C ONSTITUENT S URVEY : N EW S TUDENT A DMISSIONS AND O RIENTATION S PRING 2014
The University of Texas School of Public Health conducts a Constituent Survey that collects feedback from students at various stages of the educational experience, including recruitment/admissions, actively enrolled students, recently graduated, and alumni. This New Student Survey represents one component of the continuous and ongoing evaluation and assessment cycle utilized by UTSPH to improve and enhance the education, research and practice experiences provided.
Offices of Academic and Student Affairs New Student Survey – Spring 2014
Constituent Survey: New Student Admissions and Orientation Table of Contents PAGE Executive Summary .................................................................................................... 1 Sample and Methodology............................................................................................. 1 Results ............................................................................................................................ 1 Demographics and Degree Information ....................................................... 1 Recruitment......................................................................................................... 2 Application Process…………………………………………………………………. 2 Orientation........................................................................................................... 3 Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 4
Appendix 2014 School of Public Health New Student Survey Data ................................... 5
New Student Survey – Spring 2014
E XECUTIVE SUMMARY In an ongoing effort to collect and analyze the perceptions and experiences of new students during the recruitment, application and admissions process; as well as, to determine the new student perspective of the Orientation process, UTSPH conducts the New Student – Admissions and Orientation Survey Component of the Constituent Survey each Fall and Spring term. The data is then summarized, reviewed and discussed by teams representing The Offices of Academic and Student Affairs in order to make adjustments and modifications that will result in an improved admissions process for prospective students, and thus, provide adequate preparation for students entering a new degree program and/or graduate school for the first time. Sample and Methodology The 2014 UTSPH New Student Survey was implemented via Qualtrics®, a web-based online survey system. New students entering Spring 2014 were sent an e-mail with the link embedded. The first e-mail was sent to new students on January 9, 2014. Three reminder e-mails were sent with the final reminder sent January 27, 2014. The opportunity to win 1 of 2 gift cards at $25 was offered as an incentive to complete the survey. Reminders were only sent to those new students who had not responded to the survey in the previous period. The survey was officially closed on February 18, 2014 with access to the link no longer publicly available. UTSPH had a total of 62 new students entering all campuses in the Spring of 2014 with 59 attending Orientation. The Spring entering class is typically smaller than the Fall term, which had 298 new students entering. A total of 42 surveys were started in Qualtrics®. Of those, 40 were completed. The response rate to the 2014 new student survey was 71%, an increase compared to the response rate in the Fall of 2013 which was 62%. Survey Instrument The survey instrument for new students is composed of demographic and program questions and includes sections for open-ended comments. After an initial implementation in the Fall of 2013, questions were revised to accurately represent student interest and break-out session attendance. A copy of the data report with de-identified comments can be found in the Appendix. All results remain anonymous. Results Demographics and Degree Information A total of 42 surveys were started in Qualtrics® with 40 completed via the web-based survey instrument. Eighty-three percent of new students that responded were female, and 76% were U.S. Citizens. The majority of the students entering in the Spring of 2014 are between the ages of 21-30 (76%), 17% are between the ages of 31-40 and 7% are over the age of 41. The data reveals a trend that has been consistent over the previous two terms, with our new student population being much younger than in previous years. Of the 42 that responded to the enrollment question, 62% reported being enrolled full-time. The majority of respondents were starting an MPH program (90%), followed by the PhD program (5%), and 5% were dual degree students (MD/MPH and MGPS/MPH). The low number of doctoral students is explained by the policy that doctoral students are only allowed to apply for Fall admission. However, if a doctoral applicant is a recent UTSPH University of Texas School of Public Health
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New Student Survey – Spring 2014
Master’s graduate, that student is allowed to continue into a doctoral program with a Spring admission status. Epidemiology had the most new students in the discipline at 40% of respondents, followed by Health Promotion and Behavioral Science (33%), Management, Policy and Community Health (14%), Environmental and Occupational Health (7%) and Biostatistics at 5% of new students. Of the 42 respondents, 71% reported that they would be working while enrolled at UTSPH, with the majority (53%) working between 30-40 hours per week. A significant number of new students (23%) reported that they would be working between 20-30 hours per week. Recruitment Annually, UTSPH implements a recruitment strategy primarily focused on the recruitment of students in Texas. UTSPH regional campuses (Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, El Paso and San Antonio) play a large role in attending and participating in activities and events in their surrounding areas, while the main campus targets universities in the Houston area. When asked how the new Spring 2014 entering class heard about UTSPH, 60% reported learning about the school via the website. Other responses included UTSPH Alumni (14%), referral from a UTSPH student (12%) or faculty (2%), the ASPPH website (5%) and a recruitment fair (2%). Fourteen percent listed various sources in the “other” category: including a referral from a co-worker and a google search with one student noting “looking up grad schools and their reputation.” Thirty-seven of the 42 respondents attended an Open House event at UTSPH and agreed it was about the same or better than others they have attended. When asked what were the most important reasons for applying to and accepting admission to UTSPH, new students listed the following as the top three most important: 1) location, 2) academic reputation, and 3) cost of the education at UTSPH. Other top reasons included: the availability of the program of study and that UTSPH was an in-state graduate school. Of the 42 respondents, 86% had some previous contact with UTSPH representatives via email, phone, appointment, graduate school fairs, or at an Open House event. In fact 36% reporting contacting staff between four and six times, and 26% reported having met or spoken to staff ten or more times. Only one student reported having no contact with the school in any form. This issue was noted in previous survey comments, and therefore, it is worth noting that much has been done by The Office of Student Affairs to increase communication with prospective students and applicants. With regard to social media, only 29% reported using social media to gather information on UTSPH, and of those, 100% found Facebook most helpful. Of special note, 95% of new students reported that recruitment materials and staff accurately portrayed UTSPH and 95% reported that admissions officers were knowledgeable and able to answer their questions. This was a 25% increase as noted by students in the Fall of 2013. Application Process All prospective degree seeking students who apply to UTSPH must do so through the (SOPHAS). Of the 35 students who applied through www.sophas.org, 80% agreed that the process was user-friendly. University of Texas School of Public Health
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New Student Survey – Spring 2014
Orientation Each Fall and Spring term, a one-day orientation schedule is developed that includes an overall introduction to graduate school; a discussion of academic expectations for students; information on the School’s academic integrity policy and Honor Code; an afternoon session with the division that offers the major; an opportunity to meet a faculty and/or staff advisor; a session on UTSPH student services, international services, auxiliary services, library services and student organizations; and time to register for courses with the assistance of students and staff. In the Spring of 2014, 41 of the 62 of new students reported attending Orientation. Of the 41 respondents to the Orientation section of the survey, 90% (37) of new students were satisfied with the overall UTSPH New Student Orientation. With regard to sessions throughout the day and only attendees responding, 93% were satisfied with the session on degree and major requirements; 95% were satisfied with the UTSPH student services information; 92% were satisfied with the student organizations information; 56% were satisfied with the University’s Auxiliary Services Expo; and 95% were satisfied with the introduction to library services. Comments were provided for each session and can be found in the data results in the Appendix. Of note in the comments, were several students reporting further clarification for new students who are currently employed, “working professionals” and the need to request specific time off of work in advance to attend (i.e., one day, two days or possibly an after-hours session). Other comments that were repeated throughout the survey were 1) not having the same Orientation presentation at the regional campuses, 2) not having enough time with faculty to learn about the work at the school, and 3) not receiving information about registration and courses at least one week prior to Orientation. In addition, one student noted “Hearing more from professors would have been nice. Getting assigned an advisor earlier would have been nice. I'm not sure what the next steps are, i.e., when am I supposed to contact the advisor, when should I do the practicum, how about a thesis, etc.” Overall the following were reported as most and least useful sessions during the Orientation process: Most useful Division break-out sessions Time with faculty Degree Requirements Concentrations
Least useful Student Organizations Student Auxiliary Services Expo
Several students noted that the session on academic integrity/ethics was not useful. In particular, one student stated “Ethics, solely because I feel that everyone already knows or should know this. For those of questionable character I am not sure having a 10 minute talk on ethics will make a difference.” Another student said, “I thought the academic integrity section was a waste of time. This is graduate school; if people don’t know what plagiarism is they should not be in grad school.”
University of Texas School of Public Health
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New Student Survey – Spring 2014
Comments for each item of the Orientation Agenda are included in detail in the Appendix and have not been edited. Only the names of staff and faculty have been removed. Recommendations The workgroup, comprised of representatives from the Offices of Academic Affairs, Alumni Affairs, Student Affairs, and Career Services reconvened on April 2, 2014 to review and discuss the results of the new student survey and have made the following recommendations, as well as addressed issues in the Spring 2014: RECOMMENDATIONS
CHANGES , P LAN AND A CTIVITIES BASED ON N EW STUDENT FEEDBACK
Make the Orientation schedule available to incoming students well in advance of the date.
Encourage students and faculty to contact each other as soon as admissions letters are received.
Emphasize the importance of the academic integrity /ethics session during orientation.
Include more information in the Orientation about the public health priorities of the school and the work conducted by faculty.
University of Texas School of Public Health
For the Fall 2014 new student orientation, The Office of Student Affairs will work to post the Fall Orientation schedule early in June 2014; send a save the date e-mail to all accepted students; coordinate a new event to support new students: “Newly Admitted Students Day, April 2014” and send follow-up e-mails through August 2014. The division coordinators plan to send targeted e-mails to newly accepted students in division majors with the contact information of faculty, as well as follow-up e-mails to students encouraging them to contact faculty members and advisors in their assigned division. The Office of Academic and Student Affairs have added a lengthy session in the program on plagiarism and emphasize the consequences of academic integrity violations. In addition, faculty will begin adding an academic integrity statement to all syllabi. The Office of Student Affairs will begin to communicate school-wide priorities on a weekly basis in a newsletter format, in addition to including new academic policies and procedures, as well as the work of the faculty. Division coordinators will add faculty research interests to the division orientation packets to give students an idea of where the faculty are focused and what opportunities are available to students to participate.
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New Student Survey – Spring 2014
APPENDIX
University of Texas School of Public Health
5
Initial Data Report – New Student Survey – Admissions and Orientation Spring 2014
DEMOGRAPHICS 1. Division: # 1 2
3
4
5
Answer Biostatistics Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Epidemiology and Disease Control Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences Management Policy and Community Health Total
2. Degree/Program: # Answer 1 MPH 2 MS 3 DrPH 4 PhD Click to write 5 Choice 5 Total
Response 2
% 5%
3
7%
17
40%
14
33%
6
14%
42
100%
Response 38 0 0 2
% 90% 0% 0% 5%
2
5%
42
100%
Answer Male Female Total
Response 7 35 42
% 17% 83% 100%
4. Are you an international student? # Answer 1 Yes 2 No Total
Response 10 32 42
% 24% 76% 100%
Click to write Choice 5 MGPS/MPH MD/MPH 3. Gender: # 1 2
5. Age: # 1 2 3
Answer 21-30 31-40 41+ Total
Response 32 7 3 42
% 76% 17% 7% 100%
RECRUITMENT 6. How did you first learn about UTSPH? # Answer UTSPH 1 website 2 ASPH website 3 APHA meeting Other 4 Professional Meeting Recruitment 5 Fair National Society of 6 Genetic Counselors Referral from 7 UTSPH Faculty Referral from 8 UTSPH Student Referral from 9 UTSPH Alumni 10 Other ? Other ? coworker Friend Referral from father's coworker looked up grad schools and their reputation google search Statistic Total Responses 7. Did you attend an Open House at UTSPH? # Answer 1 Yes 2 No Total
Response
%
25
60%
2 0
5% 0%
0
0%
1
2%
0
0%
1
2%
5
12%
6
14%
6
14%
Value 42
Response 5 37 42
% 12% 88% 100%
8. If attended, how did the UTSPH Open House compare to others you have attended? # Answer Response % Better than 1 3 60% others About the 2 same as 0 0% others Worse than 3 0 0% others 4 Not sure 2 40% Total 5 100% Statistic Value Total Responses 5 9. What were the most important reasons you applied for and accepted admission to UTSPH (check all that apply)? # Answer Response % 1 Academic reputation 30 71% Ranking in national 2 15 36% magazines Availability of your 3 28 67% program of study 4 Size of school 3 7% 5 In-State School 22 52% 6 Location of school 33 79% UTSPH was my 7 2 5% back-up school 8 Visit to school 2 5% Cost of education at 9 30 71% UTSPH 10 Financial aid 4 10% Diversity of student 11 9 21% body 12 Diversity of faculty 5 12% Diversity of 13 2 5% curriculum Encouraged by a 14 family member or 12 29% friend Encouraged by a 15 currently enrolled 4 10% student Encouraged by an 16 2 5% alumnus Encouraged by a 17 3 7% staff or administrator Statistic Value Total Responses 42
10. What were the top three reasons from the list above? # Answer 1 Reason 1 2 Reason 2 3 Reason 3 Reason 1 Reason 2 Location of school academic reputation Encouraged by a family Location of school member location of school academic program cost of education size of school Academic Reputation Ranking ACademic reputation
Cost of education
Location of school cost in-state school in-state location of school Academic reputation Location location of school Academic reputation Availability Academic Reputation Location Cost of education
Cost of education at UTSPH ranking but not anymore Location of School cost cost of education Cost Diversity of curricul encouragement from a friend ranking in national magzine Location Availability Academic Reputation academic reputation
Location
Availability of program of study
Location of school Location Program academic reputation Location Back up school Academic reputation In State Visit to school Availability of program of study cost Location Academic Reputation Academic Reputation Encouraged by a family member
Encouraged by a family member or friend Dual Option Cost availability of program to study Reputation availability of program of study cost of education Reputation Academic reputation
Response 38 38 36 Reason 3 cost of education
% 100% 100% 95%
In-state school ranking in national magazines Availability of program Availability of my program study Academic Reputation diversity Cost of Education at UTSPH location academic reputation Location Advice from faculty cost of education location Cost Location Availability of my program Academic Reputation / Ranking in U.S. News and World Reports Academic reputation Cost Reccomendation encouraged by a current student In State location location of school Diversity Encouraged by an alumnus
Location of School
Cost of education at UTSPH
reputation Instate Ranking in magazines Location of School
ranking Encouraged by friend Diversity of faculty Availability of Program
Location of school
program
academic reputation
encouraged by a staff
Location
Cost
encouraged by a family member In state school
I was encouraged by a family member Statistic Total Responses
Location of the school
Cost of tuition Value 38
11. Did offering an opportunity to elect a Concentration in Global Health, Health Disparities, Leadership, Maternal and Child Health, or Physical Activity and Health influence your decision to accept UTSPH's offer admission? # Answer Response % 1 Yes 14 33% 2 No 28 67% Total 42 100% 12. If yes, please describe how/why? Text Response Other schools I looked at did not have as many options in subareas It allowed me to branch out and find an area of interest. I believe it will also stand out with employers when they see its not just a general MPH degree. Giving presentation to introduce these concentration I'm very interested in health disparities. It is a unique opportunity to be able to be offered a concentration in addition to the mph in order to expand my area of research. An MPH can be very braod, I am still not completly sure what I wish to do with it but having the ability to focus on something with a guided curriculum was helpful to me. I am a dual-degree student with Global Policy and am interested in Global Health. The availability allows me to focus on international issues within public health. I was really excited to be able to narrow down my studies into something I was very interested in. I have an interest in Global health. Since I am interested in Behavioral Health and maternal and Child, its nice to see that there is that opprotunity to create a customized masters degree. Statistic Value Total Responses 9 13. Please check the occasion on which you met or spoke directly with a representative of UTSPH? # Answer Response % 1 No contact 6 14% 2 Open house 5 12% Graduate 3 4 10% school fair 4 Phone calls 22 52% Other (please 5 1 2% describe) 6 E-mail 28 67% Set-up 7 6 14% Campus visit Other (please describe) In person Statistic Value Total Responses 42
14. Overall, how many times have you met or corresponded by e-mail with a representative of UTSPH? # Answer Response % 1 None 1 2% 2 1 2 5% 3 2 5 12% 4 3 4 10% 5 4-6 15 36% 6 7-9 4 10% 7 10 or more 11 26% Total 42 100% 15. If you indicated that UTSPH contact with you was none or 1-3 times, what type of additional communication would have been most helpful (check all that apply)? # Answer Response % E-mail regarding 1 0 0% University life Regular Mail 2 regarding 1 8% University life Confirmation or follow-up from 3 6 50% an Admissions Officer Contact with 4 4 33% students Contact with 5 faculty from 9 75% program/division Other (please 6 0 0% describe) Statistic Value Total Responses 12 Comments Text Response Actually, I found most information by combing through the UTSPH website while awaiting receipt of information from Admissions. I thought that every student had the option to do what concentration they wanted, and it wasn't until I was sitting in orientation that I was told MD students are limited to the global health or infectious disease tracts. This really disappointed me. It is misleading that a courses/degree programs are only offered in Houston. Statistic Value Total Responses 3 16. Did you use social media to gather information about UTSPH? # Answer Response 1 Yes 12 2 No 30 Total 42
% 29% 71% 100%
17. If so, which were most helpful? # Answer 1 Linkedin 2 Facebook 3 Twitter Statistic Total Responses
Response 0 12 0
% 0% 100% 0% Value 12
ADMISSIONS 18. To what other graduate schools did you apply (List top five)? # Answer Response 1 School 1 18 2 School 2 10 3 School 3 3 4 School 4 0 5 School 5 0 School 1 School 2 School 3 School 4 TAMU SRPH University of Houston Texas A&M HSC John Hopkins Georgia State UH University of Texas A & M Southern Califrornia University of Washington Boston Univ UTMB BCM Texas A&M UNTHSC Harvard Johns Hopkins U Mass UT HSC Houston UNT HSC UNM GSBS Alabama Boston School of public Tulane school of school of health public health public health University of North Texas St. Louis University Tulane UTSA Texas A&M HSC University of North Tulane Texas Statistic Total Responses
% 100% 56% 17% 0% 0% School 5
Value 18
19. Compared to other schools to which you applied, especially the school that was your SECOND CHOICE, did you receive your UTSPH admission offer/acceptance letter…. # Answer Response % Well BEFORE 1 the other 6 16% schools? A LITTLE 2 BEFORE the 3 8% other schools? About the same time as 3 0 0% the other schools? A LITTLE 4 AFTER the 4 11% other schools? Well AFTER 5 the other 5 13% schools? Not sure/Not 6 20 53% applicable Total 38 100% 20. The SOPHAS application process was user friendly #
Question
1
SOPHAS application process
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
No Opinion
Agree
Strongly Agree
Total Responses
Mean
2
5
7
26
2
42
3.50
Statistic Total Responses 21. Are you enrolled at UTSPH… # Answer 1 Full-time? 2 Part-time? Total 22. If you are enrolled part-time, is this your preference? # Answer Yes, I want to 1 attend part-time. No, given other conditions or circumstances, I 2 would have preferred to attend full-time Total
SOPHAS application process 42
Response 26 16 42
% 62% 38% 100%
Response
%
6
38%
10
63%
16
100%
23. If you answered “No” to the previous questions, which of the following circumstances may keep you from enrolling full- time (check all that apply)? # Answer Response % 1 Financial reasons 5 50% Family responsibilities 2 1 10% (including child care) Job 3 9 90% responsibilities/schedule Health or personal 4 0 0% problems Availability of evening or 5 distance courses at 3 30% UTSPH 6 Transportation 0 0% 7 Other (Please describe) 1 10% Other (Please describe) I did not find the courses being offered this semester in alignment to my long term goals Statistic Value Total Responses 10 24. Will you be working while enrolled at UTSPH? # Answer 1 Yes 2 No Total
Response 30 12 42
% 71% 29% 100%
25. If so, how many hours per week do you expect to work? # Answer 1 5-10 2 10-20 3 20-30 4 30-40 Total
Response 1 6 7 16 30
% 3% 20% 23% 53% 100%
26. (Optional) When do you prefer to attend classes (Please rank your choices from 1 to 5 with 1 being your first preference)? Total # Answer 1 2 3 4 5 Responses 1 Morning 20 6 3 4 8 41 2 Afternoon 6 11 9 11 4 41 3 Evening 9 10 9 10 3 41 4 Saturday 3 1 10 7 20 41 5 Online 3 13 10 9 6 41 Total 41 41 41 41 41 -
27. The admissions materials provided to me accurately portrayed UTSPH Strongly Not Strongly Total Question Disagree Agree Disagree Applicable Agree Responses Admissions 0 2 2 27 10 41 materials 28. The admissions staff accurately portrayed UTSPH Strongly Question Disagree Agree Disagree The admissions staff accurately 0 2 27 portrayed UTSPH
Mean 4.10
Strongly Agree
Total Responses
Mean
12
41
4.20
Total Responses
Mean
41
4.32
29. The admissions officers at UTSPH are knowledgeable Strongly Strongly Question Disagree Agree Disagree Agree The admissions officers at 1 1 21 18 UTSPH are knowledgeable
30. The admissions officers at UTSPH were able to answer my questions Strongly Strongly Total Question Disagree Agree Mean Disagree Agree Responses The Student Affairs Office at UTSPH were 0 3 22 16 41 4.24 able to answer my questions Comments Text Response My advisors has no experience working with my degree plan and further could not advise me on degree planning. I was told that on-campus classes (including ITV) would be offered in blocks per week instead of split into multiple days per week. For example, a 4-hour class would be provided on 1 day/week in a 4-hr block. This is not the case for any classes that I've seen so far. This "fact" was a big reason for my choice of UTSPH given that I work full-time and had to ask my employer for flexibility in scheduling to incorporate this degree. Now, I appear as a liar and fool to my employer since this is NOT the case. It is entirely frustrating, and I've already turned down my other admission acceptance to a full web-only program. Quite honestly it took a while to receive an answer. Once I did it was by email and it took weeks before I got an official letter. Statistic Value Total Responses 3
REGISTRATION
31. How would you rate the quality of service you received during the UTSPH registration process? # Answer Response % 1 Excellent 17 44% 2 Good 19 49% 3 Satisfactory 1 3% 4 Poor 2 5% Total 39 100% 32. Please indicate the amount of debt accrued in educational programs prior to your enrollment at UTSPH? # Answer Response % 1 $0 21 54% 2 Under $10,000 5 13% $11,000 3 4 10% $25,000 $26,000 4 7 18% $50,000 $51,000 5 1 3% $75,000 $76,000 6 0 0% $100,000 7 Over $100,000 1 3% Total 39 100%
ORIENTATION 33. Did you attend an UTSPH Orientation? # Answer 1 Yes 2 No Total
Response 41 1 42
% 98% 2% 100%
34. If so, how satisfied were you with the UTSPH Orientation? Question
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Total Responses
Mean
If so how satisfied were you 0 4 0 25 12 41 4.10 with the UTSPH Orientation? Comments Text Response I was looking forward to more excitement at orientation and more of an acceptance into the UTSPH family. This was not the feeling I left with, which was extremely disappointing. Also, the material covered was mostly material I had already read through so most information was redundant. When I asked my adviser during the session about doing a concentration with Epidemiology she was not sure how the process worked. It would have bn best if the UT staff had clearly stated that only the first day of orientation was mandatory, when the second was voluntary. Also, I would have preferred if the sutdent orginizations were apart of the second day rather than the first since it seem to be a large use of time that could have been more effectivly used towards - registration, obtaining student ids, or even parking or metro q cards. It would also have been a good idea to have someone from Metro on-site at orientation to provide, accept and/or process the paperwork necessary for a student metro card. The time spent listening to orginizations could have been put to better use. It would also have been appreciated if the staff would have asked if people had food allergies or specials for those who were not able to eat the lunch provided. I cannot eat gluten and therefore could not eat the food provided. The informaton regarding computer saftey and financial aid were very useful and informative. It may have been a good idea to send each student with their oritention emails a zip file contatining all of the papers prinited out, which would have been more cost-effective and allow the students to fill out paperwork electronically, having a copy on file for them, and easier to send to advisors, staff, etc. It was a bit repetitive at times, but overall helpful. Regional campus orientaion was unorganized and the contact person was unable to answer questions ask by the students. Informaton about the writing assessment should have been given so that students can adequately prepare. Also student IDs should be available during orientation, especially since services are dependent on an ID. a) we had no student representative for my program. b) I really did not feel the comraderie from many of the faculty advisors. I, actually felt many were catty and waiting for their retirement and they could not understand why we chose this program. c)It was a downer. d) The career services counselor just basically went out of her way to make us scared of our future. I really enjoyed hearing that many of us won't have a job after we graduate. e) I also enjoyed hearing all about her. If she had shifted the attention from herself to the students that she was advising, in terms of fears and expectations that would have been awesome. f) We aren't just numbers. We are individuals that have left countries, states, familiarity to pursue a field and we will like to know that we are welcome in this field and that we bring something to the field and we are bringing something that can be molded. No, I was definitely unhappy with the orientation and I didn't want to come in for the second day but I had to because of the testing. Statistic Value Total Responses 6
35. How satisfied were you with the Orientation check in process? Very Very # Question Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Dissatisfied Satisfied How satisfied were you 1 with the 0 1 2 16 22 Orientation check in process? Comments:
Total Responses
Mean
41
4.44
Text Response Very organized and too the point. Rather than having a paper version for check-in, electronic may have been better. Some people were left off the list, and edits could have been done to names. Also tshirt sizes: since most of the class entering are females and tend to wear smaller sizes, the staff could have asked during the acceptace to the program tshirt size preference. It should have been organized better (using the lean perspective I had to double back too many times and waste time walking extra steps) good to provide light breakfast Statistic Value Total Responses 4
SATISFACTION WITH THE FOLLOWING SESSIONS ON THE ORIENTATION AGENDA: 36. T-shirt Ceremony #
Question
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Total Responses
Mean
T-shirt 2 5 10 17 7 41 3.54 ceremony Comments: Text Response Our regional campus admissions representative did not want to participate in this activity, which I found extremely disappointing. T-Shirts available were only in Large or X-Large. I myself am a small. It showed lack of preparedness. Again, most of the entering class were female and wore smaller sizes than large, extra large, or XXL. This could have been avoided by asking those who accepted and decided to attend oritention to provide their t shirt preference with their acceptance It was weird but fun. Wish I could have gotten a t-shirt in my size, I am going to end up giving away mine as I wear a small but was given an extra large. San Antonio did not have a Ceremony, and the shirt sizes were all too large. There were no smalls available. Only medium and large.... The only sizes available were large through 2X. I thought this was a bad reflection on the program, that they were not prepared and disorganized. we did not take a picture Statistic Value Total Responses 8 1
37. Setting the Stage for Graduate Education, Academic Integrity, etc. Very Very Total # Question Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Mean Dissatisfied Satisfied Responses Setting the Stage for Graduate 1 0 1 2 24 14 41 4.24 Education, Academic Integrity, etc… Comments: Text Response I enjoyed the talk given by the dean in Houston. I also quite enjoyed the woman from Toxicology. This information could have been provided in a zip file. Really enjoyed listening to the woman (I think associate dean?) who spoke on this subject. Statistic Value Total Responses 3 38. Degree/Major Requirements, etc.. #
Question
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Total Responses
Degree\Major Requirements, 0 3 0 27 10 40 etc. Comments: Text Response I am not completely sure how my degree requirements are to be applied. Good to have a clear defination of what is required in each degree/major As an overachiever this was things I had already reviewed and was not neccessary for me. We did not spend much/any time on this during the break out session. Statistic Total Responses 1
Mean
4.10
Value 4
39. Did you attend your program/degree divisional breakout session? # Answer Response 1 Yes 38 2 No 2 Total 40 40. If so, how satisfied were you with the divisional breakout session? #
Question
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Total Responses
% 95% 5% 100% Mean
If so, how satisfied were you 1 with the 3 5 2 18 11 39 3.74 divisional breakout session? Comments: Text Response I got nothing from this breakout. Plus, at my regional campus we were sent to a room by ourselves (just the incoming students) with no one from the school to assist us with the A/V to participate successfully with the ITV session. We did ours through ITV with the Houston campus. It was difficult to hear them, and we couldn't see them for a good portion of it. Did not get a definite answer on how I can combine epidemiology with maternal/child health. I would have like it more if the staff present wore name-tags rather than badges so it would be clear to see their names, but those present were very informative. My advisor was absent due to illness, but the other staff was very helpful. There were some technical issues with ITV and the feed did not connect until halfway through the session Introductions by faculty were too rushed, I am unable to remember anyone from the session. Also the advising was geared towards full time students with no real mention of part time students. We spent the whole time doing introductions and did not really talk about the degree plan There was no information presented for the Customized program 1) Please read my comments from earlier. They really should try to be a little bit more welcoming. We aren't on judgement seats trying to proove ourselves. At least not yet (for those that will be going for the PhD). Statistic Value Total Responses 9
41. University and SPH Student Services #
Question
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Total Responses
Mean
University and SPH 1 1 1 1 26 12 41 4.15 Student Services Comments: Text Response I was disappointed to learn that I would not be able to take advantage of the local UT bookstore discounts, and that I could not walk away with my UT student ID from orientation. Again, this could have been provided via zip file; or even on blackboard. Probably the most helpful as this explained who the support services were and where they were located. I am taking classes from the Dallas Regional Campus. Not surprisingly, Dallas does not seem to have much of these services due to the distance from Houston... I think, though, that future newly admitted students would really appreciate it if the services that are supposed to be available to them at UT Southwestern would be made available immediately after Orientation (or at least when classes begin). For example, I still do not have my student badge that allows me access to the UT Southwestern library. I also technically do not have parking rights (without paying $2.00 for every visit) as other students have from other health professions here at UT Southwestern. NEXT TIME, MAKE STUDENT BADGES AVAILABLE AS SOON AS CLASSES BEGIN PLEASE! Statistic Value Total Responses 4 42. Student Organizations/ Community # Question
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Total Responses
Mean
Student 1 Organizations/ 1 2 3 23 12 41 4.05 Community Comments: Text Response It was great to meet these folks! Some representatives were difficult to understand. Also, I felt this session would have been more helpful if optional and/or on day 2. Move to second (optional) day. This time could have been used more effective by doing student ids, registrations, etc. This part was unneccessary, I would have preferred this session be elective as I work full time, volunteer and am now taking classes part time, I will not have time to engage in these orgaizations so to me this was pointless. Statistic Value Total Responses 4
43. University and SPH Services Expo #
Question
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Total Responses
Mean
University and SPH 1 0 0 18 15 8 41 3.76 Services Expo Comments: Text Response n/a Did not attend as I had done everything I needed and did not wish to engage with the organizations. Statistic Value Total Responses 2 44. Intro to Library Services (optional) #
Question
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Total Responses
Mean
Intro to Library 1 0 1 19 10 11 41 3.76 Services (optional) Comments: Text Response It was a separate day from orientation. Being a full time employee it was hard for myself to take off two full days. Great. Learned how to better search for research articles. It was kind of the staff to provide treats, but those of us with special diests (gluten-free) would appreciate if there were ther options (bananas, apples, etc.) than trail bars. Great information, but seemed a bit rushed. Librarian kept to her word and has made herself available. The session was too lengthy and it would have been more helpful if the session were provided once we could access the library database. Statistic Value Total Responses 5 45. Concentrations session (optional) Very Very # Question Dissatisfied Neutral Satisfied Dissatisfied Satisfied Concentrations 1 0 2 21 14 4 session(optional) Comments: Text Response It was not clear at all for my case. Did not attend This was much more helpful than the divisions explaining concentrations. There was no presentation made on the concentration of my choice Statistic Total Responses
Total Responses
Mean
41
3.49
Value 4
46. Overall, how do you rate the UTSPH New Student Orientation? #
Question
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neutral
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Total Responses
Mean
Overall, how do you rate 1 the UTSPH 0 3 0 24 12 39 4.15 New Student Orientation? Comments: Text Response See specific comments above. informative, but has room for improvement It was a fantastic welcoming process better more introduction with each programs, staff better introduce themselves more specifically See othe comment I enjoyed the application process and the orientation. I would have liked SPOPHAS to make my transcripts available to UT SPH rather than having to re-request these for the university. No comments Breakfast was very nice Statistic Value Total Responses 8
47. Which session(s) were the most useful to you? Text Response The introduction to each of the professors and lunch with the professors and staff was helpful in getting to know them on a more personal level. the Concentration and Library sessions Degree requirements Financial Aid (up coming scholarships) All Division break out session was most useful The division breakout session academic and integrity The division break out. Breakout Session, Library Info Session library session Student services I enjoyed the entire orientation Registration info Concentrations, library, student services Blackboard, ethical Career Services The overall orientation that provided use with information concerning registration and coursework Lunch with Faculty Adviser. Orientation presentation by Dr. XX Discussion of UTH emails, accessing blackboard, uth page and such. Basically, online UTH specifics. program introduction The breakout session with the customized program options, discussing what options are available. Meeting the professors and hearing the Dean speak about the school, understanding the culture and environment of the school. Library Resources and the individual break-out sessions between groups. When we broke out during lunch, this is where I was told my limited options and how I needed to adjust the rest of my time here. Student organizations The session that was most helpful was our breakout sessions to our divisions NA Degree requirements Major Requirement Degree Breakout Sessions The breakout session was the most helpful because we were able to voice concerns and ask specific questions about degree plans, work issues, student organizations, research opportunities, etc. Concentration career services, break out My favorite part was hearing from various professors and their line of work. I wish we had more time with them. I thought the major division was useful. The degree requirements and degree breakout sessions course selection and track Academic requirements, individual concentration Statistic Value Total Responses 39
48. What session(s) were least useful? Text Response Breakout of specific degree requirements. The Career Services session was least useful to me, but only because I don't require those services to the same degree as other students. The presentation itself was very good. Breakout session ITV all sections were beneficial in some form None Concentration Student organizations overview none Introduction of blackboard use T-shirt ceremony student orginizations None The orientation was very useful Library services student organizations, blackboard Class schedule Academic Honesty Concentration breakout session Student organizations and communities. Did not attend all the sessions. Cannot think of anything that was particularly not useful. staff introduction, could not remember them all, too short Learning about the Centers - it would be better if we had the chance to mingle and ask questions about the Foundations and different opportunities available. I found all of the sessions to be useful. When some girls came in to talk about things on campus. Since I am an MD student, I won't be joining anything here or being involved because I simply just don't have any extra time. break out sessions with the degree plans N/A NA Academic excellence/integrity Student Organizations N/A I found all the sessions that I attended to be useful. Career services, break out. library Ethics, solely because I feel that everyone already knows or should know this. For those of questionable character I am not sure having a 10 minute talk on ethics will make a difference. I thought the academic integrity section was a waste of time. This is a graduate school; if people don't know what plagiarism is they should not be in grad school. The community session, due to my not be located on Houston campus student activities, it was neat to hear about what they have done in the past and their future ideas or plans. But It would have been nice to see pictures or videos. N/A Statistic Value Total Responses 39
49. General comments about the UTSPH admissions and orientation process? Text Response I left orientation feeling overall disappointed that I used a precious vacation day to "learn" information that I already knew and that I was not really part of the UTSPH family, just another number. Great job! Overall very good process. I really enjoyed getting to meet all the Austin campus faculty, and being able to chat with them during lunch I believe the orientation should not be held a week before school starts. Does not leave room to obtain permission codes from professors and delays financial aid from disbursing on time. Was well put together It is useful for a new student to know about the school and his or her program. Having a brief opportunity to meet one-on-one with an advisor or faculty member during our division breakout would have been helpful. Great The admission process was easy, the applicants only need to submit materials to SOPHAS, however, the status on myUTH updated a little bit slowly. The orientation was excellent, short but contains a lot of useful information, especially for international students who knows nothing about American education system. Overall, I am very comfortable with admissions and orientation process. Overall it was very informative. I learned what I needed to do next after orientation. please see other comments None Well organized Very organized very structured. People were very friendly. I felt very well oriented after completing it. Overall it was helpful, I wish someone would have told me the second day was recommended but optional (except the writing assessment) as I had to take PTO from work and I could have gone. I liked the schedule. I am very happy about the writing test in begining which can tell students about the requirrement of writing session. Overall very good and would highly recommened. Would open the orientation to non-degree students as well as degreed students. It went very smoothly. The process worked very well I was a certificate student prior to the orientation, and I knew a lot of the information already. However, it was EXTREMELY helpful to talk to my adviser and meet other faculty at the regional campus in San Antonio. It was very well organized, focused and relevant. I was satisfied overall. it's necessary but need to improvement on advice to student I thought it was quite lovely. I thought the orientation was extremely helpful. I learned a lot about what the university has to offer and everyone was so kind and ready to answer any questions. I definitely think it could be more organized and people be more prepared. There was a lot of time we wasted waiting on people for getting things to work. It was a bit long- a lot of time was spent reading over material I could read myself or already knew. It was informative, but I would recommend a having more days of orientation instead of 2 days because I felt like it was really crammed NA Really enjoyed meeting the staff and the other new students. It was a great way to begin as a UTSPH student! Overwhelming but much needed All have been very helpful. staff was friendly and extremely willing to help a) We want to feel that we made the right choice. b) Less grumpy - More Happy. I was quite satisfied with the admissions as well as registration process as the officers are quite prompt and helpful with queries. The only unpleasant experience I had was with the Registrar s office,
who do not communicate with the prospective and current students adequately and are not very approachable either. Hearing more from professors would have been nice. Getting assigned an advisor earlier would have been nice. I'm not sure what the next steps are, i.e., when am I supposed to contact the advisor, when should I do the practicum, how about a thesis, etc. It was too long and harped on things that were not that important. Very informative Everything went smoothly I could tell the staff really worked hard on making it an enjoyable and organized experience. Overall, it was well organized and very informative. Everyone was very polite and I had a great time meeting both students and faculty alike. Statistic Value Total Responses 39
