Free First Gen Survey
50+ Expert Crafted First Gen Survey Questions
Measuring first gen student experiences uncovers key insights that help you close equity gaps and tailor support where it matters most. A free first gen survey questions template, complete with example prompts, guides you through capturing students' backgrounds, challenges, and aspirations in minutes. Prefer a custom approach? Use our form builder to craft your own survey designed to fit your specific goals.
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Top Secrets for Crafting a Winning First Gen Survey
A first gen survey matters because it shines a light on the experiences of students building a college path without parental precedent. When you ask the right questions, you gather data on family support, financial challenges, and campus integration. How do I use this survey effectively? Anchor it to institutional goals, then compare scores over time to track your impact. According to MDPI's asset-based study, focusing on students' strengths uncovers hidden support networks.
Start by defining "first-generation college student" clearly at the top of your form. Talking 'Bout My Generation found that varying definitions can skew data and hamper comparisons. For instance, ask "Do you consider yourself a first-generation college student?" early to set context. You might then follow with "What forms of family support have you relied on most since starting college?" In a pilot at a midwestern campus, this question led advisors to host tailored family engagement sessions.
Next, craft questions that highlight assets instead of deficits. Swap generic items for targeted queries like "How would you rate your confidence navigating campus resources?" Using this approach helps pinpoint areas for growth and celebration. Explore our First Generation College Student Survey template for a tested question flow. This structure ensures you cover student engagement, academic habits, and career readiness in a single, elegant tool.
Finally, test your survey before wide release. Use a quick poll among 10 - 15 students to refine phrasing, order, and timing. Industry norms show that each tweak can boost response rates by up to 20%. Test mobile and desktop versions to catch any layout glitches. By following these top secrets, you'll launch a first gen survey that delivers clear, actionable insights from day one.
Want richer context? Mix in open-ended prompts such as "What do you value most about your college journey?" to capture nuanced feedback. These qualitative gems reveal stories behind the numbers and guide strategic planning. Balance them with scaled items for the clearest picture.
5 Must-Know Tips to Avoid First Gen Survey Mistakes
Launching a first gen survey can feel like navigating uncharted territory when you overlook key challenges in financial aid, campus navigation, and support services. As Brookings notes, first-generation students report lower graduation rates and unique hurdles. Being aware of common pitfalls helps you refine your instrument faster and ensure meaningful results. Consider starting with "What financial concerns worried you most during application?" to capture initial pain points early.
If you define 'first-generation student' inconsistently, your data becomes impossible to benchmark. To answer "What questions should I ask?", start with "Were either of your parents awarded a college degree?" and follow with "What resources did your family provide?" In one urban campus pilot, tweaking these items boosted subgroup analysis accuracy by 30%. Clear definitions anchor every question and sharpen the insights you derive.
Skipping open-ended questions robs you of rich context. A mixed-methods design, as detailed in NCES's longitudinal study, captures both moods and metrics. Include prompts like "What obstacles have you overcome to enroll?" to highlight perseverance and resourcefulness, and balance scaled items to ensure you understand student journeys inside and out. This approach aligns with best practices in educational assessments.
Poor timing and narrow distribution can tank your response rate, so send your survey after events like orientation and use multiple channels - email, social media, and class announcements. Adopt the format of our Educational Research Survey to meet students where they engage most. Running a brief poll first helps you spot the optimal delivery window and boost participation. Don't forget to set up timely reminders and thank-you messages to further increase completions.
Finally, pilot your final draft with a small cohort to catch any glitches and test formatting on both desktop and mobile to avoid tech hassles. At Rural College, a pilot group noted 25% fewer technical issues after cross-platform testing. Encourage honest feedback by guaranteeing anonymity, which boosts completion rates and data quality. With these 5 must-know tips, your first gen survey will sidestep common mistakes and deliver powerful insights that inform policy and program improvements.
Demographic First Gen Questions
This section focuses on gathering key background information to understand who first-generation students are and how diverse their experiences may be. Accurate demographic data helps tailor support services and programming. For a broader overview of participant profiles, see our Sample Student Survey .
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What is your age?
Knowing each student's age provides context for generational differences and life stage, which can affect academic and social needs.
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What is your gender identity?
Collecting gender data ensures inclusive programming and helps identify any gaps in resources for all gender identities.
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Which racial or ethnic group do you identify with?
Understanding racial and ethnic backgrounds allows for culturally responsive support and promotes equity initiatives.
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What is the highest education level completed by your mother or primary caregiver?
This question establishes a baseline of parental education, a core factor in defining first-generation status and support needs.
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What is the highest education level completed by your father or secondary caregiver?
Pairing both caregivers' education levels helps clarify family educational background and resource gaps.
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In which country were you born?
Identifying birthplace informs considerations for immigration status, acculturation, and language support services.
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What is your current citizenship or residency status?
This data helps determine eligibility for certain programs and identifies students who may face additional legal or financial hurdles.
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What language is primarily spoken in your home?
Knowing primary home language guides interpretation services and multilingual resource offerings.
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What is your current academic year or level (e.g., first-year, sophomore)?
Tracking academic standing aids in designing year-specific interventions and peer mentoring efforts.
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Where do you currently live while attending classes (on campus, off campus, with family)?
Housing context affects access to campus life, study space, and transportation needs.
Academic Background First Gen Questions
This section assesses academic preparation and strengths to better support first-generation students' transition. Insights on prior coursework and self-assessed readiness guide academic support planning. For comparable insights into incoming students, check our Freshman Survey .
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What was your high school GPA upon graduation?
High school GPA offers an objective measure of past academic performance and helps identify students needing supplemental support.
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Did you complete any honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses?
Participation in advanced courses indicates familiarity with rigorous academic expectations and potential gaps in support.
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How would you rate your preparedness in mathematics prior to starting college? (1 = Not at all, 5 = Very)
Self-rated math readiness highlights areas where foundational tutoring or workshops may be necessary.
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How would you rate your preparedness in English or language arts prior to starting college? (1 = Not at all, 5 = Very)
This rating helps determine the need for writing centers or communication skill workshops to boost success.
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How many days per week did you attend study groups or tutoring sessions in high school?
Past use of academic support services can predict willingness to engage with similar offerings in college.
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Did you participate in any dual-enrollment or college-credit courses before enrolling?
Dual-enrollment experience suggests familiarity with college-level work and may inform bridge program design.
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What was your primary source of academic advising in high school?
Knowing advising sources highlights how students navigated course selection and planning, informing college advising models.
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Have you taken a standardized college entrance exam (SAT, ACT)? If yes, what was your highest composite score?
Exam participation and scores provide additional academic benchmarks and can guide resource allocation for test prep support.
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How familiar were you with conducting academic research before college? (1 = Not at all, 5 = Very)
Assessing research skills helps develop workshops on library use, citation, and data analysis.
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How confident did you feel managing your study workload upon starting college? (1 = Not at all, 5 = Very)
Early confidence levels indicate where time-management and study-skill interventions should be targeted.
Support Services First Gen Questions
These questions explore awareness and usage of campus support services to improve outreach and engagement for first-generation students. Responses help institutions identify gaps in communication and resource delivery. To align with broader institutional data, reference our School Survey .
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Are you aware of academic advising services offered on campus?
Measuring awareness highlights whether advising resources are visible and accessible to first-generation learners.
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Have you used tutoring or writing center services since enrolling?
Tracking actual usage helps evaluate the effectiveness of outreach and identify barriers to participation.
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How satisfied are you with financial aid counseling? (1 = Very dissatisfied, 5 = Very satisfied)
Satisfaction ratings reveal the quality and clarity of financial support guidance critical to first-generation students.
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Are you aware of any first-generation student organizations or mentorship programs?
Awareness of peer networks indicates the strength of community-building efforts on campus.
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Have you attended any peer mentoring or professional development workshops?
Participation data informs program scheduling and content relevance for first-generation cohorts.
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How often do you visit the career services office? (Never, Occasionally, Often)
Understanding career office engagement helps refine career-readiness initiatives and internship support.
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Do you know where to access mental health resources on campus?
Identifying knowledge of mental health services is vital to student well-being and retention strategies.
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How helpful do you find campus library services for completing coursework? (1 = Not at all, 5 = Extremely)
Feedback on library support aids in tailoring study spaces, training sessions, and research support.
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Have you participated in any student success workshops (e.g., time management, study skills)?
Workshop attendance signals proactive engagement and can guide expansion of popular offerings.
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How accessible do you find support staff when you reach out for help? (1 = Not at all, 5 = Very)
Accessibility ratings show how approachable and responsive support personnel are to first-generation concerns.
Challenges and Experiences First Gen Questions
Understanding common obstacles faced by first-generation students is key to designing targeted interventions. These questions capture financial, social, and academic pressures that impact persistence. For insight into student attitudes, see the Student Perception Survey .
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Have you experienced feelings of imposter syndrome in academic settings?
Imposter syndrome can undermine confidence and engagement; tracking its prevalence guides counseling resources.
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How often do you feel financial stress related to tuition or living expenses? (Never, Sometimes, Often)
Frequency of financial stress indicates the need for emergency funds or financial literacy programming.
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Do you encounter language or cultural barriers when engaging with coursework?
Identifying such barriers supports the development of ESL programs and culturally responsive teaching.
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Have you encountered any form of bias or discrimination on campus?
Documenting discrimination experiences is essential for equity audits and inclusive policy development.
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How challenging is it to balance work and academic responsibilities? (1 = Not challenging, 5 = Extremely challenging)
This measure informs the design of flexible scheduling and student-worker support services.
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Do you face difficulties accessing reliable technology (computer, internet) for coursework?
Tech access challenges highlight areas for equipment loans, hotspots, or on-campus computer labs.
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Have family obligations affected your ability to attend classes or study?
Family responsibilities are a common barrier; understanding their impact guides family-friendly policies.
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Do you feel you have a strong peer support network at college?
Peer networks are crucial for retention; this question assesses social integration and community building.
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How often do you miss classes due to work, family, or other external pressures? (Never, Sometimes, Often)
Tracking absenteeism reasons informs targeted attendance interventions and academic advising.
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Have you considered withdrawing from a course or semester for personal reasons?
Considering withdrawal signals critical stress points where retention support could be enacted.
Goals and Aspirations First Gen Questions
These questions reveal first-generation students' future ambitions, career intentions, and personal milestones. Understanding goals guides mentorship programs and career services. For broader interest trends, consult the Student Interest Survey .
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What is your intended major or field of study?
Knowing students' chosen fields helps align academic advising and departmental support resources.
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Do you plan to pursue graduate or professional education after completing your bachelor's degree?
Graduate aspirations inform advanced academic programming and fellowship opportunities.
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How important is achieving financial independence through your career? (1 = Not important, 5 = Very important)
Assessing financial independence goals guides discussions on earnings potential and debt management.
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What career path or industry do you aspire to enter after graduation?
This information supports industry partnerships, internship placements, and alumni mentorship matching.
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Are you interested in participating in study abroad programs during your studies?
Study abroad interest highlights the need for accessible global learning opportunities and advising.
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How likely are you to apply for internships in your field of study? (1 = Very unlikely, 5 = Very likely)
Internship application intent helps career centers prioritize outreach and employer connections.
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Would you like to mentor future first-generation students after you graduate?
Mentorship aspirations indicate potential peer leaders and the sustainability of first-gen communities.
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How significant is community service or volunteering in your personal goals? (1 = Not significant, 5 = Very significant)
Service orientation informs co-curricular opportunities and civic engagement programming.
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What personal goal outside of academics do you aim to achieve during college?
Non-academic ambitions offer a holistic view of student well-being and enrichment opportunities.
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How confident are you in reaching your long-term career goals? (1 = Not confident, 5 = Very confident)
Confidence levels in goal attainment help evaluate the effectiveness of career preparedness services.
