cirp the freshman survey 2008

Return to contentsCIRP Freshman Survey 2008

1

CIRPThe Freshman Survey

2008

Tusculum College265 Responses

Executive Summary


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Administered to all incoming first-time, first-year college students

Comprehensive survey that examines characteristics and expectations of incoming students upon entering college

First part of a longitudinal assessment program Freshman Survey Your First College Year College

Senior Survey


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43rd year Over 13 million students Over 1,900 schools Largest and longest running study

of higher education


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Presentation Summary

Demographics Finances High School Admissions College Choice Pluralistic Orienta

tion

Self-ratings Habits of Mind Political Views Values Degree Aspirations Expectations


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DemographicsNative English Speakers:

97.3%

2.3%

0.0%

0.8%

0.8%

20.1%

77.3%

2.3%0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

Hispanic

Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander

Asian American/ Asian

American Indian/ Alaska Native

African American/ Black

White/ Caucasian

96.6%

0.4% 3.0%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

US Citizen PermanentResident

Neither

First-Generation: 34.4%


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Demographics

0.0% 1.1%

64.5%

34.0%

0.0% 0.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

< 16 17 18 19 20 21-24 25-29 30-39 40-54 55+

Age

Men57.0%

Women43.0%


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DemographicsDisabilities

0.8% 0.4% 0.4%3.0%

0.8% 1.5% 1.5%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Hearing Speech Orthopedic LearningDisability

PartiallySighted or

Blind

Health-Related

Other


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FinancesFamily Income

38.7%32.7%

7.8% 8.3% 5.1% 7.4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

$0-$39,999 $40,000 - $74,999 $75,000 - $99,000 $100,000 -$149,000

$150,000 -$199,999

$200,000 +


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FinancesSource for College Expenses

67.9%

52.5%

83.4%

57.7%

7.2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Family Resources Student Resources Aid-not to be Repaid Aid-to be Repaid Other


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FinancesLevel of Concern About Ability to Finance College

Education

None46.0%

Some45.6%

Major8.4%


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High SchoolType of High School Attended

86.3%

1.1% 1.5%5.7% 3.4% 1.9%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Public Public Charter Public Magnet Private Religious PrivateIndependent

Home School


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High SchoolAverage Grade in High School

3.8%5.4%13.4%

21.5% 18.4%

28.4%

9.2%

0.0%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

A or A+ A- B+ B B- C+ C D


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High SchoolCoursework: Total Number of Years Study

97.3%

98.8%

84.2%

33.8%

41.2%

96.1%

70.4%

78.6%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

English (4yrs +)

Math (3yrs +)

Foreign Language (2yrs +)

Physical Science (2yrs +)

Biological Science (2yrs +)

History/ Government (1yr +)

Computer Science (0.5yr +)

Art/ Music (1yr +)


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High School Racial Composition: High School and Neighborhood

2.7%

26.8% 30.0%

9.2% 8.8%

52.5%

14.0%7.0%

39.9%

9.1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Completely non-White

Mostly non-White Roughly half non-White

Mostly White Completely White

High School Neighborhood


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High SchoolFrequency of Activity During the Past Year as High School

Senior

5.1%2.3%

17.4%28.5%30.5%

44.0%5.9%

10.9%22.1%

6.6%5.9%

21.4%

2.7%49.4%

53.9%53.9%

50.8%

57.8%

63.0%

21.4%

21.2%

44.4%

51.0%

43.8%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Participated in Political DemonstrationWorked on political campaign

Voted in student electionDiscussed politicsDiscussed religionWas bored in classCame late to class

Performed community service for classStudied with other students

Tutored another studentWas guest in teacher's home

Asked teacher for advice after class

Frequently Occasionally


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High School Frequency of Activity During the Past Year as High School

Senior(continued)

75.4%16.3%

28.0%

52.5%2.7%

5.5%5.8%

8.2%21.5%

29.8%63.3%

17.6%10.2%

22.2%51.0%

33.7%10.5%

21.4%

60.9%

38.8%25.5%

21.5%

35.1%

41.0%

24.6%

50.6%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Socialized with another racial/ ethnic groupPlayed musical instrumentPerformed volunteer work

Attended a religious serviceSmoked cigarettes

Drank wine or liquorDrank beer

Felt depressedFelt overwhelmed

Used internet to read news sitesUsed internet for research or homework

Used internet to read blogsBlogged

Frequently Occasionally


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High SchoolBehavior: How Students Spend Time

24%

54% 57% 54%60%

34%

46%53%

40%34% 34%

26%

10%

43%

23%

6% 10% 12% 14%

57%

12%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Studying /Homework

See TeacherOutside Class

StudentGroups

VolunteerWork

Reading forPleasure

Work for Pay Household /ChildcareDuties

< 1 hr 1 to 5 hrs 6 + hrs


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High SchoolBehavior: How Students Spend Time

(continued)

49%

18%11%

2%

48%

31%30%

52%

17%

27%

36%

46%

22%

31%

73% 71%

16%24%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Partying Watching TV Exercise / Sports Socializing w/Friends

Playing Video /Computer Games

Online SocialNetwork

< 1 hr 1 to 5 hrs 6 + hrs


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AdmissionsNumber of Applications Submitted

15.2% 13.3%17.1% 20.5% 17.9%

6.8%2.3% 5.7%

1.1%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7-10 11+


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College Choice

College Attending is

5.0%

8.1%

24.2%

62.7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Less than 3rdChoice

3rd Choice

2nd Choice

1st Choice

Accepted by First Choice

No11.6%

Yes88.4%


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College ChoiceHow important was each reason in your decision to come

here?

47.8%

26.9%

51.4%

2.4%

4.7%

2.8%

13.8%

35.7%

43.8%

37.2%

19.6%

26.1%

27.4%

24.9%

40.2%

6.7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Graduates get good jobs

Graduates go to good grad schools

Very good academic reputation

Private college counselor advice

Advice of high school counselor

My teacher advised me

Relatives wanted me to come here

Parents wanted me to come here

Very Important Somewhat Important


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here?(continued)

29.1%

10.8%

3.6%

37.0%

7.6%

8.4%

30.7%

51.6%

40.4%

29.3%

11.8%

12.0%

17.2%

27.6%

38.6%

66.1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Reputation for social activities

Information from a website

Rankings in national magazines

Athletic dept. recruited me

Couldn't afford 1st choice

Not offered aid by first-choice

Offered financial assistance

Cost to attend



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here?(continued)

6.5%

44.5%

8.8%

49.2%

16.7%

19.1%

30.5%

27.9%

34.3%

23.9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Admitted earlyaction/ decision

Size of school

Religious affiliation /orientation

A visit to campus

Wanted to live near home



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1.9%

18.6%

42.2%

16.7%

2.7%

17.9%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

5 or fewer 6 to 10 11 to 50 51 to 100 101 to 500 500 +

How many miles is this college from your permanent home?


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College Residential Plans

8.8%

0.0%

80.1%

9.2%

0.0%

1.9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

Other Campus Housing

Fraternity/ Sorority

College Residence Hall

Other Home/ Apt/ Room

Home with Family/ Relatives


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Pluralistic Orientation

5 new items for 2008

Assess students’ self perception of their tolerance, ability to work cooperatively, and ability to debate constructively


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Pluralistic OrientationCompared to the average person your age, rate yourself on

your…

13.3%

19.7%

15.2%

18.6%

24.7%

42.4%

38.3%

35.6%

36.1%

46.4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Ability to see the world from someone else'sperspective

Tolerance of others with different beliefs

Openness to having my own views challenged

Ability to discuss and negotiate controversial issues

Ability to work cooperatively with diverse people

Highest 10% Above Average


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Self-ratings Traits: Compared to the average person your age, rate

yourself on your…

18.7%

22.4%

14.5%

3.4%

4.6%

8.8%

10.3%

19.5%

11.0%

17.9%

44.3%

50.2%

38.9%

15.3%

34.6%

27.1%

27.5%

37.2%

46.0%34.4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Understanding of Others

Cooperativeness

Creativity

Artistic Abilty

Computer Skills

Math Ability

Writing Ability

Intellectual Self-Confidence

Academic Ability

Self-Understanding



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Self-ratings Traits: Compared to the average person your age, rate

yourself on your…(continued)

16.7%

26.2%

18.8%

12.3%

7.6%

19.5%

29.1%

23.0%

28.5%

34.6%

40.6%

29.9%

22.5%

32.1%

43.3%

42.9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Spirituality

Physical Health

Emotional Health

Popularity

Public Speaking Ability

Social Self-Confidence

Drive to Achieve

Leadership Ability



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Habits of Mind

Behaviors and traits that have been identified as contributing towards success in coursework foundation for life-long learning


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Habits of MindLearning Behavior: How often in past year did you?

38.5%

37.0%

37.6%

46.4%

46.8%

60.1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Seek feedback on youracademic work

Revise your papers toimprove your writing

Seek solutions to problemsand explain them to others

Ask questions in class

Support your opinions witha logical argument

Take notes in class

Frequently


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Habits of MindLearning Behavior: How often in past year did you?

(continued)

16.2%

21.8%

24.2%

40.5%

40.5%

42.0%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Look up scientific research articles and resources

Explore topics on your own, even though it was notrequired for a class

Evaluate the quality or reliability of information youreceived

Take a risk because you felt you had more to gain

Seek alternative solutions to a problem

Accept mistakes as part of the learning process

Frequently


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Social and Political ViewsHow would you characterize your political views?

Liberal15.5%

Middle of the Road53.4%

Conservative26.3%

Far Right2.4%

Far Left2.4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


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Social and Political Views Students from disadvantaged social backgrounds should be

given preferential treatment in college admissions

40.5% 39.7%

7.0%12.8%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Disagree Strongly Disagree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Agree Strongly


35

Social and Political Views Colleges have the right to ban extreme speakers from campus

33.9% 33.5%

13.5%19.2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%



36

Social and Political ViewsAffirmative action in college admissions should be abolished

48.2%

32.0%

8.8%11.0%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%



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ValuesPlease indicate the importance to you personally of each of

the following

6.0%

5.6%

4.4%

3.6%

3.6%

4.0%

10.4%

18.0%

12.8%

18.5%

24.5%

13.7%

10.0%

8.7%

8.4%

14.1%

20.7%

28.0%

43.6%

41.3%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Keeping up to date with political affairs

Influencing the political structure

Creating artistic works

Becoming accomplished in performing arts

Writing original works

Making theoretical contribution to science

Becoming a community leader

Becoming successful in own business

Obtaining recognition from colleagues in field

Becoming an authority in my field

Essential Very Important


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ValuesPlease indicate the importance to you personally of each of

the following (con’t)

6.9%

8.0%

5.6%

8.8%

10.4%

9.4%

19.3%

24.8%

38.1%

42.9%

18.5%

18.9%

16.5%

27.7%

28.1%

29.4%

26.1%

40.0%

36.1%

35.3%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Participate in community action program

Adopting "green" practices to protect the environment

Becoming involved in programs to clean theenvironment

Helping to promote racial understanding

Improving my understanding of othercountries/ cultures

Influencing social values

Developing a meaningful philosophy of life

Helping others who are in difficulty

Raising a family

Being very well off financially

Essential Very Important


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Degree Aspirations

64.1%

20.0%

4.1% 0.6% 0.6%

23.5%

40.1%

19.4%

6.0% 3.2%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Bachelor's Master's PhD or EdD MD, DO, DDS orDVM

JD

From This College From Any College


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Expectations “Very Good Chance” Student Will…

8.1%

9.7%

29.3%

11.1%

43.1%

55.6%

22.0%

6.5%

7.0%

26.9%

24.7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Change career choice

Change major

Discuss course content with students outside of class

Participate in study abroad

Be satisfied with college

Make at least a "B" average

Get tutoring help in specific courses

Transfer to another college before graduating

Need extra time to complete degree requirements

Work on a professor's research project

Communicate regularly with professors


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Expectations “Very Good Chance” Student Will… (continued)

3.3%

56.9%

27.0%

3.7%

5.7%

22.6%

14.4%

6.0%

40.4%

32.0%

8.5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Seek personal counseling

Socialize with someone from another racial group

Have roommate of different race/ ethnicity

Participate in student protests or demonstrations

Join fraternity/ sorority

Participate in student clubs/ groups

Participate in community service

Participate in student government

Play varsity/ intercollegiate athletics

Get a job to pay expenses

Work full time


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For more information aboutCIRP Surveys

The Freshmen SurveyYour First College Year Survey

College Senior Survey

[email protected](310) 825-1925

www.heri.ucla.edu

cirp the freshman survey 2008

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