iNews: Educational technology, student services

MyBerkeleyApplication student user survey highlights

Tony Christopher, Student Affairs

To acquire insight into the fall 2004 and spring 2005 entering class experiences with MyBerkeleyApplication — the online communication system developed by the Berkeley campus for undergraduate applicants to navigate through the entire Berkeley admissions process electronically — and to guide future improvements to the system, the Student Affairs Divisional Computing Unit launched a seven-question web-based survey in August 2004. All new, entering students with a valid email address received an introduction to the survey and received two subsequent email reminders to complete the survey.

As incentive for completing the survey, three students were selected in a random drawing to win iPods donated by The Scholars Workstation. A total of 3400 students completed the survey.

Key findings

• Students want email updates or reminders whenever changes occur to "Next Steps" page. (404 respondents)
• A calendar of important dates and deadlines for new students would be very helpful. (387 respondents)
• Before they leave home, students want more information about preparing for college. (235 respondents)
• Students would like myBerkeleyApplication to reflect where they are relative to their transition cycle. (173 respondents)
• Because locating contact information for key personnel and departments is difficult, students suggest adding names, email addresses, and telephone numbers on the "Next Steps" page. (116 respondents)
• Of the 3400 students who completed the survey, 71 percent reported using Instant Messenger regularly while 50 percent suggested we use Instant Messaging to communicate with them.

For more information about this survey or about getting involved in myBerkeleyApplication, contact Tony Christopher,

Related links

• A MyBerkeleyApplication testimonial: The Athletic Study Center. iNews, February 2005.
• Most of the paperwork gone for new entering students. iNews, September 2003.
• MyBerkeleyApp (https://students.berkeley.edu/myberkeley/myberkeleyapp.asp?todo=cms&id=71).

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