b.) If you plan to attend college, either full-time or part-time, please indicate the type of college you are considering. (Mark all types that you are considering.)
I haven’t considered any schools A US military academy
A 2-year community or junior college A 4-year private college or university A 4-year public college or university A technical/trade school
Other type of school (specify) 5. When should students BEGIN preparing for college?
1st-5th grade 6th-8th grade 9th grade 10th grade 11th grade 12th grade
After high school Never
6. Please indicate if you have taken any of the following tests. (Mark all that apply)
PSAT PLAN SAT I
SAT II (any subject) ACT
Advanced Placement ASVAB
7. When was the FIRST time you took either the SAT or ACT?
Never took either test 7th grade or earlier 8th grade
9th grade 10th grade 11th grade
8. Since entering high school, have you ever: (Mark one for each activity)
No Yes
Visited a college or university
Participated in varsity/junior varsity athletics
Used a computer at home
Taken an SAT/ACT test prep course
Attended a college information workshop or “college night”
9. How many Advanced Placement courses have you taken?
none 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 or more
10. What is the longest paper you have ever written for a high school class?
1-2 3-5 6-9 10+
11. Do you know who your high school counselor is? Yes No
12. How often have you discussed college with each of the following people?
(Mark one for each row)
Many
times Once or
twice Never N/A
Any high school counselor
Any high school teacher
A high school coach
Your parent(s)/guardian(s)
Your brother or sister
Another relative not listed above
Friends/other students
A family friend
A clergy member (priest, rabbi, etc.)
A college recruiter
A private college counselor
13. How much time do you spend during a typical school week doing the following? (Mark one for each item)
None < 1
hour 1-5
hours 6-10
hours 11-15
hours > 15 hours
Studying/homework
Socializing with friends
Talking with teachers outside of class Talking with high school counselors Talking with your
parent(s)/guardian(s)
Working (for pay)
Volunteer work
Student clubs/groups
Exercise/sports
Housework/childcare
Reading for pleasure
Religious activities
Watching TV
Surfing the web
Social networking
14. Indicate your best guess of the cost of tuition for one year at each of the following colleges. (Tuition only. Do not include cost of books, housing, or other expenses. Write an amount for each.)
a) Your local community college: $ per year b) A public university in Mississippi: $ per year
c) A public university outside of Mississippi: $ per year
15. How worried are you about being able to pay for college expenses?
Not planning to attend college Very worried
Somewhat worried Not too worried Not worried at all
Don’t know
16. How important are each of these for college admission? (Mark one for each item)
Very
important Moderately
important Minor
factor Not important
Your high school grades
Your senior year grades
Your application essay
Your geographic background
(where you live)
Exceptional talents (athletics,
art, leadership, etc.)
SAT I or ACT test score
SAT II test score
Academic reputation of your
high school
Involvement in volunteer
work
Class rank
Involvement in
extracurricular activities
Household income
Letters of recommendation
Racial/ethnic background
Gender
17. What do you think is the primary purpose of a college education? (Mark one)
Provide students with general knowledge Prepare students for work in general Prepare students for specific careers
Other (specify)
18. In your opinion, how important is it for people to have a college degree in order to be successful?
Extremely important Very important Not very important Not at all important
19. How well do you feel your high school is preparing you for each of the following? (Mark one for each item)
Extremely
well Somewhat
well Not well Not sure To gain admission to the college
of your choice
To succeed in college-level work
To get a good job
To make you a more responsible
citizen
Appendix B: Sample Consent Form Title: The Way I See It
Investigators Kaitlyn Barton Christine Dickason
[email protected] (901) 488-9248
Advisor
Melissa Bass, Ph.D.
Department of Public Policy Leadership 105 Odom Hall
The University of Mississippi (662) 915-1440
Description
“The Way I See It” is an honors senior thesis exploring college preparation and college aspirations in public high schools in the state of Mississippi. After receiving approval from the superintendent and principal of Northwest Rankin High School, we are asking selected students in the senior class to participate in focus groups and one-on-one interviews that will give us a better understanding of students' views on college preparation and aspirations.
Cost and Payments
We expect the focus groups to take about 20 minutes to complete. One-on-one interviews may take more or less time, depending how the conversation flows and how much the student wants to talk. There is no compensation or cost.
Confidentiality
All participants who consent to participation will be video-recorded and featured in a
documentary film. The film will be shown publicly in various venues and locations. Although the participant’s physical appearance will be in the documentary, the individual has control over the amount of information that he or she would like to share.
Right to Withdraw
You do not have to take part in this study and you may stop participation at any time. If you start the study and decide that you do not want to finish, all you have to do is to tell Kaitlyn Barton or Christine Dickason. You may skip any questions you prefer not to answer.
IRB Approval
This study has been reviewed by The University of Mississippi’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). If you have any questions, concerns, or reports regarding your rights as a participant of research, please contact the IRB at (662) 915-7482 or [email protected].
Statement of Consent
I have read and understand the above information. By signing below, I consent to participate in the study.
Name: _______________________________________________
Phone No.:____________________________________________
Signature:_____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature (if under 18):_____________________