Senior Survey

2001 Senior Survey Results

The HEDS Senior Survey was administered in the spring 2001 to the Macalester graduating class. This survey is part of the College's continuing assessment plan, and has also been administered to seniors in 1997 and 1995. The survey asks about the kinds of experiences students have had in college and their satisfaction with their education. Of the 390 surveys sent in 2001, 183 were returned for a response rate of 47%.

Hi-Lites
Table of Results: 1995-2001

Hi-Lites

Almost three fourths of the 2001 seniors were planning on working right after they graduate, compared to about two thirds of the seniors in 1997 or 1995.
When choosing a career, seniors rated interesting daily work and intellectual challenge as the most important of the twelve factors listed on the survey.
The areas where seniors reported their greatest gains during their college education were 1) in-depth knowledge in a field, 2) writing, 3) acquiring skills and knowledge on their own, and 4) thinking analytically and logically.
68% of the seniors participated in independent research or projects, and 57% participated in an internship.
One in five seniors participated in a religious group, almost 70% had done volunteer service.
Students rated their contact with faculty highly - 95% were satisfied with faculty availability and 96% were satisfied with their interactions with faculty.
Satisfaction with food service increased from 36% for the 1997 seniors to 65% for the seniors in 2001.
Approximately three fourths of the seniors would attend Macalester again if they could relive their college experience. Nine out of ten were "generally" or "very satisfied" with their Macalester education.

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Senior Survey Table of Results: 1995-2001

	1995	1997	2001
What do you expect to be your primary activity this fall?
- employment, full-time or part time	65	65	74
- graduate or professional school, full time or part time	20	15	14

How important are the following when considering a career? (Percentage responding "very important" or "essential")
- intellectual challenge	88	88	88
- work for social change	65	60	60
- high income potential	26	29	31
- social recognition or status	21	17	20
- stable, secure future	65	63	62
- quality of colleagues and clients	78	81	83
- creativity and initiative	89	90	86
- expression of personal values	81	79	79
- availability of jobs	41	49	49
- interesting daily work	94	92	94

Indicate the extent to which each capacity or ability was enhanced by your undergraduate experiences. (Percentage responding "moderately" or "greatly")
- write effectively	86	87	90
- acquire skills and knowledge on my own	92	92	90
- think analytically and logically	86	89	90
- formulate ideas and solutions	82	83	81
- evaluate and choose courses of action	73	72	75
- use quantitative skills	63	47	49
- use technology ("use computers" in 1997)		77	64
- gain in-depth knowledge in a subject area	85	88	95
- read or speak a foreign language	48	40	63
- appreciate art, literature, music, drama	60	57	70
- relate to different races, nations, religions	74	72	81
- put current problems in perspective	80	79	81
- understand moral and ethical issues	75	73	71
- function as a member of a team	64	64	68
- communicate well orally	80	78	75
- lead and supervise tasks and groups	64	57	61
- understand myself	88	87	87
- function independently	80	82	83
- establish a course of action to accomplish goals	65	62	76
- develop self esteem		65	67

Which of the following did you participate in during college?
- study abroad	54	52	61
- off campus internship	67	60	57
- independent study, research	81	76	69
- racial, cultural awareness program	29	32	30
- sexual harassment program	18	15	3

Did you actively participate in any of the following?
- student government	12	8	12
- religious group, organization ("religious services" in 1995/1997)	20	27	21
- fraternity or sorority	0	1	1
- intercollegiate athletics	30	32	35
- student newspaper ("newspaper or magazine" in 1995/1997)	11	19	15
- volunteer service	50	67	69

How satisfied are you with each of the following services or aspects of your college? (Percentage responding "generally satisfied" or "very satisfied", excludes those responding "not relevant")
ACADEMICS:	1995	1997	2001
- faculty availability outside class	96	97	95
- availability of courses	87	88	88
- independent study	95	96	96
INSTRUCTION:
- humanities and fine arts	93	94	93
- science and math	89	90	84
- social sciences	91	95	97
SERVICES & FACILITIES:
- Library facilities and resources	77	86	96
- Career services	77	74	71
- Counseling services	80	64	80
- Financial Aid Office	80	82	86
- Food services	32	36	65
- Student health services	54	69	77
- Financial services (Student Accounts, etc.)	87	96	91
CAMPUS LIFE:
- Student voice in policies	39	45	52
- Student government	41	44	59
- Social life on campus	56	75	74
- Climate for minority students	48	64	61

If you had the chance to relive your college experience, would you attend the same institution again?
Percentage responding "probably" or "definitely"	78	76	73

Overall, how satisfied have you been with your undergraduate education at this institution?
Percentage responding "generally satisfied" or "very satisfied"	91	91	90

ADDITIONAL MACALESTER QUESTIONS: Percentage responding "greatly" or "moderately"
To what extent has a liberal arts education influenced your academic and career choices?	66		76
To what extent has your understanding of internationalism developed at Macalester?	66		73
To what extent has your understanding of multiculturalism developed at Macalester?	65		71
To what extent has your understanding of community service developed at Macalester?	45		53
To what extent have opportunities to work collaboratively with faculty been available to you at Macalester?	61		53

	1995	1997	2001
Number of Surveys Received:	218	235	182
Response Rate:	62%	57%	47%

Source: HEDS Senior Survey Reports

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7 March 2002
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