Incoming Graduate Student Survey

2009 INCOMING SURVEY

Welcome to MIT [FIRSTNAME LASTNAME]!
(If you are not [FIRSTNAME] [LASTNAME], please retrieve your unique web link to this survey.)

The purpose of this survey is to gather your opinions on graduate education, the admissions process, your career expectations, and various cost of living issues. The information obtained from you and other students will help us identify strategies to improve student life.

The survey is entirely voluntary and you may answer as few or as many questions as you wish. All of your responses will be kept strictly confidential.

Your participation is very important and greatly appreciated!

Enter the Survey >>

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact gradstudentsurvey@mit.edu.

Coming to MIT

What were you doing immediately prior to entering this program?
Undergraduate student
Graduate student
Volunteer/community service
Cared for a family
Employed in a field related to that of current study
Employed in a field unrelated to that of current study
Other (please specify)

Including MIT, to how many programs at all schools were you admitted this year?
1      2      3      4      5 or more

Including MIT, how many programs offered you financial support (excluding loans)?
0      1      2      3      4      5 or more

Please indicate how MIT's financial offer compared to offers from other schools you seriously considered:
MIT's financial offer was more generous
MIT's financial offer was about the same
MIT's financial offer was less generous
Not applicable

Is the program you are entering at MIT your first, second, or third choice?
First or only choice
Second choice
Third or lower choice

What is the ultimate degree you are preparing for in this program?
Masters (S.M., M.B.A., M.Arch., M.C.P.)
Masters in Engineering (M.Eng.)
Engineer
Doctorate (Ph.D., Sc.D.)

How long do you think it will take you to complete your degree?
One year
Two years
Three years
Four years
Five years
Six years or more

Reasons to Begin Graduate Program

How important were each of the following factors in your decision to begin a graduate program now?

	Not at all important	Not very important	Somewhat important	Extremely important		Not applicable
Advanced degree needed to enter my career field
Advanced degree needed to advance in my career
Change of career
Increased income-earning potential
Life stage (e.g., still single, no children yet, children in school/grown)
Personal intellectual enrichment
Poor job market
Academic challenge and skill development
Continuation of academic momentum (I enjoy being a student)
Family expectations
Other

About You

What is your gender?
Male     Female

What is your present citizenship status?
U.S. citizen
U.S. permanent resident (green card holder) and citizen of another country
       Please specify country of citizenship:
Citizen of another country with a student visa or other nonimmigrant visa
       Please specify country of citizenship:

Are you Hispanic or Latino?
Yes, I am Hispanic or Latino
No, I am neither Hispanic nor Latino

What is your racial background? (Please choose one or more.)
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
White

Do you have a spouse or domestic partner?
Yes      No

If applicable, which of the following best describes your spouse or partner?
Student or postdoc at MIT
Student or postdoc at another school
Working
Not working (due to visa regulations)
Not working (by choice)
Not working and actively seeking employment
Other
Not applicable

How many children do you have in total?
0 (None)      1      2      3      4      5      more than 5

Self-Perception

Please rate yourself on each of the following traits as compared with the average entering graduate student at MIT. We want the most accurate estimate of how you perceive yourself.

	Lowest 10%	Below average	Average	Above average	Highest 10%
Academic ability
Artistic ability
Competitiveness
Cooperativeness (ability to work in teams)
Creativity
Drive to achieve
Emotional health
Leadership ability
Mathematical ability
Physical health or fitness
Public speaking ability
Research skills
Risk-taking
Self-confidence (intellectual)
Self-confidence (social)
Writing ability

Sources of Information About MIT

How important were each of the following information sources in your decision to APPLY to MIT?

Web or Publications	Not at all important	Not very important	Somewhat important	Extremely important		Not applicable
MIT's websites (MIT, department/program, etc.)
Other websites (internet guides, etc.)
MIT's printed publications (program brochure, course catalog, etc.)
Other printed publications (graduate school guides, journals, etc.)
MIT's open courseware
Campus Events	Not at all important	Not very important	Somewhat important	Extremely important		Not applicable
Campus visit
Graduate fairs
Campus events at former institution
People	Not at all important	Not very important	Somewhat important	Extremely important		Not applicable
Undergraduate advisor
Faculty in previous school or university
Specific faculty/researchers at MIT
Current students at MIT
MIT alumni (other than yourself)
Family (parents/relatives)
Spouse/partner/significant other
Other	Not at all important	Not very important	Somewhat important	Extremely important		Not applicable
National ranking of MIT in your field
Reputation of faculty at MIT in your field
Specific research being done at MIT
Geographic area
Summer internship or research programs at MIT
Other (please specify)

Decision to Enroll

How important were each of the following factors in your decision to ENROLL in your program at MIT?

	Not at all important	Not very important	Somewhat important	Extremely important		Not applicable
Opportunity to work with a particular faculty member
Reputation of my program
Areas of specialization in the program match my interests
MIT's financial support package
Recommendation of friend, acquaintance, or colleague
Recommendation of undergraduate advisor or faculty member in my field
Job opportunities are good for graduates of this program
Encouragement of MIT faculty while deciding
MIT's reputation
Campus visit
Location of campus (Boston area has a lot to offer)
Availability of on-campus housing
Availability of off-campus housing in the area
Quality of MIT-sponsored activities
Proximity of family
Proximity of spouse/partner/significant other
Availability of childcare
Other (please specify)

Expectations of your Program

As an incoming graduate student, please rate your expectation of the following dimensions of your program.

	Poor	Fair	Good	Very good	Excellent		Don't Know
The intellectual quality of the faculty
The intellectual quality of my fellow graduate students
The relationship between faculty and graduate students
Program's ability to integrate recent developments in my field
Program space and facilities
Overall quality of graduate level teaching by faculty
Amount of financial support
Quality of academic advising and guidance
Helpfulness of staff members in my department or program
Assistance in finding employment
The opportunity to interact across disciplines
Academic standards in my program
Overall program quality

How confident are you that you are well prepared for the following aspects of your graduate studies?

Coursework Very confident Somewhat confident Not very confident Not applicable

Research or Scholarly Work Very confident Somewhat confident Not very confident Not applicable

Teaching Very confident Somewhat confident Not very confident Not applicable

Financial Matters

What do you expect your total gross personal income to be for this academic year, from September through next August, before taxes and any other deductions?  Please include any income that you would normally report for tax purposes such as income from a TA, RA, fellowship, or salary / wages from an outside job.  Do not include any tuition waivers you are receiving.
Please select... $0 $1 - $1,999 $2,000 - $3,999 $4,000 - $5,999 $6,000 - $7,999 $8,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $11,999 $12,000 - $13,999 $14,000 - $15,999 $16,000 - $17,999 $18,000 - $19,999 $20,000 - $21,999 $22,000 - $23,999 $24,000 - $25,999 $26,000 - $27,999 $28,000 - $29,999 $30,000 - $31,999 $32,000 - $33,999 $34,000 - $35,999 $36,000 - $37,999 $38,000 - $39,999 $40,000 - $41,999 $42,000 - $43,999 $44,000 - $45,999 $46,000 - $47,999 $48,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $51,999 $52,000 - $53,999 $54,000 - $55,999 $56,000 - $57,999 $58,000 - $59,999 $60,000 - $64,999 $65,000 - $69,999 $70,000 - $74,999 $75,000 - $79,999 $80,000 - $84,999 $85,000 - $89,999 $90,000 - $94,999 $95,000 - $99,999 $100,000 or more

If applicable, what do you expect your spouse's total gross income to be for this academic year, from September through next August, before taxes and any other deductions?  Please include the same types of income sources as in the previous question.
Please select... $0 $1 - $1,999 $2,000 - $3,999 $4,000 - $5,999 $6,000 - $7,999 $8,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $11,999 $12,000 - $13,999 $14,000 - $15,999 $16,000 - $17,999 $18,000 - $19,999 $20,000 - $21,999 $22,000 - $23,999 $24,000 - $25,999 $26,000 - $27,999 $28,000 - $29,999 $30,000 - $31,999 $32,000 - $33,999 $34,000 - $35,999 $36,000 - $37,999 $38,000 - $39,999 $40,000 - $41,999 $42,000 - $43,999 $44,000 - $45,999 $46,000 - $47,999 $48,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $51,999 $52,000 - $53,999 $54,000 - $55,999 $56,000 - $57,999 $58,000 - $59,999 $60,000 - $64,999 $65,000 - $69,999 $70,000 - $74,999 $75,000 - $79,999 $80,000 - $84,999 $85,000 - $89,999 $90,000 - $94,999 $95,000 - $99,999 $100,000 or more

How much in education loan payments will you and your spouse/partner (if applicable) pay this academic year? 
Please select... $0 $1 - $999 $1,000 - $1,999 $2,000 - $2,999 $3,000 - $3,999 $4,000 - $4,999 $5,000 - $5,999 $6,000 - $6,999 $7,000 - $7,999 $8,000 - $8,999 $9,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $10,999 $11,000 - $11,999 $12,000 - $12,999 $13,000 - $13,999 $14,000 - $14,999 $15,000 - $15,999 $16,000 - $16,999 $17,000 - $17,999 $18,000 - $18,999 $19,000 - $19,999 $20,000 - $20,999 $21,000 - $21,999 $22,000 - $22,999 $23,000 - $23,999 $24,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $25,999 $26,000 - $26,999 $27,000 - $27,999 $28,000 - $28,999 $29,000 - $29,999 $30,000 - $31,999 $32,000 - $33,999 $34,000 - $35,999 $36,000 - $37,999 $38,000 - $39,999 $40,000 - $41,999 $42,000 - $43,999 $44,000 - $45,999 $46,000 - $47,999 $48,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $51,999 $52,000 - $53,999 $54,000 - $55,999 $56,000 - $57,999 $58,000 - $59,999 $60,000 or more

Did you receive an external fellowship?
Yes     No     Don't know

Do you have a job or source of support outside of an RA / TA / fellowship?
Yes     No     Don't know

Do you believe your total income will be sufficient to cover your expenses during this academic year (from September of this year to August the following year)?
Yes     No     Don't know

If not, what is the primary method you expect to use to resolve the gap between your expenses and your income?
Loans
Credit cards
Savings accounts, trust funds, stocks
Gifts from relatives, etc.
Other
Not applicable

How much debt do you expect to incur during your entire graduate education (not including any undergraduate debts)?
Please select... $0 $1 - $4999 $5,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $14,999 $15,000 - $19,999 $20,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $29,999 $30,000 - $34,999 $35,000 - $39,999 $40,000 - $44,999 $45,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $54,999 $55,000 - $59,999 $60,000 - $64,999 $65,000 - $69,999 $70,000 - $74,999 $75,000 - $79,999 $80,000 - $84,999 $85,000 - $89,999 $90,000 - $94,999 $95,000 - $99,999 $100,000 - $109,999 $110,000 - $119,999 $120,000 - $129,999 $130,000 - $139,999 $140,000 - $149,999 $150,000 - $159,999 $160,000 - $169,999 $170,000 - $179,999 $180,000 - $189,999 $190,000 - $199,999 $200,000 or more

Housing

Where will you be living this academic year?
Do not consider any time away from MIT such as time spent on an internship.
On-campus housing
Off-campus housing
I am still looking for housing or haven't decided where to live

If you looked for off-campus housing, did you use any of the following resources for your housing search?

	Yes	No		Not applicable
MIT's off-campus listings
Other off-campus listings
A realtor

At the moment, are you satisfied with your housing situation?
Yes
No
Don't know

How much do you (and your spouse / dependents if applicable) expect to spend on average PER MONTH on the following living expenses?
  - Rent or mortgage, residence fees, condo fees, dorm tax, property tax
  - Utilities (heat, water, electricity, phone service, cable, internet)
  - Food (including both groceries and eating out)
Please include only your portion of the expense if you plan to share with non-dependent roommates.
Select Expected Monthly Living Expenses $0 less than $400 $400 - $449 $450 - $499 $500 - $549 $550 - $599 $600 - $649 $650 - $699 $700 - $749 $750 - $799 $800 - $849 $850 - $899 $900 - $949 $950 - $999 $1,000 - $1,099 $1,100 - $1,199 $1,200 - $1,299 $1,300 - $1,399 $1,400 - $1,499 $1,500 - $1,599 $1,600 - $1,699 $1,700 - $1,799 $1,800 - $1,899 $1,900 - $1,999 $2,000 - $2,199 $2,200 - $2,399 $2,400 - $2,599 $2,600 - $2,799 $2,800 - $2,999 $3,000 - $3,199 $3,200 - $3,399 $3,400 - $3,599 $3,600 - $3,799 $3,800 - $3,999 $4,000 - $4,199 $4,200 - $4,399 $4,400 - $4,599 $4,600 - $4,799 $4,800 - $4,999 $5,000 or more

Post Program Plans

Are you intending to pursue a career in academia?
No      Yes      Don't know

Which of the following best describes your PLANS after graduating from your program at MIT? Please select one.
"POSTDOC" OR FURTHER TRAINING	Postdoc fellowship Postdoc research associateship Traineeship Internship, clinical residency Other Training
EMPLOYMENT (other than "postdoc" or further training)	Architect or Planner (City, Environmental) Analyst Consulting (Management, Financial) Entrepreneur or Self-Employed Engineer, Manufacturing Faculty position Finance, Accounting Manager or administrator Military service Researcher, academic setting Researcher, nonacademic setting (e.g., national lab/industry/medical center) Other Employment - Specify Not sure

Do you expect the position indicated above to be directly related to your graduate training?
Yes      No      Not sure      Not applicable

Which of the following best describes the TYPE of ORGANIZATION you will be working for or training with after graduating from your program at MIT? Please select one.
EDUCATION	U.S. 4-year college or university other than medical school U.S. medical school (including university-affiliated hospital or medical center) U.S. university-affiliated research institute U.S. community or two-year college U.S. preschool, elementary, middle, secondary school or school system Foreign educational institution
GOVERNMENT (other than education institution)	Foreign government U.S. federal government U.S. state government U.S. local government
PRIVATE SECTOR (other than education institution)	Not for profit organization Industry or business (for profit)
OTHER	Self-employed Other - Specify Not sure

Final Thoughts

Thinking about starting your program at MIT, what are you most looking forward to?

What worries you the most?

Thank you for filling out the survey!

You are now done with the full survey. You may return to the survey while it is open to edit or complete your answers.

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact gradstudentsurvey@mit.edu.