Fall 2002
Freshman Survey
Office of Institutional Effectiveness Palm Beach Community College
March 2003
Palm Beach Community College Fall 2002 Freshman Survey
President Dennis P. Gallon, Ph.D.
District Board of Trustees William B. Howden, Chairperson David Talley, Vice Chairperson Susan K. Baumel, Esq. James L. Watt, Esq. Carolyn L. Williams Minal Weaver, Student Trustee
Vice President of Academic Affairs Sharon A. Sass, Ph.D.
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness Seymour Samuels, Ed.D., Director Helen Shub, Senior Research Analyst Jeffrey M. Nowak, Research Analyst Sandra Livingston, Administrative Assistant
Dean of Enrollment Management Scott MacLachlan
Prepared by: Jeffrey M. Nowak
Palm Beach Community College Office of Institutional Effectiveness 4200 Congress Avenue Lake Worth, Florida 33461
Table of Contents
Introduction...... 1
Methodology...... 2
Discussion...... 3
Results ...... 6 Student intentions...... 6 Satisfaction with PBCC services ...... 8 Overall impression ...... 14 Likelihood to recommend PBCC...... 15 Advertising awareness ...... 16 Influences...... 17 Application to other institutions ...... 18 Media awareness...... 22 Internet usage...... 26 Additional commentary ...... 27
Demographics and Classification ...... 28
Appendix ‘A’: Open-ended Responses...... 32
Appendix ‘B’: Tabular Data ...... 36
Appendix ‘C’: Invitations ...... 55
Appendix ‘D’: Survey Instrument...... 58
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Introduction
During the Fall 2002 term, Palm Beach Community College enrolled more than 29,000 students, more than 20,000 of whom are credit and/or college preparatory students. Among these students were a number of first-time-in-college, or FTIC, students—new students who are experiencing college-level classes for the first time. During any given Fall term, PBCC may register up to 3,000 of these students, who have no first-hand standard of comparison to judge PBCC among other colleges. In other words, PBCC is providing these students with their first impression of college life.
The Freshman Survey was designed to gain a greater understanding of the habits, opinions and first impressions of these first-time-in-college students. A pilot study was conducted among selected classes during the Fall 2001 term, and from that, the methodology was developed. The final version of the survey was administered for the first time after mid-term of the Fall 2002 term.
This report presents the results of Palm Beach Community College’s Fall 2002 Freshman Survey. The scope of the study involved many areas, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Area of study • Satisfaction with PBCC services • Advertising awareness • Factors influencing decision • Interest in other colleges • Media usage • Internet usage
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Methodology
Subjects
The sample for this study was all Fall 2002 first-time-in-college Palm Beach Community College students who declared themselves to be seeking a degree or vocational certificate. A total of 2,481 students were identified for contact.
Materials
The questionnaire for this study was developed cooperatively by the PBCC Office of Institutional Effectiveness and the Dean of Enrollment Management, with some input from other areas, including College Relations and Marketing and the College’s grant development manager. Both a hard copy and an online version were created. The online version was developed using Perseus Survey Solutions software and deployed to PBCC’s web servers. The hard copy version of the questionnaire can be found in Appendix ‘D’ on page 58.
Procedure
Subjects were split into two categories – those who supplied the College with email addresses and those who did not. Those with email addresses were targeted to take the online version, while those with no email address on record were designated to receive a hard copy to be returned in a business-reply envelope.
A total of 1,164 subjects with email addresses were identified. The Dean of Enrollment Management sent these students an email on October 28-29, 2002, inviting them to take the survey at a supplied Internet address. The hard copy version was mailed to the remaining 1,317 subjects on October 24, 2002. Approximately 30 hard copies were returned as undeliverable. The Dean reported that 349 emails also were eventually returned as undeliverable. Of these, 278 were sent a hard copy follow-up in early November. Due to delays in receiving email non-delivery notices, the remaining sample did not receive a hard-copy.
After adjusting for the change in delivery method for some subjects due to invalid email addresses, a final total of 815 subjects received emails, while 1,565 received hard copies. Therefore, the final sample is 2,380. In total, 73 students completed the survey online, while 174 returned hard copies, for a total of 247 completed questionnaires and an overall response rate of 10.4%.
Since those receiving a hard copy were invited to take the survey online if they desired, an accurate response rate by delivery method cannot be determined. However, given the number of returns and number of contacts by method, it can be determined that the online response rate can be no greater than 9.0%, while the hard copy response rate is no less than 11.1%.
The data from both the online and hard-copy versions were imported into SPSS for the purpose of tabulation and analysis. Responses were analyzed by the campus at which the respondent plans to take most of his or her classes. Due to the low response from the Belle Glade campus, an analysis of that campus was not included in the Results section of this report, but it is included in the tabular data, which can be found in Appendix ‘A’ on page 32.
A copy of the invitation email and letter can be found in Appendix ‘C’ on page 55.
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Discussion
One of the main purposes of this report is to gauge the opinions and habits of those students for whom PBCC is providing their first college experience. As that is the case, it must also be understood that these students have no standard of comparison. Furthermore, since these are first-time-in-college, or FTIC, students who had been at the college for less than three months, it should be assumed that their feelings could change over time, as they get closer to their graduation from PBCC.
While formulating a methodology whereby students have no standard of comparison may seem faulty on the surface, one could argue that it is easier to gauge students’ satisfaction with the College and its services, because students’ experiences at other institutions will not interfere with their experiences at PBCC. In some respects, it may yield a more accurate measure of satisfaction and effectiveness. In other words, someone native to PBCC may be satisfied with the appearance of the campus, and therefore, rate it highly. On the other hand, a student for whom PBCC is not their first college, may look at the appearance and feel that it is nice, but perhaps not as nice as that of another college. Student satisfaction is the key in this study, not how well we compare to other institutions.
Student satisfaction
Students were given a list of 18 areas on which to rate their satisfaction on a five-point scale. For the purposes of this report, respondents who rated an area with a ‘5’ or ‘4’ were deemed to be “satisfied” with that area.
Several services offered have very high satisfaction among students, relative to other areas, such as the Student Learning Center, where students can go for computer or tutoring needs; the College’s web site, which has grown tremendously toward becoming a “one stop shop” for PBCC students; and the libraries at Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens, where students now have instant access to literally thousands of periodicals and journals.
Other findings are not as encouraging, and they will be discussed later in this section. Some may not be as bad as a first glance would indicate, while others might present areas of concern. Regardless, lower student satisfaction may uncover opportunities for improvement and, perhaps, further research.
Class sizes and class times are two of the three highest rated areas districtwide in terms of satisfaction. This would appear to counter the growing notion that class sizes are becoming too big. It must be mentioned, however, that this only measures satisfaction, not learning environments. Also, students may be comparing their classes with those of their high schools or, perhaps, with stories they may have heard from their friends at universities, where freshman classes are normally much larger.
Some findings can be explained by examining the campuses, themselves. Satisfaction with the library, for example, is much higher at Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens than at Boca Raton. The Boca Raton campus does not have a library on site, but the understanding is that their students are able to use the large library at Florida Atlantic University. However, this is not within easy walking distance of the campus, and this fact certainly affects satisfaction.
Campus appearance is another issue that needs to be examined on a local level. Palm Beach Gardens students are most satisfied on this topic, as much of the campus is still in a very natural setting. Even at Lake Worth, a more urban setting, satisfaction is high, possibly because of building renovations, technology improvements or other aesthetically-pleasing grounds enhancements that have been put in place over the last few years. However, much of the Boca Raton campus, which scores significantly lower in this area, is bordered by the old airport runways that still, to this day, make up a large portion of the grounds at both that campus and the adjacent FAU.
Parking, the lowest rated of the 18 areas, is becoming a growing area of concern for the College as a whole, as the scores demonstrate. However, even this area is perceived to be more of a problem at some
½3¾ locations than at others. Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens score much lower than Boca Raton, where students may feel there are more spaces in convenient locations. Also, districtwide enrollment is much higher than it was even three years ago, and this fact, alone, is certainly forcing students out to the farthest reaches of the campuses, well away from their classes, at times.
Clubs and student activities were rated better at Lake Worth, probably due to the number of clubs and student organizations on campus. The other campuses have student organizations, but not in the same numbers, and therefore, students may have felt that the College lacks alternatives in this area.
Other campus differences with satisfaction items may not be as easy to explain by examining the campuses, themselves. Noticeable differences at the campus level were also observed with items such as availability of classes, the cafeteria and food service, financial aid, orientation and testing services. Further research into why these differences exist would have to be performed, but that is beyond the scope of this study.
Low satisfaction in some areas can be partly explained by circumstance. Financial aid services, for example, scored second from the bottom in overall satisfaction among the 18 areas. However, one must ask what students are rating. It is possible a student seeking financial aid may allow experiences with receiving financial aid to affect feelings toward the department. A student who gets turned down may be apt to blame the financial aid staff, when the staff really has nothing to do with that decision.
Similarly, orientation and academic advisement score in the bottom third of the 18 areas. However, these departments have distinct peak times during the year, and service is almost bound to decline to an extent, as staff is spread much thinner. Students who seek help may not take this into account, and therefore may feel slighted. The registration process scores significantly higher, though, possibly because this can be done online or by telephone, at students’ convenience, after completing orientation.
Beware, however, that explaining away low satisfaction by citing circumstance cannot be assumed. In order to understand whether the perceived problems are staff-related, logistical or circumstantial issues, further research would have to be performed to uncover the reasons for lower satisfaction in areas such as financial aid, orientation, academic advisement or food service.
However, while there may be areas of concern for the College, the entering freshmen appear to be generally satisfied with PBCC. Eighty-six percent rated the College as either “excellent” or “good.” Less than 1% rated PBCC “poor.” Furthermore, 92% of students said they would “definitely” or “probably” recommend the institution, while less than 1% would “definitely not” or “probably not.”
Influences on students
Advertisements from the College appear to be reaching their targets, as 69% of respondents said they had received some form of advertising or communication from PBCC prior to applying. Additionally, those communications seem to be having some effect on whether or not students intend to come here. Forty percent said they were influenced by publications from the College, while 27% cited advertising as an influence.
However, advertising and communication from the College was far from being near the top of factors influencing students the most. Parents and relatives, proximity and cost account for the top five influences among the 23 listed in the survey. Little can be done about proximity – we are where we are – but delivering the College’s messages to parents would appear to be a good strategy if two-thirds of entering freshmen are listening to them. Other factors, such as cost, class sizes and course and program offerings, were also cited as influential by more than half of the students responding. Obviously, these are messages that can and should be carried in the College’s advertising and should be emphasized to the parents as well.
Influencing factors that scored near the bottom of the list are not necessarily non-influential. For instance, school-based influences, such as guidance counselors and teachers, were noted as influential by less than a third of students surveyed. Judging whether or not our attempts to reach schools are working is beyond the scope of this study. Again, further research would have to be performed to determine the effectiveness of those methods. Nevertheless, PBCC’s ongoing efforts should continue to further cultivate our relationships with school-based faculty and administrators. ½4¾
Some factors require a certain degree of demand, and therefore finish at or near the bottom of the list. Naturally, child care services and student housing will be influential only to those who require such services. Similarly, College employees and recruiters will likely be influences only if students take college tours or attend recruitment events.
Other institutions
Most of the students surveyed applied only to PBCC, but about 30% applied elsewhere. Most of the competition comes from FAU, as would be expected, being another local institution. It may be interesting to note, as well, that about a quarter of students who filed applications elsewhere applied to the University of Central Florida, and just a few less applied to Florida State University. In addition, nearly one in five who applied elsewhere sent applications to out-of-state schools.
Whether or not students get accepted at those schools is another story. Of those who send applications to other schools, students are applying, on average, to three schools and getting accepted at two of them—and one of those is PBCC. Among those students responding to the survey, the acceptance rate for PBCC students at FAU was 64%, but it drops off significantly at UCF (29%) and FSU (31%). This can be explained, perhaps, by the number of students at PBCC who require some degree of remediation. Universities may be unlikely to accept students who test into college preparatory coursework. FAU often sends students to the Boca Raton campus to receive remedial instruction.
Students who apply elsewhere are not likely to name PBCC as their first choice. This is understandable given many students’, particularly traditional students’, natural desires to attend prestigious, major universities. Regardless, PBCC is still the first or second choice for about two-thirds of those surveyed.
Media usage
There are no big surprises with students’ usage of media outlets. Nearly all students listen to the radio frequently and, generally speaking, tune to the stations to which they would be expected to listen. A similar pattern exists for television viewership.
Newspaper readership is not as clear cut, however. Few students read the newspaper daily, but about half the students surveyed read it at least once a week. They read a variety of sections, but judging by the sections they read most often, it is unlikely they read everything. There is really no evident readership pattern visible.
Internet usage is quite extensive and will undoubtedly only grow over time. About four out of five students use the Internet at least “a few times a week,” and judging by the service providers they listed, nearly all of those use it at home, as opposed to using the College’s or their employers’ Internet connection. America Online (AOL) is still the home provider of choice for a large number of students.
Another interesting finding regarding Internet usage was that 43% of students who use the Internet claim to have a high-speed connection, such as cable or DSL. This could indicate that many students are already capable of performing a greater number of education-related online tasks, including getting a large portion of their college and classroom materials, such as the catalog or syllabi, or taking courses online.
The complete results of this survey are contained in the next section of this report and in Appendix ‘B’. This report analyzes student responses on a districtwide level and by campus. However, responses could be tabulated in other ways, using other variables, if so desired. Contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness for more information.
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Results
Following are the results of the Fall 2002 Freshman Survey. Complete tabular data by campus can be found in Appendix ‘B’ starting on page 36. Due to the low response from the Belle Glade campus, no analysis of that campus is contained in this section of the report. However, Belle Glade data can be found in the tables in Appendix ‘B.’
Student intentions Figure 1 How long student intends to stay at PBCC Nearly two-thirds (66%) of students surveyed were planning to stay at Don't know PBCC until they earn their degrees or 0.8% certificates. Another 20% of Until All other circumstances 4.9% respondents were planning to transfer require me to to a university after two years, with or leave 3.7% without their degree. Transfer to a university after one year Until I earn degree 4.1% or certificate 66.4%
Transfer to a university after two years 20.1%
Figure 2 Declared program of study
Approximately two-thirds of students (65%) surveyed were pursuing the Other 0.4% associate in arts degree. Nearly one in Don't know Associate in Arts five (18%) were enrolled in associate in 7.8% 64.8% science or associate in applied science Non-degree programs, while another 7% were seeking seeking a vocational certificate. 1.6% Vocational/PSAV certificate 7.0%
Associate in Applied Science 6.1%
Associate in Science 12.3%
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Figure 3 Taking courses in preparation for career change
Almost one quarter (23%) of students surveyed indicate that they were taking courses because they were Yes either thinking of or were in the 23.1% process of changing their careers. About two-thirds (68%) were not considering a career change, while the remainder were unsure of their intentions at the time of the survey.
Don't Know 8.9% No 68.0%
Figure 4 Required to take college preparatory classes
About seven out of every ten (69%) students surveyed reported that they Yes were currently enrolled in or would 69.2% eventually have to take college preparatory coursework in at least one subject area (mathematics, English, reading or ESOL/EAP).
Don't Know 1.6%
No 29.1%
½7¾ Satisfaction with PBCC services
All respondents
Students were asked to rate their Figure 5 satisfaction with PBCC on a variety of Satisfaction with PBCC services services offered, as well as class-specific (rated 5/4 on 5-point scale) and atmospheric factors on a five-point scale. It appears that students were Class sizes 86.6% generally satisfied with most of the factors and services they had received so far in Student Learning 85.1% their education. Center/ tutoring
Most class-specific factors scored high. Class times 83.9% Students were most satisfied with their class sizes, which received positive ratings from 87% of respondents. Class times Web site 83.6% received a positive score from 84% of respondents, while 74% were satisfied with Campus appearance 78.7% the quality of their instructors. Class availability, on the other hand, was scored favorably by only 61% of students. Registration process 78.1%
Among services provided by the College, Library 78.1% the Student Learning Center (formerly known as the Center for Personalized Instruction) received a ‘5’ or ‘4’ from 85% of Bookstore 74.8% the respondents, while the College’s website was viewed favorably by 84% of those Admissions process 74.0% surveyed.
Other areas receiving satisfaction ratings of Quality of instructors 73.6% 75% or higher were the general appearance of the campus (79%), the registration Testing services 71.1% process (78%) and the Library Learning
Resource Center (78%). Clubs and student 67.4% activities Parking (45%) was the lowest rated area surveyed. Financial aid (55%) was the only Academic advisement 64.0% other area on a districtwide basis to be rated satisfactory by less than 60% of those responding. Cafeteria/food service 62.9%
Orientation 62.0%
Availability of classes 60.5%
Financial aid services 55.3%
Parking 45.9%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
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Lake Worth
Classroom factors scored highest Figure 6 among Lake Worth campus students. Satisfaction with PBCC services Class times and class sizes both (rated 5/4 on 5-point scale) received satisfactory ratings from 87% Lake Worth students of respondents. Three-quarters (75%) of students rated the quality of instructors Class times 87.2% as either a ‘5’ or ‘4’ on the five-point satisfaction scale. Class availability was rated favorably by 65% of students. Class sizes 87.0%
Student Learning Among college services, the Student 86.4% Center/ tutoring Learning Center was rated positively by 86% of Lake Worth students, while 82% of students were generally satisfied with Library 81.8% the Library Learning Resource Center. Web site 81.4% Other areas receiving satisfactory scores among three-quarters of Lake Worth students included the College’s web site Campus appearance 80.6% (81%), the general appearance of the campus (81%), the bookstore (76%) and Bookstore 76.4% the admissions process (75%).
Admissions process The lowest rated service among Lake 75.2% Worth students was parking (35%). Financial aid (52%) and orientation (60%) Quality of instructors 75.2% also were rated favorably by 60% or fewer respondents. Registration process 74.3%
Clubs and student 73.3% activities
Cafeteria/food service 70.2%
Availability of classes 65.1%
Academic advisement 64.6%
Testing services 62.7%
Orientation 60.0%
Financial aid services 51.6%
Parking 35.0%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
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Palm Beach Gardens
Among Palm Beach Gardens students, Figure 7 class sizes were rated satisfactory by nine Satisfaction with PBCC services out of ten (90%) of those responding. (rated 5/4 on 5-point scale) Class times scored either a ‘5’ or ‘4’ by Palm Beach Gardens students 84% of students. The quality of instructors (68%) was viewed somewhat Class sizes 89.8% less favorably among Palm Beach Gardens students than among students from either Lake Worth or Boca Raton. The Web site 87.5% availability of classes was rated favorably by 62% of students. Campus appearance 86.3%
Several College services received high favorability marks from Palm Beach Class times 84.3% Gardens students. The College’s web site was rated positively by 88% of students, Registration process 80.4% while the general appearance of the campus was rated satisfactory by 86%. Testing services 79.5% Other areas receiving at least 75% positive ratings included the registration process Library 78.6% (80%), testing services (80%), the Library Learning Resource Center (79%), the Student Learning 77.8% Student Learning Center (78%) and the Center/ tutoring bookstore (77%). Bookstore 77.1% The lowest rated subject area was parking (45%). The cafeteria (50%) and financial Admissions process 72.0% aid (57%) also received positive scores from fewer than 60% of Palm Beach Gardens respondents. Orientation 69.6%
Quality of instructors 68.0%
Clubs and student 65.0% activities
Availability of classes 62.0%
Academic advisement 61.7%
Financial aid services 57.1%
Cafeteria/food service 50.0%
Parking 45.1%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
½10 ¾
Boca Raton
Generally speaking, satisfaction among Figure 8 students at the Boca Raton campus Satisfaction with PBCC services tended to be lower than at the other (rated 5/4 on 5-point scale) campuses. Boca Raton students
Class sizes were rated at least a ‘4’ on Student Learning 85.4% the five-point satisfaction scale by 84% Center/ tutoring of Boca Raton students, while 79% of students found the class times to be Class sizes 84.1% satisfactory. Quality of instruction received favorable scores from 75% of students. However, the availability of Registration process 82.3% classes (52%) was the lowest rated of the
18 factors surveyed. Web site 80.7%
The Student Learning Center (85%) was the highest rated among the services the Class times 78.5% College offers. Other areas receiving high satisfaction marks included the Quality of instructors 75.4% registration process (82%) and the College’s web site (81%). Admissions process 74.2% Several areas received satisfactory scores from fewer than 60% of students. Testing services 72.1% Besides the previously-mentioned availability of classes, clubs and student activities (56%), the cafeteria (58%), Bookstore 70.7% parking (59%) and orientation (60%) each were viewed positively by no more than Campus appearance 68.8% 60% of students.
Financial aid services 63.3%
Academic advisement 63.3%
Library 62.1%
Orientation 59.7%
Parking 58.6%
Cafeteria/food service 58.3%
Clubs and student 56.0% activities
Availability of classes 52.4%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
½11¾ Campus comparison
In several areas, there are few differences noted in satisfaction by campus. In other cases, however, differences can be seen when looking at satisfaction levels between the individual campuses.
Satisfaction with class logistical factors, such as times, sizes and availability, were slightly higher at Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens. Class availability satisfaction showed the largest differences between these campuses than at Boca Raton (65%, 62% vs. 52%). Quality of the instructors, however, showed the lowest level of satisfaction at Palm Beach Gardens (68% vs. 75%, 75%).
Differences between the campuses can also be seen in several of the College’s services:
• Satisfaction with testing services was higher at Palm Beach Gardens (80%) than at Lake Worth (63%). • Parking, the lowest rated of the 18 areas listed, showed a higher level of satisfaction at Boca Raton (59%) than at either Palm Beach Gardens (45%) or Lake Worth (35%). • Clubs and student activities scored higher at Lake Worth (73%) than at Palm Beach Gardens (65%) and Boca Raton (56%). • Financial aid, the second-lowest rated area districtwide (55%), scored better at Boca Raton (63%). • Orientation, another area with relatively low satisfaction districtwide (62%), performed best at Palm Beach Gardens (70%). • Satisfaction with the cafeteria and food service was higher at Lake Worth (70%) than at either Boca Raton (58%) or Palm Beach Gardens (50%).
Satisfaction with campus appearance also varied by campus. At Palm Beach Gardens, 86% were generally satisfied. However, favorability drops off slightly at Lake Worth (81%) but more at Boca Raton (69%).
Figure 9 Campus comparison of satisfaction with PBCC services (rated 5/4 on 5-point scale)
Academic advisement Admissions process
All Respondents 64.0% All Respondents 74.0%
Lake Worth 64.6% Lake Worth 75.2%
Palm Beach Gardens 61.7% Palm Beach Gardens 72.0%
Boca Raton 63.3% Boca Raton 74.2%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Availability of classes Bookstore
All Respondents 60.5% All Respondents 74.8%
Lake Worth 65.1% Lake Worth 76.4%
Palm Beach Gardens 62.0% Palm Beach Gardens 77.1%
Boca Raton 52.4% Boca Raton 70.7%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Campus appearance Cafeteria/food service
All Respondents 78.7% All Respondents 62.9%
Lake Worth 80.6% Lake Worth 70.2%
Palm Beach Gardens 86.3% Palm Beach Gardens 50.0%
Boca Raton 68.8% Boca Raton 58.3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
½12 ¾
Class sizes Class times
All Respondents 86.6% All Respondents 83.9%
Lake Worth 87.0% Lake Worth 87.2%
Palm Beach Gardens 89.8% Palm Beach Gardens 84.3%
Boca Raton 84.1% Boca Raton 78.5%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Clubs/student activities Financial aid services
All Respondents 67.4% All Respondents 55.3%
Lake Worth 73.3% Lake Worth 51.6%
Palm Beach Gardens 65.0% Palm Beach Gardens 57.1%
Boca Raton 56.0% Boca Raton 63.3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Library (LLRC) Orientation
All Respondents 78.1% All Respondents 62.0%
Lake Worth 81.8% Lake Worth 60.0%
Palm Beach Gardens 78.6% Palm Beach Gardens 69.6%
Boca Raton 62.1% Boca Raton 59.7%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Parking Quality of instructors
All Respondents 45.9% All Respondents 73.6%
Lake Worth 35.0% Lake Worth 75.2%
Palm Beach Gardens 45.1% Palm Beach Gardens 68.0%
Boca Raton 58.6% Boca Raton 75.4%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Registration process Student Learning Center/tutoring
All Respondents 78.1% All Respondents 85.1%
Lake Worth 74.3% Lake Worth 86.4%
Palm Beach Gardens 80.4% Palm Beach Gardens 77.8%
Boca Raton 82.3% Boca Raton 85.4%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Testing services Web site
All Respondents 71.1% All Respondents 83.6%
Lake Worth 62.7% Lake Worth 81.4%
Palm Beach Gardens 79.5% Palm Beach Gardens 87.5%
Boca Raton 72.1% Boca Raton 80.7%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
½13¾ Overall impression
Figure 10 When students were asked about their Overall impression with PBCC overall impression of Palm Beach Community College, 86% rated the college as either “excellent” or “good.” Nearly one-quarter (24%) gave the College an ‘excellent’ rating. Excellent 23.9% Only 1% rated PBCC “poor.”
At the campus level, 94% of Palm Don't know Beach Gardens students rated PBCC 0.4% either “excellent” or “good,” while 87% of Lake Worth students and 82% of Poor Boca Raton students felt likewise. 0.8% Good Fair 62.6% 12.3%
Figure 11 Overall impression with PBCC by campus
Lake Worth Palm Beach Gardens
Excellent Excellent 21.4% 21.2%
Don't know Poor 0.9% Good 1.9% 65.2% Fair Fair 3.8% Good 12.5% 73.1%
Boca Raton Excellent 30.3%
Poor 1.5% Good 51.5% Fair 16.7%
½14 ¾ Likelihood to recommend PBCC
More than nine out of ten (92%) of Figure 12 students surveyed said they Likelihood to recommend PBCC to others “definitely” or “probably” would recommend PBCC to others. On the Definitely other hand, only 1% would “definitely 55.3% not” or “probably not” recommend the College.
At the campus level, 98% of Palm Don't know Beach Gardens students said they 0.8% would “definitely” or “probably” recommend PBCC, while 93% of their Definitely not counterparts at Lake Worth and 86% at 0.4% Boca Raton felt similarly. Probably not 0.4%
Might or might not 5.9% Probably 37.1%
Figure 13 Likelihood to recommend PBCC to others by campus
Lake Worth Palm Beach Gardens
Definitely 53.6% Definitely 57.7%
Don't know 1.8% Definitely Probably not not 1.9% 0.9% Might or might not Probably 4.5% 39.3% Probably 40.4%
Boca Raton Definitely 57.6%
Might or might not 13.6%
Probably 28.8%
½15¾ Advertising awareness
Most students (69%) had seen or heard at Figure 14 least one of PBCC’s advertisements before Advertising awareness they applied to the College.
Thirty-one percent of all students Letter in the mail 30.6% surveyed reported that they received a letter from PBCC in the mail, while 26% of respondents saw the College’s catalog PBCC Catalog 26.4% before applying. High school newspaper 21.5% Other forms of College advertising advertisement noticed by incoming students included high school newspaper advertisements Radio advertisement 21.5% (22%), radio advertisements (22%), brochures from the College (21%), the PBCC brochure 21.1% College’s website (21%) and television commercials (19%). PBCC Web site 20.7%
TV advertisement 19.4%
Bus advertisement 10.7%
Local newspaper 10.3% advertisement
Internet/online 7.9% advertisement
High school yearbook 6.6% advertisement
PBCC Viewbook 5.8%
Magazine 2.5% advertisement
Movie theater 2.5% advertisement
Aerial banners 0.4%
None of the above 31.4%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
½16 ¾ Influences
Students were asked to rate 23 factors Figure 15 influencing their decisions to attend Factors influencing decision to attend PBCC PBCC. The most influential factor, as (rated 5/4 on 5-point scale) determined by a ‘5’ or ‘4’ rating on a five- point scale, was the proximity of PBCC to Close to home 79.9% their homes. Four out of every five (80%) respondents stated that this was Parent or relative 68.6% influential in their decisions.
Cost 67.1% Other factors encouraging students to attend the College included parents and Desire to stay in Palm Beach County 60.1% relatives (69%), cost (67%), desire to stay in
Palm Beach County (60%), proximity to Close to work 55.7% work (56%), class sizes (56%), the variety of course offerings (55%) and the Class sizes 55.6% programs offered by the College (50%).
Variety of course offerings 55.0% Student housing (10%) was the lowest rated influence. Child care services (11%), Program offerings 50.2% college employees (14%) and employers
(19%) were all deemed influential by fewer Friend who is a current PBCC student 44.8% than one in five of those surveyed.
Reputation of the College 42.5% At the campus level, the major influences were generally the same as those for the Financial aid/scholarship opportunities 41.6% district.
Friend who attended PBCC in the past 40.0%
Other influences Publications from the College 39.6%
Students were given the opportunity to Quality of the faculty 38.7% volunteer influences that were not on the list. When answered, responses tended to Supportive environment in the College 35.8% be of a personal nature (“need for education,” “personal desire”). A few High school guidance counselor 32.1% mentioned that their attendance was mandated by the Florida Prepaid Tuition High school teacher 30.3% program.
Advertisement from the College 27.2% (A list of these “other influences” can be Friend not a current PBCC student/never found in Appendix ‘A’ on page 32.) 21.6% attended
Employer 19.2%
College employee (including recruiters) 14.4%
Child care services 11.4%
Student housing 9.9%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
½17¾ Application to other institutions
Nearly three in ten (29%) incoming Figure 16 freshmen applied to other colleges, Applied to other institutions universities or postsecondary schools.
At the campus level, there was little difference observed between the three Yes largest campuses. At Palm Beach 29.1% Gardens and Boca Raton, 31% reported that they applied to other schools in addition to PBCC, while 28% did so at Lake Worth.
No 70.9%
Figure 17 Applied to other institutions by campus
Lake Worth Palm Beach Gardens
Yes 28.1% Yes 31.4%
No No 71.9% 68.6%
Boca Raton
Yes 30.9%
No 69.1%
½18 ¾ Figure 18 Other institutions applied to (among all respondents)
Among all respondents, including those who didn’t Florida Atlantic University 13.5% apply to other schools, 14% of PBCC’s incoming University of Central Florida 7.0% freshmen also applied to Florida Atlantic University. Florida State University 5.3% Other popular choices for students were the University of South Florida 2.9% University of Central Florida (7%) and Florida State University of Florida 2.9% University (5%). Florida International University 2.5% Palm Beach Atlantic University 2.0% Looking at other local institutions, only 2% applied to Barry University 1.6% Palm Beach Atlantic University or New England Tech. Keiser Career Institute 1.6% Less than 1% applied to any of the other schools New England Tech 1.6% operating in Palm Beach County. University of Miami 1.6% Florida Gulf Coast University 1.6% Broward Community College 1.2% Florida A&M University 0.8% Indian River Community College 0.8% Nova Southeastern University 0.8% Northwood University 0.8% University of North Florida 0.8% Florida Culinary Institute 0.4% Lynn University 0.4% South University 0.4% University of West Florida 0.4% New College of Florida 0.0% Other in-state 4.1% Other out-of-state 5.3% 0% 5% 10% 15%
Figure 19 Other institutions applied to (among those who applied to other institutions) Among only those who applied to other institutions, almost half (48%) applied to FAU. One quarter (25%) Florida Atlantic University 47.8% applied to UCF, while 19% applied to FSU. Ten University of Central Florida 24.6% percent each applied to the University of South Florida State University 18.8% Florida and the University of Florida. University of South Florida 10.1% University of Florida 10.1% Florida International University 8.7%
Palm Beach Atlantic University 7.2%
Barry University 5.8%
Keiser Career Institute 5.8%
New England Tech 5.8%
University of Miami 5.8%
Florida Gulf Coast University 5.8%
Broward Community College 4.3%
Florida A&M University 2.9% Indian River Community College 2.9% Nova Southeastern University 2.9% Northwood University 2.9% University of North Florida 2.9% Florida Culinary Institute 1.4% Lynn University 1.4% South University 1.4% University of West Florida 1.4% New College of Florida 0.0% Other in-state 14.5% Other out-of-state 18.8%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
½19¾
Figure 20 Mean number of institutions applied to (including PBCC)
On average, those responding stated that they applied to 1.67 4.00 3.80 3.36 colleges, universities or other 3.50 3.16 3.25 postsecondary schools, including 3.00 PBCC. Palm Beach Gardens 2.50 1.84 incoming freshmen applied to 1.84 2.00 1.67 1.61 1.67 schools, on average. 1.50 1.00 Among those who applied to other 0.50 schools, students applied to 3.36 0.00 schools on average, with Palm Among all students Among those who applied to other Beach Gardens students averaging colleges 3.80 applications to other District Lake Worth Palm Beach Gardens Boca Raton institutions.
Figure 21 Mean number of institutions accepted to (including PBCC) PBCC’s incoming freshmen were accepted, on average, at 1.38 3.00 colleges, universities or other 2.35 2.40 postsecondary institutions. There 2.50 2.28 2.20 was little difference noticed 2.00 among the campuses. 1.38 1.36 1.36 1.42 1.50 Among those who applied to other 1.00 schools, students were accepted at 0.50 2.35 institutions, on average. Boca Raton students were accepted at 0.00 2.40 schools, leading the three Among all students Among those who applied to other largest campuses. colleges District Lake Worth Palm Beach Gardens Boca Raton
½20 ¾
Figure 22 Preference level for PBCC among colleges/universities (among all respondents)
Among all students who responded, 77% either applied only to PBCC or First choice stated that the College was their first 5.7% choice among alternatives. PBCC was Second choice the second choice for 14% of 13.9% incoming freshmen.
Third choice 6.6%
Fourth choice or lower 2.0% Level not specified Applied only to 0.8% PBCC 70.9%
Figure 23 Preference level for PBCC among colleges/universities (among those who applied to other institutions)
Among students who applied to other Level not specified schools, PBCC was the first choice for Fourth choice or 2.8% one in five (20%) of those students. lower First choice The College was the second choice 7.0% 19.7% for nearly half (48%) of those students who applied to other institutions.
Three out of every ten (30%) students Third choice 22.5% who applied two other schools state that PBCC was no higher than third on their list of alternatives. Second choice 47.9%
½21¾ Media Awareness
Radio listenership Figure 24 How often students listen to radio Four out of every five students responding (80%) claimed that they listen to the radio every day. Another 16% listen “a few times a week.” Only 1% stated that they never listen to the Every day radio. 80.0% Never Students were given an opportunity to 1.2% list the five stations to which they Listens/ unspecified listen most. Six of the top seven frequency stations preferred by PBCC students 1.2% have Top 40, hip-hop or dance music Less than once a formats. WMBX (102.3 FM) was a month 0.8% favorite for more than half (56%) of the College’s incoming freshmen. Once a week Other popular stations included WLDI 0.8% (95.5 FM) (49%), WPOW (96.5 FM) (48%) A few times a and WEDR (99.1 FM) (37%). week 15.9%
Interestingly, both WPOW and WEDR broadcast from Miami.
The only station in the top seven without one of the above formats is alternative rock WPBZ (103.1 FM).
(Note: Some of the stations listed in the survey changed their formats or shifted to other frequencies after the close of the submission period.)
Figure 25 Radio station preference (among those who listen to radio)
60% 55.7% 48.7% 50% 48.3%
40% 37.0%
30% 25.7% 25.2% 23.9%
20% 15.7% 15.2% 14.8% 8.3% 7.8%
10% 7.4% 7.0% 6.5% 5.2% 4.8% 4.8% 4.3% 4.3% 3.5% 2.6% 2.6% 2.2% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 0.9% 0.4% 0.4% 0% 0.0% All other All Don’t know WDJA (850 AM) WRMF FM) (97.9 WXEL (90.7 FM) WIRK (107.9FM) WPBRAM) (1340 WZTA (94.9 FM) “Zeta” WHYI FM) (100.7 “Y 100” WAYF FM) (88.1 “Way FM” WEDR (99.1 FM) “99 Jamz” WJBW FM) (106.3 “B 106.3” WLDI (95.5 FM) “Wild 95.5” WBGG FM) (105.9 “Big 106” WMBX FM) (102.3 “X 102.3” WFLC FM) (97.3 “The Coast” WPOW (96.5 FM) “Power 96” WPYM FM) (93.1 “Party 93.1” WKGR FM) (98.7 “The Gater” WSWN AM) (900 “Sugar 900” WPBZ (103.1 FM) “The Buzz” WZZR FM) (92.7 “Real Radio” * WHQT FM) (105.1 "Hot 105" WEAT FM) (104.3 “Sunny 104” WAFC (590 AM) “Radio Fiesta” WRLX (92.1 FM) “Planet Radio” WMGE (103.5FM) “Mega 103.5” * WKIS (99.9 FM) "Kiss Country" WAMR (107.5 FM) “Amor 107.5” WAFC (99.5 FM) “Cane Country” * WMXJ (102.7FM) "Majik 102.7" WIOD (610 AM) “NewsRadio 610” WRMA (106.7 FM)“Romance 106.7” WJNO (1290 AM) “Newsradio 1290” WBZT (1230 AM) “The Talk Station” WQAM (560 AM) “Sports Radio 560” WBGF (93.5 FM) “Big Dawg Country” * Other mention
½22 ¾ Television viewership
Three out of every five (60%) Figure 26 respondents stated that they watch How often students watch television television at least daily, while another 34% watch “a few times a week.” Only 1% claimed that they never watch television.
Never Every day As with the radio preference question, 1.2% 60.0% students were also given the Watches/ unspecified opportunity to list the five television frequency stations they watch the most. MTV 0.8% was the most popular station among Once a month our incoming freshmen. About half 0.4% (51%) listed the station among their Once every 2-3 top five. weeks 0.8% Once a week Other popular cable stations included 3.3% BET (30%), premium movie channels (29%), Comedy Central (21%), USA Network (19%) and Discovery Channel A few times a week (17%). 33.5%
Among local stations, Fox’s WFLX (Ch. 29) was one of the most popular choices for about a third (34%) of our incoming freshmen, followed by NBC affiliate WPTV (Ch. 5) (28%), and CBS’s WPEC (Ch. 12) (21%).
A small number of students receive local stations broadcast from the Miami area. Again, a Fox station, WSVN (Ch. 7), was chosen by 7% of students, followed closely by Spanish-language Univision affiliate WLTV (Ch. 23).
Figure 27 Television station preference (among those who watch television)
60% 51.4% 50%
40% 33.6% 30.4%
30% 29.0% 27.6% 21.0% 20.6% 18.7%
20% 17.8% 16.8% 15.4% 14.0% 14.0% 13.1% 12.6% 11.7% 10.7% 10% 7.0% 6.5% 6.5% 6.1% 5.1% 5.1% 3.7% 3.7% 3.3% 3.3% 2.8% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 1.9% 1.9% 1.4% 0.9% 0.5% 0.5% 0% E! TBS BET TLC USA TNT VH1 CNN MTV MSNBC All other Univision * Lifetime ESPN/ESPN2 Cable stations Cable Fox Sports Net Sports Fox WGN 9 (WB) Ch. Comedy Central Comedy WPBT Ch. 2 (PBS) WPBT Ch. WTVJ Ch. 6 (NBC)WTVJ Ch. WFOR 4 (CBS) Ch. * History Channel WSVN Ch. 7 (FOX) WSVN Ch. 39 (WB) Ch. WBZL WPTV Ch. 5 (NBC)WPTV Ch. WXEL Ch. 42 (PBS) Ch. WXEL Fox News Channel WPEC Ch. 12 (CBS) WPEC Ch. Discovery Channel WFLX Ch. 29 (FOX) Ch. WFLX 67 (PAX) Ch. WPXP WBFS Ch. 33 (UPN) Ch. WBFS * Cartoon Network WPBF Ch. 25 (ABC)WPBF Ch. WPLG Ch. 10 (ABC)WPLG Ch. WPXM Ch. 35 (PAX) Ch. WPXM WTVX Ch. 34 (UPN) Ch. WTVX Miami localMiami stations WLTV Ch. 23 (Univision) 23 WLTV Ch. Premium movie channels WSCV Ch. 51 (Telemundo) 51 Ch. WSCV West Palm BeachWest Palm local stations * Other mention
½23¾ Newspaper readership
Less than one in ten (9%) students Figure 28 surveyed said they read a local How often students read a local newspaper newspaper every day. However, about one half (52%) read the local newspaper at least once a week. A few times a week Fifteen percent of those responding said 22.8% Once a week they never read the local newspaper, 19.5% while an additional 12% read it less Every day 9.3% often than once a month.
Never Once every 2-3 15.0% weeks 14.2% Reads/ unspecified frequency Once a month Less than once a 0.4% 6.5% month 12.2%
Those who read the newspaper were Figure 29 most likely to read the local news Sections of local newspaper read most often section (62%). Nearly half (46%) of the (among those who read a local newspaper) respondents said they read the classifieds. Local news 62.0% Other popular sections of the local Classifieds 45.9% newspaper included the lifestyle/features section (43%); the Lifestyle/features 42.9% state, national and international news (Accent) (the “front” section) (42%); arts and State/national/ 42.4% entertainment (36%) and sports (32%). international news
Arts/entertainment 35.6%
Sports 32.2%
Business 10.7%
Editorials 9.8%
* Comics 1.5%
All other 1.5%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
* Other mention
½24 ¾ Figure 30 Local newspapers read (among those who read a local newspaper) Among students who read a newspaper, The Palm Beach Post is the paper read by most of PBCC’s More than one incoming freshmen. More than three newspaper 4.4% in five (63%) said they read the Post, Palm Beach Post while 28% read the South Florida Sun- 63.1% Sentinel. Other 1.0% Other local papers accounted for Stuart News 0.5% about 5% of students’ newspaper Boca Raton News reading, while about 4% claimed they 1.5% read more than one local newspaper.
Miami Herald At the campus level, the Post was the 1.9% newspaper of choice for students at the Lake Worth (85%) and Palm Beach Gardens (93%) campuses. However, at South Florida Sun- the Boca Raton campus, four out of Sentinel five (80%) students preferred the Sun- 27.7% Sentinel, while only 7% read the Post.
Figure 31 Local newspapers read (by campus, among those who read a local newspaper)
More than Lake Worth Palm Beach Gardens More than one one newspaper newspaper 4.3% Other 2.3% Other 1.1% 2.3% Miami Herald South 2.2% Florida Sun- Sentinel 2.3% South Florida Sun- Sentinel 7.6% Palm Beach Post Palm Beach 84.8% Post 93.2%
Boca Raton Palm Beach More than Post one 6.7% newspaper 5.0% Stuart News 1.7% Boca Raton News 5.0%
Miami South Herald Florida Sun- 1.7% Sentinel 80.0%
½25¾ Internet usage
Figure 32 Nearly half (44%) of PBCC’s incoming How often students use the Internet freshmen said they use the Internet on a daily basis, while an additional 36% use it a few times a week. Only Every day 2% of students claimed that they 43.9% never use the Internet. Never 2.0% Uses/ unspecified frequency 0.4% Less than once a month 4.1%
Once a month 1.6% A few times a Once every 2-3 week weeks 36.1% 6.6% Once a week 5.3%
Figure 33 Among students who use the Internet service provider used Internet, 37% of them said they use (among students who use the Internet) America Online as their primary Internet service provider. BellSouth America Online (AOL) 37.7% (17%) and Adelphia (11%) were also BellSouth 16.9% popular Internet service providers Adelphia 10.6% for PBCC students. MSN 7.6% Use at school/ library/public place 6.8% AT&T 3.0% Earthlink (Mindspring) 3.0% CompuServe 2.5% DIRECTV 1.7% NetZero 1.7% Use friend's/relative's connection 0.8% Use at work 0.4% Juno 0.0% Other 1.7% Don't know 5.5%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Almost half (43%) of students Figure 34 claimed that their primary Internet Broadband Internet connection connection is a broadband (high- (among students who use the Internet) speed) connection, such as cable or DSL. Don't know 26.6%
Yes 43.0%
No 30.4%
½26 ¾ Additional commentary
At the end of the survey, students were given an opportunity to provide any additional comments they wished to make. A wide variety of topics were covered, ranging from general positive comments about the college to specific negative comments regarding some services. A few students offered their own suggestions. Verbatim comments can be found beginning on page 33 in Appendix ‘B.’
Positive commentary tended not to be specific in nature. Students who offered such comments mainly spoke of being pleased with PBCC in general. A few students wrote about the high quality of the faculty, but other than that, there were few recurring specific themes.
Respondents who offered negative comments were usually more specific with their problems. Some students mentioned dissatisfaction with registration, advising and financial aid, among others. A few complained about experiences with specific instructors or other college personnel.
Some comments reflected a desire for more clubs and student organizations, while others noted a need for more classes and program offerings at a variety of locations.
½27¾
Demographics and Classification
Gender Figure 35 Respondent gender Of the 247 entering freshmen who responded to the survey, 71% are female, 29% male. Male 28.6%
Female 71.4%
Age Figure 36 Respondent age Nearly seven out of ten (69%) respondents were between ages 18 and 20. In total, 79% of the students responding were in the traditional college 18 - 20 years student age range of 18 to 24. 69.1%
Under 18 years 5.3% 40 years or older 4.5% 30 - 39 years 6.5% 25 - 29 years 4.9% 21 - 24 years 9.8%
Race/ethnicity Figure 37 Respondent race/ethnicity Slightly more than half (57%) of those responding are white. One in five (21%) are black, while 17% classify White themselves as Hispanic. 56.6%
Multi-racial 1.6%
Other 2.5%
Asian 1.2%
Hispanic or Black or Latino African 17.2% American 20.9%
½28 ¾ Language spoken at home Figure 38 Respondent languages spoken at home Eighty-six percent of those surveyed speak English at home. About 13% speak Spanish, while 11% speak Creole. English 86.1%
Spanish 12.7%
Creole 10.6%
* French 4.1%
Portuguese 1.6%
* Italian 1.2%
* German 0.8%
All other 3.7%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
* Other mention
Parental origin Figure 39 Respondent parental origin Slightly more than half (56%) of those surveyed reported that at least one of their parents came from a foreign country. Of those, 47% noted that neither parent is native to the U.S.
Neither Both parents parent from from U.S. U.S. 44.4% 47.3%
One parent from U.S. 8.4%
Parental level of education Figure 40
Respondent parental level of education Fifty-five percent stated that both of their parents have less than a bachelor’s degree. Of the remainder, 35% claim that at least one parent has a bachelor’s Don't know 9.9% At least one degree or higher, while 10% did not know the parent education levels of their parents. bachelor's or higher 35.1%
Both parents less than bachelor's 55.0%
½29¾ Family income Figure 41 Respondent family income About one in five (22%) reported that their total family income is greater than $45,630. However, it $13,290 or should be noted than 45% do not know their family’s less total income. 8.5% $13,291 to $22,530 10.2%
Don't know $22,531 to 45.1% $31,770 8.5%
$31,771 to $45,630 6.0%
$45,631 or more 21.7%
Family size Figure 42 Respondent family size Family sizes varied greatly among entering freshmen, from a minimum of one (student-only) to a maximum Student only 6 or more 9.0% of nine. About 12% currently live with a family with 11.8% six or more people. The average family size, among all respondents, was 3.76. 2 14.9%
5 19.5%
3 17.6%
4 27.1%
Potential low-income status Figure 43 Respondent low-income status Almost a third (32%) of students surveyed were potentially in low-income situtations, as determined by analyzing a respondent’s family income versus Potentially family size and comparing the result to federal low- low income income guidelines. It must be noted, however, that 32.3% low-income status could not be determined for nearly half of those surveyed because they didn’t know or didn’t respond to one of the key factors in determining their status.
Not low income 67.7%
½30 ¾ Financial aid status Figure 44 Respondent financial aid status Sixty percent of the students surveyed were not on or expecting to soon receive financial aid at the time of the study. However, 34% of those were planning Need-based 26.6% to apply. One quarter (25%) of the students did not Academic 15.0% plan to seek financial aid at all. scholarship
Athletic 2.1% About a quarter (27%) were on need-based financial scholarship aid, while 15% were using an academic scholarship. * Florida prepaid 2.1% tuition
All other 3.0%
Not receiving, but 34.3% plan to apply Not receiving/do 25.3% not plan to seek 0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
* Other mention
Hours worked per week Figure 45 Respondent hours employed per week Most of the respondents (71%) were employed in some way. Fourteen percent worked 40 hours or < 10 hours 3.7% 10 < 20 hours more each week, while another 22% worked at least 9.9% 30 hours, but less than 40. Not employed 28.9%
20 < 30 hours 21.9%
40 hours or more 14.0% 30 < 40 hours 21.5%
Figure 46 Home campus Respondent home campus
Nearly half (47%) were planning to take most of their classes at the Lake Worth campus. Another 28% Lake Worth 47.3% planned to attend the Boca Raton campus, while 22% said they will take classes at Palm Beach Gardens.
Other 0.8% Belle Glade 2.1%
Boca Raton Palm Beach 28.2% Gardens 21.6%
½31¾
Appendix ‘A’ Open-ended Responses
Q. 10 Were there any other factors not listed above [in Q. 9] that influenced your decision to attend PBCC?
(Note: responses that could be edited back to Q. 9 have been omitted. Some responses have been edited for clarity.)
• Myself – my motivation to receive a degree. • Grades not good enough for university. • Myself. • My desire to attain a degree in accounting. • The fact that I am on the college prepaid program and it is required for me to go to a community college for two years before going to a university. • Florida Pre-paid college program -- 2 years community college tuition. • Grades in high school. • Easier than a university. • Yes, my residence in process. • Get a better career. • The feeling of hopelessness in my life. • Yes, my own desire and willingness to get into college and earn my bachelor's degree. • My friend and I needed to get out of Naples and wanted an environment similar, but with a variety of younger people. • It's because the school is here. It makes no difference at the moment. • Partner support. • The only other factor not listed above is my desire to succeed. • Be a better person and get an education. • A school that I feel comfortable in. • The need [for] an education. • Was able to attend college without foreign languages. Also I had Florida pre-paid program. • For myself – just to better my mind and life. • Distance learning. • The desire to be prepared for the future and to be educated. • Personal. • I need a better education.
Q. 13 Please list any other colleges, universities or technical schools to which you applied, either in- state or out –of-state, that did not appear on the list about [in Q. 12].
In-state • Fort Lauderdale Metropolitan • Florida Southern University • Bethune Cookman College • Massage Therapy & Esthetics School • Valencia CC, Santa Fe CC • Brevard Community College • Valencia Community College • St. Thomas University
Out-of-state • Nassau Community College • Central Missouri State University, Grambling State University • Penn State • Freed-Hardeman University, Harding University ½32 ¾ • At-Home Professions (home schooling) • Peace College (NC) • Mira Costa College (San Diego), Johnson & Wales University • Northern Illinois University • Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Va. • University of Georgia, Devry, Kennesaw State University (Ga.) • Arkansas State University • Missouri Baptist College
Additional comments
(Note: Responses not relevant to the survey have been omitted. Some responses have been edited for clarity.)
• I am very pleased with PBCC in all aspects and would highly recommend. • One comment of mine is that I would [have] never thought that in college they would phohibit you from using a calculator in a math class. If there is anything they can do about it, please do so, because it’s a little confusing for me and some of us. • My teacher is really tough on the class. I think she does some unnecessary yelling and cussing. • I wish there could be nursing classes in Royal Palm Beach. • More info on PBCC (Lake Worth) about their criminal justice field. • I felt that during registration the PBCC reps were not informative or very helpful. I knew the questions to ask and what to do because of my friend and relative that attends PBCC. If not, I would have been lost. I am quite satisfied with my professors, but the feedback that I am getting from other students is not good and it worries me when choosing my classes for the next semester. Also, at night the Boca campus needs more security presence. The restrooms are never clean, no matter what time of the day. The CPI is always crowded between 4:30PM and 6:00PM. It is hard at times to find a table and it can get quite loud in there. • Financial Aid should be better. I don’t qualify because of my father’s income, yet he is not paying for anything. • I would like to see more clubs established, chess, tennis. I am very impressed with the overall look of the South campus – Boca Raton. The standards of the faculty are high. The teachers are helpful and knowledgeable on their subjects. I look forward to attending my classes every week. Keep it up PBCC!!!!! • Classes are too short in duration. • I don’t understand why the classes with labs don’t have the labs included. This is a big inconvenience not only for me but for other students around the campus, as well. The advisors at Lake Worth had me very confused and I had to get my friend to help me with my schedule. • Make sure you have enough books available for students to purchase. I had to wait several weeks for two classes and fell behind! The teachers don’t want to hear excuses. • I feel that if the appearance of the school were improved, it would benefit the students’ motivation. • So far, you guys are doing a good job. • The bookstore is very nice, but the woman that works there has a very rude attitude. (Sorry, can’t remember her name.) • I would like to know what qualifications are needed to receive financial aid, but it’s difficult to get through sometimes on the Internet. • There should be more elevators. • I do not think it is fair that when a semester is over and I try to sell back my book that you won’t take it if it is not offered. What am I going to do with it? I am talking about my science book. I would like for you to buy it back. • In the English/Reading CPI labs the tutors are mean and nasty (some of them). • I don’t like the school colors. • As far as clubs and teams go, I notice that there is a cheerleading team, but I would love to see a dance team. I know a lot of dancers that were on previous teams including myself who have all mentioned that they really wanted to join a dance team and had wished that PBCC had one. • I like to receive any financial [aid] because I can't pay [for] my class, however I like to finish my career. Thanks for everything. If I receive any financial [aid] God will protect you anywhere you are. ½33¾ • This is my first time attending college and it is very exciting for me. I enjoy the Lake Worth campus. I feel the academic advisor I first spoke with got me off track a little bit. He didn’t seem sure of the classes I should take. I spoke with another who deals in my field of study. Things seem much clearer now. • It would be a great help if [PBCC] added more courses at Gardens such as computers, business, health, teacher, patient care technician, real estate, etc. • Availability of classes is very limited when applying late. Almost nothing to fit into your schedule meaning kids can’t go to school and are left with nothing to do. • Overall, I think PBCC is a good college. The only problem(s) I’ve ever had was with my transcripts. It took about two months to finally get them straight. • Work on Financial Aid! And making students a little more welcomed! Also housing for students! One more thing – work-study program, there should be more opportunity and jobs! • I found that I had to withdraw from a class because of a teacher not being able to perform well in class. I could not understand anything. • It was fun to fill this out. I think colleges need to send things like this out more often. They need to know who is going to their school. • The class sizes make it a lot easier for people that need a little one on one, but I feel that the people in the math lab really need to know math because a lot of them have no clue what they’re doing and cause some students confusion. • I like PBCC and I think it’s a good place to get an education. I also feel that I’m not in college, though. It sometimes feels like I’m still in high school. Other than that I am satisfied. • Just want to thank you all for your service. • Someone should do something about the “woman’s needs” always being empty in the bathroom. • The disability services at PBCC are extremely unbeneficial to the students. The policy and standards are so high to receive help, you must almost be completely handicapped to benefit from the program. I had a head injury in ’99 and have a new learning memory disability. I was basically told I was being ridiculous for asking for help. • This is my first semester at college, due to time taken off to move to California and to travel. PBCC has been an easy transition and I am really enjoying it. • The CPT test is not accurate. I don’t think calculating a student’s level should only be based on the CPT because some people are not good at testing. • In my opinion, I believe that information about clubs, organizations, and sports should be on the web site. • The school is good, however, somewhat ghetto. Student housing is a rip off, and turned me away. Student Villiage is totally ghetto. Clean the place out. Drugs, crime, etc. I would like to live in student housing, but not this one. • In answer to the question about the quality of instructors, I would like to state that I was satisfied with all my professors except my math. I feel that he disgraced the quality of the college and gave it a bad name. You need to truly take more time in selecting your instructors. • I think the parking sticker should cost [no more than] $3. The sticker is too expensive and it is hard for me to find a parking space without it. • I feel there should be people in financial aid that know what they are doing. The person that helped me said they had no idea how to help me. Other than that, I have been completely satisfied. • So far, so good. I’ll like PBCC. I’ll do my best to complete my AA degree and keep up the good work, guys. • It would be great if you could offer child care and more Saturday classes. • I will never regret that I have chosen PBCC. I began to take classes in August and I was already welcomed by many people I didn’t know. The instructors are very intelligent and nice. I also get help from the financial offices so I can pay for my classes. Thank you, God bless PBCC and all the staff. • I have had the worst trouble trying to find my scholarships for three months. It would be nice if they had such important papers more organized. Then they found the check and no one could put through to distribute the scholarship. Currently I have scholarships to pay for my classes, but I’ve had to pay for it myself and still waiting to be reimbursed. • I am currently involved with many sports, and I would like to have some information about scholarships. • I think Lake Worth is a wonderful campus! Great faculty, very helpful and nice! I enjoy every day there! Wonderful library as well – although could use some new books! • The times offered for foreign languages do not agree with the times for other core classes.
½34 ¾ • I don’t agree with some of the attendance policies. I don’t think three lates should equal an absence. Being five minutes late a few times to class because of traffic could be the difference between an “A” and a “W” and that’s not fair. • Overall, my experience has been great. The only problem was dealing with my English professor – completely irresponsible. As a freshmen, that was a bad experience. She has missed three classes so far. • PBCC needs more of the following: elevators, sitting areas outside the buildings, vending machines (beside every soda machine on every floor), cheaper lobby food, more computer areas with Internet. • PBCC should have more history classes. • I very much appreciate this survey and the fact that you value our opinions. I am very pleased with PBCC and most of my teachers.
½35¾
Appendix ‘B’ Tabular Data
How long do you intend to stay at PBCC?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total
Until I earn my AA/AS/AAS degree or vocational certificate 82 72.6% 32 62.7% 4 80.0% 40 58.8% 1 50.0% 162 66.4% Until I can transfer to a university after two years 23 20.4% 9 17.6% 15 22.1% 49 20.1% Until I can transfer to a university after one year 1 0.9% 5 9.8% 4 5.9% 10 4.1% Until circumstances require me to leave 2 1.8% 3 5.9% 4 5.9% 9 3.7% Until my college preparatory coursework is completed 1 0.9% 1 2.0% 2 2.9% 4 1.6% One semester/end of semester (other mention) 2 1.8% 1 1.5% 3 1.2% Until I get a good job 0.0% 1 2.0% 1 20.0% 1 50.0% 3 1.2% Until my student visa expires 1 0.9% 1 0.4% All other 1 1.5% 1 0.4% Don't know 1 0.9% 1 1.5% 2 0.8% n= 113 51 5 68 2 244
In what type of program are you enrolling or have you enrolled at PBCC?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Associate in Arts (AA) 71 62.3% 34 66.7% 3 75.0% 48 70.6% 1 50.0% 158 64.8% Associate in Science (AS) 15 13.2% 9 17.6% 4 5.9% 30 12.3% Vocational/PSAV certificate 10 8.8% 2 3.9% 3 4.4% 1 50.0% 17 7.0% Associate in Applied Science (AAS) 8 7.0% 3 5.9% 4 5.9% 15 6.1% I will not be seeking a degree or certificate 3 2.6% 1 2.0% 4 1.6% Don't know 7 6.1% 2 3.9% 1 25.0% 8 11.8% 19 7.8% Other 1 1.5% 1 0.4% n= 114 51 4 68 2 244
Are you taking courses because you are thinking of (or in the process of) changing your career?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Yes 25 21.9% 12 23.1% 3 60.0% 15 22.1% 57 23.1% No 79 69.3% 37 71.2% 2 40.0% 48 70.6% 168 68.0% Don't Know 10 8.8% 3 5.8% 5 7.4% 2 100.0% 22 8.9% n= 114 52 5 68 2 247
Are you currently taking, or will you be required to take, college preparatory classes?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Yes 81 71.1% 30 57.7% 5 100.0% 50 73.5% 171 69.2% No 31 27.2% 21 40.4% 18 26.5% 2 100.0% 72 29.1% Don't Know 2 1.8% 1 1.9% 4 1.6% n= 114 52 5 68 2 247
½36 ¾
know know Don't Don't 92 3.84 142 8888 4.4097 4.20 22 4.32 20 12 4557 4.04 3.9196 65 75 51 3.8295 3.9364 14 3.74 34 3.52 14 46 231 4.35174236 4.34 4 213 4.28235 59 4.31233 4.15 2 169 23 4.08222 4.13 3 223 4.02 4 231 65 4.00166 15 4.00 11 4.00200 6 116 70 3.79213 3.65228 39 3.78 116 132 3.69220 23 3.48 3.28 9 102 18 109108 4.33 4.40 1 108106 4.21101 4.05105 4.02 1 109 4.10 4 4.05 6 4 106 1 3.82 4 100 3.06 9 valid Mean valid Mean Total Total 2.2% 6.9% 4.2% 2.3% 5.1% 6.9% 7.1% 9.5% 8.1% 5.2% 5.4% 1.8% 0.9% 3.4% 4.5% 1.0% 4.6% 9.4% 5.0% 2.9% 5.5% 6.7% 8.8% 5.3% 12.0% 11.5% 15.5% 11.3% 16.7% 25.8% 26.4% 12.3% 11.5% 10.5% 21.9% 34.0% 5 5 9 2 1 3 4 1 5 5 3 6 3 5 4 (2/1) (2/1) Total Total 12 10 12 16 12 21 18 12 11 23 18 24 38 34 58 10 13 11 10 14 34 dissatisfied dissatisfied 0.9% 1.7% 1.7% 1.3% 3.0% 4.1% 3.6% 2.2% 3.0% 1.2% 5.4% 3.5% 4.7% 5.3% 0.9% 1.1% 0.9% 3.8% 2.0% 1.0% 1.8% 2.2% 5.3% 4.7% 2.1% 5.3% 10.3% 15.9% 12.3% 10.9% 13.0% 2 3 4 3 7 7 8 5 7 2 5 7 1 1 1 4 2 1 2 1 3 5 2 5 7 12 10 12 21 27 13 satisfied satisfied 1 - Not1 - at all Not1 - at all 1.3% 5.2% 2.5% 2.3% 3.8% 3.9% 3.0% 5.9% 5.8% 2.2% 4.2% 6.5% 8.0% 5.2% 6.6% 9.8% 0.9% 0.9% 3.4% 3.4% 1.0% 3.7% 5.7% 3.0% 1.9% 3.7% 4.4% 3.5% 7.5% 9.4% 5.3% 5.3% 11.4% 14.1% 10.9% 21.0% 3 9 6 5 9 9 5 5 7 6 6 1 1 3 3 1 4 6 3 2 4 2 2 8 9 4 5 7 13 13 16 14 26 13 31 21 8.0% 11.3% 11.9% 14.1% 16.2% 15.0% 14.8% 15.8% 17.9% 21.2% 23.5% 20.7% 24.5% 21.6% 26.8% 22.8% 18.9% 27.7% 11.0% 12.0% 10.2% 13.6% 17.5% 14.8% 14.2% 19.8% 21.9% 20.2% 20.0% 21.1% 22.6% 24.0% 32.0% 29.5% 26.6% 31.0% 9 9 26 14 28 30 38 35 25 35 40 49 39 19 49 25 57 52 25 61 12 13 12 17 16 15 20 23 22 12 24 23 24 28 17 31 86.6% 85.1% 83.9% 83.6% 78.7% 78.1% 78.1% 74.8% 74.0% 73.6% 71.1% 67.4% 64.0% 62.9% 62.0% 60.5% 55.3% 45.9% 87.2% 87.0% 86.4% 81.8% 81.4% 80.6% 76.4% 75.2% 75.2% 74.3% 73.3% 70.2% 65.1% 64.6% 62.7% 60.0% 51.6% 35.0% Total Total 62 73 73 95 94 76 72 79 87 81 76 79 81 33 40 69 62 47 57 33 35 200 148 198 178 185 182 132 166 165 170 118 128 132 138 101 satisfied (5/4) 3 2 satisfied (5/4) 34.6% 27.0% 33.9% 34.3% 35.7% 38.6% 32.0% 34.2% 37.2% 39.4% 35.5% 33.7% 34.0% 35.3% 30.0% 30.3% 20.5% 25.5% 38.5% 33.3% 29.5% 37.5% 29.9% 34.3% 34.9% 41.6% 37.1% 36.7% 33.3% 35.1% 31.1% 33.3% 26.7% 30.5% 18.8% 17.0% 43 80 47 80 73 84 90 54 76 83 91 59 31 68 41 64 69 27 56 42 36 26 33 29 37 37 42 39 40 15 20 33 32 20 29 12 17 51.9% 58.0% 50.0% 49.3% 43.0% 39.5% 46.2% 40.5% 36.8% 34.2% 35.5% 33.7% 30.0% 27.6% 31.9% 30.3% 34.8% 20.5% 48.6% 53.7% 56.8% 44.3% 51.5% 46.3% 41.5% 33.7% 38.1% 37.6% 40.0% 35.1% 34.0% 31.3% 36.0% 29.5% 32.8% 18.0% 53 60 50 50 20 36 27 28 21 92 90 82 79 59 31 32 68 69 46 58 50 44 34 40 41 18 30 78 39 45 18 5 - Very Very 5 - 5 - Very Very 5 - satisfied 4 satisfied 2 101 118 105 101 120 Lake Worth All Respondents y y ing ing k k Class times Academic advisement Librar site Web Campus appearance Cafeteria/food service classes of Availability services Testing Orientation services aid Financial Par Student Learning Center/ Center/ Learning Student tutoring Class times site Web Campus appearance Registration process Librar Bookstore Admissions process instructors of Quality services Testing Clubs and student activities Cafeteria/food service Orientation classes of Availability services aid Financial Par Class sizes Center/ Learning Student tutoring Bookstore Admissions process instructors of Quality Registration process Clubs and student activities Academic advisement Class sizes So far, how satisfied are you with theyou are each following at PBCC? of satisfied how far, So
½37¾
know know Don't Don't 44.751 44.751 44.751 44.751 44.751 44.751 54.60 54.60 44.501 44.501 44.501 14.004 14.004 44.001 44.001 44.001 33.672 44.001 4948 4.4151 4.3151 4.29 1 51 4.33 3 39 4.25 42 4.08 4.26 12 3648 4.22 7 50 4.04 13 46 4.06 50 3.87 1 20 3.86 50 3.75 4 47 3.76 28 28 3.7720 3.4351 3.05 4 21 3.12 28 valid Mean valid Mean Total Total 2.0% 2.1% 2.0% 3.9% 3.9% 5.1% 7.1% 6.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 11.1% 10.4% 10.0% 10.9% 10.0% 16.0% 10.6% 32.1% 30.0% 31.4% 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% 33.3% 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 5 5 3 2 8 5 9 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 (2/1) (2/1) Total Total 16 dissatisfied dissatisfied dissatisfied dissatisfied 2.0% 2.4% 2.8% 4.2% 2.0% 2.2% 2.0% 5.0% 2.0% 4.3% 21.4% 30.0% 19.6% 25.0% 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 6 6 1 10 satisfied satisfied 1 - Not at1 all- 1 - Not at1 all- 2.0% 2.1% 3.9% 3.9% 5.1% 4.8% 8.3% 6.3% 8.0% 8.7% 4.0% 5.0% 6.4% 14.0% 10.7% 11.8% 25.0% 25.0% 33.3% 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 2 1 7 3 3 6 1 1 1 8.2% 10.4% 11.8% 11.8% 15.7% 15.4% 14.3% 11.1% 12.5% 18.0% 19.6% 26.0% 25.0% 22.0% 27.7% 10.7% 20.0% 23.5% 50.0% 4 5 6 6 8 6 6 4 6 9 9 5 3 4 2 13 11 13 12 89.8% 87.5% 86.3% 84.3% 80.4% 79.5% 78.6% 77.8% 77.1% 72.0% 69.6% 68.0% 65.0% 62.0% 61.7% 57.1% 50.0% 45.1% 75.0% 75.0% 75.0% 66.7% 50.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 1 1 3 3 3 2 2 Total Total 44 42 44 43 41 31 33 28 37 36 32 34 13 31 29 16 10 23 satisfied (5/4) 3 2 satisfied (5/4) 3 2 36.7% 41.7% 39.2% 31.4% 31.4% 46.2% 21.4% 19.4% 35.4% 26.0% 39.1% 42.0% 40.0% 30.0% 31.9% 17.9% 35.0% 27.5% 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% 40.0% 40.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 25.0% 25.0% 33.3% 100.0% 100.0% 9 7 8 5 7 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 18 20 20 16 16 18 17 13 18 21 15 15 14 53.1% 45.8% 47.1% 52.9% 49.0% 33.3% 57.1% 58.3% 41.7% 46.0% 30.4% 26.0% 25.0% 32.0% 29.8% 39.3% 15.0% 17.6% 75.0% 75.0% 75.0% 75.0% 75.0% 75.0% 60.0% 60.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 75.0% 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% 50.0% 2 9 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 5 3 26 22 24 27 25 13 24 21 20 23 14 13 16 14 11 5 - Very Very 5 - 5 - Very Very 5 - satisfied 4 satisfied 4 Palm Beach Gardens Belle Glade store ing k k Class sizes Class sizes Class times Class Orientation Registration process Center/ Learning Student tutoring site Web Campus appearance Parking Library instructors of Quality services Testing Cafeteria/food service andClubs activities student services aid Financial Academic advisement Admissions process classes of Availability Boo Web site Web Campus appearance times Class Registration process services Testing Library Center/ Learning Student tutoring Bookstore Admissions process Orientation instructors of Quality andClubs activities student classes of Availability Academic advisement services aid Financial Cafeteria/food service Par
½38 ¾
know Don't 4163 4.2762 4.29 22 57 3.9765 4.21 1 65 4.17 2 62 4.00 7 43 3.94 1 58 3.91 1 64 3.97 3 21 30 3.8949 3.47 8 29 3.73 2 33 62 3.59 17 58 3.79 36 36 3.6425 3.58 3 63 3.48 8 28 3.46 40 2 valid Mean Total 3.2% 5.3% 7.7% 4.6% 7.0% 8.6% 9.4% 9.7% 12.2% 11.3% 11.3% 26.7% 10.2% 17.2% 12.1% 16.7% 24.0% 22.2% 5 2 7 3 5 3 7 3 5 6 8 5 5 6 7 6 6 (2/1) Total 14 dissatisfied 4.9% 1.6% 6.5% 3.1% 4.6% 3.2% 4.7% 1.7% 1.6% 6.1% 4.8% 5.2% 5.6% 6.3% 20.0% 17.2% 12.0% 2 1 4 2 3 2 2 1 1 6 3 5 3 3 2 3 4 satisfied 1 - Not at Not all1 - 7.3% 1.6% 4.8% 5.3% 4.6% 8.1% 2.3% 6.9% 7.8% 6.7% 4.1% 4.8% 6.9% 11.1% 12.0% 15.9% 3 1 3 3 3 5 1 4 5 2 2 3 4 4 3 10 2.4% 6.5% 12.7% 14.0% 13.8% 20.0% 14.5% 20.9% 20.7% 21.9% 10.0% 26.5% 20.7% 30.6% 29.3% 25.0% 20.0% 25.4% 1 8 4 8 9 9 9 3 6 9 5 13 12 14 13 19 17 16 85.4% 84.1% 82.3% 80.7% 78.5% 75.4% 74.2% 72.1% 70.7% 68.8% 63.3% 63.3% 62.1% 59.7% 58.6% 58.3% 56.0% 52.4% Total 35 53 51 46 51 49 46 31 41 44 19 31 18 37 34 21 14 33 satisfied (5/4) 3 2 26.8% 34.9% 50.0% 35.1% 29.2% 41.5% 40.3% 41.9% 34.5% 37.5% 33.3% 36.7% 31.0% 25.8% 36.2% 36.1% 28.0% 30.2% 9 7 11 22 31 20 19 27 25 18 20 24 10 18 16 21 13 19 58.5% 49.2% 32.3% 45.6% 49.2% 33.8% 33.9% 30.2% 36.2% 31.3% 30.0% 26.5% 31.0% 33.9% 22.4% 22.2% 28.0% 22.2% 9 9 8 7 31 20 26 32 22 21 13 21 20 13 21 13 24 14 5 - Very satisfied 4 Boca Raton asses l c f ity o ity l i b y a l vai Class sizes Class Registration process site Web times Class instructors of Quality Admissions process services Testing Bookstore appearance Campus services aid Financial advisement Academic Librar Orientation Parking Cafeteria/food service andClubs activities student A Student Learning Center/ Center/ Learning Student tutoring
½39¾ So far, what is your overall impression of PBCC?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Excellent 24 21.4% 11 21.2% 2 40.0% 20 30.3% 58 23.9% Good 73 65.2% 38 73.1% 3 60.0% 34 51.5% 2 100.0% 152 62.6% Fair 14 12.5% 2 3.8% 11 16.7% 30 12.3% Poor 1 1.9% 1 1.5% 2 0.8% Don't know 1 0.9% 1 0.4% n= 112 52 5 66 2 243
Would you recommend PBCC to other people?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Definitely 60 53.6% 30 57.7% 3 60.0% 38 57.6% 131 55.3% Probably 44 39.3% 21 40.4% 2 40.0% 19 28.8% 2 100.0% 88 37.1% Might or might not 5 4.5% 9 13.6% 14 5.9% Probably not 1 0.9% 1 0.4% Definitely not 1 1.9% 1 0.4% Don't know 2 1.8% 2 0.8% n= 112 52 5 66 2 237
Which of the following College publication(s) or advertisement(s) did you see of hear before you applied to PBCC?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Letter in the mail 36 32.1% 18 35.3% 1 20.0% 17 25.8% 1 50.0% 74 30.6% PBCC Catalog 34 30.4% 12 23.5% 1 20.0% 15 22.7% 1 50.0% 64 26.4% High school newspaper advertisement 31 27.7% 10 19.6% 10 15.2% 52 21.5% Radio advertisement 25 22.3% 14 27.5% 2 40.0% 9 13.6% 1 50.0% 52 21.5% PBCC brochure 27 24.1% 14 27.5% 9 13.6% 1 50.0% 51 21.1% PBCC Web site 27 24.1% 11 21.6% 11 16.7% 1 50.0% 50 20.7% TV advertisement 22 19.6% 14 27.5% 2 40.0% 7 10.6% 47 19.4% Bus advertisement 15 13.4% 7 13.7% 2 40.0% 2 3.0% 26 10.7%
Local newspaper advertisement 12 10.7% 7 13.7% 6 9.1% 25 10.3% Internet/online advertisement (not including PBCC Web site) 8 7.1% 1 2.0% 1 20.0% 8 12.1% 19 7.9% High school yearbook advertisement 7 6.3% 5 9.8% 4 6.1% 16 6.6% PBCC Viewbook 3 2.7% 4 7.8% 7 10.6% 14 5.8% Magazine advertisement 4 3.6% 1 2.0% 1 1.5% 6 2.5% Movie theater advertisement 2 1.8% 2 3.9% 2 3.0% 6 2.5% Aerial banners (such as those flown behind an airplane) 1 0.9% 1 0.4% None of the above 32 28.6% 10 19.6% 2 40.0% 30 45.5% 76 31.4% n= 112 51 5 66 2 242
½40 ¾
224229 4.22 222 3.83 3.77 223221 3.49 223 3.31 222 3.30 219 3.32 3.17 230219 2.92 2.94 219 2.79 220 2.72 222222 2.69 2.82 218 2.66 218218 2.43 2.37 217 2.35 222219 2.09 1.94 215210 1.79 213 1.64 1.55 Total Mean 12.5% 17.9% 20.3% 30.9% 35.7% 30.0% 27.9% 32.4% 40.0% 37.0% 47.0% 45.5% 48.6% 40.1% 46.8% 56.4% 55.5% 58.1% 64.4% 70.3% 74.9% 78.6% 82.2% (2/1) 28 41 45 69 79 67 62 71 92 81 89 103 100 108 102 123 121 126 143 154 161 165 175 Total low influence 9.4% 14.0% 16.2% 27.8% 32.1% 27.4% 25.2% 28.8% 33.9% 32.9% 41.1% 40.5% 41.4% 34.2% 39.4% 49.1% 50.5% 48.8% 59.0% 65.3% 70.7% 75.7% 79.8% 21 32 36 62 71 61 56 63 78 72 90 89 92 76 86 107 110 106 131 143 152 159 170 influential 1 - Not at all Not - 1 3.1% 3.9% 4.1% 3.1% 3.6% 2.7% 2.7% 3.7% 6.1% 4.1% 5.9% 5.0% 7.2% 5.9% 7.3% 7.3% 5.0% 9.2% 5.4% 5.0% 4.2% 2.9% 2.3% 7 9 9 7 8 6 6 8 9 9 6 5 14 13 11 16 13 16 16 11 20 12 11 7.6% 9.0% 8.6% 8.0% 13.5% 12.6% 14.3% 17.1% 17.4% 15.2% 20.5% 11.4% 14.5% 11.7% 21.2% 17.4% 11.5% 14.2% 14.7% 14.0% 10.5% 10.7% 10.0% 17 31 28 20 19 32 38 38 35 45 25 32 26 47 38 25 31 32 31 23 23 21 17 9.9% 79.9% 68.6% 67.1% 60.1% 55.7% 55.6% 55.0% 50.2% 44.8% 42.5% 41.6% 40.0% 39.6% 38.7% 35.8% 32.1% 30.3% 27.2% 21.6% 19.2% 14.4% 11.4% (5/4) 3 2 93 91 88 88 86 78 70 66 59 48 42 31 24 21 179 157 149 134 123 124 122 110 103 influence influence Total high 9.1% 4.7% 4.8% 2.3% 15.6% 22.7% 21.2% 12.6% 12.2% 23.8% 24.3% 21.9% 23.5% 21.5% 16.4% 22.3% 20.3% 20.7% 19.3% 15.6% 17.4% 12.0% 11.3% 5 35 52 47 28 27 53 54 48 54 47 36 49 45 46 42 34 38 26 25 20 10 10 9.8% 6.7% 7.5% 64.3% 45.9% 45.9% 47.5% 43.4% 31.8% 30.6% 28.3% 21.3% 21.0% 25.1% 17.7% 19.4% 18.0% 16.5% 16.5% 12.8% 15.2% 10.4% 10.0% 16 40 96 71 68 62 49 46 55 39 43 36 36 28 33 23 22 21 14 5 - Very 5 - 144 105 102 106 influential 4 All respondents All y ousing h ent d tu How influentialHow the each of following in were decision your to attend PBCC? S Close to home to Close Parent or relative Cost Desire to stay inPalm Beach County work to Close Class sizes Variety course offerings of (majors) offerings Program PBCC current a is who Friend student the CollegeReputation of Financial aid/scholarship opportunities Friend in attended who PBCC the past the College from Publications and catalogs (College brochures) facult the of Quality environment in theSupportive College guidance High school counselor teacher High school the from Advertisement TV, (including letter, College radio, and newspaper) current a not is who Friend and never student PBCC attended PBCC Employer (including employee College College) the from recruiters Child care services
½41¾
99 1.70 104108 4.13 105 3.63 3.69 104107 3.49 104 3.38 105 3.38 104 3.30 105 3.26 2.91 105108 2.86 106 2.99 3.01 108 2.93 106 2.84 106103 2.77 2.47 103 2.52 104105 2.59 2.20 106 2.07 103103 1.92 1.73 Total Mean 14.4% 21.3% 21.9% 29.8% 29.9% 25.0% 28.6% 34.6% 41.0% 41.9% 35.2% 34.9% 38.9% 44.3% 43.4% 53.4% 54.4% 50.0% 61.9% 64.2% 70.9% 75.7% 75.8% (2/1) 15 23 23 31 32 26 30 36 43 44 38 37 42 47 46 55 56 52 65 68 73 78 75 Total low influence 8.7% 16.7% 15.2% 26.9% 27.1% 24.0% 25.7% 29.8% 37.1% 38.1% 31.5% 31.1% 33.3% 39.6% 37.7% 49.5% 47.6% 40.4% 57.1% 60.4% 68.0% 73.8% 73.7% 9 18 16 28 29 25 27 31 39 40 34 33 36 42 40 51 49 42 60 64 70 76 73 influential 1 - Not at all Not - 1 5.8% 4.6% 6.7% 2.9% 2.8% 1.0% 2.9% 4.8% 3.8% 3.8% 3.7% 3.8% 5.6% 4.7% 5.7% 3.9% 6.8% 9.6% 4.8% 3.8% 2.9% 1.9% 2.0% 6 5 7 3 3 1 3 5 4 4 4 4 6 5 6 4 7 5 4 3 2 2 10 8.7% 17.6% 17.1% 10.6% 12.1% 21.2% 19.0% 13.5% 11.4% 13.3% 20.4% 20.8% 18.5% 13.2% 18.9% 10.7% 10.7% 19.2% 13.3% 15.1% 10.7% 10.7% 12.1% 9 19 18 11 13 22 20 14 12 14 22 22 20 14 20 11 11 20 14 16 11 11 12 76.9% 61.1% 61.0% 59.6% 57.9% 53.8% 52.4% 51.9% 47.6% 44.8% 44.4% 44.3% 42.6% 42.5% 37.7% 35.9% 35.0% 30.8% 24.8% 20.8% 18.4% 13.6% 12.1% (5/4) 3 2 80 66 64 62 62 56 55 54 50 47 48 47 46 45 40 37 36 32 26 22 19 14 12 influence influence Total high 5.8% 4.9% 5.1% 17.3% 21.3% 16.2% 13.5% 20.6% 21.2% 21.0% 13.5% 25.7% 23.8% 23.1% 21.7% 20.4% 17.0% 17.0% 22.3% 15.5% 12.5% 10.5% 10.4% 6 5 5 18 23 17 14 22 22 22 14 27 25 25 23 22 18 18 23 16 13 11 11 8.7% 7.1% 59.6% 39.8% 44.8% 46.2% 37.4% 32.7% 31.4% 38.5% 21.9% 21.0% 21.3% 22.6% 22.2% 25.5% 20.8% 13.6% 19.4% 18.3% 14.3% 10.4% 12.6% 7 9 23 62 43 47 48 40 34 33 40 23 22 24 24 27 22 14 20 19 15 11 13 5 - Very 5 - influential 4 Lake Worth Lake y care services ld i Ch Close to home to Close Parent or relative Cost Desire to stay inPalm Beach County Class sizes Variety course offerings of Program offerings work to Close College the from Publications Friend in attended who PBCC the past facult the of Quality the CollegeReputation of PBCC current a is who Friend student Financial aid/scholarship opportunities environment in theSupportive College teacher High school guidance High school counselor the from Advertisement College Employer Friend PBCC not a current attended student/never (including employee College recruiters) Student housing
½42 ¾
4849 4.04 48 4.14 48 3.92 48 3.46 3.31 49 3.35 4646 2.91 46 3.20 46 2.91 2.89 45 2.64 46 2.72 48 2.48 4546 2.42 2.65 4646 2.39 2.33 47 2.06 47 1.96 4445 1.68 46 1.62 45 1.52 1.22 Total Mean 14.6% 10.2% 16.7% 33.3% 31.3% 34.7% 43.5% 26.1% 39.1% 34.8% 44.4% 47.8% 58.3% 55.6% 45.7% 56.5% 54.3% 68.1% 68.1% 79.5% 80.0% 82.6% 93.3% 7 5 8 (2/1) 16 15 17 20 12 18 16 20 22 28 25 21 26 25 32 32 35 36 38 42 Total low influence 8.2% 14.6% 12.5% 29.2% 25.0% 30.6% 32.6% 23.9% 34.8% 32.6% 35.6% 39.1% 43.8% 42.2% 32.6% 45.7% 47.8% 55.3% 57.4% 70.5% 77.8% 78.3% 88.9% 7 4 6 14 12 15 15 11 16 15 16 18 21 19 15 21 22 26 27 31 35 36 40 influential 1 - Not at all Not - 1 2.0% 4.2% 4.2% 6.3% 4.1% 2.2% 4.3% 2.2% 8.9% 8.7% 6.5% 9.1% 2.2% 4.3% 4.4% 10.9% 14.6% 13.3% 13.0% 10.9% 12.8% 10.6% 2 1 2 2 3 2 5 1 2 1 4 4 7 6 6 5 3 6 5 4 1 2 2 8.3% 4.2% 8.2% 2.2% 6.3% 9.1% 8.9% 8.7% 4.4% 14.3% 12.5% 10.4% 28.3% 17.4% 23.9% 15.6% 15.2% 13.3% 23.9% 13.0% 21.7% 10.6% 14.9% 4 7 6 2 5 4 1 8 7 7 3 6 6 5 7 4 4 4 2 13 11 11 10 8.7% 2.2% 77.1% 75.5% 70.8% 62.5% 58.3% 57.1% 54.3% 45.7% 43.5% 41.3% 40.0% 37.0% 35.4% 31.1% 30.4% 30.4% 23.9% 21.3% 17.0% 11.4% 11.1% 8 5 5 4 1 (5/4) 3 37 37 34 30 28 28 25 21 20 19 18 17 17 14 14 14 11 10 influence influence Total high 4.5% 2.2% 4.3% 20.8% 18.4% 20.8% 16.7% 29.2% 14.3% 41.3% 21.7% 21.7% 26.1% 35.6% 15.2% 20.8% 22.2% 17.4% 19.6% 13.0% 12.8% 12.8% 9 8 7 7 8 9 6 6 6 2 1 2 10 10 14 19 10 10 12 16 10 10 4.4% 8.9% 8.5% 4.3% 6.8% 8.9% 4.3% 2.2% 56.3% 57.1% 50.0% 45.8% 29.2% 42.9% 13.0% 23.9% 21.7% 15.2% 21.7% 14.6% 13.0% 10.9% 10.9% 1 6 6 7 2 7 4 5 5 4 2 3 4 2 27 28 24 22 14 21 11 10 10 5 - Very 5 - influential 4 Palm Beach Gardens y ousing h ent d tu S Close to home to Close Parent or relative Cost work to Close Variety course offerings of Desire to stay inPalm Beach County PBCC current a is who Friend student Class sizes (majors) offerings Program the CollegeReputation of Friend in attended who PBCC the past Financial aid/scholarship opportunities the College from Publications and catalogs (College brochures) environment in theSupportive College facult the of Quality guidance High school counselor teacher High school the from Advertisement TV, (including letter, College radio, and newspaper) current a not is who Friend and never student PBCC attended PBCC (including employee College College) the from recruiters Child care services Employer
½43¾
35.00 35.00 45.00 45.00 43.75 34.00 33.67 33.67 33.67 33.33 33.33 33.33 33.33 43.50 43.00 33.00 33.00 33.00 32.67 32.00 31.00 21.00 21.00 Total Mean 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 25.0% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 25.0% 50.0% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 66.7% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 2 (2/1) Total low influence 25.0% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 25.0% 50.0% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 66.7% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 2 influential 1 - Not at all Not - 1 33.3% 25.0% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 0.0% 1 1 1 1 1 1 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 75.0% 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 0 3 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 (5/4) 3 2 influence influence Total high 25.0% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 50.0% 33.3% 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 1 3 3 4 4 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 5 - Very 5 - influential 4 Belle Glade Belle y ousing h ent d tu S Parent or relative Financial aid/scholarship Financial aid/scholarship opportunities home to Close Desire to stay inPalm Beach County PBCC current a is who Friend student Cost guidance High school counselor Class sizes (majors) offerings Program Friend in attended who PBCC the past teacher High school the from Advertisement TV, (including letter, College radio, and newspaper) Variety course offerings of work to Close current a not is who Friend and never student PBCC attended PBCC the CollegeReputation of environment in theSupportive College facult the of Quality the College from Publications and catalogs (College brochures) Employer (including employee College College) the from recruiters Child care services
½44 ¾
6361 4.49 63 3.84 3.83 6160 3.56 62 3.38 62 3.19 60 3.31 59 3.17 2.86 65 2.82 60 2.57 5960 2.58 2.62 61 2.38 61 2.38 60 2.12 6161 2.16 2.18 5860 2.03 1.72 6060 1.63 58 1.55 1.47 Total Mean 7.9% 19.7% 19.0% 31.1% 38.3% 33.9% 29.0% 33.3% 42.4% 43.1% 55.0% 49.2% 46.7% 57.4% 57.4% 65.0% 63.9% 62.3% 69.0% 78.3% 80.0% 83.3% 86.2% 5 (2/1) 12 12 19 23 21 18 20 25 28 33 29 28 35 35 39 39 38 40 47 48 50 50 Total low influence 6.3% 19.7% 14.3% 27.9% 36.7% 30.6% 25.8% 28.3% 35.6% 38.5% 48.3% 42.4% 41.7% 52.5% 50.8% 60.0% 57.4% 55.7% 62.1% 71.7% 76.7% 78.3% 84.5% 4 9 12 17 22 19 16 17 21 25 29 25 25 32 31 36 35 34 36 43 46 47 49 influential 1 - Not at all Not - 1 1.6% 4.8% 3.3% 1.7% 3.2% 3.2% 5.0% 6.8% 4.6% 6.7% 6.8% 5.0% 4.9% 6.6% 5.0% 6.6% 6.6% 6.9% 6.7% 3.3% 5.0% 1.7% 1 3 2 1 2 2 3 4 3 4 4 3 3 4 3 4 4 4 4 2 3 1 6.3% 4.9% 7.9% 6.6% 1.7% 9.7% 6.7% 8.6% 6.7% 8.3% 5.0% 5.2% 16.1% 16.7% 16.9% 16.9% 15.3% 18.3% 13.1% 14.8% 10.0% 11.5% 14.8% 4 3 5 4 1 6 4 9 8 9 6 7 9 5 4 5 3 3 10 10 10 11 11 8.6% 85.7% 75.4% 73.0% 62.3% 60.0% 56.5% 54.8% 50.0% 40.7% 40.0% 38.3% 35.6% 35.0% 29.5% 27.9% 25.0% 24.6% 23.0% 22.4% 15.0% 11.7% 11.7% 9 7 7 5 (5/4) 3 2 54 46 46 38 36 35 34 30 24 26 23 21 21 18 17 15 15 14 13 influence influence Total high 7.9% 9.8% 6.7% 9.8% 9.8% 8.3% 3.3% 6.7% 27.9% 30.2% 29.0% 24.2% 21.7% 16.9% 16.9% 16.7% 22.0% 20.0% 11.5% 13.3% 11.5% 10.3% 5 6 4 7 6 8 7 6 6 5 2 4 17 19 18 15 13 10 11 10 13 12 6.7% 8.3% 5.0% 8.6% 77.8% 47.5% 42.9% 52.5% 53.3% 27.4% 30.6% 28.3% 23.7% 23.1% 21.7% 13.6% 15.0% 18.0% 18.0% 11.7% 13.1% 13.1% 12.1% 5 9 8 7 8 8 7 4 5 3 49 29 27 32 32 17 19 17 14 15 13 11 11 5 - Very 5 - influential 4 Boca Raton y ousing h ent d tu S Close to home to Close Cost Parent or relative Desire to stay inPalm Beach County work to Close Class sizes Variety course offerings of (majors) offerings Program the CollegeReputation of PBCC current a is who Friend student Financial aid/scholarship opportunities environment in theSupportive College facult the of Quality Friend in attended who PBCC the past the College from Publications and catalogs (College brochures) current a not is who Friend and never student PBCC attended PBCC guidance High school counselor teacher High school the from Advertisement TV, (including letter, College radio, and newspaper) Employer (including employee College College) the from recruiters Child care services
½45¾ Were there any other factors not listed above that influenced your decision to attend PBCC?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Need for education 3 2.6% 3 5.8% 1 20.0% 1 1.5% 8 3.2% Personal desire 2 1.8% 2 2.9% 4 1.6% Mandated by Florida Prepaid 1 0.9% 1 1.9% 1 1.5% 3 1.2% Low high school grades 2 1.8% 2 0.8% Need for career/better career 1 0.9% 1 0.4% Personal improvement 1 0.9% 1 0.4% All other 4 3.5% 3 5.8% 1 50.0% 8 3.2% n= 114 52 5 68 2 247
Besides PBCC, did you apply to any other colleges, universities or post-secondary technical schools?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Yes 32 28.1% 16 31.4% 1 20.0% 21 30.9% 71 29.1% No 82 71.9% 35 68.6% 4 80.0% 47 69.1% 2 100.0% 173 70.9% n= 114 51 5 68 2 244
Did you apply to any of the following colleges, universities and technical schools, and if so, were you accepted at any of them?
Applied and Applied but not acceptedof acceptedof Total ofapplied those those those who who who applied applied applied to to to other of all other of all other of all Acceptance rate for schools students schools students schools students PBCC students Florida Atlantic University 21 30.4% 8.6% 12 17.4% 4.9% 33 47.8% 13.5% 63.6% University of Central Florida 5 7.2% 2.0% 12 17.4% 4.9% 17 24.6% 7.0% 29.4% Florida State University 4 5.8% 1.6% 9 13.0% 3.7% 13 18.8% 5.3% 30.8% University of South Florida 3 4.3% 1.2% 4 5.8% 1.6% 7 10.1% 2.9% 42.9% University of Florida 1 1.4% 0.4% 6 8.7% 2.5% 7 10.1% 2.9% 14.3% Florida International University 3 4.3% 1.2% 3 4.3% 1.2% 6 8.7% 2.5% 50.0% Palm Beach Atlantic University 1 1.4% 0.4% 4 5.8% 1.6% 5 7.2% 2.0% 20.0% Barry University 3 4.3% 1.2% 1 1.4% 0.4% 4 5.8% 1.6% 75.0% Keiser Career Institute 3 4.3% 1.2% 1 1.4% 0.4% 4 5.8% 1.6% 75.0% New England Tech 3 4.3% 1.2% 1 1.4% 0.4% 4 5.8% 1.6% 75.0% University of Miami 3 4.3% 1.2% 1 1.4% 0.4% 4 5.8% 1.6% 75.0% Florida Gulf Coast University 1 1.4% 0.4% 3 4.3% 1.2% 4 5.8% 1.6% 25.0% Broward Community College 3 4.3% 1.2% 3 4.3% 1.2% 100.0% Florida A&M University 2 2.9% 0.8% 2 2.9% 0.8% 100.0% Indian River Community College 2 2.9% 0.8% 2 2.9% 0.8% 100.0% Nova Southeastern University 2 2.9% 0.8% 2 2.9% 0.8% 100.0% Northwood University 1 1.4% 0.4% 1 1.4% 0.4% 2 2.9% 0.8% 50.0% University of North Florida 1 1.4% 0.4% 1 1.4% 0.4% 2 2.9% 0.8% 50.0% Florida Culinary Institute 1 1.4% 0.4% 1 1.4% 0.4% 100.0% Lynn University 1 1.4% 0.4% 1 1.4% 0.4% 0.0% South University 1 1.4% 0.4% 1 1.4% 0.4% 0.0% University of West Florida 1 1.4% 0.4% 1 1.4% 0.4% 0.0% New College of Florida 0 0.0% 0.0% Other in-state colleges, universities or technical schools 9 13.0% 3.7% 1 1.4% 0.4% 10 14.5% 4.1% 90.0% Other out-of-state colleges, universities or technical schools 12 17.4% 4.9% 1 1.4% 0.4% 13 18.8% 5.3% 92.3% n= 69 244 n= 69 244 n= 69 244
½46 ¾ Including PBCC, at home many colleges, universities or technical schools did you apply?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total 1 (PBCC only) 82 71.9% 35 70.0% 4 80.0% 47 70.1% 2 100.0% 173 71.5% 2 16 14.0% 9 18.0% 1 20.0% 6 9.0% 27 11.2% 3 - 4 11 9.6% 4 8.0% 11 16.4% 29 12.0% 5 - 6 2 1.8% 1 2.0% 3 4.5% 8 3.3% 7 or more 3 2.6% 1 2.0% 5 2.1% Mean (among all respondents) 1.61 1.84 1.20 1.67 1.00 1.67 Mean (among those who applied to other colleges) 3.16 3.80 2.00 3.25 3.36 n= 114 50 5 67 2 242
Including PBCC, at home many colleges or universities were you accepted?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total 1 89 78.1% 38 76.0% 4 80.0% 54 80.6% 2 100.0% 190 78.5% 2 15 13.2% 8 16.0% 1 20.0% 4 6.0% 28 11.6% 3 - 4 9 7.9% 3 6.0% 7 10.4% 19 7.9% 5 - 6 1 2.0% 2 3.0% 4 1.7% 7 or more 1 0.9% 1 0.4% Mean (among all respondents) 1.36 1.36 1.20 1.42 1.00 1.38 Mean (among those who applied to other colleges) 2.28 2.20 2.00 2.40 2.35 n= 114 50 5 67 2 242
PBCC was my... (choice level, among all respondents)
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total PBCC was my 1st choice for a college or university 9 7.9% 1 2.0% 1 20.0% 3 4.4% 14 5.7% PBCC was my 2nd choice for a college or university 18 15.8% 6 11.8% 10 14.7% 34 13.9% PBCC was my 3rd choice for a college or university 4 3.5% 7 13.7% 5 7.4% 16 6.6%
PBCC was my 4th choice or lower for a college or university 1 0.9% 1 2.0% 2 2.9% 5 2.0% Level not specified 1 2.0% 1 1.5% 2 0.8% Applied only to PBCC 82 71.9% 35 68.6% 4 80.0% 47 69.1% 2 100.0% 173 70.9% n= 114 51 5 68 2 244
PBCC was my... (choice level, among those who applied elsewhere)
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total PBCC was my 1st choice for a college or university 9 28.1% 1 6.3% 1 100.0% 3 14.3% 14 19.7% PBCC was my 2nd choice for a college or university 18 56.3% 6 37.5% 10 47.6% 34 47.9% PBCC was my 3rd choice for a college or university 4 12.5% 7 43.8% 5 23.8% 16 22.5%
PBCC was my 4th choice or lower for a college or university 1 3.1% 1 6.3% 2 9.5% 5 7.0% Level not specified 1 6.3% 1 4.8% 2 2.8% n= 32 16 1 21 0 71
½47¾ How often do you listen to the radio?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Every day 87 77.0% 43 82.7% 5 100.0% 57 83.8% 1 50.0% 196 80.0% A few times a week 18 15.9% 8 15.4% 10 14.7% 1 50.0% 39 15.9% Once a week 2 1.8% 2 0.8% Once every 2-3 weeks 0 0.0% Once a month 0 0.0% Less than once a month 1 0.9% 1 1.5% 2 0.8% Never 2 1.8% 1 1.9% 3 1.2% Uses/unspecified frequency 3 2.7% 3 1.2% n= 113 52 5 68 2 245
What local radio station(s) do you listen to the most?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total WMBX (102.3 FM) “X 102.3” 61 58.7% 31 63.3% 4 80.0% 28 42.4% 1 50.0% 128 55.7% WLDI (95.5 FM) “Wild 95.5” 58 55.8% 29 59.2% 2 40.0% 19 28.8% 1 50.0% 112 48.7% WPOW (96.5 FM) “Power 96” 50 48.1% 16 32.7% 1 20.0% 41 62.1% 111 48.3% WEDR (99.1 FM) “99 Jamz” 43 41.3% 9 18.4% 1 20.0% 30 45.5% 85 37.0% WPBZ (103.1 FM) “The Buzz” 25 24.0% 20 40.8% 11 16.7% 2 100.0% 59 25.7% WPYM (93.1 FM) “Party 93.1” 19 18.3% 12 24.5% 1 20.0% 25 37.9% 58 25.2% WHYI (100.7 FM) “Y 100” 23 22.1% 8 16.3% 2 40.0% 22 33.3% 55 23.9% WZTA (94.9 FM) “Zeta” 15 14.4% 6 12.2% 15 22.7% 36 15.7% WEAT (104.3 FM) “Sunny 104” 16 15.4% 10 20.4% 1 20.0% 7 10.6% 35 15.2% WRLX (92.1 FM) “Planet Radio” 16 15.4% 13 26.5% 4 6.1% 1 50.0% 34 14.8% WRMF (97.9 FM) 10 9.6% 4 8.2% 1 20.0% 3 4.5% 19 8.3% WIRK (107.9 FM) 11 10.6% 3 6.1% 3 4.5% 18 7.8% WKGR (98.7 FM) “The Gater” 5 4.8% 8 16.3% 3 4.5% 1 50.0% 17 7.4% WAYF (88.1 FM) “Way FM” 6 5.8% 6 12.2% 1 20.0% 3 4.5% 16 7.0% WFLC (97.3 FM) “The Coast” 2 1.9% 2 4.1% 8 12.1% 12 5.2% WJBW (106.3 FM) “B 106.3” 6 5.8% 3 6.1% 2 3.0% 11 4.8% WRMA (106.7 FM) “Romance 106.7” 6 5.8% 3 6.1% 1 20.0% 1 1.5% 11 4.8%
WAMR (107.5 FM) “Amor 107.5” 4 3.8% 1 2.0% 1 20.0% 4 6.1% 10 4.3% WMGE (103.5 FM) “Mega 103.5” 4 3.8% 1 2.0% 5 7.6% 10 4.3% WBGG (105.9 FM) “Big 106” 4 3.8% 1 2.0% 2 3.0% 8 3.5%
WAFC (99.5 FM) “Cane Country” 1 1.0% 2 4.1% 3 4.5% 6 2.6% WHQT (105.1 FM) "Hot 105" (other mention) 2 1.9% 2 4.1% 2 3.0% 6 2.6% WJNO (1290 AM) “Newsradio 1290” 1 1.0% 2 4.1% 1 1.5% 5 2.2% WKIS (99.9 FM) "Kiss Country" (other mention) 1 1.0% 3 4.5% 4 1.7% WZZR (92.7 FM) “Real Radio” 2 1.9% 2 3.0% 4 1.7% WAFC (590 AM) “Radio Fiesta” 2 1.9% 1 1.5% 3 1.3% WIOD (610 AM) “NewsRadio 610” 2 4.1% 1 1.5% 3 1.3% WMXJ (102.7 FM) "Majik 102.7" (other mention) 1 1.0% 2 3.0% 3 1.3% WQAM (560 AM) “Sports Radio 560” 3 2.9% 3 1.3% WSWN (900 AM) “Sugar 900” 1 1.0% 2 40.0% 3 1.3% WXEL (90.7 FM) 2 1.9% 1 1.5% 3 1.3% WBZT (1230 AM) “The Talk Station” 2 3.0% 2 0.9% WBGF (93.5 FM) “Big Dawg Country” 1 1.5% 1 0.4% WPBR (1340 AM) 1 1.0% 1 0.4% WDJA (850 AM) 0 0.0% All other 4 3.8% 3 6.1% 8 12.1% 15 6.5% Don’t know 2 1.9% 2 3.0% 4 1.7% n= 104 49 5 66 2 230 ½48 ¾ How often do you watch television?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Every day 70 61.9% 30 57.7% 2 40.0% 40 58.8% 2 100.0% 147 60.0% A few times a week 37 32.7% 20 38.5% 2 40.0% 22 32.4% 82 33.5% Once a week 2 1.8% 2 3.8% 3 4.4% 8 3.3% Once every 2-3 weeks 1 0.9% 1 1.5% 2 0.8% Once a month 1 0.9% 1 0.4% Less than once a month 0 0.0% Never 1 0.9% 1 20.0% 1 1.5% 3 1.2% Uses/unspecified frequency 1 0.9% 1 1.5% 2 0.8% n= 113 52 5 68 2 245
What local TV stations or cable networks do you watch the most?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total West Palm Beach local stations WFLX Ch. 29 (FOX) 40 41.2% 18 38.3% 2 50.0% 9 14.8% 1 50.0% 72 33.6% WPTV Ch. 5 (NBC) 28 28.9% 18 38.3% 1 25.0% 10 16.4% 1 50.0% 59 27.6% WPEC Ch. 12 (CBS) 27 27.8% 7 14.9% 8 13.1% 1 50.0% 45 21.0% WPBF Ch. 25 (ABC) 18 18.6% 15 31.9% 4 6.6% 38 17.8% WTVX Ch. 34 (UPN) 17 17.5% 12 25.5% 1 25.0% 2 3.3% 33 15.4% WXEL Ch. 42 (PBS) 2 2.1% 2 4.3% 1 25.0% 5 2.3% WPXP Ch. 67 (PAX) 1 2.1% 1 0.5%
Miami local stations WSVN Ch. 7 (FOX) 5 5.2% 10 16.4% 15 7.0% WLTV Ch. 23 (Univision) 6 6.2% 1 25.0% 4 6.6% 11 5.1% WPLG Ch. 10 (ABC) 2 2.1% 2 4.3% 4 6.6% 8 3.7% WBZL Ch. 39 (WB) 3 3.1% 1 2.1% 3 4.9% 7 3.3% WBFS Ch. 33 (UPN) 2 2.1% 1 25.0% 2 3.3% 5 2.3% WSCV Ch. 51 (Telemundo) 2 2.1% 1 25.0% 2 3.3% 5 2.3% WTVJ Ch. 6 (NBC) 2 2.1% 3 4.9% 5 2.3% WPXM Ch. 35 (PAX) 3 3.1% 1 1.6% 4 1.9% WPBT Ch. 2 (PBS) 2 2.1% 2 0.9% WFOR Ch. 4 (CBS) 1 2.1% 1 0.5%
Cable stations MTV 45 46.4% 26 55.3% 37 60.7% 1 50.0% 110 51.4% BET 33 34.0% 9 19.1% 2 50.0% 20 32.8% 65 30.4% HBO/Showtime/premium movie channels 24 24.7% 16 34.0% 1 25.0% 20 32.8% 1 50.0% 62 29.0% Comedy Central 16 16.5% 14 29.8% 13 21.3% 44 20.6% USA 25 25.8% 6 12.8% 1 25.0% 7 11.5% 40 18.7% Discovery Channel 17 17.5% 5 10.6% 1 25.0% 12 19.7% 1 50.0% 36 16.8% E! 8 8.2% 10 21.3% 12 19.7% 30 14.0% TNT 12 12.4% 9 19.1% 7 11.5% 1 50.0% 30 14.0% TLC 15 15.5% 7 14.9% 6 9.8% 28 13.1% CNN 6 6.2% 7 14.9% 1 25.0% 12 19.7% 1 50.0% 27 12.6% ESPN/ESPN2 9 9.3% 6 12.8% 2 50.0% 7 11.5% 1 50.0% 25 11.7% VH1 13 13.4% 3 6.4% 7 11.5% 23 10.7% Fox News Channel 4 8.5% 10 16.4% 14 6.5% TBS 11 11.3% 2 4.3% 1 1.6% 14 6.5% WGN Ch. 9 (WB) 3 3.1% 2 4.3% 6 9.8% 11 5.1% Lifetime (other mention) 5 5.2% 1 2.1% 2 3.3% 8 3.7% Fox Sports Net 4 4.1% 1 2.1% 1 25.0% 1 1.6% 7 3.3% MSNBC 1 1.0% 1 2.1% 4 6.6% 6 2.8% Univision (network, not local station) 3 3.1% 1 25.0% 1 1.6% 5 2.3% Cartoon Network (other mention) 2 2.1% 1 2.1% 1 1.6% 4 1.9% History Channel (other mention) 2 2.1% 1 2.1% 3 1.4% All other 7 7.2% 2 4.3% 3 4.9% 1 50.0% 13 6.1% n= 97 47 4 61 2 214 ½49¾ How often do you use the Internet/World Wide Web?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Every day 45 39.8% 26 50.0% 35 52.2% 1 50.0% 107 43.9% A few times a week 41 36.3% 16 30.8% 3 60.0% 24 35.8% 1 50.0% 88 36.1% Once a week 8 7.1% 2 3.8% 3 4.5% 13 5.3% Once every 2-3 weeks 10 8.8% 4 7.7% 2 3.0% 16 6.6% Once a month 1 0.9% 2 3.8% 4 1.6% Less than once a month 6 5.3% 1 1.9% 3 4.5% 10 4.1% Never 1 0.9% 1 1.9% 2 40.0% 5 2.0% Uses/unspecified frequency 1 0.9% 1 0.4% n= 113 52 5 67 2 244
What is your primary Internet service provider (ISP)?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total America Online (AOL) 40 36.4% 23 45.1% 1 33.3% 23 34.8% 1 50.0% 89 37.7% BellSouth 22 20.0% 4 7.8% 1 33.3% 12 18.2% 1 50.0% 40 16.9% Adelphia 4 3.6% 9 17.6% 11 16.7% 25 10.6% MSN 10 9.1% 3 5.9% 1 33.3% 4 6.1% 18 7.6% Use the Internet at school/ library/public place 10 9.1% 1 2.0% 4 6.1% 16 6.8% AT&T 3 2.7% 3 5.9% 1 1.5% 7 3.0% Earthlink (Mindspring) 3 2.7% 1 2.0% 3 4.5% 7 3.0% CompuServe 4 3.6% 1 2.0% 1 1.5% 6 2.5% DIRECTV 3 2.7% 1 1.5% 4 1.7% NetZero 3 2.7% 1 2.0% 4 1.7% Use friend's/relative's Internet connection 1 0.9% 1 2.0% 2 0.8% Use the Internet at work 1 2.0% 1 0.4% Juno 0 0.0% Other 1 0.9% 1 2.0% 1 1.5% 4 1.7% Don't know 6 5.5% 2 3.9% 5 7.6% 13 5.5% n= 110 51 3 66 2 236
Is the Internet connection you selected above a high-speed or broadband connection?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Yes 45 40.2% 25 49.0% 1 33.3% 30 46.2% 1 50.0% 102 43.0% No 37 33.0% 16 31.4% 1 33.3% 15 23.1% 72 30.4% Don't know 30 26.8% 10 19.6% 1 33.3% 20 30.8% 1 50.0% 63 26.6% n= 112 51 3 65 2 237
½50 ¾ How often do you read the local newspaper?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Every day 11 9.6% 4 7.7% 1 20.0% 7 10.3% 23 9.3% A few times a week 27 23.7% 12 23.1% 2 40.0% 15 22.1% 56 22.8% Once a week 18 15.8% 15 28.8% 14 20.6% 48 19.5% Once every 2-3 weeks 17 14.9% 5 9.6% 11 16.2% 35 14.2% Once a month 8 7.0% 4 7.7% 2 2.9% 1 50.0% 16 6.5% Less than once a month 10 8.8% 6 11.5% 2 40.0% 11 16.2% 1 50.0% 30 12.2% Never 22 19.3% 6 11.5% 8 11.8% 37 15.0% Uses/unspecified frequency 1 0.9% 1 0.4% n= 114 52 5 68 2 246
Which local newspaper do you read most often?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Palm Beach Post 78 84.8% 41 93.2% 4 100.0% 4 6.7% 2 100.0% 130 63.1% South Florida Sun-Sentinel 7 7.6% 1 2.3% 48 80.0% 57 27.7% Miami Herald 2 2.2% 1 1.7% 4 1.9% Boca Raton News 3 5.0% 3 1.5% Stuart News 1 1.7% 1 0.5% Other 1 1.1% 1 2.3% 2 1.0% More than one newspaper 4 4.3% 1 2.3% 3 5.0% 9 4.4% n= 92 44 4 60 2 206
Which section(s) of the local newspaper do you normally read?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Local news 64 70.3% 28 63.6% 2 40.0% 30 50.8% 1 50.0% 127 62.0% Classifieds 44 48.4% 19 43.2% 2 40.0% 25 42.4% 2 100.0% 94 45.9% Lifestyle/features (Accent) 38 41.8% 18 40.9% 2 40.0% 28 47.5% 1 50.0% 88 42.9% State/national/international news 36 39.6% 22 50.0% 3 60.0% 23 39.0% 1 50.0% 87 42.4% Arts/entertainment 30 33.0% 20 45.5% 1 20.0% 20 33.9% 1 50.0% 73 35.6% Sports 30 33.0% 15 34.1% 3 60.0% 16 27.1% 66 32.2% Business 12 13.2% 3 6.8% 1 20.0% 5 8.5% 22 10.7% Editorials 9 9.9% 1 2.3% 1 20.0% 8 13.6% 20 9.8% Comics (other mention) 2 2.2% 3 1.5% All other 1 2.3% 1 1.7% 1 50.0% 3 1.5% n= 91 44 5 59 2 205
½51¾ What is your gender?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Male 31 27.4% 14 26.9% 3 60.0% 19 27.9% 2 100.0% 70 28.6% Female 82 72.6% 38 73.1% 2 40.0% 49 72.1% 175 71.4% n= 113 52 5 68 2 245
What is your age?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Under 18 years 8 7.0% 2 3.8% 1 1.5% 2 100.0% 13 5.3% 18 - 20 years 79 69.3% 39 75.0% 2 40.0% 48 70.6% 170 69.1% 21 - 24 years 12 10.5% 7 13.5% 5 7.4% 24 9.8% 25 - 29 years 4 3.5% 2 3.8% 3 60.0% 3 4.4% 12 4.9% 30 - 34 years 2 1.8% 3 4.4% 5 2.0% 35 - 39 years 4 3.5% 1 1.9% 4 5.9% 11 4.5% 40 - 49 years 4 3.5% 1 1.9% 2 2.9% 7 2.8% 50 years or older 1 0.9% 2 2.9% 4 1.6% n= 114 52 5 68 2 246
What is your racial/ethnic background?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total White 57 50.4% 37 71.2% 1 20.0% 41 61.2% 1 50.0% 138 56.6% Black or African American 26 23.0% 7 13.5% 2 40.0% 12 17.9% 51 20.9% Hispanic or Latino 21 18.6% 6 11.5% 2 40.0% 13 19.4% 42 17.2% Asian 1 1.9% 1 1.5% 1 50.0% 3 1.2% American Indian or Alaskan Native 1 0.9% 1 0.4% Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 1 0.9% 1 0.4% Other 4 3.5% 4 1.6% Multi-racial 3 2.7% 1 1.9% 4 1.6% n= 113 52 5 67 2 244
What language(s) do you usually speak at home?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total English 98 86.0% 46 88.5% 3 75.0% 59 86.8% 1 50.0% 211 86.1% Spanish 17 14.9% 4 7.7% 2 50.0% 8 11.8% 31 12.7% Creole 10 8.8% 3 5.8% 2 50.0% 8 11.8% 26 10.6% French (other mention) 2 1.8% 1 1.9% 1 25.0% 6 8.8% 10 4.1% Portuguese 1 0.9% 2 3.8% 1 1.5% 4 1.6% Italian (other mention) 1 0.9% 2 2.9% 3 1.2% German (other mention) 2 1.8% 2 0.8% All other 5 4.4% 2 3.8% 1 1.5% 1 50.0% 9 3.7% n= 114 52 4 68 2 245
½52 ¾ What country do your parents come from originally?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Mother's country United States (incl. territories) 51 45.9% 38 73.1% 1 20.0% 34 51.5% 1 50.0% 126 52.3% Puerto Rico 2 1.8% 2 3.8% 2 3.0% 6 2.5% Haiti 12 10.8% 3 5.8% 2 40.0% 9 13.6% 28 11.6% Colombia 5 4.5% 1 1.9% 2 3.0% 8 3.3% Italy 4 3.6% 3 4.5% 7 2.9% Cuba 2 1.8% 2 40.0% 1 1.5% 6 2.5% Germany 4 3.6% 1 1.9% 1 1.5% 6 2.5% Jamaica 3 2.7% 1 1.9% 2 3.0% 6 2.5% All other 30 27.0% 8 15.4% 14 21.2% 1 50.0% 54 22.4% n= 111 52 5 66 2 241
Father's country United States (incl. territories) 46 41.8% 37 71.2% 1 20.0% 35 53.8% 1 50.0% 121 50.6% Puerto Rico 2 1.8% 1 1.9% 4 6.2% 7 2.9% Other U.S. territories 1 1.5% 1 0.4% Haiti 12 10.9% 3 5.8% 2 40.0% 7 10.8% 27 11.3% Colombia 5 4.5% 1 1.9% 2 3.1% 8 3.3% Jamaica 4 3.6% 1 1.9% 2 3.1% 8 3.3% Italy 3 2.7% 2 3.8% 2 3.1% 7 2.9% Cuba 1 0.9% 2 40.0% 3 4.6% 6 2.5% United Kingdom 3 2.7% 3 4.6% 6 2.5% Germany 3 2.7% 1 1.9% 1 1.5% 5 2.1% All other 33 30.0% 7 13.5% 10 15.4% 1 50.0% 51 21.3% n= 110 52 5 65 2 239
Parents' nationality status
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Both parents from U.S. 42 38.2% 35 67.3% 1 20.0% 26 40.0% 1 50.0% 106 44.4% One parent from U.S. 8 7.3% 2 3.8% 0.0% 10 15.4% 0.0% 20 8.4% Neither parent from U.S. 60 54.5% 15 28.8% 4 80.0% 29 44.6% 1 50.0% 113 47.3% n= 110 52 5 65 2 239
Do either of your parents have a Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Yes 37 32.5% 22 44.0% 25 37.9% 1 50.0% 85 35.1% No 61 53.5% 25 50.0% 4 80.0% 37 56.1% 1 50.0% 133 55.0% Don't know 16 14.0% 3 6.0% 1 20.0% 4 6.1% 24 9.9% n= 114 50 5 66 2 242
What is your total family income?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total $13,290 or less 13 11.9% 2 3.9% 5 7.7% 20 8.5% $13,291 to $17,910 4 3.7% 4 7.8% 1 20.0% 3 4.6% 12 5.1% $17,911 to $22,530 7 6.4% 2 3.9% 2 3.1% 12 5.1% $22,531 to $27,150 4 3.7% 5 9.8% 2 3.1% 11 4.7% $27,151 to $31,770 3 2.8% 2 3.9% 1 20.0% 3 4.6% 9 3.8% $31,771 to $36,390 3 2.8% 1 1.5% 4 1.7% $36,391 to $41,010 6 5.5% 1 2.0% 1 1.5% 8 3.4% $41,011 to $45,630 1 0.9% 1 1.5% 2 0.9% $45,631 or more 21 19.3% 12 23.5% 1 20.0% 16 24.6% 1 50.0% 51 21.7% Don't know 47 43.1% 23 45.1% 2 40.0% 31 47.7% 1 50.0% 106 45.1% n= 109 51 5 65 2 235
½53¾ How many people are in your family?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Student only 12 11.5% 5 10.6% 2 3.2% 20 9.0% 2 14 13.5% 9 19.1% 10 16.1% 33 14.9% 3 21 20.2% 9 19.1% 1 33.3% 7 11.3% 39 17.6% 4 22 21.2% 14 29.8% 23 37.1% 1 50.0% 60 27.1% 5 20 19.2% 7 14.9% 14 22.6% 1 50.0% 43 19.5% 6 9 8.7% 1 2.1% 2 3.2% 12 5.4% 7 or more 6 5.8% 2 4.3% 2 66.7% 4 6.5% 14 6.3% Mean 3.73 3.43 6.33 3.97 4.50 3.76 n= 104 47 3 62 2 221
Low income family status
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Not low income 39 63.9% 20 74.1% 2 66.7% 24 70.6% 1 100.0% 86 67.7% Potentially low income 22 36.1% 7 25.9% 1 33.3% 10 29.4% 0.0% 41 32.3% n= 61 27 3 34 1 127
Status for the remaining respondents could not be determined due to lack of information
What form(s) of financial aid do you currently receive or expect to receive?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Need-based financial aid 32 29.4% 11 21.6% 2 40.0% 15 23.4% 62 26.6% Academic scholarship 20 18.3% 7 13.7% 2 40.0% 5 7.8% 1 50.0% 35 15.0% Athletic scholarship 2 1.8% 2 3.9% 1 20.0% 5 2.1% Florida prepaid tuition (other mention) 3 2.8% 1 2.0% 1 1.6% 5 2.1% All other 3 2.8% 3 5.9% 1 1.6% 7 3.0% Not receiving financial aid, but plan to apply 38 34.9% 18 35.3% 1 20.0% 22 34.4% 1 50.0% 80 34.3% Not receiving financial aid, and do not plan to seek financial aid 23 21.1% 14 27.5% 1 20.0% 21 32.8% 59 25.3% n= 109 51 5 64 2 233
How many hours do you work per week?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Less than 10 hours 3 2.7% 2 3.8% 1 20.0% 3 4.5% 9 3.7% At least 10 hours, but less than 20 hours 8 7.1% 8 15.4% 1 20.0% 7 10.4% 24 9.9% At least 20 hours, but less than 30 hours 22 19.5% 8 15.4% 21 31.3% 53 21.9% At least 30 hours, but less than 40 hours 25 22.1% 16 30.8% 9 13.4% 1 50.0% 52 21.5% 40 hours or more 21 18.6% 6 11.5% 1 20.0% 6 9.0% 34 14.0% I am not employed at this time 34 30.1% 12 23.1% 2 40.0% 21 31.3% 1 50.0% 70 28.9% n= 113 52 5 67 2 242
At which campus do you plan to take most of your classes?
Lake Worth PB Gardens Belle Glade Boca Raton Other Total Lake Worth 114 100.0% 114 47.3% Boca Raton 68 101.5% 68 28.2% Palm Beach Gardens 52 100.0% 52 21.6% Belle Glade 5 100.0% 5 2.1% Distance learning 1 50.0% 1 0.4% Wellington/Royal Palm Beach 1 50.0% 1 0.4% Off-campus sites 0 0.0% n= 114 52 5 67 2 241 ½54 ¾
Appendix ‘C’ Invitations
Following are copies of the invitation letter and email sent to students.
½55¾
½56 ¾
From: Maclachlan, Scott Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2002 8:53 AM Subject: Freshman Survey - Palm Beach Community College
Dear New PBCC Student:
In an effort to learn more about our students, their preferences and how to better serve them, we are asking each new student to complete a freshman survey. The results will assist us in understanding how to communicate better with students and to improve our recruitment, marketing and admissions processes.
Please take a few minutes to complete the attached survey. Your answers are strictly confidential and cannot be used to identify individual respondents. You can access the survey by clicking on the link below. Thank you for choosing Palm Beach Community College and assisting us with this important study. Survey Link:
Scott MacLachlan Dean of Enrollment Management
½57¾
Appendix ‘D’ Survey Instrument
As mentioned in the Methodology section, both a hard copy and online version of the questionnaire were developed for use in this study. The hard copy version is shown on the following pages.
½58 ¾
Palm Beach Community College Freshman Survey, Fall 2002
Thank you for taking time to complete this survey. Palm Beach Community College is conducting this study to gain a better understanding of our incoming students and allow us to continue to meet your needs by improving services.
Your answers are strictly confidential and cannot be used to identify specific respondents. The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete.
When you have completed the survey, please return it in the business-reply envelope provided.
1. How long do you intend to stay at PBCC? (Please select only one answer)
______(1) Until I earn my AA/AS/AAS degree or vocational certificate ______(2) Until I get a good job ______(3) Until circumstances require me to leave ______(4) Until I can transfer to a university after one year ______(5) Until I can transfer to a university after two years ______(6) Until my college preparatory coursework is completed ______(7) Until my student visa expires ______(8) Other (please specify: ______)
2. In what type of program are you enrolling or have you enrolled at PBCC? (Please select only one answer)
______(1) Associate in Arts (AA) ______(2) Associate in Science (AS) ______(3) Associate in Applied Science (AAS) ______(4) Vocational/PSAV certificate ______(5) I will not be seeking a degree or certificate ______(6) Don’t know ______(7) Other (please specify type of program, not your major: ______)
3. Are you taking courses because you are thinking of (or in the process of) changing your career?
______(1) Yes ______(2) No ______(3) Don’t Know
4. Are you currently taking, or will you be required to take, college preparatory classes? (Basic Algebra, College Prep English, College Prep Reading or ESOL/EAP classes)
______(1) Yes ______(2) No ______(3) Don’t know
½59¾ 5. So far, how satisfied are you with each of the following at PBCC? Please use a 5-point scale, where 5 means “very satisfied” and 1 means “not at all satisfied.” We realize that you may have no experience with some of these at this time, so please answer “Don’t know” if you are unable to answer.
5 4 3 2 1 8 Very Not at all Don’t satisfied satisfied know (1) Academic advisement (2) Admissions process (3) Availability of classes (4) Bookstore (5) Campus appearance (6) Cafeteria/food service (7) Class sizes (8) Class times (9) Clubs and student activities (10) Financial aid services (11) Library (12) Orientation (13) Parking (14) Quality of instructors (15) Registration process (16) Student Learning Center/tutoring (also known as Center for Personalized Instruction or CPI labs) (17) Testing services (18) Web site
6. So far, what is your overall impression of PBCC?
___ (1) Excellent ___ (2) Good ___ (3) Fair ___ (4) Poor ___ (5) Don’t know
7. Would you recommend PBCC to other people?
______(1) Definitely ______(4) Probably not ______(2) Probably ______(5) Definitely not ______(3) Might or might not ______(6) Don't know
8. Which of the following College publication(s) or advertisement(s) did you see or hear before you applied to PBCC? (Please select all that apply)
______(1) Letter in the mail ______(9) High school newspaper advertisement ______(2) Radio advertisement ______(10) High school yearbook advertisement ______(3) Local newspaper advertisement ______(11) Aerial banners (such as those flown behind an ______(4) Magazine advertisement airplane) ______(5) TV advertisement ______(12) PBCC Web site ______(6) Bus advertisement ______(13) PBCC Catalog ______(7) Movie theater advertisement ______(14) PBCC Viewbook ______(8) Internet/online advertisement (not ______(15) PBCC brochure including PBCC Web site) ______(16) None of the above
½60 ¾ 9. How influential were each of the following in your decision to attend PBCC. Please use a 5-point scale, where 5 means “very influential” and 1 means “not at all influential.”
5 4 3 2 1 Very Not at all influential influential (1) Parent or relative (2) Friend who is a current PBCC student (3) Friend who attended PBCC in the past (4) Friend who is not a current PBCC student and never attended PBCC (5) High school teacher (6) High school guidance counselor (7) Employer (8) College employee (including recruiters from the College) (9) Advertisement from the College (including letter, TV, radio, and newspaper) (10) Publications from the College (College catalogs and brochures) (12) Reputation of the College (13) Supportive environment in the College (14) Quality of the faculty (15) Class sizes (16) Financial aid/scholarship opportunities (17) Child care services (18) Program offerings (majors) (19) Variety of course offerings (20) Cost (21) Close to home (22) Close to work (23) Desire to stay in Palm Beach County (24) Student housing
10. Were there any other factors not listed above that influenced your decision to attend PBCC?
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11. Besides PBCC, did you apply to any other colleges, universities or post-secondary technical schools?
______(1) Yes ______(2) No Æ Please skip to Question 17
½61¾ 12. Did you apply to any of the following colleges, universities and technical schools, and if so, were you accepted at any of them?
If you applied to a college, university or technical school that is not on this list, please use the rows for “Other” at the bottom of this table. You will have an opportunity to list those schools in the next question.
Applied and Applied, but Did not apply accepted not accepted Barry University Broward Community College Florida A&M University (FAMU) Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Florida Culinary Institute Florida Gulf Coast University Florida International University (FIU) Florida State University (FSU) Indian River Community College Keiser Career Institute Lynn University New College of Florida New England Tech Northwood University Nova Southeastern University Palm Beach Atlantic University (Palm Beach Atlantic College) South University (South College) University of Central Florida (UCF) University of Florida (UF) University of Miami (UM) University of North Florida University of South Florida (USF) University of West Florida Other in-state (Florida) colleges, universities or technical schools not listed above Other out-of-state colleges, universities or technical schools
13. Please list any other colleges, universities or technical schools to which you applied, either in-state or out-of- state, that did not appear on the list above.
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14. Including PBCC, at how many colleges, universities or technical schools did you apply? (Answer must be at least 2) _____
15. Including PBCC, at how many colleges or universities were you accepted? _____
16. PBCC was my…
______(1) First choice for a college or university ______(2) Second choice for a college or university ______(3) Third choice for a college or university ______(4) Fourth choice or lower for a college or university
½62 ¾ 17. How often do you listen to the radio?
______(1) Every day ______(5) Once a month ______(2) A few times a week ______(6) Less than once a month ______(3) Once a week ______(7) Never Æ Please skip to Question 19 ______(4) Once every 2-3 weeks
18. What local radio station(s) do you listen to the most? (You may select up to five stations)
______(1) WAYF (88.1 FM) “Way FM” ______(18) WMGE (103.5 FM) “Mega 103.5” ______(2) WXEL (90.7 FM) ______(19) WEAT (104.3 FM) “Sunny 104” ______(3) WRLX (92.1 FM) “Planet Radio” ______(20) WBGG (105.9 FM) “Big 106” ______(4) WZZR (92.7 FM) “Real Radio” ______(21) WJBW (106.3 FM) “B 106.3” ______(5) WPYM (93.1 FM) “Party 93.1” ______(22) WRMA (106.7 FM) “Romance 106.7” ______(6) WBGF (93.5 FM) “Big Dawg Country” ______(23) WAMR (107.5 FM) “Amor 107.5” ______(7) WZTA (94.9 FM) “Zeta” ______(24) WIRK (107.9 FM) ______(8) WLDI (95.5 FM) “Wild 95.5” ______(25) WQAM (560 AM) “Sports Radio 560” ______(9) WPOW (96.5 FM) “Power 96” ______(26) WAFC (590 AM) “Radio Fiesta” ______(10) WFLC (97.3 FM) “The Coast” ______(27) WIOD (610 AM) “NewsRadio 610” ______(11) WRMF (97.9 FM) ______(28) WDJA (850 AM) ______(12) WKGR (98.7 FM) “The Gater” ______(29) WSWN (900 AM) “Sugar 900” ______(13) WEDR (99.1 FM) “99 Jamz” ______(30) WBZT (1230 AM) “The Talk Station” ______(14) WAFC (99.5 FM) “Cane Country” ______(31) WJNO (1290 AM) “Newsradio 1290” ______(15) WHYI (100.7 FM) “Y 100” ______(32) WPBR (1340 AM) ______(16) WMBX (102.3 FM) “X 102.3” ______(33) Other (please specify: ______) ______(17) WPBZ (103.1 FM) “The Buzz” ______(34) Don’t know
19. How often do you watch television?
______(1) Every day ______(5) Once a month ______(2) A few times a week ______(6) Less than once a month ______(3) Once a week ______(7) Never Æ Please skip to Question 21 ______(4) Once every 2-3 weeks
20. What local TV stations or cable networks do you watch the most? (You may select up to five stations/networks)
______(1) WPTV Ch. 5 (NBC-West Palm Beach) ______(19) BET ______(2) WPEC Ch. 12 (CBS-West Palm Beach) ______(20) CNN ______(3) WPBF Ch. 25 (ABC-West Palm Beach) ______(21) Comedy Central ______(4) WFLX Ch. 29 (FOX-West Palm Beach) ______(22) Discovery Channel ______(5) WTVX Ch. 34 (UPN-West Palm Beach) ______(23) E! ______(6) WXEL Ch. 42 (PBS-West Palm Beach) ______(24) ESPN/ESPN2 ______(7) WPXP Ch. 67 (PAX-West Palm Beach) ______(25) Fox News Channel ______(8) WPBT Ch. 2 (PBS-Miami) ______(26) Fox Sports Net ______(9) WFOR Ch. 4 (CBS-Miami) ______(27) HBO/Showtime/premium movie channels ______(10) WTVJ Ch. 6 (NBC-Miami) ______(28) MSNBC ______(11) WSVN Ch. 7 (FOX-Miami) ______(29) MTV ______(12) WPLG Ch. 10 (ABC-Miami) ______(30) TBS ______(13) WLTV Ch. 23 (Univision-Miami) ______(31) TLC ______(14) WBFS Ch. 33 (UPN-Miami) ______(32) TNT ______(15) WPXM Ch. 35 (PAX-Miami) ______(33) Univision (network, not local station) ______(16) WBZL Ch. 39 (WB-Miami) ______(34) USA ______(17) WSCV Ch. 51 (Telemundo-Miami) ______(35) VH1 ______(18) WGN Ch. 9 (WB) ______(36) Other (please specify: ______)
½63¾ 21. How often do you use the Internet/World Wide Web?
______(1) Every day ______(5) Once a month ______(2) A few times a week ______(6) Less than once a month ______(3) Once a week ______(7) Never Æ Please skip to Question 24 ______(4) Once every 2-3 weeks
22. What is your primary Internet service provider (ISP)? (Please select only one answer)
______(1) Adelphia ______(9) MSN ______(2) America Online (AOL) ______(10) NetZero ______(3) AT&T ______(11) Use the Internet at work ______(4) BellSouth ______(12) Use friend’s or relative’s Internet connection ______(5) CompuServe ______(13) Use the Internet at school, library, Internet ______(6) DIRECTV café, or any other public place ______(7) Earthlink (Mindspring) ______(14) Other (please specify: ______) ______(8) Juno ______(15) Don’t know
23. Is the Internet connection you selected above a high-speed or broadband connection, such as cable or DSL?
______(1) Yes ______(2) No ______(3) Don’t know
24. How often do you read the local newspaper?
______(1) Every day ______(5) Once a month ______(2) A few times a week ______(6) Less than once a month ______(3) Once a week ______(7) Never Æ Please skip to Question 27 ______(4) Once every 2-3 weeks
25. Which local newspaper do you read most often? (Please select only one answer)
______(1) Boca Raton News ______(4) South Florida Sun-Sentinel ______(2) Miami Herald ______(5) Stuart News ______(3) Palm Beach Post ______(6) Other (please specify: ______)
26. Which section(s) of the local newspaper do you normally read? (Please select all that apply)
______(1) State/national/international news ______(6) Lifestyle/features (Accent) ______(2) Local news ______(7) Arts/entertainment ______(3) Editorials ______(8) Classifieds ______(4) Sports ______(9) Other (please specify: ______) ______(5) Business
½64 ¾ The following questions are for classification purposes only. Providing this information will assist us greatly in determining student needs and gearing services to students.
27. What is your gender?
______(1) Male ______(2) Female
28. What is your age?
______(1) Under 18 years ______(5) 30 – 34 years ______(2) 18 – 20 years ______(6) 35 – 39 years ______(3) 21 – 24 years ______(7) 40 – 49 years ______(4) 25 – 29 years ______(8) 50 years or older
29. What is your racial/ethnic background?
______(1) American Indian or Alaskan Native ______(5) Hispanic or Latino ______(2) Asian ______(6) White ______(3) Black or African American ______(7) Other (please specify: ______) ______(4) Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
30. What language(s) do you usually speak at home? (Please select all that apply)
______(1) English ______(4) Portuguese ______(2) Spanish ______(5) Other (please specify______) ______(3) Creole
31. What country do your parents come from originally?
Mother’s country ______
Father’s country ______
32. Do either of your parents have a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher?
______(1) Yes ______(2) No ______(3) Don’t know
33. What is your total family income? Please do not include roommates or any other non-relatives living with you.
______(1) $13,290 or less ______(6) $31,771 to $36,390 ______(2) $13,291 to $17,910 ______(7) $36,391 to $41,010 ______(3) $17,911 to $22,530 ______(8) $41,011 to $45,630 ______(4) $22,531 to $27,150 ______(9) $45,631 or more ______(5) $27,151 to $31,770 ______(10) Don’t know
34. How many people are in your family? That is, how many are supported by the income you selected above? Again, please do not include roommates or any other non-relatives living with you. ______
½65¾ 35. What form(s) of financial aid do you currently receive or expect to receive? (Please select all that apply)
______(1) Academic scholarship ______(2) Athletic scholarship ______(3) Need-based financial aid (such as loans, grants, work-study) ______(4) Other (please specify: ______) ______(5) I am not receiving financial aid yet, but I plan to apply ______(6) I do not receive financial aid and do not plan to seek financial aid
36. How many hours do you work per week?
______(1) Less than 10 hours ______(4) At least 30 hours, but less than 40 hours ______(2) At least 10 hours, but less than 20 hours ______(5) 40 hours or more ______(3) At least 20 hours, but less than 30 hours ______(6) I am not employed at this time
37. At which campus location do you plan to take most of your classes? (Please select only one answer)
______(1) Lake Worth ______(5) Boca Raton ______(2) Palm Beach Gardens ______(6) Off-campus sites ______(3) Belle Glade ______(7) I plan to take most of my classes via distance ______(4) Wellington/Royal Palm Beach learning (Internet, Telecourses, etc.)
Your additional comments are welcome. Please feel free to add an additional page to this survey, if necessary.
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☺ THANK YOU. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. ☺
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