CIRP
The Freshman Survey
2008
Houghton College
275 Responses
Executive Summary
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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1
CIRP
The Freshman Survey
 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
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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2
CIRP
The Freshman Survey




43rd year
Over 13 million students
Over 1,900 schools
Largest and longest running study of higher
education
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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3
Presentation Summary






Demographics
Finances
High School
Admissions
College Choice
Pluralistic Orientation
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008






Self-ratings
Habits of Mind
Political Views
Values
Degree Aspirations
Expectations
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4
Demographics
100%
93.8%
80%
Native English Speakers: 96.0%
60%
40%
First-Generation: 12.6%
20%
0.7%
5.5%
Permanent
Resident
Neither
0%
US Citizen
White/Caucasian
92.9%
African American/Black
3.0%
American Indian/Alaska Native
5.2%
Asian American/Asian
4.9%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.0%
Hispanic
1.5%
Other
3.4%
0%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
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5
Demographics
100%
80%
Women
64.0%
70.1%
Men
36.0%
60%
40%
25.9%
20%
0%
0.0% 2.9%
< 16
17
0.7% 0.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
18
19
20
21-24 25-29 30-39 40-54 55+
Age
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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6
Demographics
Disabilities
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0.0%
0.4%
0.4%
Hearing
Speech
Orthopedic
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
2.2%
1.8%
0.7%
1.5%
Learning
Disability
Partially
Sighted or
Blind
HealthRelated
Other
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7
Finances
Family Income
100%
80%
60%
40%
37.1%
31.4%
14.8%
20%
10.0%
4.8%
1.9%
0%
$0-$39,999
$40,000 - $74,999 $75,000 - $99,000
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
$100,000 $149,000
$150,000 $199,999
$200,000 +
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8
Finances
Source for College Expenses
100%
84.0%
80%
75.6%
74.9%
60.7%
60%
40%
20%
9.5%
0%
Family Resources
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
Student Resources
Aid-not to be Repaid
Aid-to be Repaid
Other
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9
Finances
Level of Concern About Ability to Finance College Education
Major
10.8%
None
23.1%
Some
66.0%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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10
High School
Type of High School Attended
100%
80%
65.0%
60%
40%
19.3%
20%
11.7%
0.7%
0.4%
Public Charter
Public Magnet
2.9%
0%
Public
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
Private Religious
Private
Independent
Home School
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11
High School
Average Grade in High School
100%
80%
60%
46.5%
40%
25.7%
20%
14.5%
10.4%
1.9%
1.1%
0.0%
0.0%
B-
C+
C
D
0%
A or A+
A-
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
B+
B
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12
High School
Coursework: Total Number of Years Study
Art/Music (1yr +)
94.0%
Computer Science (0.5yr +)
53.0%
History/Government (1yr +)
98.9%
Biological Science (2yrs +)
43.0%
Physical Science (2yrs +)
58.7%
Foreign Language (2yrs +)
90.0%
Math (3yrs +)
97.4%
English (4yrs +)
97.0%
0%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
20%
40%
60%
100%
80%
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13
High School
Racial Composition: High School and Neighborhood
100%
80%
66.9%
57.1%
60%
40%
26.4%
16.9%
20%
0.8%
3.9%
1.9%
6.7%
13.5%
5.9%
0%
Completely nonWhite
Mostly non-White
Roughly half nonWhite
High School
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
Mostly White
Completely White
Neighborhood
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14
High School
Frequency of Activity During the Past Year as High School Senior
Asked teacher for advice after class
Was guest in teacher's home
7.4%
Tutored another student
42.9%
10.6%
Studied with other students
62.6%
21.2%
Performed community service for class
50.4%
9.9%
Came late to class
50.7%
7.5%
Was bored in class
64.1%
30.8%
34.1%
Discussed religion
Discussed politics
35.7%
Voted in student election
12.6%
63.4%
52.2%
53.9%
2.6%
1.5%
Worked on political campaign
Participated in Political Demonstration
1.1%
0%
15.1%
20%
40%
Frequently
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
59.2%
29.4%
26.3%
60%
80%
100%
Occasionally
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15
High School
Frequency of Activity During the Past Year as High School Senior
(continued)
Blogged
24.0%
13.7%
Used internet to read blogs
17.3%
Used internet for research or homework
39.1%
27.0%
72.3%
54.4%
Used internet to read news sites
32.0%
Felt overwhelmed
32.6%
Felt depressed
Drank beer
Drank wine or liquor
Smoked cigarettes
Attended a religious service
0.0%
50.4%
7.8%
12.4%
22.4%
0.4%
3.6%
0.4%
4.4%
94.5%
Performed volunteer work
37.7%
Socialized with another racial/ethnic group
0%
20%
Frequently
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
42.6%
21.2%
Played musical instrument
63.4%
40%
52.6%
54.2%
57.9%
60%
80%
100%
Occasionally
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16
High School
Behavior: How Students Spend Time
100%
80%
60%
60%
49%
43%
50%
45%
44%
42%
37%
40%
52%
48%
43%
39%
31%
18%
20%
8%
27%
17%
19%
13%
9%
5%
0%
Studying /
Homework
See Teacher
Outside Class
Student
Groups
< 1 hr
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
Volunteer
Work
1 to 5 hrs
Reading for
Pleasure
Work for Pay
Household /
Childcare
Duties
6 + hrs
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17
High School
Behavior: How Students Spend Time
(continued)
100%
80%
80%
69%
63%
60%
46%
41%
50%
46%
40%
35%
29%
20%
26%
17%
26%
21%
14%
25%
10%
3%
2%
0%
Partying
Watching TV
Exercise / Sports
< 1 hr
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
Socializing w/
Friends
1 to 5 hrs
Playing Video /
Computer Games
Online Social
Network
6 + hrs
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Admissions
Number of Applications Submitted
100%
80%
60%
40%
20.1%
21.2%
20%
16.5%
19.4%
9.5%
6.2%
3.7%
2.9%
6
7-10
0.4%
0%
0
1
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
2
3
4
5
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11+
19
College Choice
Accepted by First Choice
College Attending is
1st Choice
Yes
91.9%
75.7%
2nd Choice
17.5%
3rd Choice
3.7%
No
8.1%
Less than 3rd
Choice
3.0%
0%
20%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
40%
60%
80%
100%
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20
College Choice
How important was each reason in your decision to come here?
Parents wanted me to come here
45.0%
13.4%
Relatives wanted me to come here
22.3%
2.7%
My teacher advised me
24.2%
5.5%
Advice of high school counselor
21.8%
2.4%
Private college counselor advice
1.6%
13.3%
26.5%
Very good academic reputation
Graduates go to good grad schools
28.3%
70.5%
39.0%
37.0%
44.1%
Graduates get good jobs
0%
20%
40%
Very Important
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
60%
80%
100%
Somewhat Important
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21
College Choice
How important was each reason in your decision to come here?
(continued)
38.5%
34.6%
Cost to attend
25.2%
Offered financial assistance
62.8%
9.2%
6.0%
Not offered aid by first-choice
5.2%
6.5%
Couldn't afford 1st choice
4.4%
5.2%
Athletic dept. recruited me
Rankings in national magazines
29.6%
5.2%
Information from a website
44.0%
17.5%
Reputation for social activities
32.8%
0%
20%
40%
Very Important
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
47.5%
60%
80%
100%
Somewhat Important
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22
College Choice
How important was each reason in your decision to come here?
(continued)
26.5%
Wanted to live near home
14.4%
36.1%
A visit to campus
52.1%
20.1%
Religious affiliation /
orientation
75.3%
33.5%
Size of school
59.2%
12.4%
Admitted early
action/decision
10.0%
0%
20%
40%
Very Important
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
60%
80%
100%
Somewhat Important
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23
How many miles is this college from your permanent home?
100%
80%
60%
46.2%
40%
20.8%
18.6%
20%
4.5%
8.3%
1.5%
0%
5 or fewer
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
6 to 10
11 to 50
51 to 100
101 to 500
500 +
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College Residential Plans
Home with Family/Relatives 0.7%
Other Home/Apt/Room 0.0%
College Residence Hall
98.5%
Fraternity/Sorority 0.4%
Other Campus Housing 0.4%
Other 0.0%
0%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
20%
40%
60%
80%
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100%
25
Pluralistic Orientation
 5 new items for 2008
 Assess students’ self perception of their
tolerance, ability to work cooperatively,
and ability to debate constructively
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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Pluralistic Orientation
Compared to the average person your age, rate yourself on your…
49.6%
Ability to work cooperatively with diverse people
24.8%
37.4%
Ability to discuss and negotiate controversial issues
16.7%
34.9%
Openness to having my own views challenged
13.8%
Tolerance of others with different beliefs
Ability to see the world from someone else's
perspective
0%
44.8%
18.1%
48.7%
12.9%
20%
40%
Highest 10%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
60%
80%
100%
Above Average
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27
Self-ratings
Traits: Compared to the average person your age, rate yourself on your…
Self-Understanding
37.8%
15.0%
Academic Ability
54.8%
18.4%
Intellectual Self-Confidence
45.2%
11.9%
Writing Ability
35.6%
15.9%
Math Ability
32.5%
8.9%
Computer Skills
3.0%
Artistic Abilty
15.5%
23.2%
5.5%
Creativity
32.0%
13.2%
Cooperativeness
52.8%
19.9%
Understanding of Others
52.8%
13.0%
0%
20%
40%
Highest 10%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
60%
80%
100%
Above Average
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28
Self-ratings
Traits: Compared to the average person your age, rate yourself on your…
(continued)
Leadership Ability
38.1%
11.5%
Drive to Achieve
43.5%
25.8%
Social Self-Confidence
29.3%
9.6%
Public Speaking Ability
21.8%
5.9%
Popularity
4.5%
Emotional Health
19.5%
42.3%
16.2%
Physical Health
31.5%
13.7%
Spirituality
49.6%
22.0%
0%
20%
40%
Highest 10%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
60%
80%
100%
Above Average
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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
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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Habits of Mind
Learning Behavior: How often in past year did you?
Take notes in class
69.1%
Support your opinions with
a logical argument
60.1%
Ask questions in class
56.9%
Seek solutions to problems
and explain them to others
50.2%
Revise your papers to
improve your writing
56.3%
Seek feedback on your
academic work
0%
50.2%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Frequently
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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Habits of Mind
Learning Behavior: How often in past year did you?
(continued)
Accept mistakes as part of the learning process
48.1%
Seek alternative solutions to a problem
39.0%
Take a risk because you felt you had more to gain
28.4%
Evaluate the quality or reliability of information you
received
40.0%
Explore topics on your own, even though it was not
required for a class
35.1%
Look up scientific research articles and resources
19.0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Frequently
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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32
Social and Political Views
How would you characterize your political views?
100%
80%
Conservative
54.4%
60%
Middle of the Road
31.7%
40%
20%
Far Left
1.2%
Liberal
7.9%
Far Right
4.8%
0%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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33
Social and Political Views
Students from disadvantaged social backgrounds should be given preferential
treatment in college admissions
100%
80%
60%
48.2%
40%
29.1%
20%
17.4%
5.3%
0%
Disagree Strongly
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
Disagree Somewhat
Agree Somewhat
Agree Strongly
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34
Social and Political Views
Colleges have the right to ban extreme speakers from campus
100%
80%
60%
41.4%
40%
24.3%
20%
20.5%
13.8%
0%
Disagree Strongly
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
Disagree Somewhat
Agree Somewhat
Agree Strongly
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35
Social and Political Views
Affirmative action in college admissions should be abolished
100%
80%
60%
48.7%
40%
25.9%
18.0%
20%
7.4%
0%
Disagree Strongly
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
Disagree Somewhat
Agree Somewhat
Agree Strongly
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36
Values
Please indicate the importance to you personally of each of the following
Becoming an authority in my field
37.7%
10.4%
Obtaining recognition from colleagues in field
28.2%
7.5%
12.1%
5.5%
Becoming successful in own business
Becoming a community leader
21.2%
6.7%
4.7%
3.9%
Making theoretical contribution to science
Writing original works
12.0%
10.4%
Becoming accomplished in performing arts
12.0%
7.3%
7.1%
5.9%
Creating artistic works
9.4%
2.4%
Influencing the political structure
Keeping up to date with political affairs
23.0%
7.8%
0%
20%
Essential
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
40%
60%
80%
100%
Very Important
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Values
Please indicate the importance to you personally of each of the following (con’t)
Being very well off financially
8.9%
23.3%
31.4%
Raising a family
38.0%
45.3%
Helping others who are in difficulty
34.1%
25.4%
Developing a meaningful philosophy of life
Influencing social values
Improving my understanding of other
countries/cultures
40.7%
16.2%
24.8%
Helping to promote racial understanding
Becoming involved in programs to clean the
environment
14.9%
2.4%
11.3%
Participate in community action program
30.1%
22.7%
6.4%
0%
37.6%
23.9%
10.4%
Adopting "green" practices to protect the environment
20%
Essential
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
47.5%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Very Important
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38
Degree Aspirations
100%
84.8%
80%
60%
46.5%
40%
23.0%
20%
17.3%
10.7%
1.0%
0.5%
8.0%
2.7%
0.0%
0%
Bachelor's
Master's
PhD or EdD
From This College
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
MD, DO, DDS or
DVM
JD
From Any College
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39
Expectations
“Very Good Chance” Student Will…
Communicate regularly with professors
44.4%
Work on a professor's research project
26.1%
Need extra time to complete degree requirements
2.0%
Transfer to another college before graduating
3.5%
Get tutoring help in specific courses
18.2%
Make at least a "B" average
71.2%
Be satisfied with college
72.3%
Participate in study abroad
47.1%
Discuss course content with students outside of class
61.3%
Change major
7.6%
Change career choice
12.6%
0%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
20%
40%
60%
80%
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100%
40
Expectations
“Very Good Chance” Student Will… (continued)
Work full time
1.2%
Get a job to pay expenses
74.7%
Play varsity/intercollegiate athletics
13.2%
Participate in student government
4.2%
Participate in community service
45.1%
Participate in student clubs/groups
Join fraternity/sorority
48.2%
0.4%
Participate in student protests or demonstrations
2.3%
Have roommate of different race/ethnicity
19.8%
Socialize with someone from another racial group
71.2%
Seek personal counseling
8.2%
0%
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
20%
40%
60%
80%
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100%
41
For more information about
CIRP Surveys
The Freshmen Survey
Your First College Year Survey
College Senior Survey
heri@ucla.edu
(310) 825-1925
www.heri.ucla.edu
CIRP Freshman Survey 2008
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42