The Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement for Fall 2024 has begun! Qualifying students can access the survey online via their UofT e-mail.
The Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) is a survey administered to incoming first-year, transfer, and mature students prior to the beginning of the Fall/Winter term. BCSSE asks students about their prior academic and co-curricular experience, along with their expectations for the upcoming school year. This is the 6th year that UofT will be participating in BCSSE.
The BCSSE Survey
The survey covers topics such as:
- Collaborative Learning
- Discussions With Diverse Others
- Student-Faculty Interaction
- Expected Academic Difficulty
- Academic Perseverance + Preparation
- Supportive Campus Environment
Using BCSSE Data
BCSSE responses are used to improve first-year student success on campus. Some ways in which the survey data fosters student success are:
For Students
- BCSSE generates individual advising reports for every student that completes the survey
- Advising reports provide insight on anticipated challenges for incoming students
- Results are used to systematize students based on varying levels of risk, and allow for tailored advising and support for students before they enter challenges
For Institutions
- Results are used to improve academic advising, retention efforts, first-year program design, accreditation self-studies, faculty and staffdevelopment, and recruitment
- Organizational qualities associated with effective educational engagement are identified and adapted
- Data is collected and disseminated by the The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Institute to assist schools throughout the U.S. and Canada with institutional improvement and student success initiatives
BCSSE Results and Reports
In Fall 2023, BCSSE was completed by 2,261 (54%) of 4,224 incoming students, a 7% increase in responses from 2022. The majority of these students (60%) stated that it was extremely important for the university to provide academic support, followed by social opportunities and campus events. Areas of concern included academic performance and time management.
Your voice counts!
This information allows for the university to proactively allocate resources and implement programs based upon the information you provide us when you fill out the survey.
Contact Us!
For general inquiries please email engage.utm@utoronto.ca.
Centre for Student Engagement, University of Toronto Mississauga
3359 Mississauga Rd., Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6 Davis Building, Room 2