Entering Student Questionnaire Report Spring Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness

Transcription

1 Entering Student Questionnaire Report Spring 2013 Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness October 2013

2 Entering Student Questionnaire Report The Entering Student Questionnaire is conducted through the Association of Theological Schools. Dallas Theological Seminary has recently begun utilizing this tool. Improvements continue to be made to the instrument, both by ATS and by DTS Institutional Research. Procedure of Survey The survey is administered online through ATS s website, with DTS sending a link to each entering student. Entering students from Spring 2013 were asked to participate. The survey asks the student concerning their motivations for attending seminary, rating twenty nine items in importance (from Very important to Of no importance ), and their means of contact with the seminary. Additionally, fifteen custom questions were added. These DTS only questions were related to satisfaction with their contact with DTS, and the means by which they found out about the Seminary. All the questions were multiple choice with no open ended questions asked. A specimen of the survey instrument is available through the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. Survey Results Of the 161 students invited to participate in the survey 101 took part for a 6 response rate. The demographic information on page 3 compares the respondents with the graduating student population from Spring Beginning on page 5 a summary of the survey results is presented. Beginning on page 19, results for the additional DTS specific questions are shown. As DTS has recently begun utilizing this tool, historical data comparison is not yet available. Additional breakdowns or specific cross referent information is available through the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. Analysis of Survey Results As per this survey, the typical entering student in the Spring semester of 2013 is a married (6) male (67%), younger than 35 years of age (64%), white (67%), US citizen (9), and enrolled part time (66%). This typical student does not live in DTS housing (88%), has a commute of less than a half hour (66%), and works more than 20 hours a week (64%). They went to a public, university, state college, or community college (57%), where they earned a 1

3 bachelor s degree (99%) in the humanities or technical studies (59%). While they were brought up in a denomination (8), they now consider themselves nondenominational (55%). Their parents have at least a high school degree (9 of mothers, 9 of fathers). In the past five years they have held a leadership position in their local church (67%), and in the past two years have been very active in their church (70%), which had over 500 members (60%), located in an urban or rural setting (77%). They consider themselves conservative theologically (59%). Named by at least half the entering students as important to their decision to pursue theological training was the opportunity for study and growth (87%), having experienced a call from God (8), a desire to serve others (76%), intellectual interest in religious/theological questions (70%), a desire to make a difference in the life of Church (66%), to discern God s will (59%), the promise of spiritual fulfillment (58%) and the influence of family or spouse (5). Named by at least half the entering students as important to the decision to attend DTS specifically was DTS s academic reputation (78%), comfort with the seminary s doctrinal positions (7), and the quality of the faculty (70%). Named by at least half the entering students as a top 5 reason for choosing DTS were our theological perspective (84%), academic reputation (77%), and faculty (50%). The DTS web site was the most influential media in their decision to apply to DTS (55%). Their first contact with the seminary was through e mail (7), and preferred e mail contact during the admissions process (over other electronic media) (8). They are satisfied with the quality (timely and helpful) responses from admissions (96%), that they received clear and complete answers to your questions about DTS (95%), with the work of their Admissions counselor (9), and that they had sufficient information about all the degree programs at DTS to make an informed choice of your program (89%). They do not feel they received the runaround in their contact with DTS (84%), and wish they had more information about financial grants (scholarships) from DTS (65%). They are unaware of DTS advanced standing credit and validation of courses (5), and are not eligible to transfer credit (8). 2

4 Marital Status Gender Single (Includes widowed/divorced) Married male female Population N=149 Survey Sample N= % 6 38% Survey Sample N=101 34% 3 67% 66% Population N=161 Your Age Range Survey Sample Population 34% 27% 17% 18% 20% 14% 5% 10% 9% 9% 10% 7% 8% 8% 8% or older 3

5 Citizenship Are you enrolling N=97 US Citizen Canadian Citizen Other Part time Full time 9 5% 66% 34% How do you describe yourself? N=101 White Black Asian International Student Hispanic How many dependents do you have? None One Two Three Four or more 67% 6% 15% 8% 49% 16% 10% 9% 4% 16% 4

6 Do you use schoolprovided housing? Yes No 1 How important was the availability of student housing to your decision to attend this seminary? N=12 Unimportant Slightly Important Important Very Important 3 17% 88% 17% 3 27% How long is your daily commute to school? N=101 No commute 7% less than 1/2 hour 1/2 to 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 45% How many hours a week do you plan to work at a paying job this year No plans for a paying job Fewer than 10 hours 10 to 15 hours 15 to 20 hours More than 20 hours 10% 4% 7% 15% 64% 2 5

7 Do you have a bachelor's degree? Yes No What was the area of your undergraduate degree? N=100 Fine arts Humanities (e.g., classics, English, history, languages) Natural/physical sciences (e.g., chemistry, mathematics, physics) Religion Social/behavioral sciences (e.g., economics, political science, psychology, sociology) Technical studies (e.g., business, communications, computers) Theology 35% 9% 7% 9% 99% 24% 5% 1 What is your highest degree beyond bachelor's? 75% 7% 15% None Master's MBA Other Doctorate Other Professional MD 14% From what type of undergraduate institution did you graduate? N=100 29% 57% A public university, state college, or community college A private university or college (not religiously affiliated) A private, religiously affiliated university or college 6

8 In what denomination or religious tradition were you primarily raised? Nondenominational Baptist Southern Baptist Convention Roman Catholic Evangelical Free Church of America United Methodist Church National Baptist Convention Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Baptist General Convention of Texas Episcopal Church Gen. Assn. of Regular Baptist Churches Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Lutheran, Other Christian and Missionary Alliance Assemblies of God United Pentecostal Church International African Methodist Episcopal Church of the Nazarene Reformed Presbyterian Muslim Buddhist Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Churches of Christ Church of God in Christ Conservative Baptist Assn of America Presbyterian Church in America Inter/Multidenominational 8% 8% 7% 7% 15% 14% 14% 7

9 Current denomination or religious tradition Nondenominational 55% Southern Baptist Convention 14% Baptist 9% Evangelical Free Church of America Inter/Multidenominational Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian and Missionary Alliance Independent Baptist Roman Catholic Baptist General Conference Foursquare Gospel Church Church of God in Christ Evangelical Congregational Church Conservative Baptist Association of America National Baptist Convention Presbyterian Church in America 4% 8

10 In the past five years, have you held, been elected to, or appointed to a leadership position in (students selected all that applied) Your Local Church 67% Other leadership position School or college organization No recent leadership position Other church body or religious organization 26% 2 18% 18% Civic or fraternal organization 8% Do you anticipate being ordained? Yes No Undecided Already ordained 25% 10% 25% 40% 9

11 Indicate the highest level of education completed by your mother (or female guardian) Bachelor's or 4 year degree High school diploma or equivalent Graduate or professional degree Associate's or 2 year degree Some college Some high school Business or trade school Grade school Some graduate or professional school 20% 15% 10% 8% 6% 4% 3 Indicate the highest level of education completed by your father (or male guardian) N=99 Graduate or professional degree Bachelor's or 4 year degree High school diploma or equivalent Associate's or 2 year degree Some college Some high school Some graduate or professional school Grade school Business or trade school 8% 7% 6% 4% 15%

12 During the past two years, how would you describe your participation in a worshiping community, congregation, or parish? Very Active Active Moderately Active Not very active Inactive 70% 18% 10% Was the church N=70 Rural Small town Suburban Urban 40% Size of the church N=82 Under 100 members 100 to to to or more 45% 8% 20% 15% 37%

13 How would you describe your theological position Very conservative Conservative Moderate Liberal 15% 24% 59% When did you first consider going theological school? After two or more years of work 46% During college 2 After graduating from college 17% Before college 10% After graduate work 5% 12

14 How important were the following in your decision to pursue theological education? (% Very Important & Important) Opportunity for study and growth Experienced a call from God 8 87% Desire to serve others 76% Intellectual interest in religious/theological questions Desire to make a difference in life of church 66% 70% To discern God s will Promise of spiritual fulfillment 59% 58% Influence of family or spouse 5 Experience of the community life of a local church Experience of pastoral counseling/spiritual direction Encouragement of clergy % Influence of friend(s) Search for meaning in life 3 30% Experience in campus Christian organization 2 Major life event (e.g., a death, divorce) Desire to administer the sacraments 6% 9% 13

15 How important were the following in your decision to attend this institution? (% Very Important & Important) Academic reputation of the school 78% Comfort with the school s doctrinal positions Quality of the faculty 70% 7 Recommended by a graduate Encouragement of my pastor 38% 36% Relative/friend attended this school Good financial aid assistance Wanted a school close to home/work Quality of the admissions staff Encouragement of my denomination Encouragement of a faculty member from my college Sent by religious superior 29% 25% 25% 2 18% 1 1 Only theological school in the area 0% 14

16 My first contact was N=100 E mail/internet 7 Visited the school 1 Telephoned the school 7% Wrote to school Recruiter visited my college/church to provide information Theological school initiated contact with me Returned a post card If you visited the school as an individual or as part of a seminary program, how important was that visit to your decision to attend the institution? N=64 19% 25% Of no importance Of little importance Somewhat important Important Very Important 15

17 Mark the top five reasons for choosing this institution Theological perspective Academic Reputation Faculty Curriculum Spiritual atmosphere Flexible class schedule Location Special academic program Close to home Denominational Affiliation Financial aid assistance Family/spouse Sense of community Multiethnic student body University setting Friend on campus Interdisciplinary/joint degree program Ecumenical setting Availability of housing Access to other theological schools 7% 4% 16% % 30% 38% 4 45% 50% 77% 84% 16

18 How did you learn about this institution? (Fill in all that apply.) Friend Pastor 46% 45% Graduate 3 Website 27% Religious superior Current Student Conference or Church Event Theological School Publications Relative 19% 18% 15% 1 10% Knowing particular faculty member(s) Collage advisor of other college contact 6% 5% Mailings Radio/TV Commercial 17

19 What type of full time position do you expect to have after graduation? N=101 Inner city ministry 3 Seminary teaching Parish ministry 1 1 Christian education Youth ministry Campus ministry Pastoral counseling Social work/services College/university teaching Professional lay ministry Further graduate study Foreign missions Spiritual direction Church planting/evangelism Social justice ministry Hospital or hospice chaplaincy 6% 6% 6% 5% 4% 4% 18

20 Which media was the most influential in your decision to apply to Dallas N=97 Dallas Seminary web page 55% Books/articles by Dallas faculty or alumni Dallas Seminary catalog 17% 16% Other social media 7% Dallas Seminary brochures Kindred Spirit magazine Which of the following contacts was the most influential in your decision to apply to Dallas Seminary? N=97 Attending a church pastored by a Dallas alumni Association with a student who was attending DTS Personal contact with the admissions office Correspondence from DTS after your initial inquiry Hearing a Dallas faculty member speak Individual contact with a Dallas faculty member Focus: DTS (campus open house) Visiting the Dallas seminary campus Sitting under professors in college who were Dallas alumni 5% 5% 2 19% 14% 1 10% 10% 19

21 If you had an alumnus on your pastoral staff, how influential were their counsel and example on your decision to apply? N=53 66% 8% 26% Little or no influence Some positive influence Great positive influence How Satisfied are you (% Very Satisfied & Satisfied) N=101 with the quality (timely and helpful) of responses from admissions? 96% that you received clear and complete answers to your questions about Dallas Theological Seminary 95% with the work of your Admissions counselor 9 had sufficient information about all the degree programs at DTS to make an informed choice of your program 89% 20

22 In your contacts with DTS, did you ever feel that you "got the runaround" by being bounced around departments unnecessarily? N=101 No Yes, once Yes, more than once What was your main preference for receiving communications from DTS during the admissions process? N=101 84% 1 8 9% 9% Phone Text message E mail 4% About which payment option do you most wish you had more information? N=86 Financial grants 65% (scholarships) from DTS Pay as you go monthly financing Student loans 8% 9% 18% Finding a job near my campus 21

23 In which of the following publications do you best recall seeing an ad for Dallas Theological Seminary? N=40 Kindred Spirit Christianity Today Catalyst Leadership Leadership Rev! Worldwide Challange Revelant 5% 10% 30% 48% At which following website do you best recall seeing an ad for Dallas Seminary N=22 Bible.org ChristianityToday.com 36% 36% GoingtoSeminary.com Crosswalk.com 9% 9% Seminary.com Studylight.org 5% 5% 22

24 What has been your experience with DTS Advanced Standing credit and validation of courses which are ways to shorten or tailor your program because of previous studies? N=99 I am not aware of these options 5 I am aware of these options, but do not consider myself eligible for either of them 28% I am aware of these options and plan to seek credit or substitution 1 I have been approved for some A.S.credit or course substitution already I am aware of these options and think I am eligible, but I was discouraged from seeking it 4% What has been your experience with transfer of credit that you have earned at other accredited seminaries and graduate theological schools? N=95 I am not eligible for transfer credit 8 I believe I am eligible for transfer credit but unsure if it is being processed I am eligible for transfer credit and have been notified of the award I believe I am eligible for transfer credit but am still awaiting my award notification 7% 7% 23