OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

Appendix B. Baseline Student Survey 
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

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. 

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.

Paperwork Burden Statement: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of 

information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is xxxxxxxx. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average ____ hours (or minutes) per response, including the time to review 

instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. The obligation to 

respond to this collection is voluntary. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving 

this form, please write to the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202-4536 or email 

ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number XXXX-XXXX. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your 

individual submission of this form, write directly to the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, 555 New Jersey Avenue, 

NW, Washington, DC 20208. Note: Please do not return the completed instrument, form, application or survey to this address.

We are asking you to complete a short survey now about your plans for college and 

about activities related to college planning and will ask you to complete a survey 

again in your senior year.

The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete.

Your answers could help improve the college advising provided in Upward Bound 

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

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

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

Source: High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS) Follow-up

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

Source: HSLS for question, HSLS Follow-up for answer choices
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

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

 Definitely

 Probably

 Probably not

 Definitely not

Source: HSLS

4. Since you started high school, how many times, if any, have you (if you do not remember 

the exact number of times, please take your best guess):

Number of 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 or observed a college course during a 

college visit ___

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 (on-line or print) to 

obtain information about colleges ___

i. Obtained information about colleges from their 

websites ___

Source: HSLS Follow-up, adapted

5. Have you already taken the following tests?

Yes No

I don’t 

know

a. PSAT or PLAN   

b. SAT or ACT   

c. ACCUPLACER or COMPASS   

Source: HSLS Follow-up, adapted
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

Expectations about Applying to 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. 

6. Do you plan to apply to college next year? (Please check one.)

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q8]

 I don’t know

Source: Author developed

7. How many colleges do you plan to apply to? (Please enter a number greater than zero.)

____ Number [SKIP TO Q9]

Source: Author developed

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

next year? [CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 I don't like school

 My grades aren't high enough

 My college admission test scores weren't high enough

 I won't need more education for the career I want

 I can't afford to go on to school

 I haven't taken the right courses

 No one in my family has ever gone on to school after high school

 I plan to join the military

 I'd rather work and make money than go to school

 I don't feel that going on to school is important

 My counselor or teachers recommend you work rather than continue your education

 I need to help support your family

 Other, please explain: _________________________

Source: Education Longitudinal Study (ELS) Follow-up, adapted
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

9. Has your Upward Bound program recommended a number of colleges to which you should 

apply next year? 

 Yes

 No [SKIP TO Q11]

 I don’t know [SKIP TO Q11]

Source: Author developed

10. How many colleges did they recommend? [ENTER A NUMBER GREATER THAN 

ZERO.]

____ Number

Source: Author developed

11. 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. Is a Historically Black College or 

University (HBCU), an institution with a 

large number of minority students or a 

Tribally Controlled College or University

  

h. Being able to stay where my Upward 

Bound is located   

i. Visited the campus before   

j. Close to home   

k. Far away from home   
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

Very 

Important

Somewhat 

Important

Not at all 

Important

l. Offers a particular program of 

study/major   

m. Good social life   

n. Good sports teams or school spirit   

o. A family member went there   

Source: HSLS Follow-up, adapted

12. 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 

 Minority Serving Institution

 Where my Upward Bound activities are located

 Visited the campus before

 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 

Source: HSLS Follow-up, adapted
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

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

study? (If you are unable to find your most likely major, please check the appropriate box 

below the list and fill-in your most likely major. If you are undecided, please indicate so 

by checking the “undecided” box.)

 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: College Board, adapted

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

 Very certain

 Fairly certain

 Not certain

Source: College Board

15. As of right now, which type of school would you like to attend?

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

 A 2-year college 

 A 4-year college 

 I don’t know

Source: HSLS Follow-Up, adapted

16. 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 school/college

 Private school/college

 Undecided

Source: HSLS Follow-Up, adapted
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

17. Where would you like to go to college or school after high school? 

 Close to home

 In my home state

 In a state next to mine

 Further than states next to mine

 Outside the United States

 Undecided

Source: College Board SAT Survey, adapted

18. What size school or college are you thinking of attending after high school?

 Fewer than 1,000 students

 1,000 to 4,999 students

 5,000 to 9,999 students

 10,000 to 19,999 students

 More than 20,000 students

 Undecided

Source: College Board SAT Survey, adapted

19. As of right now, what college are you most likely to attend? (If you are unable to find the 

college, please check the appropriate box below the list and fill-in the college name. If 

don’t think you will attend college or school after high school, please indicate so by

checking the third option.)

 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

Source: Author Developed based on HSLS Follow-Up question
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

College Advising Experiences

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

to plan for college.

20. Have you talked one-on-one with an Upward Bound counselor or advisor about steps to 

apply to college?

 Yes

 No [SKIP TO Q22]

Source: Westat Student Survey, adapted

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

advisor about steps to apply to college? [ENTER A NUMBER GREATER THAN 

ZERO.]

____ times

Source: Author developed, based on Westat Student Survey

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

steps to apply to college?

 Yes

 No [SKIP TO Q24]

Source: Westat Student Survey, adapted

23. How many Upward Bound group college advising sessions about steps to apply to 

college have you participated in? [ENTER A NUMBER GREATER THAN ZERO.]

___sessions

Source: Author developed, based on Westat Student Survey
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

24. How many times, if any, has your Upward Bound program discussed the following with 

you:

0 

times 1 time

2

times

3

times

4 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 

graduation rates, employment 

rates, and other student 

outcomes

    

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

    

Source: Author developed
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

Expectations about College Costs

The next question asks you to estimate the cost of one year’s tuition and required fees of college. 

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.

25. 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? (Please enter your best estimate in the space 

below. If you don’t know, please take your best guess.)

$_________

Source: HSLS

26. During the past year, have you researched the costs of attending one or more specific 

colleges either on your own, with a family member, with an Upward Bound advisor? 

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 On my own

 With a family member

 With an Upward Bound advisor

 I have not researched costs of attending one or more specific colleges

Source: Author developed

Background Information

These next questions ask you about your family and you.

Academic Experiences

27. 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

 I have not taken Algebra I yet

Source: HSLS Follow-up
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

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

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

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q30]

 I don't know [SKIP TO Q30]

Source: HSLS Follow-up, adapted

29. 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   

Source: HSLS Follow-up, adapted

30. Indicate your cumulative grade point average (GPA) 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)

Source: College Board SAT Survey, adapted

Student Characteristics

31. What is your gender? 

 Male 

 Female 

Source: HSLS Parent Survey

32. Are you Hispanic or Latino/Latina? 

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

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

 No 

Source: HSLS

33. What is your race? [CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.]

 White 

 Black or African American 

 Asian 

 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 

 American Indian or Alaska Native 

Source: HSLS

34. What was the first language you learned to speak when you were a child? 

 English

 Spanish

 Another language 

 English and Spanish equally

 English and another language equally

Source: HSLS

Family Characteristics

35. Do you have any siblings?

 Yes

 No [SKIP TO Q38]

Source: Author developed

36. 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?   
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

e. Completed education at a college?   

Source: HSLS Parent Survey, adapted

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.

37. 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 

Source: HSLS, adapted

38. 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

Source: HSLS, adapted

39. Does [he/she] currently hold a job for pay?
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q42]

 I don’t know [SKIP TO Q42]

Source: HSLS

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

 Full-time

 Part-time

 I don’t know

Source: Author developed

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

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q47]

Source: HSLS

42. 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 

Source: HSLS, adapted

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

 Less than high school 

 High school diploma or GED 
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

 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

Source: HSLS, adapted

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

 Yes 

 No [SKIP TO Q47]

 I don’t know [SKIP TO Q47]

Source: HSLS

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

 Full-time

 Part-time

 I don’t know

Source: Author developed

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. This information will be destroyed within 30 days of follow-up survey 

completion.

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

a. Home phone
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

b. Cell phone

c. Primary Email

d. Alternate Email

e. Street Address

f. Zip Code

g. City

h. State

Source: HSLS

47. 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. We will 

only contact this person if we cannot reach you for the follow-up survey.

This information will be kept in secure and protected data files separate from your name 

and the responses you've already provided. A study generated unique identification 

number will link this information to your contact information. This information will be 

destroyed within 30 days of follow-up survey completion.

a. First Name

b. Last Name

c. Relationship

d. Home Phone

e. Cell phone

f. Primary Email

g. Alternate Email

h. Street Address
OMB Support Statement Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound

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

i. Zip Code

j. City

k. State

Source: HSLS

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.