MIT MIT PULSE
 Perceptions of Undergraduate Life and Student Experiences
  1. Your Satisfaction 2. Academic involvement 3. Interactions with faculty 4. Skills and abilities 5. Extracurricular & social involvement 6. Health and wellbeing 7. Background  

[ENTIRE PULSE SURVEY, CORE + MODULAR/FLOATING ITEMS, UPDATED 1/22/2009, jag@mit.edu]

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

Thank you for participating in PULSE (Perceptions on Undergraduate Life and Student Experiences). The survey consists of seven short linked sections, and should take 10-15 minutes to complete. We encourage you to complete the survey in one sitting. However, if needed, you may answer part of the survey now (hitting the "next" button at the bottom of each page saves your answers) and finish the rest of it later. If you return to the survey, your previously submitted answers will be displayed for you to edit if you wish.

Your responses will be kept completely confidential so please be candid. Survey analysis results will not be reported in any form that would identify an individual.

Your participation is very important and greatly appreciated!

Begin the Survey>>

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

Section 1: Your satisfaction with MIT

How satisfied are you with the following aspects of your MIT experience so far? Very DISsatisfied Generally DISsatisfied Generally Satisfied Very Satisfied
Overall quality of instruction
Academic advising
Administration's responsiveness to student concerns
Social life on campus
Sense of community on campus
Sense of community where you live during the academic year
How would you evaluate your entire educational experience at MIT?
Poor Fair Good Excellent

Section 2: Your Academic Involvement

During a typical week this academic year, approximately how many hours do you spend on your academic work? Hours per week:
0-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 More than 30
Attending scheduled classes or labs
Working on academic work outside of class or lab (e.g., homework, research project, etc.)
Since becoming a MIT student, which of the following have you done or do you plan to do before graduating? Done Plan to do Do not plan to do Have not decided
Prepare a thesis, honors project, or other significant research paper
Conduct research with a faculty member
Have an internship
Participate in community service
Hold a leadership role for a campus committee, student organization or other non-academic project
Thinking across this school year, how often would you say you have experienced each of the following? Rarely or never Occasionally Often Very often
Participated in class discussions
Been excited by a class
Worked with others on a group assignment, project, or presentation
Participated in a study group outside of class
Had an intellectual discussion with other students outside of class
Had an intellectual discussion with a faculty member outside of class
Reconsidered your position on a topic after evaluating the arguments of others
Conducted research using lab data, fieldwork, surveys or historical archives
Used quantitative tools (e.g. computer modeling, statistics, mathematics, graphs)
Attended a lecture, conference, symposium or arts event not required by a course
[Floating Items, ADD INDIVIDUALLY, Section 2]
Thinking across this school year, how often would you say you have done each of the following?		 Rarely or never Occasionally Often Very often
F1 Come to class having completed the assigned work
F2 Written a paper making and supporting an argument
F3 Interpreted a literary text or texts
F4 Created an original work of art, literature, music or dance
F5 Analyzed an artistic work such as a painting, sculpture, theatrical production, dance, or musical composition
F6 Used the library as a quiet place to read or study
F7 Prepared more than one draft of a paper or homework assignment before turning it in
F8 Made connections between material covered in different courses

Section 3: Your Interactions with Faculty

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your interactions with faculty members? Strongly DISagree DISagree Agree Strongly Agree
Faculty members are willing to talk with me individually.
Faculty members treat me fairly.
[F9 Floating Item] Faculty members are able to address the questions I bring to them.
[F10 Faculty Contact Module, Section 3]
During the current school year, how often have you done each of the following?		 Rarely or never Occasionally Often Very often
Discussed your career plans and ambitions with a faculty member
Discussed your course selection plans with a faculty member
Worked with a faculty member on activities other than coursework or research (e.g., student organization, campus committee)
Had coffee or dined with a faculty member
Received help with coursework from a faculty member
How many professors do you feel comfortable asking for a letter of recommendation in support of an application for a job, internship, fellowship, or advanced degree work?
None One Two Three or more
[F11 Choosing a Major Module, Section 3]
As you think about decisions about your college major that you have made already (or those you may make in the future), how important do you think each of the following were (or will be) in your choice of major?		 Not important Somewhat important Very important Essential
Your interest in the subject
Ease of coursework
Career options associated with the major
Barriers to pursuing a different major (e.g., changing majors would have delayed graduation; couldn't get into preferred major)
The opinions of your parents or other family members
Desire to work with particular faculty members

Section 4: Changes in Your Skills and Abilities

To what extent has your experience at MIT contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in the following areas? Very little or none Some Quite a bit Very much
Broad knowledge in the arts and sciences
In-depth knowledge of a field or discipline
Career- or work-related knowledge and skills
Writing clearly and effectively
Communicating well orally
Ability to conduct scholarly research
Thinking critically
Formulating original ideas
Placing current problems in historical/cultural/ philosophical perspective
Planning and executing complex projects
Analyzing problems quantitatively
Developing proficiency in a foreign language
Critical appreciation of the fine arts
Understanding the process of science and experimentation
Learning effectively on your own
Understanding the complexity of social problems
Evaluating the role of science and technology in society
Developing global awareness
[F12 Floating Item] Solving complex, real-world problems

Section 5: Your Extracurricular and Social Involvement

During a typical week this academic year, approximately how many hours do you spend doing the following activities? Hours per week:
None 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21+
Working for pay
Physical fitness (exercise, sports, etc.)
Participating in other extracurricular activities (student organizations, fraternity or sorority, etc.)
Partying
Relaxing (e.g., watching TV, playing video games, hanging out)
[F13 Floating Item] Community service
To what extent has your experience at MIT contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in the following areas? Very little or none Some Quite a bit Very much
Working effectively with others
Leading and supervising tasks and groups of people
Identifying moral and ethical issues
Relating well to people of different races, nations, and religions
Functioning independently, without supervision
Understanding yourself: abilities, interests, limitations, personality
[F14 Floating Item] Contributing to the welfare of your community
[F15 Floating Item] Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
[F16 Diversity Module, Section 5]
During this academic year, how often have you had conversations with students who differ from you...		 Rarely or never Occasionally Often Very often
...in race or ethnicity
... in nationality
... in sexual orientation
... in religious beliefs
... in political beliefs
... in economic background
[F17 Floating Item, Extracurricular/Social, Section 5]
I enjoy what the Greek system contributes to MIT.
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree
Floating Item, Social/Health, Section 5 or 6]
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?		 Strongly DISagree DISagree Agree Strongly Agree
F18 I have found a community at MIT where I feel like I belong
F19 I have found enough social activities at MIT that don't involve alcohol

Section 6: Your Health and Wellbeing

During the current school year, how often, if ever, have you: Rarely or Never Occasionally Often Very Often
Felt out of place or that you just didn't fit in on your campus
Felt overwhelmed by all you had to do
[F20 Floating Item] Stayed up all night to finish an academic assignment or prepare for an exam
On how many of the past seven days did you get enough sleep so that you felt rested when you woke up in the morning?
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
[F21 Sources of Stress Module, Section 6]
Below are potential sources of stress that you may experience as a student. For each item, please indicate how each has affected you:		 This has not affected me Slightly stressful Moderately stressful Very stressful
Managing the workload for your courses
Personal difficulties with family, intimate relationships, or friends
Balancing multiple commitments (academic, extracurricular, personal)
Concerns about your finances
Concerns about your future plans
[F22 Alcohol Use Module, Section 6]
On average, how many alcoholic drinks do you consume when you drink?
(Note: one drink is defined as a bottle of beer, a glass of wine; or a shot of liquor)
I don't drink 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 or more
On average, how many days a week do you drink alcohol?
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Think back over the last two weeks.
For men, on how many occasions, if any, have you had five or more alcoholic drinks?
For women, on how many occasions, if any, have you had four or more alcoholic drinks?
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 or more

Section 7: Your Background

[NUMBERED DEMO VARIABLES MAY BE OMITTED IF THEY WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SAMPLE DATA]

[D1] Your gender: Male Female
[D2] Your class: First Year Second Year Third Year Fourth year Other
[D3] Your race or ethnic group (Mark one or more):
[D4] What is the average grade that you have received up to now at MIT, overall and in your major(s)? A A- B+ B B-/C+ C or below
Average Grade (Overall)
Average Grade (Major)

[D5] Please provide the highest admission test scores that you submitted to MIT:
 SAT-M (Math)
SAT-V (Verbal)
SAT-W (Writing)
ACT Composite

[D6] Did you receive need-based financial aid (e.g. grant, student loan or work-study job) during the current school year?
Yes
No
[D7] Where have you lived during most of the current school year?
Residence hall or campus housing (not including fraternity or sorority house)
Off-campus, privately-owned house, apartment or other housing
Fraternity or sorority house
With parents or other relatives
Study abroad or other off-campus program
[D8] Are you a member of a fraternity or sorority?
Yes
No
What is the highest level of education completed by your parents or guardians?
Select parent/guardian's relationship to you:
Mother or Stepmother Father or Stepfather Other
Select parent/guardian's relationship to you:
Mother or Stepmother Father or Stepfather Other
What is your best estimate of your parents' or guardians' total income last year? Consider income from all sources before taxes.
Under $25,000 $150,000 - $174,999
$25,000 - $49,999 $175,000 - $199,999
$50,000 - $74,999 $200,000 - $249,999
$75,000 - $99,999 $250,000 - $299,999
$100,000 - $124,999 $300,000 or above
$125,000 - $149,999  
During the current school year, what is the total amount you expect to borrow personally from any source in educational loans?
$0 $6000 - $7999
$1 - $999 $8000 - $9999
$1000 - $1999 $10,000 - $14,999
$2000 - $3999 $15,000 or more
$4000 - $5999  

[D9] Please fill in the code(s) for the field(s) in which you expect to receive your bachelor's degree.
MAJOR 1 [dropdown]
MAJOR 2 [dropdown]

If you could start over again, would you go to MIT?
Definitely
Probably
Probably not
Definitely not

Thank you for completing the PULSE!