2018 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 730 19%
a very good start 1,019 27%
a good start 1,362 36%
just an OK start 551 15%
not a good start 105 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 102 145 322 1,151 1,454 456
3% 4% 9% 32% 40% 13%
I am proud to be a student at this campus 76 31 55 480 1,571 1,415
2% 1% 2% 13% 43% 39%
This institution values students' opinions 81 76 181 872 1,676 725
2% 2% 5% 24% 46% 20%
Academic dishonesty is a problem on this campus 367 1,260 912 491 371 209
10% 35% 25% 14% 10% 6%
I feel that I belong at UC Berkeley 91 98 239 1,036 1,447 698
3% 3% 7% 29% 40% 19%
This campus values diversity 94 58 118 602 1,455 1,290
3% 2% 3% 17% 40% 36%
Diversity is important to me 72 30 74 448 1,334 1,669
2% 1% 2% 12% 37% 46%

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 50 80 168 851 1,463 873
1% 2% 5% 24% 42% 25%
Opportunities to connect my academic work with community-based experience at UC Berkeley are important to me 38 45 110 642 1,583 1,058
1% 1% 3% 19% 46% 30%
It's important to me to work toward goals that are larger than simply making money or acquiring prestige 45 32 73 467 1,400 1,459
1% 1% 2% 13% 40% 42%
It's important to me to make good choices while at UC Berkeley 39 19 25 290 1,323 1,754
1% 1% 1% 8% 38% 51%

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 51 196 537 1,127 1,074 503
2% 6% 15% 32% 31% 14%
I regularly monitor how I am doing in order to gauge how well I'm progressing toward my goals 59 160 498 1,009 1,156 602
2% 5% 14% 29% 33% 17%
I reflect on my existing commitments before I decide to take on new tasks so I don't get overwhelmed 49 140 412 901 1,202 766
1% 4% 12% 26% 35% 22%
I find courses so interesting that I do more work than is required 237 500 766 920 695 364
7% 14% 22% 26% 20% 11%
I substantially revise papers before submitting to be graded 107 304 584 961 937 584
3% 9% 17% 28% 27% 17%

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
Golden Bear Orientation (GBO, Aug 15-21) 69 91 141 197 905 1,126 830
- 3% 4% 6% 28% 34% 25%
Getting Your Bearings activities - (e.g., Calapalooza, open house, ASUC events, Aug 22-29) 353 67 171 288 1,136 996 397
- 2% 6% 9% 37% 33% 13%
www orientation berkeley edu 880 96 263 346 918 655 262
- 4% 10% 14% 36% 26% 10%
Cal Student Central (120 Sproul one-stop shop) 1,011 74 180 253 777 756 306
- 3% 8% 11% 33% 32% 13%
Cal Central (Student portal information dashboard) 71 30 82 167 840 1,302 869
- 1% 3% 5% 26% 40% 26%
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) 83 84 163 268 1,107 1,165 550
- 3% 5% 8% 33% 35% 17%
Golden Bear Prep (bCourses about university traditions, campus and Bay Area, diversity & inclusion, wellness, and first-year, mid-July to mid-August) 114 109 194 381 1,226 974 426
- 3% 6% 12% 37% 29% 13%
Freshmen Edge (Summer Sessions) 2,865 21 35 54 159 167 118
- 4% 6% 10% 29% 30% 21%
Global Edge 2,920 22 32 47 162 145 80
- 5% 7% 10% 33% 30% 16%
Fall Program for Freshmen 2,901 20 33 46 157 170 89
- 4% 6% 9% 31% 33% 17%
Summer Bridge 2,781 18 30 45 142 181 206
- 3% 5% 7% 23% 29% 33%
CE3 Transfer Student Center 2,915 21 30 49 144 150 79
- 4% 6% 10% 30% 32% 17%
CE3 Educational Opportunity Program - (Academic counseling, fee waivers, etc. Serving first-generation, low-income, or historically underrepresented students) 2,525 23 41 64 257 293 218
- 3% 5% 7% 29% 33% 24%
Other CE3 Programs - (Berkeley Hope Scholars, Cal Veteran Services Center, Re-entry Student Program, Student Parent Program, Undocumented Students Program) 2,882 17 33 49 160 159 118
- 3% 6% 9% 30% 30% 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 2,657 6 23 56 210 256 134
- 1% 3% 8% 31% 37% 20%
Academic Achievement Program Center (Includes Posse, McNair, Miller, & Sage Scholars Programs, Cal NERDS) 2,914 8 26 37 150 143 92
- 2% 6% 8% 33% 31% 20%
Athletic Study Center 2,895 8 18 40 143 158 114
- 1% 4% 8% 30% 33% 24%
Disabled Students Program 2,850 13 20 42 155 140 105
- 3% 4% 9% 33% 30% 22%
Gender Equity Resource Center (LGBTQ, Women/Men, Sexual/Relationship Violence Advocacy & Education) 2,867 9 25 42 170 159 99
- 2% 5% 8% 34% 32% 20%
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) 2,724 12 23 38 194 211 170
- 2% 4% 6% 30% 33% 26%
A Multicultural Recruitment & Retention Center (e.g., Black Recruitment & Retention Center, Raza Recruitment & Retention Center) 2,792 8 23 43 163 186 164
- 1% 4% 7% 28% 32% 28%
Student Learning Center 1,862 13 32 72 454 529 411
- 1% 2% 5% 30% 35% 27%
Residence Hall Staff (Resident Directors, Resident Assistants, Theme Program Advisors) 943 43 74 184 958 800 363
- 2% 3% 8% 40% 33% 15%
Residential Education (Res. Ed.) (Includes Tutoring, Resident Faculty Programs, Academic Support) 2,390 24 39 76 362 317 167
- 2% 4% 8% 37% 32% 17%
Another Berkeley student 320 16 22 61 551 1,188 1,236
- 1% 1% 2% 18% 39% 40%
A family member 804 42 77 140 688 866 739
- 2% 3% 6% 27% 34% 29%
A UC Berkeley major or departmental advisor 1,427 53 94 166 615 649 378
- 3% 5% 9% 32% 33% 19%
A UC Berkeley College advisor (e.g., Letters & Science, Natural Resources) 1,220 106 137 196 679 657 375
- 5% 6% 9% 32% 31% 17%
A 98 or 198 course for new students 2,482 13 36 55 265 294 237
- 1% 4% 6% 29% 33% 26%

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 15 47 402 1,274 1,125 475
0% 1% 12% 38% 34% 14%
Ability to be clear and effective when writing 19 100 568 1,307 945 397
1% 3% 17% 39% 28% 12%
Ability to read and comprehend academic material 16 63 459 1,306 1,078 405
1% 2% 14% 39% 32% 12%
Understanding of a specific field of study 15 52 465 1,336 1,027 421
1% 2% 14% 40% 31% 13%
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills 33 126 550 1,119 967 527
1% 4% 17% 34% 29% 16%
Oral communication skills 26 126 535 1,141 947 548
1% 4% 16% 34% 29% 17%
Ability to understand international perspectives (economic, political, social, cultural) 15 86 517 1,163 1,006 546
1% 3% 16% 35% 30% 16%
Leadership skills 23 117 521 1,091 1,011 570
1% 4% 16% 33% 30% 17%
Ability to suspend judgment based on cultural differences when interacting with others 12 34 298 1,002 1,117 870
0% 1% 9% 30% 34% 26%
Ability to work with people from other cultures 12 17 200 837 1,180 1,091
0% 1% 6% 25% 35% 33%
Ability to collaborate (e.g., team participation, group work) well with others 15 29 257 926 1,167 926
1% 1% 8% 28% 35% 28%
Very poorPoorFairGoodVery goodExcellent
Library and online information research skills (e.g., finding books, articles, evaluating information sources) 35 210 678 1,217 795 403
1% 6% 20% 37% 24% 12%
Ability to design, conduct, and evaluate research 48 240 841 1,195 688 325
1% 7% 25% 36% 21% 10%
Ability to prepare and make a presentation 17 68 493 1,184 1,047 525
1% 2% 15% 36% 31% 16%
Interpersonal skills 22 86 478 1,204 943 589
1% 3% 14% 36% 28% 18%
Linguistic and cultural competency in at least one language other than my own 184 301 607 873 715 649
6% 9% 18% 26% 22% 20%

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 13 57 522 1,415 933 388
0% 2% 16% 43% 28% 12%
Drawing insights based on quantitative analysis of data 19 78 612 1,345 899 372
1% 2% 18% 41% 27% 11%
Making qualified conclusions based on quantitative data 19 79 563 1,388 901 372
1% 2% 17% 42% 27% 11%
Ability to apply theories or methods from one discipline to another 16 85 623 1,301 910 386
1% 3% 19% 39% 27% 12%
Ability to explore complex issues in original ways 18 128 682 1,341 776 376
1% 4% 21% 40% 23% 11%

Goals and Aspirations

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

Not importantSomewhat importantVery important
Finding direction for my life 37 438 2,854
1% 13% 86%
Become an innovative thinker 44 764 2,517
1% 23% 76%
Discover what kind of person I really want to be 61 469 2,795
2% 14% 84%
Develop a personal code of values and ethics 118 855 2,347
4% 26% 71%
Prepare for graduate or professional school 257 1,023 2,045
8% 31% 62%
Obtain the skills I need to pursue my chosen career 33 416 2,871
1% 13% 87%
Obtain the skills I need to function in the international arena 248 1,137 1,935
8% 34% 58%

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 55 306 810 931 822 371
2% 9% 25% 28% 25% 11%
Work with others on tasks that may at first seem difficult or even impossible 24 90 476 956 1,166 580
1% 3% 15% 29% 35% 18%
Initiate and develop interactions with students who are different (e.g. culturally, ethnically, socioeconomically, politically) 17 37 284 706 1,251 997
1% 1% 9% 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) 15 22 226 650 1,238 1,138
1% 1% 7% 20% 38% 35%
Develop a friendship with a student from a country or state outside of your own 14 24 190 576 1,175 1,308
0% 1% 6% 18% 36% 40%
Attend lectures, symposia, workshops or conferences on international/global topics 62 214 514 802 961 729
2% 7% 16% 24% 28% 22%
Attend a performance with an international/global focus 84 280 621 792 883 628
3% 9% 19% 24% 27% 19%

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 14 7 46 473 1,224 1,484
0% 0% 1% 15% 38% 46%
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 12 13 45 470 1,174 1,507
0% 0% 1% 15% 36% 47%

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 24 110 447 948 922 808
1% 3% 14% 29% 28% 25%
Having courses with faculty members who refer to their own research as part of the class 31 213 572 977 830 628
1% 7% 18% 30% 26% 19%
Learning research methods 19 78 326 856 954 1,018
1% 2% 10% 26% 29% 31%
Assisting faculty members in their research, for pay or as a volunteer 22 94 349 798 982 1,009
1% 3% 11% 25% 30% 31%
Pursuing your own research 26 175 500 831 834 878
1% 5% 15% 26% 26% 27%
Working with a faculty member on a project with an international/global theme 52 236 661 871 809 619
2% 7% 20% 27% 25% 19%
Presenting a paper at a symposium or conference or participating in a panel on international / global topics 99 364 695 865 687 546
3% 11% 21% 27% 21% 17%

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 64 102 190 777 1,264 821
2% 3% 6% 24% 39% 26%
I feel free to express my religious beliefs on campus 35 52 134 690 1,412 876
1% 2% 4% 22% 44% 27%
Students of my race/ethnicity are respected on this campus 35 41 124 579 1,444 1,003
1% 1% 4% 18% 45% 31%
Students of my socio-economic status are respected on this campus 26 36 147 598 1,471 944
1% 1% 5% 19% 46% 29%
Students of my gender are respected on this campus 18 23 85 515 1,565 1,019
1% 1% 3% 16% 49% 32%
Students of my religious beliefs are respected on this campus 18 31 90 590 1,528 938
1% 1% 3% 19% 48% 29%
Students of my political beliefs are respected on this campus 59 49 149 571 1,407 971
2% 2% 5% 18% 44% 30%
Students of my sexual orientation are respected on this campus 17 15 57 446 1,453 1,203
1% 1% 2% 14% 46% 38%
Students of my immigration background are respected on this campus 20 26 73 501 1,432 1,078
1% 1% 2% 16% 46% 34%
Students with a physical, psychological, or learning disability like mine are respected on this campus 28 14 81 572 1,361 924
1% 1% 3% 19% 46% 31%

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 228 7%
Disagree 97 3%
Somewhat disagree 207 6%
Somewhat agree 686 21%
Agree 1,092 34%
Strongly agree 943 29%

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 104 3%
Disagree 48 2%
Somewhat disagree 127 4%
Somewhat agree 618 19%
Agree 1,599 49%
Strongly agree 744 23%

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

ResponseNumberPercent
Strongly disagree 103 4%
Disagree 66 3%
Somewhat disagree 164 6%
Somewhat agree 506 20%
Agree 1,125 44%
Strongly agree 584 23%
N/A - I don't have a declared major 692

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

ResponseNumberPercent
Strongly disagree 109 3%
Disagree 59 2%
Somewhat disagree 159 5%
Somewhat agree 695 22%
Agree 1,586 49%
Strongly agree 631 20%

Your Berkeley Plans

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

ResponseNumberPercent
African American Studies 3 0%
American Studies 4 0%
Anthropology 17 1%
Applied Mathematics 40 1%
Architecture 51 2%
Art 8 0%
Asian Am & Asian Diasp St 2 0%
Asian Studies 1 0%
Asian Studies - Japan 1 0%
Astrophysics 28 1%
Atmospheric Science 4 0%
BioE/MSE Joint Major 5 0%
Bioengineering 84 3%
Business Administration 314 10%
CED Individual Major 5 0%
Chem Eng/MSE Joint Major 4 0%
Chem Eng/NE Joint Major 3 0%
Chemical Biology 34 1%
Chemical Engineering 83 3%
Chemistry 33 1%
Chemistry (L&S) 3 0%
Chicano Studies 1 0%
Civil Engineering 74 2%
Classical Civilizations 1 0%
Cognitive Science 51 2%
Comparative Literature 1 0%
Computer Science (L&S) 305 10%
Conserv & Resource Stds 14 1%
Dance & Perf Studies 5 0%
Data Science 31 1%
EECS/MSE Joint Major 26 1%
EECS/NE Joint Major 6 0%
Eco Mgmt & For - Nat Res Mgmt 3 0%
Economics 80 3%
Electrical Eng & Comp Sci 203 6%
Energy Engineering 14 0%
Eng Math & Statistics 7 0%
Engineering Physics 13 0%
English 41 1%
Environ Econ & Policy 15 1%
Environ Econ & Policy (L&S) 4 0%
Environmental Earth Science 3 0%
Environmental Eng Science 6 0%
Environmental Sciences 42 1%
Ethnic Studies 4 0%
Film 11 0%
Gender & Womens Studies 3 0%
Genetics & Plant Biology 6 0%
Geology 4 0%
Global Studies 30 1%
Greek 1 0%
History 10 0%
History of Art 5 0%
Industrial Eng & Ops Rsch 32 1%
Integrative Biology 62 2%
Interdisciplinary Studies 4 0%
Landscape Architecture 1 0%
Latin American Studies 1 0%
Legal Studies (L&S) 22 1%
Linguistics 3 0%
MCB-Biochem & Mol Biol 79 3%
MCB-Cell & Dev Biology 40 1%
MCB-Genetics 30 1%
MCB-Immunology 49 2%
MCB-Neurobiology 81 3%
Mse/ME Joint Major 5 0%
Marine Science 4 0%
Materials Science & Eng 26 1%
Mathematics 46 1%
Mechanical Engineering 76 2%
Media Studies 33 1%
Microbial Biology 17 1%
Molecular Environ Biology 48 2%
Music 11 0%
Nuclear Engineering 7 0%
Nut Sci-Physio & Metabol 21 2%
Nut Sci-Toxicology 1 0%
Nutritional Science 7 0%
Ops Research & Mgmt Sci (L&S) 4 0%
Peace & Conflict Studies 1 0%
Philosophy 7 0%
Physics 51 2%
Planetary Science 6 0%
Political Economy 16 1%
Political Science 104 3%
Psychology 108 3%
Public Health (L&S) 93 3%
Rhetoric 1 0%
Social Welfare (L&S) 16 1%
Society and Environment 28 1%
Sociology 22 1%
Spanish & Portuguese 1 0%
Statistics 16 1%
Sustainable Environ Dsgn 13 0%
Theater & Perf Studies 5 0%
Urban Studies 4 0%
Other, Not listed 19 1%
NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN 230 7%

Is that the major with which you expect to graduate?

ResponseNumberPercent
Yes 2,564 82%
No 567 18%

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

ResponseNumberPercent
African American Studies 2 0%
American Studies 1 0%
Ancnt Egypt/NE Art & Archae 1 0%
Anthropology 3 1%
Applied Mathematics 7 1%
Architecture 9 2%
Asian Am & Asian Diasp St 1 0%
Asian Studies - China 2 0%
Astrophysics 3 1%
Atmospheric Science 1 0%
BioE/MSE Joint Major 2 0%
Bioengineering 12 2%
Business Administration 14 3%
Chemical Biology 4 1%
Chemical Engineering 5 1%
Chemistry 5 1%
Chemistry (L&S) 3 1%
Chicano Studies 2 0%
Civil Engineering 9 2%
Classical Languages 1 0%
Cognitive Science 11 2%
Computer Science (L&S) 48 9%
Conserv & Resource Stds 2 0%
Data Science 17 3%
Economics 34 6%
Electrical Eng & Comp Sci 11 2%
Energy Engineering 1 0%
Eng Math & Statistics 1 0%
Engineering Physics 2 0%
English 1 0%
Environ Econ & Policy 6 1%
Environmental Eng Science 1 0%
Environmental Sciences 9 2%
Film 1 0%
Gender & Womens Studies 1 0%
Global Studies 3 1%
History 3 1%
History of Art 1 0%
Industrial Eng & Ops Rsch 1 0%
Integrative Biology 10 2%
Interdisciplinary Studies 1 0%
Legal Studies (L&S) 6 1%
Linguistics 1 0%
MCB-Biochem & Mol Biol 11 2%
MCB-Cell & Dev Biology 6 1%
MCB-Genetics 7 1%
MCB-Immunology 7 1%
MCB-Neurobiology 13 2%
Materials Science & Eng 2 0%
Mathematics 3 1%
Mechanical Engineering 13 2%
Media Studies 5 1%
Microbial Biology 9 2%
Molecular Environ Biology 10 2%
Music 1 0%
Nut Sci-Physio & Metabol 2 0%
Nutritional Sci-Toxicology 1 0%
Nutritional Science 1 0%
Ops Research & Mgmt Sci (L&S) 1 0%
Philosophy 1 0%
Physics 5 1%
Political Economy 3 1%
Political Science 12 2%
Psychology 14 3%
Public Health (L&S) 15 3%
Rhetoric 2 0%
Scandinavian 1 0%
Social Welfare (L&S) 2 0%
Society and Environment 9 2%
Sociology 7 1%
Spanish & Portuguese 2 0%
Statistics 2 0%
Sustainable Environ Dsgn 5 1%
Urban Studies 1 0%
Other, Not listed 11 2%
NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN 115 21%

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

First:

ResponseNumberPercent
Intellectual curiosity in the subject 1,269 40%
Enjoyment or Passion for the subject 1,161 37%
Leads to a high paying job 198 6%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career 301 10%
Parental desires 22 1%
Allows time for other activities 8 1%
Provides international opportunities 32 1%
Prestige 15 1%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school 113 4%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
19 1%

Second:

ResponseNumberPercent
Intellectual curiosity in the subject 709 23%
Enjoyment or Passion for the subject 956 31%
Leads to a high paying job 417 13%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career 572 18%
Parental desires 60 2%
Allows time for other activities 35 1%
Provides international opportunities 112 4%
Prestige 58 2%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school 196 6%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information[
18 1%

Third:

ResponseNumberPercent
Intellectual curiosity in the subject 364 12%
Enjoyment or Passion for the subject 315 10%
Leads to a high paying job 607 20%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career 844 27%
Parental desires 85 3%
Allows time for other activities 91 3%
Provides international opportunities 244 8%
Prestige 139 5%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school 363 12%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information
62 2%

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 62 119 183 744 1,334 728
2% 4% 6% 24% 42% 23%
Prepare me to succeed in a career 13 9 36 370 1,397 1,335
0% 0% 1% 12% 44% 42%
Prepare me to build a better life for myself and/or my family 24 29 63 470 1,388 1,197
1% 1% 2% 15% 44% 38%
Teach me to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures 40 72 156 677 1,316 901
1% 2% 5% 21% 42% 29%
Prepare me to make a difference in this world 23 38 95 572 1,304 1,132
1% 1% 3% 18% 41% 36%
Allow me to create own field of study (combine disciplines, create own major, etc.) 106 229 375 807 1,034 614
3% 7% 12% 26% 33% 19%
Prepare me to get the job I desire 15 13 63 501 1,398 1,175
1% 0% 2% 16% 44% 37%
Help increase my social consciousness (e.g., be more aware of diversity in people and issues; doing things for the public good) 40 71 137 626 1,331 961
1% 2% 4% 20% 42% 30%
Help me to be more open to and understanding of different opinions and points of view (e.g., openness, freedom) 31 70 125 627 1,344 963
1% 2% 4% 20% 43% 31%

Future Plans and Aspirations

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

ResponseNumberPercent
Be self-employed 29 1%
Enroll in graduate or professional school 1,361 43%
Join Peace Corps 38 1%
Join armed forces 14 0%
Paid internship 89 3%
Unpaid internship/volunteer 10 0%
Study or work abroad 84 3%
Take a year off (travel/gap year, etc.) 76 2%
Work full-time 952 30%
Work part-time 60 2%
Other 14 0%
I have no idea at this point 412 13%

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

ResponseNumberPercent
Architecture 67 2%
Business/Finance 454 15%
Communications/Arts/Entertainment 105 3%
Education/Teaching 59 2%
Electrical Engineering/Computers 405 13%
Engineering 367 12%
Environmental/Natural Resources 126 4%
Government/Nonprofit/Social Services 137 4%
Law 188 6%
Research 232 7%
Medicine 502 16%
Other Health-Related Field 127 4%
Other
[Contact OPA for more information]
73 2%
I have no idea whatsoever 279 9%

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

ResponseNumberPercent
Academic master's (MA, MS, etc.) 390 13%
Bachelor's degree (BA, BS, etc.) 295 9%
Business master's (MBA) 397 13%
Doctorate (PhD, EdD, etc.) 602 19%
Law degree (LLB or JD) 192 6%
Medical doctor (MD) 316 10%
Medical doctorate other than MD (DO, DDS, DVM, etc.) 42 1%
Multiple doctoral degrees (MD/PhD) 121 4%
Other professional master's (MEd, MPP, MPH, MFA, MLIS, MSN, MSW, M.ARCH, etc.) 130 4%
Teaching credential 15 1%
Other, Not listed 8 0%
I don't know yet 615 20%

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 11 44 171 511 1,287 1,120
0% 1% 5% 16% 41% 36%
Explain methods, ideas, or concepts and use them to solve problems 13 48 204 590 1,262 1,021
0% 2% 7% 19% 40% 33%
Break down material into component parts or arguments into assumptions to see the basis for different outcomes and conclusions 37 144 328 693 1,166 768
1% 5% 11% 22% 37% 25%
Judge the value of information, ideas, actions, and conclusions based on the soundness of sources, methods and reasoning 39 120 311 677 1,199 791
1% 4% 10% 22% 38% 25%
Create or generate new ideas, products or ways of understanding 70 222 432 726 1,027 651
2% 7% 14% 23% 33% 21%

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 9 26 120 409 1,246 1,332
0% 1% 4% 13% 40% 42%
Incorporated ideas or concepts from different courses when completing assignments 33 157 333 657 1,125 834
1% 5% 11% 21% 36% 27%
Examined how others gathered and interpreted data and assessed the soundness of their conclusions 47 175 341 694 1,157 722
2% 6% 11% 22% 37% 23%
Reconsidered your own position on a topic after assessing the arguments of others 28 101 310 707 1,204 784
1% 3% 10% 23% 38% 25%

back to top Part 2: Affordability and background