Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE)

The Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) is conducted by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research. The survey collects data about entering college students’ high school academic and co-curricular experiences, as well as their expectations for participating in educationally purposeful activities during the first college year. Specifically, the survey assesses: (1) the time and effort entering, first-year students devoted to educationally purposeful activities in high school and expect to devote to during their first year of college, and (2) what these entering first-year students expect their institutions to provide them regarding opportunities and emphasis. The survey questions cluster around a range of college activities related to academic engagement, learning, and academic success. BCSSE administration usually takes place prior to the start of fall classes.

The BCSSE reports include an institutional report that provides aggregate mean scores for each variable for respondents at the University of Delaware and the student advising report. The BCSSE Student Advising Report is an individualized report designed to help understand students’ background and expectations about their first year of college. This report communicates the activities and experiences each student expects from his or her college experience. Reviewing these results with students can help focus advising discussions about activities that enhance students’ undergraduate experience.