OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Contents ▌pg. i

Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey

Table of Contents

Survey of Upward Bound Students’ College Plans......................................................................................1

Introduction...................................................................................................................................................2

College Plans ................................................................................................................................................2

Plans for College...........................................................................................................................................4

College Advising Experiences......................................................................................................................9

Expectations about College Costs...............................................................................................................11

Background Information.............................................................................................................................13

Academic Experiences......................................................................................................................13

Student Characteristics......................................................................................................................14

Family Characteristics.......................................................................................................................15

Contact Information....................................................................................................................................18

Concluding Remarks...................................................................................................................................19
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-1

Survey of Upward Bound Students’ College Plans

Your Upward Bound program is participating in an important study about whether and how 

students prepare for college. The U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring this study and has 

hired Abt Associates and Survey Research Management to conduct this survey. 

This survey includes questions about your plans for college and about the activities related to 

college planning. It should take about 15 minutes to complete. 

You do not have to complete this survey. Your participation is voluntary and you may choose 

not to answer a question or to stop the survey at any point. You can participate in Upward Bound 

even if you do not complete the survey. 

Protecting your privacy is very important to us. Your name will not be included in any reports or 

data produced by the study. We will not share information from this survey that identifies you to 

anyone outside the study team, except as required by law.

We know your time is valuable and thank you for your participation in this survey!

SC3. Are you willing to take this survey?

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO SC4]

SC4. Thank you for your time.

We are asking you to complete a short survey now and will ask you to complete a 

survey again in your senior year.

Your answers could help improve the college advising support services provided in 

Upward Bound programs across the country.
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-2

Introduction

Throughout this survey when you see the term ‘college’ please think about any school that offers degrees 

or certificates to students who have completed high school, such as a community or technical college, a 

state university, a private liberal arts college, or a training institute. 

College Plans

First, please answer some questions about your preparation and expectations for life after high 

school.

1. If there were no barriers, how far in school would you want to go?

 Less than high school completion

 Complete a high school diploma, GED or alternative high school credential

 Complete a certificate or diploma from a school that provides occupational training

 Complete an Associate's degree

 Complete a Bachelor's degree

 Complete a Master’s degree

 Complete a Ph.D., M.D., law degree, or other high level professional degree

 I don’t know

2. As things stand now, how far in school do you think you will actually get? 

 Less than high school completion [SKIP TO Q4]

 Complete a high school diploma, GED or alternative high school credential [SKIP 

TO Q4]

 Complete a certificate or diploma from a school that provides occupational training 

[SKIP TO Q4]

 Complete an Associate's degree [SKIP TO Q4]

 Complete a Bachelor's degree

 Complete a Master’s degree

 Complete a Ph.D., M.D., law degree, or other high level professional degree

 I don’t know

3. How sure are you that you will go on to college to pursue a Bachelor's degree after you 

leave high school?
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-3

 Very sure you will

 You probably will

 You probably won’t

 Very sure you won’t

4. Whatever your plans, do you think you have the ability to complete a Bachelor's degree?

 Definitely

 Probably

 Probably not

 Definitely not

5. Since you started high school, how many times, if any, have you:

0

times 1 time 2-3times

4-5

times

6 or more

times

a. Attended college fairs     

b. Spoken with college 

representatives     

c. Visited in-state college 

campuses

    

d. Visited out-of-state college 

campuses

    

e. Sat in on a course at a college     

f. Taken practice ACT/SAT 

exams

    

g. Took a course to prepare for a 

college admission exam such 

as SAT or ACT

    

h. Used college guidebooks (online or print) to obtain 

information about colleges

    

i. Obtained information about

colleges from their websites     
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-4

6. Have you already taken the following tests? 

Yes No

I don’t 

know

a. PSAT or PLAN   

b. SAT or ACT   

c. The academic or “placement” test required 

by your local or state community college(s) 

(e.g., ACCUPLACER, COMPASS)

  

Plans for College

While you may not have thought too much about college yet, please answer the following 

questions about your plans for applying to and selecting a college. 

7. Do you plan to apply to college next year?

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q9]

 I don’t know

8. How many colleges do you plan to apply to?

____ Number [SKIP TO Q10]

9. Which of the following are reasons why you do NOT plan to continue your education 

next year? (Check all that apply)

Yes No

a. You don't like school  

b. Your grades aren't high enough  

c. Your college admission test scores weren't high 

enough  

d. You won't need more education for the career you 

want

 

e. You can't afford to go on to school  

f. You haven't taken the right courses  

g. No one in your family has ever gone on to school after 

high school  
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-5

Yes No

h. You plan to join the military  

i. You'd rather work and make money than go to school  

j. You don't feel that going on to school is important  

k. Your counselor or teachers recommend you work 

rather than continue your education  

l. You need to help support your family  

m. Other, please explain: _________________________  

10. Has anyone from your Upward Bound program provided you with you guidance on how 

many colleges you should apply to next year?

 Yes

 No [SKIP TO Q12]

 I don’t know [SKIP TO Q12]

11. How many colleges did they suggest you should apply to?

____ Number

12. How important to you [will/would] each of the following characteristics be when 

choosing a school or college to attend after high school? 

Very 

Important

Somewhat 

Important

Not at all 

Important

a. Academic quality or reputation   

b. Cost of attendance   

c. A good record of placing graduates in 

jobs   

d. A good record of placing graduates in 

graduate or professional schools   

e. Opportunity to play sports   

f. Recommended by family or friends   

g. Historically Black college or other 

minority serving institution   

h. Where my Upward Bound activities are   
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-6

Very 

Important

Somewhat 

Important

Not at all 

Important

located

i. Visited the campus before   

j. Most of the students are like me   

k. Close to home   

l. Far away from home   

m. Offers a particular program of 

study/major   

n. Good social life   

o. Good sports teams or school spirit   

p. A family member went there   

13. Which of the following is the most important characteristic to you in choosing a school 

or college to attend after high school?

 Populate list with all answers selected as “Very Important” in Q12

 Academic quality or reputation

 Cost of attendance 

 A good record of placing graduates in jobs 

 A good record of placing graduates in graduate or professional schools 

 Opportunity to play sports 

 Recommended by family or friends 

 Historically Black college or other minority serving institution

 Where my Upward Bound activities are located

 Visited the campus before

 Most of the students are like me

 Close to home 

 Far away from home 

 Offers a particular program of study/major 

 Good social life 

 Good sports teams or school spirit 

 A family member went there 
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-7

14. As of right now, what do you think is most likely to be your college major or area of 

study? 

 Auto-fillable based on the universe of College Board majors

 Check box: I could not find my most likely major.

Please write out the major/area of study:________________

 Undecided

Source: Adapted from College Board

15. How certain are you about your most likely college major or area of study?

 Very certain

 Fairly certain

 Not certain

16. As of right now, would you like to attend a school that provides occupational training, a 

2-year college, a 4-year college, or are you undecided? 

 A school that provides occupational training (usually less than 2 years) 

 2-year college 

 4-year college 

 Undecided

17. As of right now, would you like to attend a public or private [school that provides 

occupational training/2-year college/4-year college], or are you undecided? 

 Public 

 Private 

 Undecided

18. What college or school setting(s) do you prefer? (You may check more than one.)

 Large city or a metropolitan area

 Medium-size city
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-8

 Small city or town

 Suburban community

 Rural

 Undecided

19. Where would you like to go to college or school after high school? (You may check more 

than one.)

 Close to home

 In my home state

 In a state bordering mine

 Beyond states bordering mine

 Outside the United States

 Undecided

20. What type(s) of college or school are you considering? (You may check more than one.)

 All women or all men

 Coeducational

 Historically Black or other minority serving college or university

 Undecided

21. What size school or college are you thinking of attending after high school? (You may

check more than one).

 Fewer than 2,000 students

 About 2,000 to 5,000 students

 About 5,000 to 10,000 students

 About 10,000 to 15,000 students

 About 15,000 to 20,000 students

 More than 20,000 students
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-9

 Undecided

22. As of right now, what college are you most likely to attend? 

 Auto-fillable based on the universe of schools in IPEDS 

 Check box: I could not find my college.

Please write out the college name:________________

 I don’t think I will attend college or school after high school

College Advising Experiences

Next please answer some questions about any help you may get in your Upward Bound program

to plan for college.

23. Have you talked one-on-one with an Upward Bound counselor or advisor about planning 

for or applying to college?

 Yes

 No [SKIP TO Q25]

24. How many times have you talked one-on-one with an Upward Bound counselor or 

advisor about planning for or applying to college?

____ times

25. Have you participated in an Upward Bound group session that provides advice about 

planning for or applying to college?

 Yes

 No [SKIP TO Q27]

26. How many Upward Bound group college advising sessions have you participated in?

___sessions
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-10

27. How many times, if any, has someone from your Upward Bound program discussed the 

following with you:

0 

times 1 time

2-3 

times

4-5 

times

6 or more 

times

a. How to choose colleges to apply

to

    

b. Your chances of being accepted 

at different types of colleges     

c. How colleges have different 

student outcomes (for example, 

different graduation rates and 

employment rates)

    

d. Admissions requirements (such 

as SAT/ACT scores, transcripts, 

and recommendations) for 

different types of colleges

    

e. Timelines for applying to 

college     

f. The possibility of going to 

college outside of your local 

area

    

g. Ways to prepare for the 

SAT/ACT     

h. How to complete the Common 

Application     

i. Your options for paying for 

college     

j. How much you will have to pay 

for college if you get financial 

aid

    

k. How to complete the FAFSA

(Free Application for Federal 

Student Aid) form

    

l. How many colleges you should 

apply to

    
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-11

Expectations about College Costs

These next three questions ask you to estimate the cost of one year’s tuition and required fees at 

different types of colleges. For each of your estimates, please include the cost of courses and 

required fees such as student activity fees and student health fees. Do not include optional 

expenses such as room and board. 

28. What is your best estimate of the cost of one year’s tuition and required fees at a public 2-

year community college in your state? 

 Record verbatim response 

 I don’t know 

29. What is your best estimate of the cost of one year’s tuition and required fees at a public 4-

year college in your state? 

 Record verbatim response 

 I don’t know 

30. What is your best estimate of the cost to you of one year’s tuition and required fees at the 

college that you are most likely to attend? 

 Record verbatim response 

 I don’t know 

31. Have you researched college costs on the internet?

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q33]

 I don’t know

32. Have you used an online cost calculator to determine the likely cost of college for you 

once scholarships and grants are taken into consideration (e.g. used a net price 

calculator)?

 Yes 

 No 

 I don’t know
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-12

33. For each statement listed below about paying for college, please indicate whether you 

think the statement is true or false.

True False

I don’t 

know

a. Scholarships and grants lower colleges’ 

advertised prices.   

b. There are many scholarships, grants, and 

financial aid packages available at most 

colleges. 

  

c. Filling out a FAFSA is not necessary to 

receive financial aid from the federal 

government.

  

d. Most Upward Bound participants qualify for 

federal financial aid.   

e. Loans are forms of financial aid that do not 

have to be paid back.   

f. The FAFSA calculates a family’s financial 

need to determine what financial aid a 

student is able to receive.

  

34. Considering all sources of funds including scholarships, grants, loans and savings, do you 

think your family [will/would] be able to afford to send you to...?

Yes No

I don’t 

know

a. a school that provides occupational training?   

b. a 2-year community college?   

c. a 4-year public college in your state?   

d. a 4-year public college out of state?   

e. a typical 4-year private college?   

f. a highly selective 4-year private college such as Harvard?   
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-13

Background Information

These next questions ask you about your family and you.

Academic Experiences

35. What grade were you in when you took Algebra I? (If you have taken it more than once, 

answer for the most recent time you took it. If you are currently taking Algebra I, choose 

your current grade) 

 8th grade or earlier

 9th grade

 10th grade

 11th grade

 You have not taken Algebra I yet

36. Have you taken any Advanced Placement (AP) OR International Baccalaureate (IB) 

courses? (Include any courses you are taking now.)

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q39]

 I don't know [SKIP TO Q39]

37. Have you received college credit for any of these courses? 

 Yes 

 No

 I don’t know

38. Have you already taken either of the following tests? 

Yes No

I don’t 

know

a. Any Advanced Placement (AP) test   

b. Any International Baccalaureate (IB) test   
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-14

39. Thinking about the courses you took last year, please mark the average grade you 

received in each subject.

A or

excellent 

(usually 

90-100)

B or 

good 

(usually 

80-89)

C or

Fair

(usually

70-79)

D or

passing 

(usually

60-69)

F or

failing 

(usually 

59 or 

below)

I don’t 

know

a. Mathematics

b. English and 

Language Arts

c. Natural Sciences

d. Social Sciences and 

History

e. Foreign and 

Classical 

Languages

f. Arts and Music

40. Indicate your cumulative grade point average for all academic subjects as of the end of 

your sophomore year in high school (last year).

 A+ (97-100)  C+ (77-79)

 A (93-96)  C (73-76)

 A– (90-92)  C– (70-72)

 B+ (87-89)  D+ (67-69)

 B (83-86)  D (65-66)

 B– (80-82)  F (below 65)

Student Characteristics

41. What is your gender? 

 Male 

 Female 

42. Are you Hispanic or Latino/Latina? 

 Yes 
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-15

 No 

43. What is your race? (Please check all that apply).

 White 

 Black or African American 

 Asian 

 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 

 American Indian or Alaska Native 

44. What was the first language you learned to speak when you were a child? Was it... 

 English

 Spanish

 Another language 

 English and Spanish equally

 English and another language equally

Family Characteristics

45. Do you have any siblings?

 Yes

 No [SKIP TO Q47]

46. Have any of your siblings:

Yes No

I don’t 

know

a. Earned a high school diploma?   

b. Earned a GED?   

c. Applied to college?   

d. Enrolled in college?   

e. Completed education at a college?   
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-16

These next questions are about your parents or guardians. If you live in more than one 

household, answer about the parents or guardians you live with most of the time. Please choose 

one parent to begin.

47. What is this parent’s or guardian’s relationship to you? 

 Biological mother 

 Biological father 

 Adoptive mother 

 Adoptive father 

 Stepmother 

 Stepfather 

 Other female guardian 

 Other male guardian 

48. What is the highest level of education [he/she] has completed? 

 Less than high school 

 High school diploma or GED 

 Completed a certificate or diploma from a school that provides occupational training

 Completed some college but no degree

 Associate’s degree 

 Bachelor’s degree 

 Master’s degree 

 Educational Specialist diploma 

 Ph.D., M.D., law degree, or other high level professional degree 

 I don’t know

49. Does [he/she] currently hold a job for pay? 

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q51]

 I don’t know [SKIP TO Q51]
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-17

50. Is his/her current job full-time or part-time?

 Full-time

 Part-time

 I don’t know

51. Do you have another parent or guardian in the same household as you? 

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q56]

52. What is this parent’s or guardian’s relationship to you? 

 Biological mother 

 Biological father 

 Adoptive mother 

 Adoptive father 

 Stepmother 

 Stepfather 

 Other female guardian 

 Other male guardian 

53. What is the highest level of education [he/she] has completed? 

 Less than high school 

 High school diploma or GED 

 Completed a certificate or diploma from a school that provides occupational training

 Completed some college but no degree

 Associate’s degree 

 Bachelor’s degree 

 Master’s degree 

 Educational Specialist diploma 

 Ph.D., M.D., law degree, or other high level professional degree 

 I don’t know
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-18

54. Does [he/she] currently hold a job for pay? 

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q56]

 I don’t know [SKIP TO Q56]

55. Is his/her current job full-time or part-time?

 Full-time

 Part-time

 I don’t know

Contact Information

This last set of questions asks you for information that will make it possible for us to locate you 

more easily in the future for the follow-up survey in 2016. 

This information will be kept in secure and protected data files separate from the responses 

you've already provided in your interview.

56. Please provide up-to-date contact information for yourself for the following items:

a. Home phone

b. Cell phone

c. Primary Email

d. Alternate Email

e. Street Address

f. Zip Code

g. City

h. State
OMB Supporting Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

Abt Associates Inc. Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey ▌pg. B-19

57. Please provide the name, address, and telephone number of a relative or close friend who 

does not live with you, but will always know how to get in touch with you.

a. First Name

b. Last Name

c. Relationship

d. Home Phone

e. Cell phone

f. Primary Email

g. Alternate Email

h. Street Address

i. Zip Code

j. City

k. State

Concluding Remarks

Thank you for completing the survey! If you have any additional questions please do not 

hesitate to contact a member of study team at: UBDemo@abtassoc.com or toll-free at 1-800-

489-0480.