Response

Entering Student Survey
Orientation for the Fall 1998 Freshman Class
Survey Items, with Response Frequencies and Percentages

What is it about UNT that influrnced your decision to attend?
General Information
In what areas will you need help to succeed in your course?
Impression of UNT Student Services
What suggestions do you have for improving Freshman Orientation?
What can UNT do to help you succeed in college?

What is it about UNT that influenced your decision to attend?

The percentages for items 1-23 are based on the total number of respondents (N = 1,484).

1. Academic reputation of UNT.	644	43%
2. Accreditations from national organizations for UNT programs	173	8%
3. Advice from a relative	529	36%
4. Advice from a counselor or teacher	425	29%
5. Advice of current or former UNT student	637	43%
6. Alumni who are famous in their fields	81	6%
7. Availability of financial aid	163	11%
8. Availability of scholarships	129	9%
9. Close to home	943	64%
10. Close to where I work	172	12%
11. Current students’ GPA and SAT scores	117	8%
12. Information showing current students are happy	246	17%
13. Location gives me a chance to get a job to pay my bills while attending school	233	16%
14. Material from my major department	462	31%
15. One or both of my parents attended UNT	103	7%
16. Opportunities for hands-on experience in my field before graduation	265	18%
17. Publications received	301	20%
18. Reasonable cost	845	57%
19. Reputation of UNT graduates in getting good jobs	244	16%
20. Reputation of UNT graduates in gaining entrance to professional and graduate schools	151	10%
21. UNT alumni who are successful in their positions in the Metroplex	101	7%
22. UNT’s social reputation	361	24%
23. A tour of UNT	361	24%

General Information

The percentages for items 24-40 are based on the total responding to the specific item.

24. Are you --	Female? Male? Total responding	854 609 1,463	58% 42% 100%
25. Which statement best describes you?	White, Non-Hispanic African-American Hispanic American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian or Pacific Islander Non-resident international student Total responding	1,123 172 110 8 41 0 1,454	77% 12% 7% 1% 3% 0% 100%
26. What is your father’s highest level of education?	Less than high school diploma Graduated from high school Completed GRE Some college Completed 2-year degree Completed 4-year degree Completed graduate or professional degree Total responding	57 262 33 267 87 403 336 1,445	4% 18% 2% 19% 6% 28% 23% 100%
27. What is your mother’s highest level of education?	Less than high school diploma Graduated from high school Completed GRE Some college Completed 2-year degree Completed 4-year degree Completed graduate or professional degree Total responding	51 317 24 352 127 366 221 1,458	4% 22% 2% 24% 9% 25% 15% 100%
28. Have any of your brothers or sisters received a 4-year college degree?	No Yes Total responding	1,201 263 1,464	82% 18% 100%
29. If one or both of your parents attended college, did they attend the University of North Texas?	No, neither of my parents attended UNT. Yes, my father attended UNT. Yes, my mother attended UNT. Yes, both parents attended UNT. Total responding	1,294 59 57 38 1,448	89% 4% 4% 3% 100%
30. Did you take a college course while in high school?	No – I have not completed a college course. Yes – from a community/junior college. Yes – from a senior college/university. Total responding	1,137 269 53 1,459	78% 18% 4% 100%
31. Was UNT your first choice among colleges/universities you considered attending?	Yes No Total responding	979 498 1,477	66% 34% 100%
If UNT was not your first choice, please give the name of your first choice. See the "Introduction and Summary" section for a listing of the colleges and universities named as first choice by three or more of the respondents. Why didn’t you enroll at your first choice? Summary. The most often mentioned reasons for not attending the institution of first choice were financial (UNT was more affordable), the school of first choice was too far from home, the school of first choice was too close to home, academic programs at UNT better met the student’s needs, various personal reasons, and several said they missed the deadline or were not accepted there. Some students wrote "I did" indicating that UNT was their first choice.
33. Do you have plans to transfer to another college or university?	No, I have no definite plans to do so at this time. Yes – If yes, please give the name of the school. Total responding	1,225 226 1,451	84% 16% 100%
If you plan to transfer to another school, please give the name of the school. See the "Introduction and Summary" section for a list of the colleges and universities named by three or more of the respondents. Why do you plan to transfer? Summary. The reason given most often for plans to transfer relates to an academic program. Either UNT does not offer the major ("UNT doesn’t have architecture"), or the student perceives that the offering at another institution is superior in some way to that at UNT ("UT – the degree looks better on paper"). Several said they simply want to move to another region, particularly to move to another state. Attending a particular institution is a goal of long standing for some ("I always wanted to go there"). Some plan to attend UNT now and later transfer to their school of first choice. Many students stated their satisfaction with UNT rather than listing reasons for transferring: "I love UNT." "This is my home!" "Happy where I am." "UNT provides all.".
34. How many years do you plan to take to get your degree at UNT?	4 years or less 5 years 6 years or longer I do not plan to graduate from UNT. Total responding	892 385 79 111 1,467	61% 26% 5% 8% 100%
35. Do you intend to take summer classes at UNT?	Yes No Total responding	632 820 1,452	44% 56% 100%
If you intend to take summer classes at a school other than UNT, where do you plan to do so? . See the "Introduction and Summary" section for a list of the schools named by three or more of the respondents.
36. Where will you live while enrolled at UNT?	In Denton in a UNT residence hall In Denton but not in a UNT residence hall Outside of Denton With parents or relatives in Denton With parents or relatives outside of Denton Total responding	1,120 60 34 56 202 1,472	76% 4% 2% 4% 14% 100%
37. How many hours per week do you expect to be employed while attending UNT?	I do not expect to be employed. 20 hours or less per week 21 to 30 hours per week 31 or more hours per week Total responding	444 707 256 55 1,462	30% 48% 18% 4% 100%
38. Have you considered contacting UNT Student Employment about getting a job while in school?	Yes No Total responding	817 616 1,433	57% 43% 100%
39. Have you applied for financial aid at UNT?	No, I have not applied. No, but I may apply at a later time. Yes, I have already applied. Total respondents	472 238 724 1,434	33% 17% 50% 100%
If you have applied for financial aid, what suggestions do you have for improving the financial aid application process at UNT? Summary. Among the most frequent comments were expressions of satisfaction with the financial aid process as indicated by statements such as the following: "None, it was pretty good," "the process is great," "its fine—I didn’t qualify though," "no suggestions," and most frequently the one word "none." However, many expressed difficulty in reaching Financial Aid by phone: "Every time I called the Financial Aid office the phone was busy." Another difficulty was the time required to know if they were to receive an award and the amount of the award: "Make it faster. I am at orientation and have not received my award letter yet," "speed up the verification process," and "a quicker response of my status." One student made the following suggestion for improving the financial aid application process: "Apply earlier."
40. Did you (or will you) use a credit card to pay your college bill?	Yes No Total respondents	277 1,100 1,377	20% 80% 100%

In what areas will you need help to succeed in your courses?

The percentages for items 41-50 are based on the total number of respondents (N = 1,484).

41. Writing	348	24%
42. Math	757	51%
43. Science	289	20%
44. Economics	202	14%
45. Foreign language	323	22%
46. Study skills	459	31%
47. Time management	427	29%
48. Adjustment to college	371	25%
49. Apprehension about communicating	145	10%
50. Use of the library	338	23%

Impression of UNT Student Services

The percentages for items 51-54 are based on the total number of respondents (N = 1,484).

51. UNT responded to my requests for information in a timely manner.	Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Total responding	549 817 52 12 1,430	38% 57% 4% 1% 100%
52. The application procedures were easy to follow.	Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Total responding	584 786 50 13 1,433	41% 55% 3% 1% 100%
53. Freshman Orientation was helpful in introducing me to college life.	Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Total responding	454 855 93 21 1,423	32% 60% 7% 1% 100%
54. Did your parents attend Parent Orientation this year?	Yes No Total responding	647 786 1,433	45% 55% 100%
If your parents did not attend parent orientation, why not? Summary. The most commonly stated reasons for the parents not attending parent orientation were work, too busy with other obligations, the parents had attended earlier when a brother or sister enrolled at UNT, the parents did not feel they needed to attend, and the child did not want the parents to attend. "They had to work." "Other obligations." "Too busy." "My brother is a sophomore so they went for his orientation last year." "They did not feel it was necessary." "Mom felt I needed to do this on my own." "I didn’t want them here and they didn’t want to come." "I told them I could do everything myself and they listened." Some parents came for only a portion of the orientation: "They came for some of it."

Two unnumbered, open ended questions were included:

What suggestions do you have for improving Freshman Orientation?
Summary. Many students expressed strong approval of the orientation process. One said, "It was very informative and helpful. It must be difficult to organize this many young adults." Another commented, "Kind of overwhelming-but I don't know how to improve it." Other evaluations included: "No suggestions. Everything went smoothly and orientation was fun and helpful." "It seemed to run smoothly and I enjoyed it thus far. I don't see anything wrong with it." "I had a blast! Mingle everyone (males & females)!" "I don't have any suggestions. It went fairly smoothly for me." "It was great and helpful." "Orientation moved smoothly for me." "It's been OK so far." "No suggestions. I had a really great time." "I was really nervous at first but my peer counselor helped." Perhaps the comment written most often was, "None" (i.e., no suggested changes). Specific suggested changes included the following:

More academic advising: "More time with students/staff involved in majors." "More time for peer group advising." "Helping students one on one with registration and choosing majors." "More advice on scheduling times for classes."

Information of a practical nature: "Tell us more about actual college life-homework, exams, etc."

Some free time was requested: "Find better activities for students and allow them more free time to be alone." "A little more free time." "More free time to browse and check out stuff on our own."

Time for sleep and rest was an important point for many: "Do not keep students up past midnight and then have them test early in the morning." "Spend more time on scheduling and less on activities. Sleep is important!" "A little more time to sleep." "Let you either go to bed earlier or get up later." "Less activity so we aren't up late the night before placement exams. Sleep is important!" "We need time to rest."

Relating to the matter of sleep time, some resented the curfew while others wanted it better enforced or even an earlier curfew: " "No curfew." "Later curfew." "Make the curfew work. We all may have been here, but no one was going to bed." "Earlier curfew."

Some suggested a shorter orientation session: "Don't make it so long. Don't keep us up all night then expect us to take placement test early." "Make it shorter." "Orientation could be improved if it was shortened, and the groups were smaller." "Taking less time to do the icebreakers will create less rush during the first evening registration."

Others suggested a longer orientation session: "Don't cram everything in. Make it longer." "Maybe making it last a day longer so there is more time to get things done." "I think you should make it a day longer, and have more activities to do." "Longer, for more relaxed days."

There were several comments about icebreakers, skits, and cheers. There were those who suggested fewer icebreakers and those who suggested more: "Less icebreaker activities and less paperwork." "More icebreakers." Several suggested doing away with the skits: "No skits!" Many suggested doing away with the cheers: "Don't have us make up cheers." "No more cheers." "Get rid of cheers."
Of course, when interpreting the comments about icebreakers, skits, and cheers it is important to remember the students are responding to a question about suggested changes and not with an evaluation of what may have been liked." The icebreakers and cheers are probably favored by students such as the one who commented, "No suggestions. Everything went smoothly and orientation was fun and helpful."

What can UNT do to help you succeed in college?
Summary. Comments reflect the fact that students recognized their own responsibility for success: "Just basically work with me on my major and getting a job after graduation." "Be there to answer questions for me." "Nothing. Succeeding in school is up to me. UNT provides the perfect atmosphere for this to happen." "Provide what I need as long as I hold my end of the deal." "Nothing more than offering the same opportunities as they do now." "Give me a good education." "Give me a strong education."

Many believe that what UNT is now doing will help them succeed: "Be as helpful as UNT has already been." "Already doing a great job." "Nothing that you guys are not already doing." "Keep up the good work." "Continue helping students." "Stay the same." "Just continue doing what you have been doing by being interested in me and my career." "Be what you have advertised to be."

Students want good courses and a schedule that meets their needs: "Give me mentally challenging classes with no busy work." "Challenge me in classes." "Offer exciting courses and good outside help." "Offer many courses and flexible times and days." "Keep classes open!" "Have classes available for my interest. Everything was full. Provide tutors when needed." "More classes that are smaller. I really like UNT. I hope the professors are personal."

Faculty are important: "Have professors who care and want us to succeed." "Provide me with helpful teachers and materials." "Have good teachers." "Good teachers that care." "Have professors who want to help us learn."

Students want good counseling, advising, tutoring when needed, and other study help: "Offer help in tough classes." "Listen and advise." "Provide adequate counseling and advising." "Make advice/advising as readily available as possible." "Make advisors easily accessible." "Offer tutors." "Have tutors readily available." "Tutoring, and lots of it!" "Study groups." "Quiet study areas."

Help from peers is highly valued: Have good student advisors and counselors." "They can help give good advice about studying and time management skills. These two are crucial." "Have peer counselors in designated areas to help with incoming freshmen and transfers." "Fellow student advisement." "Continue to provide aid/assistance through student peers."

Help is needed in all areas, but math is mentioned often: "Give me tutorials and help in any area." "Study help in writing." "Get me a math tutor!" "Lots of study groups for math."

Finances are always a concern: "Help with my financial problems." "Keep costs low: tuition, housing, everything." "Continue to provide the proper resources and make them available. A little more financial assistance." "Help me find scholarships." "Contact me about scholarships that are available to me."

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