2015 SONS Freshmen - Part 1: Early Experiences | Office of Planning and Analysis

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

Transition into UC Berkeley

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

a great start	533	22%
a very good start	749	31%
a good start	795	33%
just an OK start	269	11%
not a good start	49	2%

2. 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	41	116	252	742	900	229
I feel valued as an individual on this campus	2%	5%	11%	33%	40%	10%
There is a clear sense of appropriate and inappropriate behavior on this campus	28	71	167	592	1051	371
	1%	3%	7%	26%	46%	16%
I am proud to be a student at this campus	21	12	21	212	795	1220
I am proud to be a student at this campus	1%	1%	1%	9%	35%	54%
Most students are proud to attend this school	17	9	24	188	936	1107
Most students are proud to attend this school	1%	0%	1%	8%	41%	49%
This institution values students' opinions	30	44	127	553	1010	506
This institution values students' opinions	1%	2%	6%	24%	45%	22%
Academic dishonesty is a problem on this campus	210	853	661	319	146	85
Academic dishonesty is a problem on this campus	9%	38%	29%	14%	6%	4%
I feel that I belong at this campus	32	53	167	640	905	475
I feel that I belong at this campus	1%	2%	7%	28%	40%	21%
Diversity is important on this campus	42	51	85	384	875	838
Diversity is important on this campus	2%	2%	4%	17%	39%	37%
Diversity is important to me	34	33	74	361	800	979
Diversity is important to me	2%	1%	3%	16%	35%	43%

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

[Contact OPA for more information]

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

[Contact OPA for more information]

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	232	39	74	101	399	598	398
CalSO		2%	5%	6%	25%	37%	25%
Cal Student Central	496	21	59	107	467	466	179
Cal Student Central		2%	5%	8%	36%	36%	14%
Summer workshops or webinars hosted by a UCB office	1,491	23	34	48	106	84	44
Summer workshops or webinars hosted by a UCB office		7%	10%	14%	31%	25%	13%
Convocation for new students	361	232	297	296	407	182	61
Convocation for new students		16%	20%	20%	28%	12%	4%
Getting Your Bearings activities	252	81	136	214	602	394	139
Getting Your Bearings activities		5%	9%	14%	38%	25%	9%
Freshmen Edge (Summer Sessions)	1,676	10	6	17	32	40	47
Freshmen Edge (Summer Sessions)		7%	4%	11%	21%	26%	31%
Global Edge	1,742	6	7	18	21	22	19
Global Edge		7%	8%	19%	23%	24%	20%
Summer Bridge	1,610	7	8	13	29	39	126
Summer Bridge		3%	4%	6%	13%	18%	57%
Fall Program for Freshmen (UC Extension)	1,717	5	6	18	33	27	24
Fall Program for Freshmen (UC Extension)		4%	5%	16%	29%	24%	21%
TRSP: Transfer, Reentry, & Student Parent Centers (including Cal Veteran Service Center and Cal Independent Scholars Network)	1,742	4	7	15	22	24	18
		4%	8%	17%	24%	27%	20%
Berkeley International Office	1,549	7	12	25	79	93	70
Berkeley International Office		2%	4%	9%	28%	33%	25%
Academic Achievement Program and Center (Includes SSS Scholars Academy, McNair Scholars Program, & Miller Scholars Program)	1,707	4	8	15	37	41	21
		3%	6%	12%	29%	33%	17%
Athletic Study Center	1,691	5	5	12	35	43	39
Athletic Study Center		4%	4%	9%	25%	31%	28%
Disabled Students' Program	1,711	4	6	16	26	34	35
Disabled Students' Program		3%	5%	13%	22%	28%	29%
Undocumented Students Program (USP) - (Academic Counselors, Dreamers Resource Center, Legal Support, etc.)	1,706	5	6	15	29	34	29
		4%	5%	13%	25%	29%	25%

(...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)	1,673	2	6	10	29	40	30
		2%	5%	9%	25%	34%	26%
Multicultural Student Development (Includes African American Student Development, Asian Pacific American Student Development, Chicano/Latino Student Development, Multicultural Community Center, Multicultural Immigrant Student Program, & Native American Student Development)	1,639	3	7	13	35	50	38
		2%	5%	9%	24%	34%	26%
A Multicultural Recruitment & Retention Center (e.g., Black Recruitment & Retention Center, Raza Recruitment & Retention Center)	1,613	4	6	11	40	43	59
		3%	4%	7%	25%	26%	36%
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Office - (Academic Counselors, Peer Academic Counselors, Fee Waivers, etc. Serving first-generation, low-income, or historically underrepresented students)	1,419	6	12	24	96	102	122
		2%	3%	7%	27%	28%	34%
Student Learning Center	876	6	18	32	262	326	264
Student Learning Center		1%	2%	4%	29%	36%	29%
Residence Hall Staff (Resident Directors, Resident Assistants, Theme Program Advisors)	279	32	61	93	462	577	268
		2%	4%	6%	31%	39%	18%
Residential Education (Res. Ed.) (Includes Tutoring, Resident Faculty Programs, Academic Support)	1,265	16	18	43	194	163	79
		3%	4%	8%	38%	32%	15%
New Student Services website	1,092	15	17	60	284	242	74
New Student Services website		2%	3%	9%	41%	35%	11%
My Years at Cal website	1,573	13	7	25	56	77	32
My Years at Cal website		6%	3%	12%	27%	37%	15%
My Berkeley Application website	181	18	49	106	438	576	419
My Berkeley Application website		1%	3%	7%	27%	36%	26%
Resource (The UC Berkeley Student Handbook)	1,119	22	28	82	251	193	75
Resource (The UC Berkeley Student Handbook)		3%	4%	13%	39%	30%	12%
Another Berkeley student	225	8	9	33	234	602	670
Another Berkeley student		1%	1%	2%	15%	39%	43%
A family member	640	29	33	67	328	389	297
A family member		3%	3%	6%	29%	34%	26%
A UC Berkeley major/ departmental advisor	691	39	55	83	382	354	179
A UC Berkeley major/ departmental advisor		4%	5%	8%	35%	32%	16%
A UC Berkeley College advisor (e.g., Letters & Science, Natural Resources)	558	58	61	110	406	386	204
		5%	5%	9%	33%	32%	17%
A 98 or 198 course for new students	1,256	6	10	36	154	182	145
A 98 or 198 course for new students		1%	2%	7%	29%	34%	27%

On the previous page you selected that you agree or disagree that the Multicultural Student Development resource has helped you with your transition. Please select which services you have had experience with.

African American Student Development	14
	10%
Asian Pacific American Student Development	49
	34%
Chicano/Latino Student Development	49
	34%
Multicultural Community Center	25
	17%
Multicultural Immigrant Student Program	6
	4%
Native American Student Development	2
	1%

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	5	27	214	547	588	239
Analytical and critical thinking skills	0%	2%	13%	34%	36%	15%
Ability to be clear and effective when writing	11	47	300	589	473	198
Ability to be clear and effective when writing	1%	3%	19%	36%	29%	12%
Ability to read and comprehend academic material	9	28	216	624	521	213
Ability to read and comprehend academic material	1%	2%	13%	39%	32%	13%
Foreign language skills	61	215	416	446	319	162
Foreign language skills	4%	13%	26%	28%	20%	10%
Understanding of a specific field of study	10	51	279	624	493	153
Understanding of a specific field of study	1%	3%	17%	39%	31%	10%
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills	18	55	250	514	507	276
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills	1%	3%	15%	32%	31%	17%
Ability to speak clearly and effectively in English	5	16	117	325	521	630
Ability to speak clearly and effectively in English	0%	1%	7%	20%	32%	39%
Ability to understand international perspectives (economic, political, social, cultural)	10	59	230	522	514	284
	1%	4%	14%	32%	32%	18%
Leadership skills	9	85	281	516	453	273
Leadership skills	1%	5%	17%	32%	28%	17%
Ability to collaborate (e.g., team participation, groupwork) well with others	8	28	175	465	582	361
	1%	2%	11%	29%	36%	22%

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

	Very poor	Poor	Fair	Good	Very good	Excellent
Internet research skills	8	26	155	433	565	434
Internet research skills	1%	2%	10%	27%	35%	27%
Library research skills	32	199	473	537	265	114
Library research skills	2%	12%	29%	33%	16%	7%
Other research skills	16	94	448	619	307	130
Other research skills	1%	6%	28%	38%	19%	8%
Ability to prepare and make a presentation	9	46	240	547	500	276
Ability to prepare and make a presentation	1%	3%	15%	34%	31%	17%
Interpersonal (social) skills	22	63	288	520	424	304
Interpersonal (social) skills	1%	4%	18%	32%	26%	19%

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

Rank 1:

Analytical and Critical thinking skills	371	24%
Ability to be clear and effective when writing	147	9%
Ability to read and comprehend academic material	131	8%
Foreign language skills	52	3%
Understanding of a specific field of study	224	14%
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills	133	8%
Ability to speak clearly and effectively in English	31	2%
Understanding of international perspectives	29	2%
Leadership skills	93	6%
Collaboration skills (ability to work well with others	34	2%
Research skills	103	7%
Ability to prepare and make a presentation	15	1%
Interpersonal (social) skills	218	14%

Rank 2:

Analytical and Critical thinking skills	208	13%
Ability to be clear and effective when writing	187	12%
Ability to read and comprehend academic material	154	10%
Foreign language skills	62	4%
Understanding of a specific field of study	185	12%
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills	125	8%
Ability to speak clearly and effectively in English	43	3%
Understanding of international perspectives	56	4%
Leadership skills	106	7%
Collaboration skills (ability to work well with others)	100	6%
Research skills	178	11%
Ability to prepare and make a presentation	41	3%
Interpersonal (social) skills	137	9%

Rank 3:

Analytical and Critical thinking skills	147	9%
Ability to be clear and effective when writing	118	8%
Ability to read and comprehend academic material	175	11%
Foreign language skills	50	3%
Understanding of a specific field of study	158	10%
Quantitative (mathematical and statistical) skills	128	8%
Ability to speak clearly and effectively in English	44	3%
Understanding of international perspectives	106	7%
Leadership skills	112	7%
Collaboration skills (ability to work well with others)	96	6%
Research skills	200	13%
Ability to prepare and make a presentation	45	3%
Interpersonal (social) skills	199	13%

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	31	40	99	262	639	479
I feel free to express my political beliefs on campus	2%	3%	6%	17%	41%	31%
I feel free to express my religious beliefs on campus	17	28	76	282	656	473
I feel free to express my religious beliefs on campus	1%	2%	5%	18%	43%	31%
Students of my race/ethnicity are respected on this campus	20	19	62	211	720	531
Students of my race/ethnicity are respected on this campus	1%	1%	4%	14%	46%	34%
Students of my socio-economic status are respected on this campus	9	25	59	218	736	508
	1%	2%	4%	14%	47%	33%
Students of my gender are respected on this campus	8	6	32	192	761	567
Students of my gender are respected on this campus	1%	0%	2%	12%	49%	36%
Students of my religious beliefs are respected on this campus	10	21	57	233	728	473
	1%	1%	4%	15%	48%	31%
Students of my political beliefs are respected on this campus	32	30	60	201	677	535
	2%	2%	4%	13%	44%	35%
Students of my sexual orientation are respected on this campus	6	4	16	131	692	666
	0%	0%	1%	9%	46%	44%
Students of my immigration background are respected on this campus	12	11	30	176	704	522
	1%	1%	2%	12%	48%	36%
Students with a physical, psychological, or learning disability like mine are respected on this campus	13	10	35	229	624	413
	1%	1%	3%	17%	47%	31%

Your Berkeley Plans

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

African American Studies	1	0%
American Studies	3	0%
Anthropology	5	0%
Applied Mathematics	25	2%
Architecture	34	2%
Art Practice	6	0%
Asian Studies: Japan	1	0%
Astrophysics	7	0%
Atmospheric Science	1	0%
Bioengineering	60	4%
Bioengineering/Materials Science and Engineering Joint Major	15	1%
Business Administration	158	10%
Chemical Biology	23	2%
Chemical Engineering	30	2%
Chemical Engineering/Materials Science and Engineering Joint Major	7	0%
Chemical Engineering/Nuclear Engineering Joint Major	2	0%
Chemistry (College of Chemistry)	20	1%
Chemistry (College of L & S)	5	0%
Chinese Language	1	0%
Civil Engineering	29	2%
Classical Civilizations	1	0%
Cognitive Science	20	1%
Comparative Literature	2	0%
Computer Science	136	9%
Conservation and Resource Studies	3	0%
Dance and Performance Studies	2	0%
Development Studies	2	0%
Economics	44	3%
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences	125	8%
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences/Materials Science and Engineering Joint Major	7	0%
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences/Nuclear Engineering Joint Major	3	0%
Energy Engineering	8	1%
Engineering Math and Statistics	5	0%
Engineering Physics	6	0%
English	13	1%
Environmental Earth Science	1	0%
Environmental Economics and Policy	13	1%
Environmental Engineering Science	8	1%
Environmental Sciences	23	2%
Ethnic Studies	5	0%
Film	2	0%
Forestry and Natural Resources	1	0%
French	2	0%
Gender and Women's Studies	1	0%
Geography	1	0%
History	8	1%
Individual Major	1	0%
Industrial Engineering and Operations Research	7	0%
Integrative Biology	27	2%
Interdisciplinary Studies	4	0%
Legal Studies	5	0%
Linguistics	3	0%
MCB, Plan 1, Emphasis 1: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	22	1%
MCB, Plan 1, Emphasis 2: Genetics	15	1%
MCB, Plan 1, Emphasis 3: Immunology	25	2%
MCB, Plan 2, Emphasis 2: Cell and Developmental Biology	17	1%
MCB, Plan 2, Emphasis 3: Neurobiology	35	2%
Marine Science	3	0%
Materials Science and Engineering	9	1%
Materials Science and Engineering/Mechanical Engineering Joint Major	9	1%
Materials Science and Engineering/Nuclear Engineering Joint Major	1	0%
Mathematics	22	1%
Mechanical Engineering	43	3%
Mechanical Engineering/Nuclear Engineering	3	0%
Media Studies	10	1%
Microbial Biology	3	0%
Molecular Environmental Biology	18	1%
Music	2	0%
NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN	126	8%
Nuclear Engineering	5	0%
Nutritional Science	16	1%
Operations Research and Management Science	3	0%
Peace and Conflict Studies	5	0%
Philosophy	1	0%
Physical Sciences Field Major	1	0%
Physics	32	2%
Political Economy	6	0%
Political Science	47	3%
Psychology	25	2%
Public Health	40	3%
Rhetoric	2	0%
Social Welfare	6	0%
Society and Environment	6	0%
Sociology	13	1%
Statistics	12	1%
Theater and Performance Studies	5	0%
Undeclared College of Chemistry	2	0%
Undeclared College of Engineering	16	1%
Undeclared College of Letters and Science	23	2%
Undeclared College of Natural Resources	6	0%
Urban Studies	5	0%

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

Yes	1169	77%
No	352	23%

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

Anthropology	2	1%
Applied Mathematics	10	3%
Architecture	4	1%
Asian Studies: Multi-area	1	0%
Bioengineering	4	1%
Business Administration	3	1%
Chemical Biology	4	1%
Chemical Engineering	7	2%
Chemical Engineering/Materials Science and Engineering Joint Major	1	0%
Chemistry (College of Chemistry)	4	1%
Chemistry (College of L & S)	4	1%
Civil Engineering	4	1%
Classical Civilizations	1	0%
Cognitive Science	7	2%
Computer Science	25	7%
Conservation and Resource Studies	3	1%
Earth and Planetary Science	1	0%
Economics	15	4%
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences	8	2%
Energy Engineering	1	0%
Engineering Math and Statistics	1	0%
English	2	1%
Environmental Economics and Policy	4	1%
Environmental Sciences	8	2%
Forestry and Natural Resources	1	0%
Gender and Women's Studies	1	0%
Individual Major	1	0%
Industrial Engineering and Operations Research	2	1%
Integrative Biology	4	1%
Linguistics	3	1%
MCB, Plan 1, Emphasis 1: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	6	2%
MCB, Plan 1, Emphasis 2: Genetics	2	1%
MCB, Plan 1, Emphasis 3: Immunology	2	1%
MCB, Plan 2, Emphasis 2: Cell and Developmental Biology	7	2%
MCB, Plan 2, Emphasis 3: Neurobiology	8	2%
Materials Science and Engineering	2	1%
Mathematics	5	1%
Mechanical Engineering	7	2%
Media Studies	1	0%
Molecular Environmental Biology	7	2%
NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN	111	32%
Near Eastern Languages and Literatures	1	0%
Nuclear Engineering	2	1%
Nutritional Science	6	2%
Physics	4	1%
Political Economy	2	1%
Political Science	10	3%
Psychology	6	2%
Public Health	4	1%
Social Welfare	2	1%
Society and Environment	2	1%
Sociology	2	1%
Statistics	3	1%
Theater and Performance Studies	1	0%
Undeclared College of Letters and Science	7	2%
Undeclared College of Natural Resources	1	0%
Urban Studies	1	0%

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

First:

Intellectual curiosity in the subject	1012	66%
Leads to a high paying job	157	10%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career	237	16%
Parental desires	14	1%
Allows time for other activities	6	0%
Provides international opportunities	20	1%
Prestige	12	1%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school	44	3%
Other (please specify) [Contact OPA for more information]	26	2%

Second:

Intellectual curiosity in the subject	212	14%
Leads to a high paying job	282	19%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career	568	37%
Parental desires	29	2%
Allows time for other activities	41	3%
Provides international opportunities	118	8%
Prestige	38	3%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school	200	13%
Other (please specify) [Contact OPA for more information]	29	2%

Third:

Intellectual curiosity in the subject	127	9%
Leads to a high paying job	285	19%
Prepares me for a fulfilling career	315	21%
Parental desires	69	5%
Allows time for other activities	82	6%
Provides international opportunities	150	10%
Prestige	122	8%
Prepares me for graduate/professional school	264	18%
Other (please specify) [Contact OPA for more information]	86	6%

3b. If changes to course availability and other factors made it possible to earn your degree in 3 years, what is the likelihood you would attempt to graduate in 3 years?

Very likely	458	30%
Somewhat likely	452	29%
Neither likely nor unlikely	224	14%
Somewhat unlikely	238	15%
Very unlikely	179	12%

Future Plans & Aspirations

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

Enroll in graduate or professional school	13	1%
Work full-time	482	32%
Work part-time	36	2%
Be self-employed	13	1%
Study or work abroad	49	3%
Join armed forces	2	0%
Join Peace Corps	35	2%
Paid internship	56	4%
Unpaid internship/volunteer	11	1%
Take a year off	27	2%
Study or work abroad	49	3%
Do something else	2	0%
Other (please specify) [Contact OPA for more information]	7	1%
I have no idea at this point	151	10%

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

Architecture	35	2%
Business	203	13%
Communications/Arts/Entertainment	40	3%
Education/Teaching	40	3%
Electrical Engineering/Computers	209	14%
Engineering	180	12%
Environmental/Natural Resources	62	4%
Government/Nonprofit/Social Services	78	5%
I have no idea whatsoever	152	10%
Law	80	5%
Medicine	233	15%
Other (please specify) [Contact OPA for more information]	42	3%
Other Health-Related Field	53	4%
Research	120	8%

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

Academic master's (MA, MS, etc.)	178	12%
Bachelor's degree (BA, BS, etc.)	127	8%
Business master's (MBA)	180	12%
Doctorate (PhD, EdD, etc.)	322	21%
I don't know yet	299	20%
Law degree (LLB or JD)	92	6%
Medical doctor (MD)	128	8%
Medical doctorate other than MD (DO, DDS, DVM, etc.)	26	2%
Multiple doctoral degrees (MD/PhD)	73	5%
Other professional master's (MEd, MPP, MPH, MFA, MLIS, MSN, MSW, M.ARCH, etc.)	96	6%
Teaching credential	8	1%

High School Experiences

1. Thinking back over your senior year 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	8	23	91	186	554	648
Recognize or recall specific facts, terms and concepts	1%	2%	6%	12%	37%	43%
Explain methods, ideas, or concepts and use them to solve problems	9	39	128	268	586	473
	1%	3%	9%	18%	39%	32%
Break down material into component parts or arguments into assumptions to see the basis for different outcomes and conclusions	32	120	219	337	468	327
	2%	8%	15%	22%	31%	22%
Judge the value of information, ideas, actions, and conclusions based on the soundness of sources, methods and reasoning	29	89	212	326	501	348
	2%	6%	14%	22%	33%	23%
Create or generate new ideas, products or ways of understanding	63	173	264	338	394	271
	4%	12%	18%	23%	26%	18%

2. Thinking back on your senior year, 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	4	13	52	125	539	774
Used facts and examples to support your viewpoint	0%	1%	4%	8%	36%	51%
Incorporated ideas or concepts from different courses when completing assignments	19	77	238	275	490	406
	1%	5%	16%	18%	33%	27%
Examined how others gathered and interpreted data and assessed the soundness of their conclusions	40	134	257	315	461	300
	3%	9%	17%	21%	31%	20%
Reconsidered your own position on a topic after assessing the arguments of others	19	65	223	291	520	385
	1%	4%	15%	19%	35%	26%