CIRP The Freshman Survey 2008 Houghton College 275 Responses Executive Summary CIRP Freshman Survey 2008 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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% Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 + Return to contents 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 Return to contents 9 Finances Level of Concern About Ability to Finance College Education Major 10.8% None 23.1% Some 66.0% CIRP Freshman Survey 2008 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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% Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 18 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 Return to contents 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% Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 + Return to contents 24 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% Return to contents 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 Return to contents 26 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 29 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 Return to contents 30 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 Return to contents 31 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 37 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 Return to contents 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 Return to contents 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% Return to contents 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% Return to contents 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 Return to contents 42