Part 3: Random Module

Academic Experience
Student Life and Development
Items of Special Interest

Academic Experience

1. 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
Berkeley has a strong commitment to undergraduate education 4 4 9 40 101 79
Berkeley has a strong commitment to undergraduate education2% 2% 4% 17% 43% 33%
Attending a university with world-class researchers is important to me 4 6 14 39 61 113
Attending a university with world-class researchers is important to me2% 3% 6% 17% 26% 48%
The emphasis on research at Berkeley detracts from the quality of teaching on this campus 14 38 48 63 40 32
The emphasis on research at Berkeley detracts from the quality of teaching on this campus6% 16% 20% 27% 17% 14%

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

 Not importantNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery importantEssential
Learning about faculty research 3 18 30 64 72 51
Learning about faculty research1% 8% 13% 27% 30% 21%
Having courses with faculty members who refer to their own research as part of the class 9 27 32 61 63 43
Having courses with faculty members who refer to their own research as part of the class4% 12% 14% 26% 27% 18%
Learning research methods 3 10 20 54 69 82
Learning research methods1% 4% 8% 23% 29% 35%
Assisting faculty members in their research, for pay or as a volunteer 2 15 33 57 68 61
Assisting faculty members in their research, for pay or as a volunteer1% 6% 14% 24% 29% 26%
Pursuing your own research 6 18 32 60 50 71
Pursuing your own research3% 8% 14% 25% 21% 30%
The prestige of this campus/faculty when you apply to grad school 7 5 23 51 65 87
The prestige of this campus/faculty when you apply to grad school3% 2% 10% 21% 27% 37%
The prestige of this campus when you apply for a job 4 4 20 44 66 100
The prestige of this campus when you apply for a job2% 2% 8% 19% 28% 42%
Having access to a world-class library collection 2 10 25 45 59 96
Having access to a world-class library collection1% 4% 11% 19% 25% 41%
Being able to attend plays, concerts, lectures, and other cultural events 6 21 32 52 60 64
Being able to attend plays, concerts, lectures, and other cultural events3% 9% 14% 22% 26% 27%

3a. How do you expect to use the library and library staff while you are at Berkeley? (Check all that apply)

To find data and statistical information 143
To find data and statistical information59%
As a quiet place to study 135
As a quiet place to study56%
For help in learning to do academic research 135
For help in learning to do academic research56%
To find scholarly articles 133
To find scholarly articles55%
For help in organizing my research 133
For help in organizing my research55%
As a place to work on group projects 141
As a place to work on group projects58%
For printing, copying and scanning 132
For printing, copying and scanning55%
To find books 127
To find books53%
Other (please specify) 5
Other (please specify)2%

3b. If you were seeking help in doing library research, which ways would you prefer to communicate? Rank the following from 1 to 6 or from 1 to 7 if 'Other' is specified

 1234567
Individual help at a library reference desk 88 49 28 18 15 13 7
Individual help at a library reference desk40% 23% 13% 8% 7% 6% 3%
Individual help by appointment 34 51 42 44 29 14 2
Individual help by appointment16% 24% 19% 20% 13% 7% 1%
Take an hour-long clas in library research methods 25 29 22 27 34 63 12
Take an hour-long clas in library research methods12% 14% 10% 13% 16% 30% 6%
Use a virtual chat widget 28 18 38 36 40 46 5
Use a virtual chat widget13% 9% 18% 17% 19% 22% 2%
Email 32 29 55 41 37 19 2
Email15% 14% 26% 19% 17% 9% 1%
Phone 12 38 29 36 48 47 2
Phone6% 18% 14% 17% 23% 22% 1%
Other 6 4 1 5 7 4 19
Other13% 9% 2% 11% 15% 9% 41%

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

 NeverRarelyOccasionallySomewhat oftenOftenVery often
Interact with students from a country or state outside of your own in class (e.g., through section discussions, study groups or class projects) 1 7 29 37 95 67
Interact with students from a country or state outside of your own in class (e.g., through section discussions, study groups or class projects)0% 3% 12% 16% 40% 28%
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) 3 5 27 41 88 71
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)1% 2% 12% 17% 37% 30%
Develop a friendship with a student from a country or state outside of your own 1 7 23 31 84 88
Develop a friendship with a student from a country or state outside of your own0% 3% 10% 13% 36% 38%
Work with a faculty member on a project with an international/global theme 12 15 33 32 66 76
Work with a faculty member on a project with an international/global theme5% 6% 14% 14% 28% 33%
Present a paper at a symposium or conference or participate in a panel on international / global topics 21 32 42 41 49 49
Present a paper at a symposium or conference or participate in a panel on international / global topics9% 14% 18% 18% 21% 21%
Attend lectures, symposia, workshops or conferences on international/global topics 11 15 35 42 58 75
Attend lectures, symposia, workshops or conferences on international/global topics5% 6% 15% 18% 25% 32%
Attend a performance with an international/global focus 7 18 40 38 63 68
Attend a performance with an international/global focus3% 8% 17% 16% 27% 29%

4b. 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 0 0 4 32 72 128
I believe that exposure to students from other states and countries will help me interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures0% 0% 2% 14% 31% 54%
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 0 1 4 29 69 133
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 view0% 0% 2% 12% 29% 56%

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

Not important 7 3%
Not very important 13 6%
Somewhat important 30 13%
Important 36 15%
Very important 75 32%
Essential 74 31%
Not applicable 1 0%

6. 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 48 92 94
From your family21% 39% 40%
From Cal advisors 57 81 95
From Cal advisors25% 35% 41%
From friends 31 108 90
From friends14% 47% 39%
From fellow Cal students 43 82 107
From fellow Cal students19% 35% 46%
High school teachers or counselors 48 79 106
High school teachers or counselors21% 34% 46%

7. What do you plan to do about a major?

I have declared a major 120 51%
I will declare a major as soon as possible 112 47%
I plan to take my time and explore options 5 2%

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Student Life and Development

Goals & Aspirations

1. 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 7 74 189
Be in a position to give back to my community after finishing my education3% 27% 70%
Acquire a well-rounded general education 3 52 215
Acquire a well-rounded general education1% 19% 80%
Explore and discover my personal identity 19 61 189
Explore and discover my personal identity7% 23% 70%
Discover what kind of person I really want to be 20 54 196
Discover what kind of person I really want to be7% 20% 73%
Achieve a high GPA 11 83 174
Achieve a high GPA4% 31% 65%
Form (a) romantic relationship(s) 130 79 60
Form (a) romantic relationship(s)48% 29% 22%
Establish meaningful friendships 9 82 176
Establish meaningful friendships3% 31% 66%
Prepare for graduate or professional school 18 76 173
Prepare for graduate or professional school7% 29% 65%
Obtain the skills I need to pursue my chosen career 5 31 233
Obtain the skills I need to pursue my chosen career2% 12% 87%
Be in a position to make a lot of money after finishing my education 37 116 116
Be in a position to make a lot of money after finishing my education14% 43% 43%
Explore new ideas 8 56 206
Explore new ideas3% 21% 76%
Enjoy my college years before assuming adult responsibilities 66 77 125
Enjoy my college years before assuming adult responsibilities25% 29% 47%
Develop a personal code of values and ethics 31 86 153
Develop a personal code of values and ethics12% 32% 57%
Develop an in-depth understanding of a specific field of study 6 50 213
Develop an in-depth understanding of a specific field of study2% 19% 79%
Integrate spirituality into my life 107 64 98
Integrate spirituality into my life40% 24% 36%
Establish social networks that will help further my career 7 76 186
Establish social networks that will help further my career3% 28% 69%
Obtain the skills I need to function in the international arena 31 99 139
Obtain the skills I need to function in the international arena12% 37% 52%

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 6 9 19 60 91 85
Challenge and/or change my perspective2% 3% 7% 22% 34% 32%
Prepare me to succeed in a career 0 2 3 23 94 147
Prepare me to succeed in a career0% 1% 1% 9% 35% 55%
Prepare me to build a better life for myself and/or my family 2 3 2 26 90 147
Prepare me to build a better life for myself and/or my family1% 1% 1% 10% 33% 54%
Teach me to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures 7 11 14 48 93 97
Teach me to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures3% 4% 5% 18% 34% 36%
Prepare me to make a difference in this world 3 4 8 34 92 129
Prepare me to make a difference in this world1% 2% 3% 13% 34% 48%
Allow me to create own field of study (combine disciplines, create own major, etc.) 15 24 24 65 82 60
Allow me to create own field of study (combine disciplines, create own major, etc.)6% 9% 9% 24% 30% 22%
Prepare me to get the job I desire 1 3 3 32 109 122
Prepare me to get the job I desire0% 1% 1% 12% 40% 45%
Help increase my social consciousness (e.g., be more aware of people and issues regardless of background, ethnicity; doing things for the public good) 2 15 13 39 98 103
Help increase my social consciousness (e.g., be more aware of people and issues regardless of background, ethnicity; doing things for the public good)1% 6% 5% 14% 36% 38%
Help me to be more open to and understanding of different opinions and points of view (e.g., openness, freedom) 3 11 13 40 91 111
Help me to be more open to and understanding of different opinions and points of view (e.g., openness, freedom)1% 4% 5% 15% 34% 41%

3. How concerned are you now about each of the following?

 Not at all concernedUnconcernedSomewhat unconcernedSomewhat concernedConcernedVery concerned
Financing my education at Berkeley 24 18 27 58 63 78
Financing my education at Berkeley9% 7% 10% 22% 24% 29%
Finding affordable housing while I'm a student at Berkeley 23 15 22 54 58 96
Finding affordable housing while I'm a student at Berkeley9% 6% 8% 20% 22% 36%
Getting into my first choice of major 86 32 27 36 40 46
Getting into my first choice of major32% 12% 10% 14% 15% 17%
Being able to maintain a high GPA 8 7 16 56 75 105
Being able to maintain a high GPA3% 3% 6% 21% 28% 39%
Getting the academic advising I need 13 27 42 61 69 53
Getting the academic advising I need5% 10% 16% 23% 26% 20%
Getting the career and professional advising I need 15 18 28 75 77 53
Getting the career and professional advising I need6% 7% 11% 28% 29% 20%
Getting the psychological counseling I might need 44 55 60 35 47 26
Getting the psychological counseling I might need17% 21% 23% 13% 18% 10%
Getting along with my roommate(s) 81 40 45 45 33 21
Getting along with my roommate(s)31% 15% 17% 17% 13% 8%
Being able to balance academic and social activities 19 12 27 84 72 54
Being able to balance academic and social activities7% 5% 10% 31% 27% 20%
Being able to make the kind of friends I want 19 17 41 65 67 59
Being able to make the kind of friends I want7% 6% 15% 24% 25% 22%
Being away from family and friends; being 'homesick' 66 44 36 50 45 26
Being away from family and friends; being 'homesick'25% 17% 14% 19% 17% 10%
Being able to maintain good health 19 26 30 65 66 62
Being able to maintain good health7% 10% 11% 24% 25% 23%
Being able to cope with expectations of parents and family 56 37 42 50 51 32
Being able to cope with expectations of parents and family21% 14% 16% 19% 19% 12%
Being overwhelmed with all the things I'm expected to do my first semester 14 15 24 52 72 90
Being overwhelmed with all the things I'm expected to do my first semester5% 6% 9% 20% 27% 34%
Regretting my decision to attend Berkeley 102 49 38 35 22 22
38% 18% 14% 13% 8% 8%

4. Based on your experience and observation, rate the general climate for students at Berkeley along the following dimensions: Campus climate is...

6 - Friendly 71 27%
5 97 36%
4 56 21%
3 36 13%
2 7 3%
1 - Hostile 1 0%
6 - Caring 53 20%
5 76 28%
4 69 26%
3 44 16%
2 18 7%
1 - Impersonal 8 3%
6 - Intellectual 145 54%
5 89 33%
4 25 9%
3 7 3%
2 1 0%
1 - Not intellectual 0 0%
1 - Appreciative of diversity 108 41%
5 79 30%
4 51 19%
3 18 7%
2 8 3%
1 - Unappreciative of diversity 2 1%
6 - Safe 54 21%
5 83 31%
4 69 26%
3 34 13%
2 21 8%
1 - Dangerous 3 1%
6 - Too hard academically 35 13%
5 119 44%
4 85 32%
3 27 10%
2 1 0%
1 - Too easy academically 1 0%
6 - Affordable 17 6%
5 40 15%
4 84 32%
3 58 22%
2 32 12%
1 - Not affordable 36 14%

5. As you start your first semester at Cal, 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)

 12345
Being successful academically (e.g., understanding material, GPA, getting into the major I want) 139 68 28 15 14
Being successful academically (e.g., understanding material, GPA, getting into the major I want)53% 26% 11% 6% 5%
Financing my education at Cal (e.g., money for expenses, being able to work, finding affordable housing) 45 49 41 43 86
Financing my education at Cal (e.g., money for expenses, being able to work, finding affordable housing)17% 19% 16% 16% 33%
Making good choices, finding direction for my life (e.g., what I want to do after college, making the right career choice) 23 31 61 90 59
Making good choices, finding direction for my life (e.g., what I want to do after college, making the right career choice)9% 12% 23% 34% 22%
Balancing things, finding time for everything (e.g., balancing academic and social life, not being overwhelmed) 39 84 67 52 22
Balancing things, finding time for everything (e.g., balancing academic and social life, not being overwhelmed)15% 32% 25% 20% 8%
Making friends, having a personal life (e.g., not being lonely, having a good relationship) 19 34 61 61 89
Making friends, having a personal life (e.g., not being lonely, having a good relationship)7% 13% 23% 23% 34%

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

 Very poorPoorFairGoodVery goodExcellent
Understanding of the complexities of global issues 6 24 55 92 70 21
Understanding of the complexities of global issues2% 9% 21% 34% 26% 8%
Ability to apply disciplinary knowledge in a global context 6 23 61 93 63 22
Ability to apply disciplinary knowledge in a global context2% 9% 23% 35% 24% 8%
Linguistic and cultural competency in at least one language other than my own 27 43 52 57 41 48
Linguistic and cultural competency in at least one language other than my own10% 16% 19% 21% 15% 18%
Ability to work with people from other cultures 5 2 27 85 84 65
Ability to work with people from other cultures2% 1% 10% 32% 31% 24%
Comfort working with people from other cultures 5 2 19 76 83 84
Comfort working with people from other cultures2% 1% 7% 28% 31% 31%

7. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

 Strongly disagreeDisagreeDisagree somewhatAgree somewhatAgreeStrongly agree
Opportunities for community service while at Berkeley are important to me 4 16 26 86 94 39
Opportunities for community service while at Berkeley are important to me2% 6% 10% 33% 36% 15%
Opportunities to develop my leadership skills while at Berkeley are important to me 3 8 14 68 97 75
Opportunities to develop my leadership skills while at Berkeley are important to me1% 3% 5% 26% 37% 28%
Opportunities to connect my academic work with community-based experience at Cal are important to me 3 7 11 58 109 76
Opportunities to connect my academic work with community-based experience at Cal are important to me1% 3% 4% 22% 41% 29%

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Items of Special Interest

Advising and Course Selection

1. 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.

 1234567
Career and Professional advising 39 48 43 39 21 30 19
Career and Professional advising16% 20% 18% 16% 9% 13% 8%
Choosing classes 55 45 42 25 26 33 14
Choosing classes23% 19% 18% 10% 11% 14% 6%
Enrichment opportunities (e.g., Study abroad, research) 18 40 26 47 50 41 17
Enrichment opportunities (e.g., Study abroad, research)8% 17% 11% 20% 21% 17% 7%
Financial aid and scholarships 40 34 40 26 24 40 35
Financial aid and scholarships17% 14% 17% 11% 10% 17% 15%
Understanding Campus Resources 11 17 38 36 57 47 33
Understanding Campus Resources5% 7% 16% 15% 24% 20% 14%
Selecting a major 28 14 14 15 26 31 110
Selecting a major12% 6% 6% 6% 11% 13% 46%
Academic Support 61 41 32 48 37 16 8
Academic Support25% 17% 13% 20% 15% 7% 3%

2a. With whom did you consult with when selecting courses for your first semester? Please select all that apply.

CalSO leader (i.e., student CalSO staff) 46
CalSO leader (i.e., student CalSO staff)18%
College advisor in your home College (e.g., Letters & Science, College of Engineering) 61
College advisor in your home College (e.g., Letters & Science, College of Engineering)24%
Major advisor 166
Major advisor65%
Co-curricular Advisors/Student Services Support Staff (e.g., advising staff working in offices such as the Student Life Advising Services, Bridge, the Berkeley International Office, the Transfer, Reentry, & Student Parent Center) 20
Co-curricular Advisors/Student Services Support Staff (e.g., advising staff working in offices such as the Student Life Advising Services, Bridge, the Berkeley International Office, the Transfer, Reentry, & Student Parent Center)8%
Faculty member 20
Faculty member8%
Another student 76
Another student30%
Parent, Guardian, or family member 33
Parent, Guardian, or family member13%
Online (e.g., departmental website, forum, catalog review) 97
Online (e.g., departmental website, forum, catalog review)38%
Friend(s) 78
Friend(s)31%
No one 14
No one6%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
1
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
0%

2b. Who provided the most useful guidance in the selection of your courses for the current term?

CalSO leader 10 4%
College advisor in your home College (e.g., Letters & Science, College of Engineering) 18 7%
Major advisor 113 47%
Co-curricular Advisors/Student Services Support Staff (e.g., advising staff working in offices such as the Student Life Advising Services, Bridge, the Berkeley International Office, the Transfer, Reentry, & Student Parent Center) 3 1%
Faculty member 4 2%
Another student 22 9%
Parent, Guardian, or family member 5 2%
Online (e.g., departmental website, forum, catalog review) 30 12%
Friend(s) 11 5%
No one 24 10%
Other (please specify)
[Contact OPA for more information]
3 1%

2c. How satisfied are you with the amount of individualized guidance you received from the people you consulted with in selecting your courses?

Very dissatisfied 14 6%
Dissatisfied 19 8%
Somewhat dissatisfied 24 10%
Somewhat satisfied 70 29%
Satisfied 82 34%
Very satisfied 34 14%

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

Yes 46 19%
No 197 81%

3a. Please explain what happened (when you received advice from two different offices or staff members at Cal that was contradictory or in conflict)

[Contact OPA for more information]

3b. Please describe how you decided which advice to follow

[Contact OPA for more information]

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

First:

Academic Advisor 88 36%
Course(s) fulfilled a general or breadth requirement (e.g., Reading and Composition, American Cultu 43 18%
I found the subject generally interesting 87 36%
I thought/had heard a course was not as rigorous or demanding 2 1%
Parental desires 2 1%
Recommendation of another new UC Berkeley student 4 2%
Recommendation of continuing UC Berkeley student 13 5%
Reputation of professor 3 1%

Second:

Academic Advisor 60 26%
Co-curricular Advisor/Student Services Support Staff 6 3%
Course(s) fulfilled a general or breadth requirement (e.g., Reading and Composition, American Cultu 37 16%
I found the subject generally interesting 62 27%
I thought/had heard a course was not as rigorous or demanding 4 2%
Recommendation of another new UC Berkeley student 5 2%
Recommendation of continuing UC Berkeley student 22 9%
Reputation of professor 38 16%

Third:

Academic Advisor 31 14%
Co-curricular Advisor/Student Services Support Staff 9 4%
Course(s) fulfilled a general or breadth requirement (e.g., Reading and Composition, American Cultu 48 22%
I found the subject generally interesting 32 15%
I thought/had heard a course was not as rigorous or demanding 25 12%
Parental desires 5 2%
Recommendation of another new UC Berkeley student 10 5%
Recommendation of continuing UC Berkeley student 25 12%
Reputation of professor 32 15%

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

[Contact OPA for more information]

6. 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 4 6 23 71 108 31
Availability of courses for general education or breadth requirements2% 3% 10% 29% 44% 13%
Availability of courses to fulfill prerequisite requirements 7 3 27 60 113 33
Availability of courses to fulfill prerequisite requirements3% 1% 11% 25% 47% 14%
Ability to get into the lectures or seminars (i.e., primary courses) you wanted 11 7 32 58 100 36
Ability to get into the lectures or seminars (i.e., primary courses) you wanted5% 3% 13% 24% 41% 15%
Ability to get into the discussion sections or labs (i.e., secondary courses) you wanted 10 10 25 63 105 29
Ability to get into the discussion sections or labs (i.e., secondary courses) you wanted4% 4% 10% 26% 43% 12%
Variety of courses available 8 13 29 57 98 38
Variety of courses available3% 5% 12% 24% 40% 16%
Access to small classes 21 21 34 65 72 29
Access to small classes9% 9% 14% 27% 30% 12%

7. 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 UCB. 30 63 37 54 30 26
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 UCB.13% 26% 15% 23% 13% 11%
I have had trouble finding out what UCB degree requirements I have already satisfied through my past coursework. 34 60 46 52 26 19
I have had trouble finding out what UCB degree requirements I have already satisfied through my past coursework.14% 25% 19% 22% 11% 8%
I have had trouble finding out how many transferable units have been accepted and will count toward my UCB degree. 38 52 28 50 37 31
I have had trouble finding out how many transferable units have been accepted and will count toward my UCB degree.16% 22% 12% 21% 16% 13%

8. Have you completed all of the prerequisite courses for your desired UCB major(s)?

Yes 103 43%
No 100 42%
I am not sure 38 16%

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

1 41 30%
2 41 30%
3 11 8%
4 3 2%
5 or more 9 7%
I am not sure 33 24%

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