In fall 2000, a survey was sent to parents of in-district high school class of 2000 students who attended Oakton during the fall semester. In fall 2002, this research project was repeated with parents of high school class of 2002 students who attended Oakton in fall 2002. This month’s In the Abstract contains results from two of the questions included in both surveys. Results from both years are remarkably similar, although it is interesting to note two differences. There was a 10% increase in the percentage of parents who said that Oakton has the program their students wanted (Table 1) and there was an 11% increase in the percentage of parents who said they solicited information or opinions about Oakton from their friends and relatives (Table 2). Note also that parents’ use of the Oakton website as a source of information grew over the two year period, but still only about 1 in 6 class of 2002 parents used it
Table 1.
|
Which Factors Were Considered in Your Student’s Decision to Attend OCC?* |
2000 Survey N % |
2002 Survey N % |
|
Student can combine work/school |
134 60% |
142 63% |
|
Student needs time to decide what to do |
125 56% |
113 50% |
|
Student wants to live at home |
120 53% |
133 59% |
|
Oakton was most affordable choice |
115 51% |
119 53% |
|
Student is unsure about a major |
105 47% |
92 41% |
|
Student wants to save money |
105 47% |
116 52% |
|
Oakton has excellent reputation |
78 35% |
87 39% |
|
Student has friends who go to Oakton |
69 31% |
54 24% |
|
Student needs academic assistance that Oakton provides |
55 24% |
48 21% |
|
Other family members have gone to Oakton |
49 22% |
52 23% |
|
Student couldn't afford to go elsewhere |
47 21% |
36 16% |
|
Oakton has program wanted |
39 17% |
61 27% |
|
Other |
9 4% |
12 5% |
* Respondents were requested to “check all that apply.” Parents returning surveys in 2000 = 225 and in 2002 = 224.
Table 2.
|
Sources of Information or Opinions Parents Used to Find Out About Oakton* |
2000 Survey N % |
2002 Survey N % |
|
Oakton class schedule mailed to home |
102 45% |
104 46% |
|
Oakton catalog |
94 42% |
91 41% |
|
High School counselor/teacher |
76 34% |
93 42% |
|
Your class of 2000 student |
72 32% |
75 33% |
|
Oakton brochures |
70 31% |
68 30% |
|
Your friends or relatives |
68 30% |
92 41% |
|
Your other children |
52 23% |
67 30% |
|
Friends of your class of 2000 student |
24 11% |
29 13% |
|
Oakton website |
24 11% |
39 17% |
|
Your spouse/partner |
22 10% |
27 12% |
|
Local newspapers |
18 8% |
7 3% |
|
Other |
16 7% |
14 6% |
|
Your employer or co-workers |
14 6% |
20 9% |
|
Oakton faculty or staff |
13 6% |
8 4% |
|
Admission staff from other colleges |
5 2% |
1 <1% |
|
Local cable or other TV ads |
3 1% |
4 2% |
|
Radio |
0 0% |
1 <1% |
*Respondents were requested to “check all that apply.” Parents returning surveys in 2000 = 225 and in 2002 = 224.