Institutional Research
Report of the Results of the BGSU First Year Student Questionnaire, 2003

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 2003 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, GPA's and graduation rates. This report includes a summary and conclusions as well as detailed tabular responses.

BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY

The need for assessment and enrollment management-related information about Bowling Green State University's first year students prompted the development of the BGSU First Year Student Questionnaire (BFYSQ) in 1997. 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. 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. 

All admitted 2003 first time first year freshmen were asked to fill out BFYSQ online. A total of 1,163 questionnaires were received, which represented about 33% of the first time first year freshman class. This rate is much lower than last year's response rate (70%, paper survey). As a result, the questionnaire will return to a printed format for 2004.

To examine how representative the survey respondents were of the entire first year first time freshman class, the demographic characteristics of the 1163 survey respondents were compared to all entering 2003 first year first time freshmen. There is a high degree of race, college, and residential status similarity between the respondents and the population. Female respondents, however, are over represented (71% in survey vs. 58% in population). This limitation and the low response rate require that all results from this survey be interpreted with some caution.

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?

 

1992

  

2002

 2003
None29% 25% 27%
118% 24% 24%
223% 25% 22%
Three or More   31% 26% 27%

How many other colleges besides BGSU admitted you this year? 

 

1992

  2002 2003
NoneNA 31% 28%
OneNA 30% 30%
TwoNA 21% 20%
Three or More   NA 19% 22%

Among colleges to attend, was BGSU your . . . 

 

1992

  2002  2003 
First Choice

76%

 77% 82% 
Second Choice

19%

 20% 16% 
Less Than Second Choice 

  5%

 4% 3% 

2003 respondents seemed more likely than the freshmen in 1992 and 2002 to report that BGSU was their first choice to attend.

How important were each of the following in your decision to attend college in general? (Percent "Very Important")

 1992  2002 2003
To Prepare for a Professional CareerNA 86% 92%
To Learn More about Things That Interest me  66% 61% 80%
To Gain a General Education and Appreciation of Ideas     54% 47% 71%
To Be Able to Get a Better Job80% 71% 68%
To Learn More About Other PeopleNA 27% 60%
To Be Able to Make More Money70% 68% 55%
To Make Me a More Cultured Person32% 32% 46%
I Wanted to Get Away from Home20% 30% 37%
To Improve My Reading and Study Skills32% 24% 36%
My Parents Wanted Me to Go32% 26% 26%
A Mentor/Role Model Encouraged Me to Go10% 13% 18%

Compared with the freshmen in 2002 and 1992, 2003 freshmen were less likely to claim that being able to make more money as well as to get a better job were the very important reasons for them to attend college in general. They were, however, more likely than the 2002 and 1992 freshmen to report that preparing for a professional career, learning more about interesting things and other people, gaining a general education and appreciation of ideas, making them a more cultured person, getting away from home, improving their reading and study skills, and a mentor/role model encouraged them to go were the very important reasons for them to attend college in general.

How important were each of the following in your decision to attend BGSU? (Percent "Very Important")

 1992  2002  2003
BGSU graduates get good jobs37% 48% 72%
BGSU offers unique educational programs        NA 36% 65%
My BGSU visit was pleasant and friendlyNA 43% 65%
BGSU's academic reputation53% 37% 63%
BGSU's Student FacilitiesNA NA 62%
BGSU takes student safety seriouslyNA 27% 57%
BGSU is in a small and safe communityNA 32% 56%
BGSU's graduates gain admission to top graduate/professional school    15% 34% 53%
BGSU has an attractive campusNA 32% 53%
the reputation of BGSU's faculty, staff, and studentsNA 29% 48%
BGSU's social reputation28% 31% 44%
I wanted to attend a school of BGSU's size37% 35% 43%
BGSU's Computer FacilitiesNA NA 43%
cost of tuition at BGSU35% 20% 35%

"BGSU graduates get good jobs", "BGSU offers unique education programs", "my BGSU visit was pleasant and friendly", "BGSU's academic reputation" are the very important reasons for students to choose BGSU. 2003 freshmen were more likely than the 2002 freshmen to consider each item on the table above as the very important reasons to attend BGSU.

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

How many miles from BGSU is your permanent home?

 1992  2002  2003
10 miles or Less  3% 3% 4%
11 to 50 miles22% 20% 19%
51 to 100 miles18% 22% 23%
101 to 500 miles54% 51% 49%
Over 500 miles          3% 4% 5%

What is your best estimate of your parents' income?

 1992  2002  2003
Less than $30,000 20% 7% 17%
$30,000-$49,99931% 20% 21%
$50,000-$74,99932% 32% 30%
$75,000-$99,99910% 20% 15%
$100,000 or More  7% 21% 16%

The percentage of students whose estimated parental income was $75,000 or more increased from 17% in 1992 to 41% in 2002, but decreased to 31% between 2002 and 2003.

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)

 1992  2002  2003
Parents, relatives, friends70% 74% 61%
Other College Loan   3% 25% 23%
Savings From Summer Work12% 23% 22%
Other College Grant/Scholarship  6% 21% 25%
Other Loan  4% 16% 15%
Other Savings  9% 17% 16%
Ford Direct Subsidized LoanNA 11% 16%
College Work Study   3% 10% 13%
Pell Grant  3% 9% 11%
Other Source  1% 8% 8%
Part-Time Job On Campus  3% 7% 8%
Perkins Loan  1% 6% 6%
Part-Time Job Off Campus  1% 5% 8%
Ohio Instructional Grant  NA 4% 7%
Other Private Grant                         2% 3% 3%

How concerned are you about your ability to finance your college education?

 1992  2002  2003
Not at All27% 28% 21%
Somewhat56% 54% 54%
Very              17% 18% 25%

How many hours per week during the school year do you plan to be employed?

 1992  2002  2003
None NA 23% 20%
1 to 9NA 20% 17%
10 to 19NA 44% 42%
20 to 39NA 13% 19%
40 or More     NA 1% 2%

Families were still the major finance source for majority of 2003 freshmen. However, only 61% of 2003 freshman expected their parents, relatives, and friends will pay $1,500 or more of their first year expense, compared with 74% of last year's freshmen. 2003 freshmen were more concerned about their ability to finance their college education than were freshmen in 2002 and in 1992. They were also more likely to work longer hours in order to support themselves.

For each of the following items, please indicate the number of years you participated while in 9th-12th grade (Percent "Two Years or More"):

 1992 2002 2003 

Religious organization

NA NA 91% 

Athletics

NA NA 90% 

Community service

NA NA 88% 

Part-time job

NA NA 86% 

Band or orchestra

NA NA 79% 

Academic honor society

NA NA 79% 

Choir or vocal ensemble

NA NA 75% 

Theatre

NA NA 73% 

ROTC                              

NA NA 58% 

Student council

NA NA 57% 

Class officer

NA NA 50% 

Yearbook

NA NA 49% 

Newspaper

NA NA 49% 

Debate

NA NA 36% 

For each of the following items, please indicate your level of involvement while in 9th-12th grade (Percent "Highly Involved"):

 1992  2002  2003 

Part-time job

NA 55% 61% 

Athletics

NA 65% 56% 

Community service

NA 26% 43% 

Religious organization

NA 22% 34% 

Band or orchestra

NA 22% 31% 

Choir or vocal ensemble

NA 19% 27% 

Theatre

NA 16% 24% 

Academic honor society

NA 11% 19% 

Yearbook

NA 10% 17% 

Class officer

NA 10% 15% 

Student council

NA 12% 14% 

Newspaper

NA 7% 12% 

Debate

NA 3% 5% 

ROTC                              

NA 1% 2% 

Fifty percent or more of the 2003 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 all the activities other than athletics when compared them with 2002 freshmen.

What is the highest level of formal education obtained by your parents?

 Father  Mother
High school graduate31% 29%
Some college17% 19%
College degree27% 28%
Graduate degree          14% 13%

   1992  2002  2003
Mother and father high school or less:
At least one parent a college graduate:
Both parents college graduates:
 NA
NA
NA
 17%
60%
30%
 19%
60%
27%

Your Father's Occupation:

 1992  2002  2003
Business29% 31% 28%
Other24% 23% 29%
Skilled tradesNA 4% 8%
Engineer9% 2% 7%

Your Mother's Occupation:

 1992  2002  2003
Other24% 26% 32%
Business22% 13% 17%
Teacher or administrator    12% 4% 14%
Nurse11% 0% 10%

Your Probable Occupation:

 1992  2002  2003
Teacher or administrator     16% 9% 28%
Other10% 15% 13%
Business13% 15% 11%
Undecided13% 17% 9%

What is the highest degree you plan to obtain anywhere?

 1992  2002  2003
Bachelor's39% 13% 29%
Master's43% 66% 52%
Doctorate9% 9% 13%
Professional       6% 10% 7%

What is the highest degree you plan to obtain at BGSU?

 1992  2002  2003
Bachelor'sNA 78% 71%
Master'sNA 19% 26%
Doctorate          NA 2% 3%

Although the percentage of students who would like to obtain a Master's degree at BGSU increased between 2002 and 2003, their most frequent academic goal at BGSU remains a Bachelor's degree.

Do you feel that you will need any special tutoring or remedial work in any of the following subjects?

 1992  2002  2003
EnglishNA 14% 16%
ReadingNA 4% 7%
MathematicsNA 42% 37%
Social StudiesNA 3% 5%
ScienceNA 12% 20%
Foreign Language    NA 13% 22%

Compared with the 2002 freshman, 2003 freshman were more concerned about their academic preparation in five out of six subjects listed on survey, especially in the area of foreign language and science. The percentage of students who felt they would need remedial work in mathematics decreased from last year.

EXPECTATIONS AND VALUES INFORMATION

What is your estimate of the chance that you will . . . (Percent "Very Good")

 

1992

  2002  2003
get a Bachelor's Degree77% 74% 90%
find a job in my major after graduation   63% 70% 76%
be satisfied with BGSU53% 56% 70%
get a job to help pay for college expenses47% 49% 62%
make at least a "B" average48% 41% 56%
join a social club, fraternity, or sorority11% 21% 26%
participate in volunteer or community service work16% 18% 33%
change your major17% 17% 11%
play varsity intercollegiate athletics8% 13% 12%
change your career choice17% 14% 9%
graduate with honors12% 9% 20%
join a student professional/government organization    NA 8% 13%
need extra time to complete your degree15% 6% 6%
work full time while attending college1% 5% 6%
participate in student protests/demonstrations7% 5% 7%
transfer to another college before graduation6% 5% 2%
get married while in college4% 4% 3%
be elected to an academic honor society6% 4% 9%
be elected to a student office1% 2% 3%
fail one or more courses1% 1% 1%
drop out of college permanently0% 1% 0%
drop out of college temporarily1% 0% 0%

Compared with the freshmen in 1992 and 2002, 2003 freshmen had higher expectations in their likelihood of obtaining a Bachelor's degree, finding a job in their major after graduation, getting a job to help pay for their college expenses, making at least a "B" average for their courses, and graduating with honors. They were less likely to report that they will change their major and career choice, but more likely to say that they will participate in volunteer or community service work, join a social club/fraternity/sorority or a student professional/government organization, and be satisfied with BGSU.

How important are each of the following to you? (Percent "Essential" or "Very Important")

 1992  2002  2003
raising a family71% 81% 80%
being very well off financially68% 84% 77%
helping others who are in difficulty61% 66% 73%
becoming an authority in my field66% 61% 65%
developing a meaningful philosophy of life40% 43% 62%
obtaining recognition from my colleagues for my contributions      54% 56% 52%
influencing social values39% 47% 51%
helping to promote racial understanding39% 33% 49%
having administrative responsibility for the work of others37% 44% 45%
becoming successful in a business of my own34% 46% 38%
keeping up to date with political affairs39% 34% 36%
participating in a community action program23% 26% 36%
becoming a community leader28% 31% 32%
influencing the political structure16% 23% 26%
creating artistic works12% 23% 26%
writing original works (poems, novels, etc.) 12% 19% 24%
becoming involved in programs to clean up the environment32% 25% 21%
becoming accomplished in the performing arts11% 23% 18%
making a contribution to science11% 17% 17%

Raising a family, being very well off financially, helping others who are in difficulty, and becoming an authority in their fields are essential or very important to students' life. 2003 freshman seemed less money/business when compared with 2002 freshman, but more interested in helping others in difficulty, helping to promote racial understanding, participating in a community action program, and developing a meaningful philosophy of their life.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

This report continues a thirty year history of "freshman survey" results at BGSU. It serves as one component of a comprehensive program of assessment and enrollment management research activities carried out by the Office of Institutional Research.

Most of the 2003 freshman participated in most of the activities listed on the survey during their high school years and more than half of them were highly involved with athletics and a part-time job. They apply and are admitted to few other institutions. BGSU is their overwhelming first choice. The perceived career success of our graduates coupled with a pleasant campus visit as well as academic reputation and unique educational programs are the principal reasons that students choose BGSU. 

2003 Freshmen are mostly from in-state and from middle class families. Families are the greatest source of financial support for college. Since the percentage of students who had a family income $75,000 or more decreased between 2002 and 2003, only 61% of 2003 freshman expected their parents will pay $1,500 or more of their first year expenses compared with 74% of last year's freshmen. The incoming freshman were more concerned about their ability to finance their college education than were the freshmen in 2002, and they were also more likely to work more hours per week to support themselves.

Despite the difficult financial situation most of them may face, the majority of 2003 freshmen seemed to be very positive about their chances of earning a Bachelor's Degree, finding a job in their field after graduation, and being satisfied with BGSU. Ninety-nine percent of them predict that they will not fail one or more courses and none of them predict they will drop out college temporarily or permanently. Compared with 2002 freshmen, they seemed to have higher confidence on their ability to make at least a "B" average for their courses and to graduate with honors, and yet they were also more concerned about their academic preparation for college work in five out of six subjects listed on the survey.

The most frequent academic goal for majority of 2003 freshman at BGSU is a Bachelor's Degree in "teacher or administrator", "other", "business", or "undecided". Raising a family, being very well off financially, and helping others who are in difficulty are among their most important life goals.

The major limitations of this study were the low response rate (33%) for the questionnaire and the under-representation of males.  These limitations require that the results from this survey be interpreted with some caution.

The Office of Institutional Research welcomes feedback concerning this and other studies and how they can continue to be improved.