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Abstract
Background and Methodology
Enrollment Management-Related Information
Demographic Information
Expectations and Values Information
Summary and Conclusions
ABSTRACT
This report describes the results of the Summer 2006 administration of the BGSU First Year Student Questionnaire (BFYSQ) to
new main campus first year students. The BFYSQ is designed to collect enrollment management-related data, demographic data
not otherwise collected as a result of BGSU's admission and registration processes, and data on students' values and expectations. Its use supports both assessment and enrollment management activities. Results are used in this
report to provide a descriptive profile of the freshman class (serving as a companion report to the Office of Undergraduate
Admissions' Freshman Class Profile). BFYSQ data are also maintained in databases within the Office of Institutional Research and are
studied as predictors of outcomes such as retention, GPAs, and graduation rates.
BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY
This report continues a more than thirty year history of "freshman survey" results at BGSU. The literature on college student learning, development, and persistence
clearly shows that students' pre-college characteristics, aspirations, expectations, and values play a crucial role in outcomes
such as retention, grades, graduation, and educational and personal gains. Since no single commercially-available questionnaire
would provide the data specifically needed by BGSU in a timely and cost effective manner, the BFYSQ was developed by the Office
of Institutional Research in 1997. The results of the BFYSQ are comparable to those of the ACE/UCLA "Freshman Survey" administered at BGSU between 1973 and
1979 and between 1990 and 1995, and the "BGSU Freshman Survey" administered between 1980 and 1989. The Office of Institutional
Research plans to administer the BFYSQ to new freshmen each year before they matriculate.
The 2006 BFYSQ was distributed to all new first year students who registered for BGSU’s Orientation and Registration Program
during the months of June and July. A total of 2,049 questionnaires were returned, which represented 57%(2049/3576) of the 2006 new first year
freshman class. This rate is lower than the response rate of 2005 (66%) and 2004 (64%).
To examine how representative the survey respondents were of the entire first year first time freshman class, the demographic
characteristics of the 1399 survey respondents who provided valid social security numbers were compared to all entering 2006
first year first time freshmen. There is a high degree of gender, race, college, and residential status similarity between the respondents and the population.
BFYSQ results were analyzed by noting the percentages of participants who provided various responses to each questionnaire
item. Percentages may not always sum to 100 due to rounding. Results were also compared with those of previous similar questionnaires.
The following pages highlight these findings.
ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT-RELATED INFORMATION How many other colleges besides BGSU did you apply to?
| |
1997
|
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| None |
30% |
|
29% |
|
29% |
| 1 |
25% |
|
24% |
|
24% |
| 2 |
23% |
|
24% |
|
23% |
| Three or More |
22% |
|
23% |
|
24% |
How many other colleges besides BGSU admitted you this year?
|
|
1997
|
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| None |
35% |
|
32% |
|
32% |
| One |
27% |
|
28% |
|
28% |
| Two |
22% |
|
21% |
|
21% |
| Three or More |
16% |
|
19% |
|
19% |
Among colleges to attend, was BGSU your . . .
|
|
1997
|
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| First Choice |
82%
|
|
84%
|
|
83% |
| Second Choice |
16%
|
|
14%
|
|
14% |
| Less Than Second Choice |
2%
|
|
2%
|
|
3% |
How important were each of the following in your decision to attend college in general? (Percent "Very Important")
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| To Prepare for a Professional Career |
93% |
|
89%
|
|
89% |
| To Be Able to Get a Better Job |
82%
|
|
70%
|
|
72% |
| To Learn More about Things That Interest me |
70%
|
|
64%
|
|
67% |
| To Be Able to Make More Money |
67% |
|
63%
|
|
66% |
| To Gain a General Education and Appreciation of Ideas |
60% |
|
53%
|
|
56% |
| To Make Me a More Cultured Person |
38%
|
|
32%
|
|
35% |
| My Parents Wanted Me to Go |
27% |
|
30%
|
|
33% |
| To Improve My Reading and Study Skills |
35%
|
|
29%
|
|
31% |
| To Learn More About Other People |
NA |
|
27%
|
|
26% |
| I Wanted to Get Away from Home |
19% |
|
24%
|
|
26% |
| A Mentor/Role Model Encouraged Me to Go |
11% |
|
13%
|
|
14% |
How important were each of the following in your decision to attend BGSU? (Percent "Very Important")
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| BGSU graduates get good jobs |
61%
|
|
51%
|
|
54% |
| My BGSU visit was pleasant and friendly |
49% |
|
48%
|
|
50% |
| BGSU offers unique educational programs |
47% |
|
41%
|
|
46% |
| BGSU's graduates gain admission to top graduate/professional schools |
51% |
|
39%
|
|
43% |
| BGSU’s academic reputation |
49% |
|
39%
|
|
41% |
| BGSU is in a small and safe community |
42% |
|
37%
|
|
39% |
| I wanted to attend a school of BGSU's size |
38% |
|
37%
|
|
37% |
| BGSU takes student safety seriously |
37% |
|
31%
|
|
34% |
| the reputation of BGSU's faculty, staff, and students |
42% |
|
31%
|
|
33% |
| BGSU has an attractive campus |
34% |
|
31%
|
|
33% |
| I was offered financial assistance |
20% |
|
26% |
|
30% |
| BGSU's social reputation |
31% |
|
29%
|
|
29% |
| cost of tuition at BGSU |
32% |
|
24%
|
|
27% |
| BGSU's rankings in national magazines |
19% |
|
20% |
|
20% |
| I wanted to live near home |
17% |
|
12% |
|
14% |
| A friend suggested attending |
8% |
|
11% |
|
10% |
| My relatives wanted me to come here |
6% |
|
7% |
|
7% |
| A teacher advised me |
5% |
|
5% |
|
7% |
"BGSU graduates get good jobs", "my BGSU visit was pleasant and friendly", and "BGSU offers unique education programs" were more likely to be the important reasons for freshmen to attend BGSU. Compared with the freshmen in 1997, 2006 freshmen
were more likely to consider "I was offered financial assistance" as the important factor for them to choose BGSU, but less likely to consider "BGSU graduates get good jobs", "BGSU's graduates gain admission to top graduate/professional schools", "BGSU’s academic reputation" and "the reputation of BGSU's faculty, staff, and students" as the important reasons to attend this school.
DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION How many miles from BGSU is your permanent home?
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| 10 miles or Less |
3% |
|
4%
|
|
4% |
| 11 to 50 miles |
26% |
|
24%
|
|
24% |
| 51 to 100 miles |
18%
|
|
19%
|
|
21% |
| 101 to 500 miles |
51%
|
|
51%
|
|
49% |
| Over 500 miles |
2% |
|
3%
|
|
3% |
Is English your native language?
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| Yes |
99% |
|
99% |
|
98% |
| No |
1% |
|
1% |
|
2% |
Are your parents?
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| both alive and living with each other |
78% |
|
69% |
|
68% |
| both alive, divorced or living apart |
19% |
|
28%
|
|
29% |
| one or both deceased |
3% |
|
3% |
|
4% |
2006 freshman were more likely have parents who are both alive, but divorced or living apart than were freshmen in 1997. What is your best estimate of your parents' income?
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| Less than $30,000 |
11% |
|
10%
|
|
10% |
| $30,000-$49,999 |
24% |
|
17% |
|
18% |
| $50,000-$74,999 |
34% |
|
26% |
|
24% |
| $75,000-$99,999 |
18% |
|
23% |
|
22% |
| $100,000 or More |
13% |
|
24% |
|
26% |
The percentage of students whose estimated parental income was $75,000 or more increased from 31% in 1997 to 48% in 2006. How much of your first year's educational expenses do you expect to cover from each of the sources listed below? (Percent
$1,500 and Over)
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| Parents, relatives, friends |
NA |
|
69%
|
|
64% |
| Other College Grant/Scholarship |
NA |
|
47% |
|
49% |
| Other College Loan |
NA |
|
42% |
|
49% |
| Other Loan |
NA |
|
25%
|
|
22% |
| Ford Direct Subsidized Loan |
NA |
|
24%
|
|
25% |
| Savings From Summer Work |
NA |
|
17%
|
|
17% |
| Other Savings |
NA |
|
17% |
|
16% |
| Pell Grant |
NA |
|
16%
|
|
16% |
| College Work Study |
NA |
|
15%
|
|
16% |
| Perkins Loan |
NA |
|
12%
|
|
12% |
| Other Source |
NA |
|
9%
|
|
12% |
| Part-Time Job On Campus |
NA |
|
8%
|
|
9% |
| Ohio Instructional Grant |
NA |
|
7%
|
|
6% |
| Other Private Grant |
NA |
|
6%
|
|
6% |
| Part-Time Job Off Campus |
NA |
|
5%
|
|
5% |
Families were still the major source of finance for the majority of BGSU freshmen. How concerned are you about your ability to finance your college education?
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| Not at All |
28% |
|
29% |
|
25% |
| Somewhat |
56% |
|
55% |
|
57% |
| Very |
16% |
|
16% |
|
18% |
How many hours per week during the school year do you plan to be employed?
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| None |
27% |
|
26% |
|
26% |
| 1 to 9 |
19% |
|
17%
|
|
16% |
| 10 to 19 |
42% |
|
42% |
|
43% |
| 20 to 39 |
11% |
|
15% |
|
16% |
| 40 or More |
1% |
|
1% |
|
1% |
For each of the following items, please indicate the number of years you participated while in 9th-12th grade (Percent "Two
Years or More"):
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
Athletics
|
NA |
|
91%
|
|
92% |
|
Religious organization
|
NA |
|
90%
|
|
89% |
|
Community service
|
NA |
|
85%
|
|
88% |
|
Part-time job
|
NA |
|
82%
|
|
82% |
|
Band or orchestra
|
NA |
|
81%
|
|
83% |
|
Academic honor society
|
NA |
|
81%
|
|
81% |
|
Choir or vocal ensemble
|
NA |
|
72%
|
|
71% |
|
Theatre
|
NA |
|
70%
|
|
72% |
|
Student council
|
NA |
|
64%
|
|
66% |
|
Class officer
|
NA |
|
56% |
|
61% |
|
ROTC
|
NA |
|
75%
|
|
55% |
|
Debate
|
NA |
|
54% |
|
42% |
|
Yearbook
|
NA |
|
43%
|
|
41% |
|
Newspaper
|
NA |
|
37%
|
|
41% |
For each of the following items, please indicate your level of involvement while in 9th-12th grade (Percent "Highly Involved"):
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
|
Athletics
|
NA |
|
62%
|
|
64% |
|
|
Part-time job
|
NA |
|
52%
|
|
56% |
|
|
Community service
|
NA |
|
33%
|
|
34% |
|
|
Band or orchestra
|
NA |
|
25%
|
|
25% |
|
|
Religious organization
|
NA |
|
22%
|
|
24% |
|
|
Theatre
|
NA |
|
18%
|
|
22% |
|
|
Choir or vocal ensemble
|
NA |
|
20%
|
|
21% |
|
|
Academic honor society
|
NA |
|
20% |
|
19% |
|
|
Class officer
|
NA |
|
12%
|
|
15% |
|
|
Student council
|
NA |
|
15%
|
|
14% |
|
|
Yearbook
|
NA |
|
13%
|
|
13% |
|
|
Newspaper
|
NA |
|
9%
|
|
9% |
|
|
Debate
|
NA |
|
4%
|
|
3% |
|
|
ROTC
|
NA |
|
2%
|
|
1% |
|
Fifty percent or more of the 2006 freshmen spent two or more years participating in most of the activities listed on the survey
during their high school years, and they seemed more likely to be highly involved with athletics and part-time jobs than other activities listed on the survey.
What is the highest level of formal education obtained by your parents?
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| |
Father |
Mother |
|
Father |
Mother |
|
Father |
Mother |
| Some high school or less |
2% |
1% |
|
3% |
2% |
|
3% |
2% |
| High school graduate |
28% |
33% |
|
30%
|
29%
|
|
33% |
29% |
| Post secondary school other than college |
5% |
7% |
|
3% |
4% |
|
4% |
4% |
| Some college |
19% |
19%
|
|
18% |
19%
|
|
16% |
19% |
| College degree |
29% |
26% |
|
28% |
31% |
|
28% |
31% |
| Some graduate school |
3% |
4% |
|
2% |
3% |
|
2% |
3% |
| Graduate degree |
14% |
10% |
|
15%
|
13%
|
|
14% |
13% |
| |
|
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
Mother and father high school or less:
At least one parent a college graduate:
Both parents college graduates:
|
|
NA
NA
NA
|
|
17%
63%
30%
|
|
18%
58%
27%
|
Your Father's Occupation (top four):
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| Business |
30% |
|
27%
|
|
25% |
| Other |
16% |
|
21%
|
|
22% |
| Semi-skilled worker |
10% |
|
12% |
|
11% |
| Computer programmer or analyst |
NA |
|
8%
|
|
6% |
Your Mother's Occupation (top four):
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| Other |
20% |
|
25%
|
|
24% |
| Business |
23% |
|
15%
|
|
12% |
| Lawyer/attorney/judge
|
NA |
|
10%
|
|
9% |
| Therapist |
NA |
|
8% |
|
8% |
Your Probable Occupation (top four):
| |
1997 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
| Undecided |
17% |
|
18%
|
|
15% |
| Business |
12% |
|
15%
|
|
14% |
| Other |
10% |
|
14%
|
|
14% |
| Teacher or administrator |
20% |
|
12%
|
|
11% |
What is the highest degree you plan to obtain anywhere?
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