New Student Survey

Kickstart Survey

Fall of 2024 marked a new chapter for CSUSM’s first-year student survey, with a new instrument being developed out of IP&A with consultation from various areas on campus. The instrument asks about new students’ decision-making process to attend CSUSM, their experiences with the enrollment process, expectations about their upcoming college journey, and additional institution-specific questions. 

Fall 2024 Results

• Kickstart Survey Frequency Report  (Updated 4/18/25)
• First Year Student Experiences Infographic     (Text Version)
• Transfer Student Experiences Infographic     (Text Version)
• First Year Student Belonging & Engagement Infographic     (Text Version)

• Fall 2023 Results

  In Fall of 2022, CSUSM distributed the Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) survey and in Fall of 2023 the survey administration was expanded to include newly admitted transfer students. The survey was rebranded to the CSUSM Kickstart Survey and evaluates the first-year experience with academic and co-curricular programs.

  • First Year Student Report
  • First Year Student Experiences Infographic
  • Transfer Student Qualitative Report

Historical Context: From Fall of 1999-2021, entering first-year students were given the opportunity to complete the comprehensive Freshman Survey distributed annually by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA.

If you require reports or data for a year not listed here, please submit a data request. 

If you have any questions about the survey, contact Dominique Harrison in Institutional Planning & Analysis.