Participant Follow-up Survey

Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Appendix J. Follow-up Student Survey

Table of Contents

Survey Source Key 1

Consent Page 2

Introduction 3

Applying to College 3

Academic Preparation for College 9

College Advising Experiences 9

Concluding Remarks 16

Survey Source Key

• ELS Follow-Up: Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, First Follow-Up (IES National Center for Education Statistics – NCES)

• ELS Follow-Up: Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, Second Follow-Up (IES National Center for Education Statistics – NCES)

• Expanding College Opportunities (ECO) Student Survey, cited in Hoxby, C. and Turner, S. (2015). What high-achieving low-income students know about college. NBER Working Paper 20861.

• HSLS: High School Longitudinal Survey of 2009, Student Baseline (IES National Center for Education Statistics – NCES)

• HSLS Follow-Up: High School Longitudinal Survey of 2009, Student First Follow-up (IES National Center for Education Statistics – NCES)

Consent Page

We are asking you to complete this survey, which is a follow-up to a survey that you may have completed last year when you were a junior. The survey asks about your plans for college, your experiences applying to college, and the activities related to college planning that you may have been involved in.

The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete.

We know your time is valuable. To thank you for your time participating, we will send you $15 after you complete this survey.

Your answers could help improve the college advising provided in Upward Bound programs across the country.

Your Upward Bound program is participating in an important study about whether and how students prepare for college. The U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring this study and has hired Abt Associates and Survey Research Management to conduct the study.

You do not have to complete this survey. Your participation is voluntary and you may choose not to answer a question or to stop the survey at any point. You can participate in Upward Bound even if you do not complete the survey.

Protecting your privacy is very important to us. Your name will not be included in any reports or data produced by the study. We will not share information from this survey that identifies you to anyone outside the study team, except as required by law.

By pressing the continue button you agree to participate in this survey.

Continue

Information collected for this study comes under the confidentiality and data protection requirements of the Institute of Education Sciences (The Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, Title I, Part E, Section 183). Per the policies and procedures required by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, Title I, Part E, Section 183, responses to this data collection will be used only for statistical purposes. The reports prepared for this study will summarize findings across the sample and will not associate responses with a specific program, district or individual. Any willful disclosure of such information for nonstatistical purposes, except as required by law, is a class E felony.

Paperwork Burden Statement: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1850-0912. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. The obligation to respond to this collection is voluntary. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, application or survey, please contact (National Center for Education Evaluation/Institute of Education Sciences U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, SW Room 502i, Washington, DC 20208) directly. (Note: Please do not return the completed instrument, form, application or survey to this address.)

Introduction

Throughout this survey, when you see the term “college,” please think about any school that offers degrees to students who have completed high school, such as a community college, a state university, or a private liberal arts college.

Applying to College

These first questions ask you about the college application process and your plans for college.

1. Have you applied or are you planning to apply to college for next year? (Please check one.)

• Yes

• No [SKIP TO Q10]

• I don’t know

Source: Author developed

2. How many college applications have you already submitted for next year?

If you have not submitted any applications yet, please enter “0”.

____ Number [Allowable Range: 0-50]

Source: Author developed

3. Which college(s) have you already applied to?

If you cannot find your college in the dropdown menu provided, please check “I do not see my college listed” and write the college name in the box provided. Please enter 1 college per box and use the college’s full name (for example, Arizona State University instead of ASU).

[SHOW IF Q2<=8: PLEASE LIST EVERY COLLEGE TO WHICH YOU SUBMITTED A COMPLETE APPLICATION.] [SHOW IF Q2>8: PLEASE LIST THE 8 COLLEGES YOU APPLIED TO THAT YOU WOULD BE MOST LIKELY TO ATTEND IF ACCEPTED].

College 1:	Dropdown: State	Dropdown: College Name with IPEDS Number	I do not see my college listed	Please write in the name________
[SHOW IF Q2>=2]: College 2:	Dropdown: State	Dropdown: College Name with IPEDS Number	I do not see my college listed	Please write in the name________
[SHOW IF Q2>=3]: College 3:	Dropdown: State	Dropdown: College Name with IPEDS Number	I do not see my college listed	Please write in the name________
[SHOW IF Q2>=4]: College 4:	Dropdown: State	Dropdown: College Name with IPEDS Number	I do not see my college listed	Please write in the name________
[SHOW IF Q2>=5]: College 5:	Dropdown: State	Dropdown: College Name with IPEDS Number	I do not see my college listed	Please write in the name________
[SHOW IF Q2>=6]: College 6:	Dropdown: State	Dropdown: College Name with IPEDS Number	I do not see my college listed	Please write in the name________
[SHOW IF Q2>=7]: College 7:	Dropdown: State	Dropdown: College Name with IPEDS Number	I do not see my college listed	Please write in the name________
[SHOW IF Q2>=8]: College 8:	Dropdown: State	Dropdown: College Name with IPEDS Number	I do not see my college listed	Please write in the name________

Source: Author developed based on HSLS follow-up likely to attend question & ELS second follow-up, student questionnaire.

4. Did you use any application fee waivers when applying to college?

• Yes

• No

• I don’t know

5. How many college applications do you plan to submit for next year? Please only include applications you have not yet submitted. (Enter “0” if you have already submitted all of your applications.)

____ Number [ALLOWABLE RANGE: 0-50] [IF N=0 SKIP TO Q7]

Source: Author developed

6. Do you plan to use any application fee waivers when applying to college?

• Yes

• No

• I don’t know

Source: Author developed

7. Have you ever used an online cost calculator (such as a net price calculator) to determine the likely cost of college after accounting for the scholarships and grants you are probably going to receive?

• Yes

• No

Source: Author developed

8. Have you completed a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to be eligible for college financial aid such as Pell grants or other grants and loans?

• Yes

• No

• No, not yet but I plan to

• I haven’t thought about this yet

• I don’t know what a FAFSA is

• I don’t know if I will apply for college financial aid

Source: Author developed

9. For each college that you have applied to, please indicate whether you were accepted, rejected, waitlisted, or have not heard yet.

Please select one option per row.

[PREPOPULATE LIST WITH COLLEGES ENTERED IN Q3, UP TO 8 COLLEGES]:

	Accepted	Rejected	Waitlisted	Have not heard yet
[Q3 COLLEGE 1 NAME]:
[Q3 COLLEGE 2 NAME]:
[Q3 COLLEGE 3 NAME]:
[Q3 COLLEGE 4 NAME]:
[Q3 COLLEGE 5 NAME]:
[Q3 COLLEGE 6 NAME]:
[Q3 COLLEGE 7 NAME]:
[Q3 COLLEGE 8 NAME]:

Source: Author Developed

10. Do you plan to begin college during the 2016-2017 school year?

• Yes

• No [SKIP TO Q12]

• I haven’t decided yet [SKIP TO Q13]

Source: Author developed

11. [SHOW IF (Q1=YES OR I DON’T KNOW) AND (Q9 1+ COLLEGE=ACCEPTED)]

Which college will you attend during the 2016-2017 school year? (Please check one).

• [SHOW IF Q9 COLLEGE 1=Accepted]: [COLLEGE 1 NAME]

• [SHOW IF Q9 COLLEGE 2=Accepted]: [COLLEGE 2 NAME]

• [SHOW IF Q9 COLLEGE 3=Accepted]: [COLLEGE 3 NAME]

• [SHOW IF Q9 COLLEGE 4=Accepted]: [COLLEGE 4 NAME]

• [SHOW IF Q9 COLLEGE 5=Accepted]: [COLLEGE 5 NAME]

• [SHOW IF Q9 COLLEGE 6=Accepted]: [COLLEGE 6 NAME]

• [SHOW IF Q9 COLLEGE 7=Accepted]: [COLLEGE 7 NAME]

• [SHOW IF Q9 COLLEGE 8=Accepted]: [COLLEGE 8 NAME]

• I haven’t decided yet

[SHOW IF Q1=NO OR [(Q1=YES OR I DON’T KNOW) AND (Q9 0 COLLEGES=ACCEPTED)]]

Which college will you attend during the 2016-17 school year?

If you cannot find your college in the dropdown menu provided, please check “I do not see my college listed” and write the college name in the box provided. Please enter only one college and use the college’s full name (for example, Arizona State University instead of ASU).

Dropdown: State

Dropdown: College Name with IPEDS Number

I do not see my college listed

Please write in the name________

• I haven’t decided yet

Source: Author developed based on ELS follow-up 2 student questionnaire.

12. [SHOW IF Q10=NO, OTHERWISE SKIP TO Q13]

Which of the following are reasons why you do NOT plan to begin college during the 2016-2017 school year? (Check all that apply.)

• I don't like school

• My grades aren't high enough

• My college admissions test scores weren't high enough

• I won't need more education for the career I want

• I can't afford to go on to school

• I haven't taken the right courses

• No one in my family has ever gone on to school after high school

• I plan to join the military

• I'd rather work and make money than go to school

• I don't feel that going on to school is important

• My counselor or teachers recommend I work rather than continue my education

• I need to help support my family

• Other, please explain: _________________________

Source: Adapted ELS Follow-Up (Changed “have decided not to apply” to “plan to begin college in…” and “Your” to “I”)

13. How important to you would/were/will (IF Q10=NO: “WOULD”, IF Q11=COLLEGE NAME: “WERE”, IF Q11=I HAVEN’T DECIDED YET: “WILL”) each of the following characteristics ‘be when choosing’/ ‘when you chose’/ ‘be when you choose’ a college to attend after high school?

	Very Important	Somewhat Important	Not at All Important
Academic quality or reputation			
Cost of attendance			
Record of placing graduates in jobs			
Record of placing graduates in graduate or professional schools			
Opportunity to play sports			
Recommended by family or friends			
Is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), a Hispanic Serving Institution (HIS), a Tribally Controlled College or University, or an institution with a large number of minority students			
Is where my Upward Bound activities are located			
Visited the campus before			
Close to home			
Far away from home			
Offers a particular program of study/major			
Social life			
Sports teams or school spirit			
A family member went there			

Source: HSLS Follow-up, adapted

14. [SHOW IF Q13=VERY IMPORTANT FOR 2 OR MORE ITEMS, OTHERWISE SKIP TO Q15]

Which of the following is the most important characteristic to you in choosing a college to attend after high school? (Check only one.)

• Populate list with all answers selected as “Very Important” in Q13 [RANDOMIZE THE ORDER OF THE OPTIONS]

• Academic quality or reputation

• Cost of attendance

• Record of placing graduates in jobs

• Record of placing graduates in graduate or professional schools

• Opportunity to play sports

• Recommended by family or friends

• Is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), a Hispanic Serving Institution (HIS) , a Tribally Controlled College or University, or an institution with a large number of minority students

• Is where my Upward Bound activities are located

• Visited the campus before

• Close to home

• Far away from home

• Offers a particular program of study/major

• Social life

• Sports teams or school spirit

• A family member went there

Source: HSLS Follow-up, adapted

Academic Preparation for College

These next questions ask about some of the courses you may have taken while in high school.

15. Have you taken any Advanced Placement (AP) OR International Baccalaureate (IB) courses? (Include any courses you are taking now.)

• Yes

• No

• I don't know

Source: HSLS Follow-up, adapted

16. Other than AP and IB courses, have you taken any courses for college credit? These may be courses where you earned high school credit and college credit at the same time or courses you took just for college credit. Please include any courses for college credit that you are taking now.

• Yes

• No

• I don’t know

Source: HSLS Follow-up

College Advising Experiences

Next, please answer some questions about any help you may have received in your Upward Bound program to plan for college.

17. Since the start of this school year, about how many text messages did you receive from staff at your Upward Bound program?

• 1-5 messages

• 6-10 messages

• 11-20 messages

• More than 20 messages

• I did not receive any text messages

Source: Author developed

18. Did your Upward Bound program recommend you apply to a certain a number of colleges?

• Yes

• No [SKIP TO Q20]

Source: Author developed

19. How many colleges did they recommend?

____ Number [ALLOWABLE RANGE: 1-50]

Source: Author developed

20. How many times, if any, has someone from your Upward Bound program discussed the following with you.

If you are unsure how many times you discussed a particular activity with someone from your Upward Bound program, please take your best guess. If you did not discuss a particular activity with someone from your Upward Bound program, please enter “0 Times”.

	0 times	1 time	2 times	3 times	4 or more times
How to choose colleges to apply to					
Your chances of being accepted at different colleges					
Graduation rates for different colleges					
Admissions requirements (such as SAT/ACT scores, transcripts, and recommendations) for different colleges					
Timelines for applying to college					
The possibility of going to college outside of your local area					
Ways to prepare for the SAT/ACT					
How to complete the Common Application					
Your family’s options for paying for college					
How much you and your family will have to pay for college if you get financial aid					
How to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form					

Source: Author developed

21. How much did staff from your Upward Bound program encourage you to:

	Not at all	A little	Somewhat	A lot	I don’t know
Consider the cost of college after scholarships, grants, and financial aid are taken into account					
Apply to at least 4 colleges					
Apply to a mix of “safety,” “reach,” and “match” colleges					
Identify a wide range of college scholarship opportunities					
Think about your ability to adjust to the social and academic challenges of college					

Source: Author developed

22. Did staff from your Upward Bound program encourage you to complete the FAFSA by a certain date?

• Yes

• No [SKIP TO Q24]

Source: Author Developed

23. What was the date?

If you are unsure of the exact date, please make your best guess.

JANUARY TO JULY CALENDAR

• I don’t remember

Source: Author Developed

24. To what extent did staff from your Upward Bound program encourage you to consider the following factors in deciding where to apply to college?

	Not at all	A little	Somewhat	A lot
The amount of financial aid you were likely to receive at a college				
How well your test scores and GPA match with average student test scores and GPA at the college				
The college’s ranking in U.S. News and World Report or a guidebook like Peterson's or Barron's				
The college’s graduation rate or employment rate				
The academic reputation of the college				
The reputation of extracurricular programs (athletics, music, etc.) at the college				
Having a friend or family member who attended the college				
The representation of students with similar income backgrounds to yours at the college				

Source: Hoxby and Turner 2015, ECO Student Survey, adapted

2. TREATMENT GROUP ONLY

25. Did you receive a Find the Fit folder (sometimes called a kit) [include Find the Fit logo]) from your Upward Bound program?

The kit is a folder that contains college search activities, information about applying to college, application fee waivers, examples of the likely cost of attending a set of colleges that you are academically qualified for, and other materials.

 Yes, I received this folder

 No, I did not receive this folder

Source: Author developed

26. Did you discuss the materials in the Find the Fit folder with anyone? (For example, an Upward Bound staff member, parent or guardian, classmates, or guidance counselor, or someone else.)

• Yes

• No [SKIP TO Q30]

• I don’t know [SKIP TO Q30]

Source: Author developed

27. Who did you discuss these materials with? (Check all that apply.)

 Upward Bound staff member(s)

 Parent or guardian

 Brother, sister, or other relative

 Other Upward Bound participants

 High school classmates outside of Upward Bound

 Guidance counselor

 Other: [textbox]

Source: Author developed

[SHOW IF Q27=UPWARD BOUND STAFF MEMBER(S), OTHERWISE SKIP TO Q29]:

28. Over the past school year (2015-2016), approximately how often did you discuss the Find the Fit materials with staff at your Upward Bound program?

If you are unsure of how often you discussed a particular material with a staff member at your Upward Bound program, please take your best guess.

Material	Never	1 time	2 times	3-4 times	5-10 times	More than 10 times
Shuffle, Sort, Stack Activity Cards
Four Factors of Fit Handout
College Application Timeline Reminder Handout
My College Planner Booklet
SCOOP - Sample Cost, Outcomes, and OPportunities Sheet
Scholarships and Grants Handout
My College Search Worksheet
Break Beyond the Familiar Activity
Discover Campus Support Services Handout
2+2 Transfer Planning Handout
The Common Application Handout
Fee Waiver Handout
NACAC Fee Waiver Form

Source: Author developed

[SHOW IF (Q27=PARENT OR GUARDIAN OR SIBLING OR OTHER RELATIVE OR OTHER UPWARD BOUND PARTICIPANTS OR HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES OUTSIDE OF UPWARD BOUND OR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR OR OTHER), OTHERWISE SKIP TO Q30]

29. Which Find the Fit materials did you discuss with people other than staff from your Upward Bound program (for example, your parents, relatives, or friends)? (Check all that apply.)

• Shuffle, Sort, Stack Activity Cards

• Four Factors of Fit Handout

• College Application Timeline Reminder Handout

• My College Planner Booklet

• SCOOP - Sample Cost, Outcomes, and OPportunities Sheet

• Scholarships and Grants Handout

• My College Search Worksheet

• Break Beyond the Familiar Activity

• Discover Campus Support Services Handout

• 2+2 Transfer Planning Handout

• The Common Application Handout

• Fee Waiver Handout

• NACAC Fee Waiver Form

30. Which Find the Fit materials did you use on your own? (Check all that apply.)

• Shuffle, Sort, Stack Activity Cards

• Four Factors of Fit Handout

• College Application Timeline Reminder Handout

• My College Planner Booklet

• SCOOP - Sample Cost, Outcomes, and OPportunities Sheet

• Scholarships and Grants Handout

• My College Search Worksheet

• Break Beyond the Familiar Activity

• Discover Campus Support Services Handout

• 2+2 Transfer Planning Handout

• The Common Application Handout

• Fee Waiver Handout

• NACAC Fee Waiver Form

• I did not use any of these materials on my own.

Source: Author developed

Concluding Remarks

Thank you for completing the survey! If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact the study team at: [email protected] or toll-free at 1-800- 489-0480.

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix J. Follow-up Student Survey  ▌ pg J-