Undergraduate Admissions Turndowns Survey 2007

This survey, conducted in summer 2007 on behalf of the Offices of Admissions and Student Financial Services, asked questions of those applicants to the University who turned down an offer of admission for the 2007-08 academic year. We inquired about the schools they plan to attend and their experiences with the Admissions and Financial Aid offices. The primary purpose of this year's survey was to identify the important factors influencing the decision to attend or not attend the University. In order to identify those factors, we included a battery of similar questions on both the turndowns and newly admitted student surveys. These data should prove useful in identifying the predictive factors in students who decided to attend versus those who did not decide to attend.

Out of a total of 2,891 in the turndowns sample, 1,640 responded, for a response rate of 57%.

More information about the 2007 Newly Admitted Student Survey

Similar surveys have been conducted in previous years as well. For those results, click here. The admissions turndown surveys are being used to assess AccessUVa, in addition to the the admissions office and procedures. More information about AccessUVa surveys

Data
Reports
Questionnaire (full version .pfd) Codebook (abridged version .pdf)
Methodology

Data (Stored in IAS Data Catalog)

Frequencies (including breakdowns) and summary tables
Text Comments (.pdf)
"Other" responses (.pdf)

Reports (Stored in IAS Reports)

Comparative Analysis: Who is Accepting Admission to UVa and Why?
AccessUVA Report of Results: Year Three (2007)

Methodology

The survey population was all applicants who turned down the University of Virginia’s offer of admission at the undergraduate level for the 2007-08 academic year, including only first-time, first-year applicants.

On June 1, 2007, the sample of 2,891 was sent personalized letters signed by the Dean of Admission, Jack Blackburn. The letter informed them of the importance and general purposes of the survey, assured them of confidentiality, and invited them to participate. The survey was conducted entirely over the web. Respondents were tracked via an alphanumeric randomized respondent key. Four email reminders were sent to nonrespondents on June 12, 25, July 9, and 23. Lotteries were conducted as incentives for respondents: 20 prizes of $100 gift certificates to Amazon.com.

When the field period ended on August 1, 2007, a total of 1,640 students had responded to this survey for a response rate of 58%. At a 95% confidence level, the overall sampling error for the survey was ± 1.6%. Sampling error would be higher for subgroup breakdowns of the data, and if not all respondents answered a question.

Sampling error assumes a random (representative) sample. Analysis was conducted to determine whether respondents differed from nonrespondents in important known characteristics, domicile, gender, ethnic background and intended program of study. Overall, respondents looked very similar to the population. Accordingly the data was not weighted by any demographic characteristic.

Questions regarding the administration of the survey, the questionnaire, or the results can be directed to Jonathan Schnyer, Associate Director and Assessment Coordinator, Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies, P.O. Box 400427, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4727 (telephone: 434/924-3417 or schnyer@virginia.edu).