First-Year Survey: Augustana Experiences & Satisfaction

The First-Year Student Survey is conducted each spring to monitor students' first-year experiences for satisfaction with their academic, social and extra-curricular programs and services, their success in adapting to college, and their self-assessments of academic and personal growth. The survey helps ensure we are meeting the special needs of first-year students as they make friends, adjust to the academic demands of college, and make decisions on courses, majors and co-curricular activities.

Highlights from the March 2007 survey:

• Mean satisfaction with Augustana in general was a high 4.15 on a 5-point scale.
• When asked about success in adjusting to the academic demands of college, 81% of students reported being either quite successful or highly successful. Similarly, 72% reported success in establishing a network of friends on campus, 59% in getting involved with student organizations, and 58% in developing a clearer sense of a personal calling or vocation in life.
• 87% agreed or strongly agreed that their advisor showed an interest in them as a person.
• 80% indicated their ability to write effectively had grown moderately or greatly during their first year at Augustana.
• 64% of first-year students indicated they had become involved with extra-curricular student clubs.
• Student reaction to Augustana's new general education program has been of particular interest the past three years as faculty have made changes to refine the program in response to student feedback. The 2007 survey showed the overall satisfaction with the first-year portion of the program has improved (but still needs to be monitored) and that student assessments of their academic growth are on target.

Click here to access a pdf of the First-Year Student Survey.