Western’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE) surveys all first year students who begin their Western education in fall quarter. The WELS Incoming First Year Baseline Survey is administered at First Year orientations in July, August and September, and via email. Responses are collected prior to the start of fall classes.
First Year Cohorts
Fall 2023 Baseline of First Year Students. Of the 3,400 Fall 2023 first years, OIE received 2223 responses; a response rate of 65.4%.
Fall 2022 Baseline of First Year Students. Of the 3,460 Fall 2022 first years, OIE received 2382 responses; a response rate of 68.9%.
Spring 2022 End of First Year Survey. Of the 2,508 First year students from Fall 2021, OIE received 1198 responses; a response rate of 47.7%.
Fall 2019+ Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. (response statistics are available in the report)
Fall 2016-2018 updated report coming soon
Fall 2015 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. Of the 2,811 Fall 2015 first years, OIE received 2,617 responses; a response rate of 93.1%.
Fall 2014 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. Of the 2,948 Fall 2014 first years, OIE received 2,647 responses; a response rate of 89.8%.
Fall 2013 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. Of the 2,793 Fall 2013 first years, OIE received 2,552 responses; a response rate of 91.4%.
Fall 2012 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. Of the 2,875 Fall 2012 first years, OIE received 2,583 responses; a response rate of 89.8%.
Fall 2011 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. Of the 2,861 Fall 2011 first years, OIE received 2,311 responses; a response rate of 80.7%. The survey covers the following topics: pre-college engagement and experiences; the college application process; class schedule and expectations; skills, goals and expectations; expenses and employment; items requested by the Office of Sustainable Transportation.
Fall 2010 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. This report presents findings from the WELS Baseline Survey of First Year Students Entering Western in the Fall, 2010. Of the 2,920 Fall 2010 freshmen, 2,427 responded to the survey; a response rate of 83.1%. The survey is divided into five broad subject areas: pre-college engagement and experiences; the college application process; familiarity and comfort with Western; skills, goals and expectations; expenses and employment.
Fall 2009 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. This report presents findings from the fall, 2009 baseline survey of entering First Years. Of the 2,696 Fall 2009 first years, 2,454 responded to the survey (a response rate of 91.0%). The survey is divided into five broad subject areas: pre-college engagement and experiences; the college application process; familiarity and comfort with Western; skills, goals and expectations; expenses and employment.
Fall 2008 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. This report presents findings from the fall, 2008, baseline survey of entering first years, with or without college credit from high school, a total of 2693 students. There were 1533 online responses and 608 phone responses, for an 80% response rate. By design, the 2008 WELS baseline survey of First Year Students was shortened from previous year’s WELS baseline surveys. Survey topics included Summerstart and summer preparation for college, high school engagement, academic self perception, and general college preparedness.
Fall 2007 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. This report presents findings from the fall, 2007, baseline survey of entering first years. The sample was of all entering first years, with or without college credit from high school, a total of 2392 students. There were a total of 1786 responses (a 75% response rate). Survey topics included Summerstart, logistic confidence, motivation and expectations, academic and social engagement and challenges while in high school, a current assessment of academic skills and competencies, academic priorities and study strategies, and issues related to health, wellness, and alcohol use.
First Year Cohorts
Fall 2023 Baseline of First Year Students. Of the 3,400 Fall 2023 first years, OIE received 2223 responses; a response rate of 65.4%.
Fall 2022 Baseline of First Year Students. Of the 3,460 Fall 2022 first years, OIE received 2382 responses; a response rate of 68.9%.
Spring 2022 End of First Year Survey. Of the 2,508 First year students from Fall 2021, OIE received 1198 responses; a response rate of 47.7%.
Fall 2019+ Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. (response statistics are available in the report)
Fall 2016-2018 updated report coming soon
Fall 2015 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. Of the 2,811 Fall 2015 first years, OIE received 2,617 responses; a response rate of 93.1%.
Fall 2014 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. Of the 2,948 Fall 2014 first years, OIE received 2,647 responses; a response rate of 89.8%.
Fall 2013 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. Of the 2,793 Fall 2013 first years, OIE received 2,552 responses; a response rate of 91.4%.
Fall 2012 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. Of the 2,875 Fall 2012 first years, OIE received 2,583 responses; a response rate of 89.8%.
Fall 2011 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. Of the 2,861 Fall 2011 first years, OIE received 2,311 responses; a response rate of 80.7%. The survey covers the following topics: pre-college engagement and experiences; the college application process; class schedule and expectations; skills, goals and expectations; expenses and employment; items requested by the Office of Sustainable Transportation.
Fall 2010 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. This report presents findings from the WELS Baseline Survey of First Year Students Entering Western in the Fall, 2010. Of the 2,920 Fall 2010 freshmen, 2,427 responded to the survey; a response rate of 83.1%. The survey is divided into five broad subject areas: pre-college engagement and experiences; the college application process; familiarity and comfort with Western; skills, goals and expectations; expenses and employment.
Fall 2009 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. This report presents findings from the fall, 2009 baseline survey of entering First Years. Of the 2,696 Fall 2009 first years, 2,454 responded to the survey (a response rate of 91.0%). The survey is divided into five broad subject areas: pre-college engagement and experiences; the college application process; familiarity and comfort with Western; skills, goals and expectations; expenses and employment.
Fall 2008 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. This report presents findings from the fall, 2008, baseline survey of entering first years, with or without college credit from high school, a total of 2693 students. There were 1533 online responses and 608 phone responses, for an 80% response rate. By design, the 2008 WELS baseline survey of First Year Students was shortened from previous year’s WELS baseline surveys. Survey topics included Summerstart and summer preparation for college, high school engagement, academic self perception, and general college preparedness.
Fall 2007 Baseline of Incoming First Year Students. This report presents findings from the fall, 2007, baseline survey of entering first years. The sample was of all entering first years, with or without college credit from high school, a total of 2392 students. There were a total of 1786 responses (a 75% response rate). Survey topics included Summerstart, logistic confidence, motivation and expectations, academic and social engagement and challenges while in high school, a current assessment of academic skills and competencies, academic priorities and study strategies, and issues related to health, wellness, and alcohol use.