All first-year, first-time ASU students at all campuses receive a survey with items focusing on reasons for attending ASU, early experiences, expectations, and background demographics. Students receive the survey in the latter part of the fall semester. It is administered in first-year writing courses with the invaluable assistance of The Writing Programs and course instructors. Starting in 2005, students receive the web version of the survey if they are not enrolled in a first-year writing course or do not complete the paper version.

For reasons why freshmen do not return to ASU and the paths they're exploring, please go to the Persistence Survey.