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Senior Exit Survey

Senior Exit Survey: 2018-2019

With post-college life on the horizon, 1,848 graduating seniors reflect on their stay at SDState. 

The 2018-2019 Senior Exit Survey (SES) was administered during the online graduation application process for Fall 2018 and Spring 2019. Almost all graduating seniors who completed the graduation application participated in the SES at a 97% response rate. The survey offered no incentive to the students for completion and consisted of 50 questions in closed-ended response format.

Descriptive analysis was utilized to understand the frequency and distribution of the data, primarily presenting the percentages of variables. The goal of the analysis was to understand overall experiences, general education goals, high-impact practices (HIP’s) and graduate school aspirations of graduating seniors.

Methods: Almost all graduating seniors who completed the graduation application participated in the Senior Exit Survey (97% response rate). The survey instrument consists of 50 questions, in closed-ended response format.

The percentages below represent respondents who agreed to the survey items.

Overall Satisfaction with Educational Experience.

97%
Received high quality of education
96%
Achieved their educational goals
97%
Were prepared to be successful
94%
Had their educational expectations met
95%
Were satisfied with their experience at SDState
94%
Would recommend SDState to others

General Educational Goals

97%
Felt they improved their ability to write effectively and responsibly
98%
Felt they improved their ability to communicate effectively and responsibly
95%
Felt they improved their knowledge in social sciences
92%
Felt they improved their knowledge in arts and humanities
93%
Felt they improved their knowledge in mathematical processes and reasoning
95%
Felt they improved their knowledge in natural sciences

Participation in High Impact Practices (HIP's)

85%
Participated in first-year seminar
64%
Participated in Common Intellectual Experience (e.g. Common Read)
29%
Participated in Living-Learning Community
50%
Participated in writing-intensive courses
80%
Participated in collaborative assignments and projects
45%
Participated in undergraduate research and creative activity
35%
Participated in diversity and global learning
24%
Participated in creating ePortfolios
43%
Participated in service learning/community-based learning
70%
Participated in internships
61%
Participated in Senior Capstone Courses

Graduate School

34%
Have plans of pursuing a graduate degree