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North Carolina State University
2007-2008 Graduating Senior Survey:
Gender and Racial/Ethnic Comparisons of
Student Goals and Intentions

This document reports survey data on gender and racial/ethnic differences in respondents' assessment of student goals and intentions while attending NC State. Survey results for all respondents are provided in "2007-2008 Graduating Senior Survey: All Respondents." For information about the survey and analysis methods, see "2007-2008 Graduating Senior Survey: Introduction, Methods, and Student Demographic Profile."

Table of Contents:
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Goals and Objectives | Post-Graduate Plans | Time to Graduate | Withdrawal/Transfer from NC State


Goals and Objectives

Q Primary Goal/Objective for attending NC State
  NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
Bach. deg./certificate only 15.0% 17.3% 12.7% 10.3% 15.7% 12.1%
Prep. for grad/prof school 39.4% 33.3% 45.2% 51.6% 37.7% 44.9%
Prep. for new career/profession 43.4% 46.1% 40.9% 36.1% 44.6% 38.9%
Improve for current profession 0.8% 1.1% 0.5% 1.3% 0.7% 1.0%
Courses for personal interest 0.4% 0.7% 0.1% 0.0% 0.4% 0.5%
Other 1.0% 1.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.9% 2.5%
Total (N) 2,065 1,006 1,059 155 1,712 198

Q Accomplishment of Goal/Objective
  NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
Fully accomplished 75.2% 73.4% 76.9% 63.9% 77.3% 66.0%
Partially accomplished 24.2% 25.8% 22.7% 35.5% 22.1% 33.0%
Not accomplished 0.6% 0.8% 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 1.0%
Total (N) 2,064 1,005 1,059 155 1,712 197
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Q Likelihood obtain degree at UNC campus (among those in off-campus degree programs)
Likelihood obtain degree at UNC campus (for off-camp prgms) NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
Mean 2.44 2.41 2.46 2.57 2.38 2.65
4: Very likely 21.2% 20.4% 21.9% 25.3% 19.7% 26.7%
3: Probably 32.2% 31.4% 33.0% 34.5% 31.8% 32.5%
2: Probably not 15.8% 17.0% 14.6% 12.6% 15.5% 20.0%
1: Not likely 30.9% 31.2% 30.5% 27.6% 33.0% 20.8%
Total (N) 917 465 452 87 710 120
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Post-Graduate Plans

Q Plans Following Graduation
  NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
Have accepted a job 13.5% 17.9% 9.2% 5.9% 14.3% 12.2%
Continuing in current position 3.1% 3.2% 3.0% 3.3% 3.3% 1.5%
Graduate/prof. school full-time 21.7% 18.4% 24.9% 30.9% 21.1% 19.8%
G/P school part-time & work part-time 5.0% 4.3% 5.6% 8.6% 4.6% 5.6%
Take more undergrad courses 0.8% 0.6% 1.0% 3.3% 0.6% 0.5%
Still seeking employment 31.7% 30.2% 33.1% 25.0% 32.1% 33.0%
Not seeking empl./not planning school 5.0% 5.2% 4.8% 5.3% 4.9% 5.6%
Entering military service 1.6% 2.8% 0.4% 2.6% 1.6% 0.5%
Don't know yet 10.9% 11.0% 10.8% 10.5% 10.8% 12.2%
Other 6.8% 6.4% 7.1% 4.6% 6.7% 9.1%
Total (N) 2,057 1,005 1,052 152 1,708 197
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Time to Graduate

Q Taken more than 4 years to graduate
  NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
Taken longer than 4 yrs to graduate 50.5% 61.6% 39.9% 52.3% 50.3% 50.8%
Total (N) 2,065 1,006 1,059 155 1,713 197

Q Reasons for taking more than 4 years to graduate
Reasons: NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
Wanted/advised lighter courseload 22.1% 25.3% 17.5% 29.6% 21.9% 18.0%
Could not get classes needed 18.1% 19.5% 16.1% 14.8% 18.4% 18.0%
Changed majors 40.3% 39.5% 41.4% 28.4% 41.6% 38.0%
Lost credits when transferred 22.2% 18.4% 27.9% 12.3% 22.5% 28.0%
Co-op/intern/practicum/teach/etc 15.3% 19.2% 9.7% 11.1% 15.1% 21.0%
Financial reasons 12.0% 11.8% 12.3% 9.9% 11.8% 15.0%
Part-time for personal reasons (e.g., medical, family, etc.) 11.5% 9.7% 14.2% 8.6% 11.4% 15.0%
Took semester or more off for personal reasons 22.2% 19.8% 25.8% 25.9% 21.8% 23.0%
Double major/minor 25.8% 25.5% 26.2% 29.6% 25.3% 27.0%
Study abroad 4.7% 4.8% 4.5% 3.7% 5.0% 3.0%
Hours spent working 22.6% 22.7% 22.5% 17.3% 23.5% 19.0%
Other reasons 10.8% 8.5% 14.2% 16.0% 11.0% 5.0%
Total (N) 1,043 620 423 81 862 100
Note: Respondents could provide more than one reason.
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Withdrawal/Transfer from NCSU

Q Ever consider withdrawal/transfer from NCSU
  NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
No 77.6% 80.0% 75.4% 68.8% 78.3% 78.2%
Yes, not seriously 10.4% 8.6% 12.1% 14.9% 10.0% 10.2%
Yes, seriously 9.0% 8.0% 10.0% 13.6% 8.6% 9.1%
Yes, left & returned 3.0% 3.5% 2.5% 2.6% 3.0% 2.5%
Total (N) 2,060 1,004 1,056 154 1,709 197

Q Reasons for staying or returning to NC State (among those who considered leaving/those who left and returned)
  NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
Program at NCSU 23.6% 20.4% 26.2% 18.8% 23.5% 30.2%
Financial reasons 9.1% 11.9% 6.9% 10.4% 8.9% 9.3%
Personal reasons 42.5% 39.8% 44.6% 58.3% 41.9% 30.2%
NCSU/city environment 17.4% 10.9% 22.3% 18.8% 17.8% 11.6%
Hassle (lose credit hrs,etc.) 18.2% 15.4% 20.4% 16.7% 18.9% 14.0%
Miscellaneous/other 1.1% 0.5% 1.5% 2.1% 1.1% 0.0%
Total (N) 461 201 260 48 370 43
Note: Respondents could provide more than one reason.
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Q Reasons for leaving or considering leaving NC State (among those who considered leaving/those who left and returned)

  NCSU Men Women AfAm White Other
Curriculum/program reasons 33.4% 35.3% 31.9% 16.7% 34.9% 39.5%
Poor advising at NC State 2.6% 2.0% 3.1% 4.2% 2.4% 2.3%
Poor academic performance 3.3% 4.5% 2.3% 6.3% 3.2% 0.0%
Class environment at NC State 8.2% 8.0% 8.5% 4.2% 8.6% 9.3%
Campus life 25.2% 20.4% 28.8% 31.3% 24.1% 27.9%
Diversity issues 4.1% 4.5% 3.8% 8.3% 3.5% 4.7%
Financial reasons 7.4% 10.4% 5.0% 12.5% 7.3% 2.3%
Personal reasons 34.5% 32.3% 36.2% 45.8% 33.8% 27.9%
Location 3.3% 4.5% 2.3% 4.2% 3.0% 4.7%
Non-academic opportunity 2.0% 4.0% 0.4% 0.0% 2.4% 0.0%
Wanted to attend different school/NCSU not first choice 3.0% 2.0% 3.8% 2.1% 3.0% 4.7%
Total (N) 461 201 260 48 370 43
Note: Respondents could provide more than one reason.
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For more information on the 2007-2008 Graduating Senior Survey contact:
Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Associate Director for Survey Research
Office of Institutional Planning and Research
Box 7002
NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu

Posted: April, 2009

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