences

Transition into UC Berkeley
Academic and Personal Development
Goals and Aspirations
Berkeley Plans
Future Plans and Aspirations
High School Experiences

Transition into UC Berkeley

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

ResponseNumberPercent
a great start 699 20%
a very good start 995 29%
a good start 1225 35%
just an OK start 463 13%
not a good start 92 3%

As you begin your academic career at UC Berkeley, what is your level of agreement or disagreement with the statements below.

 Strongly disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
I feel valued as an individual on this campus 91 169 310 1074 1251 440
3% 5% 9% 32% 38% 13%
I am proud to be a student at this campus 51 33 62 476 1451 1247
2% 1% 2% 14% 44% 38%
This institution values students' opinions 95 88 236 841 1394 671
3% 3% 7% 25% 42% 20%
Academic dishonesty is a problem on this campus 312 1206 877 444 297 177
9% 36% 27% 13% 9% 5%
I feel that I belong at UC Berkeley 79 79 205 928 1344 676
2% 2% 6% 28% 41% 20%
This campus values diversity 66 55 118 487 1319 1272
2% 2% 4% 15% 40% 38%
Diversity is important to me 53 43 82 419 1225 1506
2% 1% 3% 13% 37% 45%

What is your level of agreement or disagreement with the statements below?

 Strongly disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
Opportunities to engage in community service while a UC Berkeley student are important to me 55 76 187 776 1281 796
2% 2% 6% 25% 40% 25%
Opportunities to connect my academic work with community-based experience at UC Berkeley are important to me 42 40 129 624 1389 940
1% 1% 4% 20% 44% 30%
It's important to me to work toward goals that are larger than simply making money or acquiring prestige 38 28 86 491 1203 1315
1% 1% 3% 16% 38% 42%
It's important to me to make good choices while at UC Berkeley 35 11 34 259 1157 1650
1% 0% 1% 8% 37% 52%

Using the scale from 1 to 6 below, please indicate how true each of the following statements is of you.

 Not at all true of me (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)Very true of me (6)
When I take on a new task, I make a plan with clear and measurable goals that must be reached before completion 56 180 498 999 958 480
2% 6% 16% 32% 30% 15%
I regularly monitor how I am doing in order to gauge how well I'm progressing toward my goals 39 172 444 965 1013 531
1% 5% 14% 31% 32% 17%
I reflect on my existing commitments before I decide to take on new tasks so I don't get overwhelmed 52 146 379 853 1083 646
2% 5% 12% 27% 34% 20%
I find courses so interesting that I do more work than is required 217 492 716 839 581 324
7% 16% 23% 27% 18% 10%
I substantially revise papers before submitting to be graded 115 308 576 834 806 529
4% 10% 18% 26% 25% 17%

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 SERVICEStrongly disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
Golden Bear Orientation (GBO, Aug 15-22) 45 148 155 174 740 1009 777
- 5% 5% 6% 25% 34% 26%
Getting Your Bearings activities - (e.g., Calapalooza, open houses, ASUC events, Aug 23 - Sep 9) 319 101 186 290 1115 786 299
- 4% 7% 10% 40% 28% 11%
www(dot)orientation(dot)berkeley(dot)edu 877 143 267 357 832 442 182
- 6% 12% 16% 37% 20% 8%
Cal Student Central (120 Sproul one-stop shop) 1044 105 164 267 742 520 230
- 5% 8% 13% 37% 26% 11%
Cal Central (Student portal information dashboard) 58 64 99 151 827 1104 765
- 2% 3% 5% 28% 37% 25%
Golden Bear Advising (bCourses: "Welcome to GBA," "Tools for Searching and Planning," "College Info and Advising," "Enrollment, Adjustment, and Next Steps," mid-May to mid-July) 58 124 192 276 1056 964 432
- 4% 6% 9% 35% 32% 14%
Golden Bear Prep (bCourses about university traditions, campus and Bay Area, diversity & inclusion, wellness, and first-year, mid-July to mid-August) 95 152 259 387 1097 789 331
- 5% 9% 13% 36% 26% 11%
Freshmen Edge (Summer Sessions) 2672 19 26 48 122 135 90
- 4% 6% 11% 28% 31% 21%
Global Edge 2739 19 25 44 109 100 71
- 5% 7% 12% 30% 27% 19%
Fall Program for Freshmen 2712 21 31 43 115 101 82
- 5% 8% 11% 29% 26% 21%
Summer Bridge 2584 20 31 40 100 122 199
- 4% 6% 8% 20% 24% 39%
CE3 Transfer Student Center 2747 15 36 37 101 89 70
- 4% 10% 11% 29% 26% 20%
CE3 Undocumented Student Program - (Academic Counselors, Dreamers Resource Center, Legal Support, etc.) 2730 17 32 43 102 95 89
- 5% 9% 11% 27% 25% 24%
CE3 Educational Opportunity Program - (Academic counseling, fee waivers, etc. Serving first-generation, low-income, or historically underrepresented students) 2442 20 33 50 163 186 213
- 3% 5% 8% 25% 28% 32%
Other CE3 Programs - (Berkeley Hope Scholars, Cal Veteran Services Center, Re-entry Student Program, Student Parent Center) 2738 20 27 38 104 96 78
- 6% 7% 11% 29% 26% 22%

(...continued) To what extent do you agree that each of the following resources has helped with your transition into UC Berkeley?

 N/A; DID NOT USE THIS SERVICEStrongly disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
Berkeley International Office 2526 16 25 43 143 170 106
- 3% 5% 9% 28% 34% 21%
Academic Achievement Program Center (Includes Posse, McNair, Miller, & Sage Scholars Programs, Cal NERDS) 2701 16 23 33 105 111 74
- 4% 6% 9% 29% 31% 20%
Athletic Study Center 2665 13 21 29 110 109 111
- 3% 5% 7% 28% 28% 28%
Disabled Students Program 2698 15 25 29 87 100 81
- 5% 7% 9% 26% 30% 24%
Gender Equity Resource Center (LGBTQ, Women/Men, Sexual/Relationship Violence Advocacy & Education) 2663 16 20 31 117 110 83
- 4% 5% 8% 31% 29% 22%
Multicultural Student Development (African American Student Development, Asian Pacific American Student Development, Chicanx Latinx Student Development, Multicultural Community Center, Multicultural Immigrant Student Program, Native American Student Development) 2540 16 22 30 154 159 142
- 3% 4% 6% 29% 30% 27%
A Multicultural Recruitment & Retention Center (e.g., Black Recruitment & Retention Center, Raza Recruitment & Retention Center) 2605 14 20 36 107 138 140
- 3% 4% 8% 24% 30% 31%
Student Learning Center 1651 16 31 71 395 509 385
- 1% 2% 5% 28% 36% 27%
Residence Hall Staff (Resident Directors, Resident Assistants, Theme Program Advisors) 818 46 80 138 794 807 370
- 2% 4% 6% 36% 36% 17%
Residential Education (Res. Ed.) (Includes
Tutoring, Resident Faculty Programs, Academic Support)
2106 21 43 89 327 318 150
- 2% 5% 9% 35% 34% 16%
Another Berkeley student 269 16 13 61 531 1101 1071
- 1% 1% 2% 19% 39% 38%
A family member 763 39 68 147 630 773 621
- 2% 3% 7% 28% 34% 27%
A UC Berkeley major or departmental advisor 1380 75 111 161 536 512 284
- 5% 7% 10% 32% 31% 17%
A UC Berkeley College advisor (e.g., Letters & Science, Natural Resources) 1131 123 135 182 619 562 306
- 6% 7% 9% 32% 29% 16%
A 98 or 198 course for new students 2241 26 30 61 218 258 215
- 3% 4% 8% 27% 32% 27%

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

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

 Very poorPoorFairGoodVery goodExcellent
Analytical and critical thinking skills 19 34 384 1045 1054 471
1% 1% 13% 35% 35% 16%
Ability to be clear and effective when writing 29 86 500 1109 892 387
1% 3% 17% 37% 30% 13%
Ability to read and comprehend academic material 17 58 399 1113 995 405
1% 2% 13% 37% 33% 14%
Understanding of a specific field of study 16 44 426 1118 962 419
1% 2% 14% 38% 32% 14%
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills 35 100 450 939 933 537
1% 3% 15% 31% 31% 18%
Oral communication skills 23 130 508 988 856 482
1% 4% 17% 33% 29% 16%
Ability to understand international perspectives (economic, political, social, cultural) 23 73 443 976 955 528
1% 2% 15% 33% 32% 18%
Leadership skills 27 111 450 920 938 555
1% 4% 15% 31% 31% 19%
Ability to suspend judgment based on cultural differences when interacting with others 16 38 304 851 1058 733
1% 1% 10% 28% 35% 24%
Ability to work with people from other cultures 11 13 186 706 1094 989
0% 0% 6% 24% 37% 33%
Ability to collaborate (e.g., team participation, group work) well with others 11 31 224 796 1111 811
0% 1% 8% 27% 37% 27%
 Very poorPoorFairGoodVery goodExcellent
Library and online information research skills (e.g., finding books, articles, evaluating information sources) 34 176 621 1012 756 407
1% 6% 21% 34% 25% 14%
Ability to design, conduct, and evaluate research 43 230 737 1016 649 325
1% 8% 25% 34% 22% 11%
Ability to prepare and make a presentation 19 58 439 1030 967 476
1% 2% 15% 35% 32% 16%
Interpersonal skills 24 81 446 1033 917 493
1% 3% 15% 35% 31% 17%
Linguistic and cultural competency in at least one language other than my own 174 256 547 793 660 569
6% 9% 18% 26% 22% 19%

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

 Very poorPoorFairGoodVery goodExcellent
Portraying information in ways that make it easier to interpret 14 53 461 1215 876 380
1% 2% 15% 41% 29% 13%
Drawing insights based on quantitative analysis of data 12 76 480 1127 898 404
0% 3% 16% 38% 30% 14%
Making qualified conclusions based on quantitative data 13 65 460 1173 884 396
0% 2% 15% 39% 30% 13%
Ability to apply theories or methods from one discipline to another 17 74 519 1152 830 405
1% 3% 17% 38% 28% 14%
Ability to explore complex issues in original ways 27 111 595 1133 738 391
1% 4% 20% 38% 25% 13%

Goals and Aspirations

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

 Not importantSomewhat importantVery important
Finding direction for my life 37 389 2572
1% 13% 86%
Become an innovative thinker 38 710 2247
1% 24% 75%
Discover what kind of person I really want to be 63 461 2470
2% 15% 83%
Develop a personal code of values and ethics 140 781 2071
5% 26% 69%
Prepare for graduate or professional school 246 903 1845
8% 30% 62%
Obtain the skills I need to pursue my chosen career 22 379 2592
1% 13% 87%
Obtain the skills I need to function in the international arena 270 1067 1655
9% 36% 55%

While attending UC Berkeley, how often would you like to...

 NeverRarelyOccasionallySomewhat oftenOftenVery often
Advocate for ideas or solutions that you believe in but may be unpopular or risky 69 397 778 758 637 328
2% 13% 26% 26% 22% 11%
Work with others on tasks that may at first seem difficult or even impossible 9 103 528 800 1037 485
0% 4% 18% 27% 35% 16%
Initiate and develop interactions with students who are different (e.g. culturally, ethnically, socioeconomically, politically) 15 43 288 618 1115 881
1% 2% 10% 21% 38% 30%
Interact with students from a country or state outside your own in social settings (e.g., in clubs or student organizations, or in informal settings) 9 34 238 506 1132 1049
0% 1% 8% 17% 38% 35%
Develop a friendship with a student from a country or state outside of your own 8 36 203 481 1057 1176
0% 1% 7% 16% 36% 40%
Attend lectures, symposia, workshops or conferences on international/global topics 60 224 548 655 794 679
2% 8% 19% 22% 27% 23%
Attend a performance with an international/global focus 92 276 619 657 721 597
3% 9% 21% 22% 24% 20%

What are your values and beliefs with regards to your interaction with other students while attending UC Berkeley? Please tell us your level of agreement with the following statements:

 Strongly disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
I believe that exposure to students from other states and countries will help me interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures 15 16 59 444 1077 1333
1% 1% 2% 15% 37% 45%
I believe that exposure to students from other states and countries will help me be more open to and understanding of different opinions and points of view 13 22 63 411 1081 1334
0% 1% 2% 14% 37% 46%

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
Learning about faculty research 30 148 454 869 748 697
1% 5% 15% 30% 25% 24%
Having courses with faculty members who refer to their own research as part of the class 36 217 600 842 710 542
1% 7% 20% 29% 24% 18%
Learning research methods 18 86 323 794 879 844
1% 3% 11% 27% 30% 29%
Assisting faculty members in their research, for pay or as a volunteer 24 101 348 711 872 883
1% 3% 12% 24% 30% 30%
Pursuing your own research 34 187 503 728 756 730
1% 6% 17% 25% 26% 25%
Working with a faculty member on a project with an international/global theme 57 268 581 811 655 569
2% 9% 20% 28% 22% 19%
Presenting a paper at a symposium or conference or participating in a panel on international / global topics 111 419 611 737 588 474
4% 14% 21% 25% 20% 16%

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 disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
I feel free to express my political beliefs on campus 122 136 243 694 1059 672
4% 5% 8% 24% 36% 23%
I feel free to express my religious beliefs on campus 46 65 159 669 1214 744
2% 2% 6% 23% 42% 26%
Students of my race/ethnicity are respected on this campus 35 54 132 550 1307 856
1% 2% 5% 19% 45% 29%
Students of my socio-economic status are respected on this campus 38 49 139 540 1339 822
1% 2% 5% 18% 46% 28%
Students of my gender are respected on this campus 23 29 87 507 1368 912
1% 1% 3% 17% 47% 31%
Students of my religious beliefs are respected on this campus 26 43 125 543 1348 813
1% 2% 4% 19% 47% 28%
Students of my political beliefs are respected on this campus 118 85 182 541 1215 780
4% 3% 6% 19% 42% 27%
Students of my sexual orientation are respected on this campus 13 19 64 400 1308 1098
0% 1% 2% 14% 45% 38%
Students of my immigration background are respected on this campus 30 27 89 462 1279 945
1% 1% 3% 16% 45% 33%
Students with a physical, psychological, or learning disability like mine are respected on this campus 24 40 93 499 1214 797
1% 2% 4% 19% 46% 30%

Please select your level of agreement with this statement: The university has the responsibility to provide equal access to safe and secure venues for guest speakers of all viewpoints - even if the ideas are found offensive by some or conflict with the values held by the UC Berkeley community.

ResponseNumberPercent
Strongly disagree 269 9%
Disagree 155 5%
Somewhat disagree 250 9%
Somewhat agree 643 22%
Agree 805 27%
Strongly agree 829 28%

Please select your level of agreement with the following statements:

- Overall, I feel comfortable with the climate for diversity and inclusiveness at UC Berkeley.

ResponseNumberPercent
Strongly disagree 94 3%
Disagree 87 3%
Somewhat disagree 187 6%
Somewhat agree 653 22%
Agree 1374 47%
Strongly agree 550 19%

- Overall, I feel comfortable with the climate for diversity and inclusiveness in my major.

ResponseNumberPercent
Strongly disagree 95 4%
Disagree 79 3%
Somewhat disagree 174 8%
Somewhat agree 484 21%
Agree 997 43%
Strongly agree 471 21%
N/A - I don't have a declared major 643 -

- Overall, I feel comfortable with the climate for diversity and inclusiveness in my classes.

ResponseNumberPercent
Strongly disagree 84 3%
Disagree 71 2%
Somewhat disagree 185 6%
Somewhat agree 646 22%
Agree 1421 48%
Strongly agree 537 18%

Your Berkeley Plans

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

ResponseNumberPercent
African American Studies 4 0%
American Studies 2 0%
Ancnt Egypt/NE Art & Archae 2 0%
Anthropology 12 0%
Applied Mathematics 34 1%
Architecture 45 2%
Art 3 0%
Asian Am & Asian Diasp St 1 0%
Asian Studies - Japan 2 0%
Astrophysics 24 1%
BioE/MSE Joint Major 8 0%
Bioengineering 89 3%
Business Administration 334 11%
CED Individual Major 1 0%
Celtic Studies 3 0%
Chem Eng/MSE Joint Major 8 0%
Chem Eng/NE Joint Major 1 0%
Chemical Biology 32 1%
Chemical Engineering 66 2%
Chemistry 30 1%
Chemistry (L&S) 3 0%
Chicano Studies 3 0%
Civil Engineering 38 1%
Classical Civilizations 2 0%
Cognitive Science 35 1%
Comparative Literature 3 0%
Computer Science (L&S) 283 10%
Conserv & Resource Stds 7 0%
EECS/MSE Joint Major 33 1%
EECS/NE Joint Major 11 0%
Economics 98 3%
Electrical Eng & Comp Sci 217 7%
Energy Engineering 13 0%
Eng Math & Statistics 12 0%
Engineering Physics 10 0%
English 28 1%
Environ Econ & Policy 12 0%
Environ Econ & Policy (L&S) 5 0%
Environmental Earth Science 2 0%
Environmental Eng Science 13 0%
Environmental Sciences 40 1%
Ethnic Studies 10 0%
Film 6 0%
Forestry & Natural Resources 3 0%
French 1 0%
Gender & Womens Studies 3 0%
Genetics & Plant Biology 6 0%
Geography 3 0%
Geology 2 0%
Geophysics 1 0%
Global Studies 31 1%
History 14 1%
History of Art 1 0%
Industrial Eng & Ops Rsch 25 1%
Integrative Biology 72 3%
Interdisciplinary Studies 8 0%
L&S Computer Science 9 0%
L&S Legal Studies 4 0%
L&S Ops Research & Mgmt Sci 1 0%
L&S Public Health 9 0%
L&S Social Welfare 3 0%
Landscape Architecture 3 0%
Legal Studies (L&S) 15 1%
Linguistics 4 0%
MCB-Biochem & Mol Biol 54 2%
MCB-Cell & Dev Biology 48 2%
MCB-Genetics 35 1%
MCB-Immunology 48 2%
MCB-Neurobiology 77 3%
ME/NE Joint Major 3 0%
MSE/ME Joint Major 1 0%
MSE/NE Joint Major 1 0%
Marine Science 3 0%
Materials Science & Eng 15 1%
Mathematics 33 1%
Mechanical Engineering 84 3%
Media Studies 23 1%
Microbial Biology 14 1%
Middle Eastern Studies 1 0%
Molecular Environ Biology 28 1%
Music 7 0%
Nuclear Engineering 10 0%
Nut Sci-Physio & Metabol 4 0%
Nutritional Sci-Dietetics 11 0%
Nutritional Sci-Toxicology 5 0%
Nutritional Science 8 0%
Ops Research & Mgmt Sci (L&S) 5 0%
Peace & Conflict Studies 2 0%
Philosophy 8 0%
Physics 47 2%
Planetary Science 5 0%
Political Economy 19 1%
Political Science 100 3%
Psychology 88 3%
Public Health (L&S) 59 2%
Rhetoric 2 0%
Social Welfare (L&S) 7 0%
Society and Environment 11 0%
Sociology 20 1%
Spanish-Spanish Lang & Lit 1 0%
Statistics 24 1%
Sustainable Environ Dsgn 9 0%
Theater & Perf Studies 13 0%
Urban Studies 5 0%
Other, Not listed 16 1%
NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN 168 6%

Is that the major with which you expect to graduate?

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes 2355 82%
No 507 18%

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

ResponseNumberPercent
African American Studies 3 1%
American Studies 1 0%
Applied Mathematics 16 3%
Architecture 3 1%
Art 2 0%
Astrophysics 2 0%
BioE/MSE Joint Major 1 0%
Bioengineering 6 1%
Business Administration 5 1%
CED Individual Major 1 0%
Celtic Studies 1 0%
Chem Eng/MSE Joint Major 2 0%
Chemical Biology 5 1%
Chemical Engineering 4 1%
Chemistry 5 1%
Chemistry (L&S) 1 0%
Chicano Studies 1 0%
Civil Engineering 6 1%
Cognitive Science 6 1%
Comparative Literature 2 0%
Computer Science (L&S) 55 11%
Conserv & Resource Stds 1 0%
Development Studies 1 0%
EECS/MSE Joint Major 1 0%
EECS/NE Joint Major 1 0%
Economics 31 6%
Electrical Eng & Comp Sci 15 3%
Energy Engineering 1 0%
Eng Math & Statistics 1 0%
Engineering Physics 2 0%
English 5 1%
Environ Econ & Policy 8 2%
Environ Econ & Policy (L&S) 4 1%
Environmental Earth Science 1 0%
Environmental Eng Science 1 0%
Environmental Sciences 17 3%
Film 1 0%
Forestry & Natural Resources 1 0%
Genetics & Plant Biology 3 1%
Global Studies 4 1%
History 1 0%
Industrial Eng & Ops Rsch 2 0%
Integrative Biology 12 2%
Interdisciplinary Studies 2 0%
L&S Computer Science 1 0%
L&S Legal Studies 1 0%
L&S Ops Research & Mgmt Sci 1 0%
L&S Public Health 1 0%
Legal Studies (L&S) 1 0%
MCB-Biochem & Mol Biol 16 3%
MCB-Cell & Dev Biology 7 1%
MCB-Genetics 11 2%
MCB-Immunology 6 1%
MCB-Neurobiology 12 2%
MSE/NE Joint Major 1 0%
Marine Science 1 0%
Materials Science & Eng 4 1%
Mathematics 7 1%
Mechanical Engineering 12 2%
Media Studies 4 1%
Microbial Biology 3 1%
Molecular Environ Biology 3 1%
Nuclear Engineering 2 0%
Nut Sci-Physio & Metabol 2 0%
Nutritional Sci-Toxicology 2 0%
Nutritional Science 1 0%
Ops Research & Mgmt Sci (L&S) 1 0%
Physics 5 1%
Political Economy 4 1%
Political Science 10 2%
Psychology 5 1%
Public Health (L&S) 8 2%
Social Welfare (L&S) 1 0%
Society and Environment 2 0%
Sociology 5 1%
Statistics 2 0%
Sustainable Environ Dsgn 2 0%
Urban Studies 3 1%
Other, Not listed 6 1%
NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN 107 21%

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

First:

ResponseNumberPercent
Intellectual curiosity in the subject 1813 63%
Leads to a high paying job 266 9%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career 516 18%
Parental desires 34 1%
Allows time for other activities 12 0%
Provides international opportunities 40 1%
Prestige 21 1%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school 143 5%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
39 1%

Second:

ResponseNumberPercent
Intellectual curiosity in the subject 447 16%
Leads to a high paying job 627 22%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career 987 35%
Parental desires 52 2%
Allows time for other activities 64 2%
Provides international opportunities 186 7%
Prestige 97 3%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school 369 13%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
31 1%

Third:

ResponseNumberPercent
Intellectual curiosity in the subject 245 9%
Leads to a high paying job 577 20%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career 671 24%
Parental desires 133 5%
Allows time for other activities 153 5%
Provides international opportunities 269 10%
Prestige 223 8%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school 455 16%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
106 4%

DATA SCIENCE is a new field of study that blends statistical and computational thinking to draw conclusions from data about the real world. Berkeley is creating new courses and planning a Data Science major and minor. Compared to the major, the minor would be available to students with a broader range of prerequisites.

If it were possible to major in Data Science at Berkeley, how likely is it that you would want to major in it?

ResponseNumberPercent
Very unlikely 981 34%
Somewhat unlikely 536 18%
Neither unlikely nor likely 628 22%
Somewhat likely 510 17%
Very likely 269 9%

If it were possible to minor in Data Science at Berkeley, how likely is it that you would want to minor in it?

ResponseNumberPercent
Very unlikely 706 24%
Somewhat unlikely 380 13%
Neither unlikely nor likely 490 17%
Somewhat likely 783 27%
Very likely 565 19%

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree that the following factors influenced your decision to choose UC Berkeley: UC Berkeley would...

 Strongly disagreeDisagreeSomewhat disagreeSomewhat agreeAgreeStrongly agree
Challenge and/or change my perspective 66 134 201 677 1165 652
2% 5% 7% 23% 40% 23%
Prepare me to succeed in a career 14 12 34 310 1212 1314
1% 0% 1% 11% 42% 45%
Prepare me to build a better life for myself and/or my family 16 31 72 413 1204 1156
1% 1% 3% 14% 42% 40%
Teach me to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures 53 80 163 583 1174 847
2% 3% 6% 20% 41% 29%
Prepare me to make a difference in this world 22 34 95 503 1172 1058
1% 1% 3% 17% 41% 37%
Allow me to create own field of study (combine disciplines, create own major, etc.) 127 261 390 736 855 523
4% 9% 14% 25% 30% 18%
Prepare me to get the job I desire 14 18 61 449 1248 1100
1% 1% 2% 16% 43% 38%
Help increase my social consciousness (e.g., be more aware of diversity in people and issues; doing things for the public good) 60 85 174 554 1139 885
2% 3% 6% 19% 39% 31%
Help me to be more open to and understanding of different opinions and points of view (e.g., openness, freedom) 58 75 148 577 1150 885
2% 3% 5% 20% 40% 31%

Future Plans and Aspirations

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

ResponseNumberPercent
Be self-employed 34 1%
Enroll in graduate or professional school 1190 41%
Join Peace Corps 26 1%
Join armed forces 9 0%
Paid internship 77 3%
Study or work abroad 86 3%
Take a year off (travel/gap year, etc.) 109 4%
Unpaid internship/volunteer 9 0%
Work full-time 940 33%
Work part-time 48 2%
Other 6 0%
I have no idea at this point 353 12%

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

ResponseNumberPercent
Architecture 54 2%
Business/Finance 422 15%
Communications/Arts/Entertainment 82 3%
Education/Teaching 68 2%
Electrical Engineering/Computers 406 14%
Engineering 355 12%
Environmental/Natural Resources 98 3%
Government/Nonprofit/Social Services 142 5%
Law 164 6%
Research 205 7%
Medicine 468 16%
Other Health-Related Field 102 4%
Other
[Contact OPA for more information]
74 3%
I have no idea whatsoever 236 8%

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

ResponseNumberPercent
Academic master's (MA, MS, etc.) 358 12%
Bachelor's degree (BA, BS, etc.) 261 9%
Business master's (MBA) 368 13%
Doctorate (PhD, EdD, etc.) 572 20%
Law degree (LLB or JD) 186 7%
Medical doctor (MD) 300 10%
Medical doctorate other than MD (DO, DDS, DVM, etc.) 48 2%
Multiple doctoral degrees (MD/PhD) 107 4%
Other professional master's (MEd, MPP, MPH, MFA, MLIS, MSN, MSW, M.ARCH, etc.) 127 4%
Teaching credential 21 1%
Other, Not listed 5 0%
I don't know yet 526 18%

High School Experiences

Thinking back over your senior year coursework, how often were you REQUIRED to do the following?

 NeverRarelyOccasionallySomewhat oftenOftenVery often
Recognize or recall specific facts, terms and concepts 188 41 160 420 861 535
9% 2% 7% 19% 39% 24%
Explain methods, ideas, or concepts and use them to solve problems 188 47 184 465 844 462
9% 2% 8% 21% 39% 21%
Break down material into component parts or arguments into assumptions to see the basis for different outcomes and conclusions 196 64 217 490 803 413
9% 3% 10% 22% 37% 19%
Judge the value of information, ideas, actions, and conclusions based on the soundness of sources, methods and reasoning 196 74 203 510 792 408
9% 3% 9% 23% 36% 19%
Create or generate new ideas, products or ways of understanding 215 139 251 509 700 367
10% 6% 12% 23% 32% 17%

Thinking back on your senior year, how often did you do each of the following?

 NeverRarelyOccasionallySomewhat oftenOftenVery often
Used facts and examples to support your viewpoint 199 28 140 368 822 595
9% 1% 7% 17% 38% 28%
Incorporated ideas or concepts from different courses when completing assignments 206 78 223 493 731 421
10% 4% 10% 23% 34% 20%
Examined how others gathered and interpreted data and assessed the soundness of their conclusions 219 80 240 487 741 385
10% 4% 11% 23% 34% 18%
Reconsidered your own position on a topic after assessing the arguments of others 204 57 210 475 795 405
10% 3% 10% 22% 37% 19%

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