|
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 2002 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. 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.
The 2002 BFYSQ was distributed to all new first year students registered for BGSU¡¯s Orientation and Registration Program
during the month of June and July. A total of 2,456 questionnaires were returned, which represented about 70% of the freshman
class.
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
|
|
2001 |
|
2002
|
| None |
29% |
|
29% |
|
25% |
| 1 |
18% |
|
24% |
|
24% |
| 2 |
23% |
|
25% |
|
25% |
| Three or More |
31% |
|
22% |
|
26% |
How many other colleges besides BGSU admitted you this year?
|
|
1992
|
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| None |
NA |
|
35% |
|
31% |
| One |
NA |
|
29% |
|
30% |
| Two |
NA |
|
21% |
|
21% |
| Three or More |
NA |
|
15% |
|
19% |
Among colleges to attend, was BGSU your . . .
|
|
1992
|
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| First Choice |
76%
|
|
82% |
|
77% |
| Second Choice |
19%
|
|
16% |
|
20% |
| Less Than Second Choice |
5%
|
|
2% |
|
4% |
How important were each of the following in your decision to attend college in general? (Percent "Very Important")
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| To Prepare for a Professional Career |
NA |
|
88% |
|
86% |
| To Get a Better Job |
80% |
|
71% |
|
71% |
| To Be Able to Make More Money |
70% |
|
63% |
|
68% |
| To Learn More about Things That Interest me |
66% |
|
61% |
|
61% |
| To Gain a General Education |
54% |
|
51% |
|
47% |
| To Make Me a More Cultured Person |
32% |
|
29% |
|
32% |
| I Wanted to Get Away from Home |
20% |
|
22% |
|
30% |
| To Learn More About Other People |
NA |
|
24% |
|
27% |
| My Parents Wanted Me to Go |
32% |
|
25% |
|
26% |
| To Improve My Reading and Study Skills |
32% |
|
26% |
|
24% |
| A Mentor/Role Model Encouraged Me to Go |
10% |
|
10% |
|
13% |
How important were each of the following in your decision to attend BGSU? (Percent "Very Important")
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| BGSU graduates get good jobs |
37% |
|
50% |
|
48% |
| My BGSU visit was pleasant and friendly |
NA |
|
41% |
|
43% |
| BGSU¡¯s academic reputation |
53% |
|
38% |
|
37% |
| BGSU offers unique educational programs |
NA |
|
38% |
|
36% |
| I wanted to attend a school of BGSU's size |
37% |
|
31% |
|
35% |
| BGSU's graduates gain admission to top graduate/professional school |
15% |
|
38% |
|
34% |
| BGSU has an attractive campus |
NA |
|
28% |
|
32% |
| BGSU is in a small and safe community |
NA |
|
35% |
|
32% |
| BGSU's social reputation |
28% |
|
27% |
|
31% |
| the reputation of BGSU's faculty, staff, and students |
NA |
|
29% |
|
29% |
| BGSU takes student safety seriously |
NA |
|
28% |
|
27% |
| cost of tuition at BGSU |
35% |
|
19% |
|
20% |
Compared with the freshman in 1992, 2002 freshman were more likely to cite "BGSU graduates get good jobs" and "BGSU's graduates
gain admission to top graduate/professional school" as the important reasons to attend BGSU. They were, however, less likely
than 1992 freshman to indicate "BGSU's academic reputation" and "the cost of tuition at BGSU" as the important reasons for
selecting BGSU.
DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
How many miles from BGSU is your permanent home?
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| 10 miles or Less |
3% |
|
5% |
|
3% |
| 11 to 50 miles |
22% |
|
24% |
|
20% |
| 51 to 100 miles |
18% |
|
18% |
|
22% |
| 101 to 500 miles |
54% |
|
52% |
|
51% |
| Over 500 miles |
3% |
|
2% |
|
4% |
What is your best estimate of your parents' income?
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| Less than $30,000 |
20% |
|
8% |
|
7% |
| $30,000-$49,999 |
31% |
|
19% |
|
20% |
| $50,000-$74,999 |
32% |
|
30% |
|
32% |
| $75,000-$99,999 |
10% |
|
21% |
|
20% |
| $100,000 or More |
7% |
|
22% |
|
21% |
The percentage of students whose estimated parental income was $75,000 or more doubled from 17% in 1992 to 41% in 2002. The
percentage of students whose estimated parental income was $49,000 or below decreased from 51% in 1992 to 27% in 2002.
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 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| Parents |
70% |
|
74% |
|
74% |
| Other College Loan |
3% |
|
33% |
|
25% |
| Savings From Summer Work |
12% |
|
22% |
|
23% |
| Other College Grant/Scholarship |
6% |
|
26% |
|
21% |
| Other Loan |
4% |
|
18% |
|
16% |
| Other Savings |
9% |
|
17% |
|
17% |
| Ford Direct Subsidized Loan |
NA |
|
28% |
|
11% |
| College Work Study |
3% |
|
13% |
|
10% |
| Pell Grant |
3% |
|
11% |
|
9% |
| Other Source |
1% |
|
8% |
|
8% |
| Part-Time Job On Campus |
3% |
|
7% |
|
7% |
| Perkins Loan |
1% |
|
6% |
|
6% |
| Part-Time Job Off Campus |
1% |
|
4% |
|
5% |
| Ohio Instructional Grant |
NA |
|
3% |
|
4% |
| Other Private Grant |
2% |
|
2% |
|
3% |
How concerned are you about your ability to finance your college education?
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| Not at All |
27% |
|
30% |
|
28% |
| Somewhat |
56% |
|
54% |
|
54% |
| Very |
17% |
|
16% |
|
18% |
How many hours per week during the school year do you plan to be employed?
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| None |
NA |
|
28% |
|
23% |
| 1 to 9 |
NA |
|
21% |
|
20% |
| 10 to 19 |
NA |
|
39% |
|
44% |
| 20 to 39 |
NA |
|
12% |
|
13% |
| 40 or More |
NA |
|
0% |
|
1% |
The vast majority (98%) of respondents indicated that English is their native language and 72% of them reported that both
of their parents are alive and living together.
For each of the following items, please indicate your level of involvement while in 9th-12th grade (Percent "Highly Involved"):
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
|
Athletics
|
NA |
|
66% |
|
65% |
|
Part-time job
|
NA |
|
55% |
|
55% |
|
Community service
|
NA |
|
30% |
|
26% |
|
Band or orchestra
|
NA |
|
28% |
|
22% |
|
Religious organization
|
NA |
|
27% |
|
22% |
|
Choir or vocal ensemble
|
NA |
|
22% |
|
19% |
|
Theatre
|
NA |
|
21% |
|
16% |
|
Academic honor society
|
NA |
|
18% |
|
11% |
|
Student council
|
NA |
|
18% |
|
12% |
|
Yearbook
|
NA |
|
17% |
|
10% |
|
Class officer
|
NA |
|
14% |
|
10% |
|
Newspaper
|
NA |
|
11% |
|
7% |
|
Debate
|
NA |
|
4% |
|
3% |
|
ROTC
|
NA |
|
2% |
|
1% |
What is the highest level of formal education obtained by your parents?
| |
Father |
Mother |
| High school graduate |
27% |
31% |
| Some college |
17% |
17% |
| College degree |
30% |
29% |
| Graduate degree |
17% |
14% |
| |
|
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
Mother and father high school or less:
At least one parent a college graduate:
Both parents college graduates:
|
|
NA
NA
NA
|
|
18%
59%
29%
|
|
17%
60%
30%
|
Your Father's Occupation:
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| Business |
29% |
|
23% |
|
31% |
| Other |
24% |
|
20% |
|
23% |
| Computer programmer or analyst |
NA |
|
8% |
|
8% |
| Semi-skilled worker |
10% |
|
11% |
|
7% |
Your Mother's Occupation:
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| Other |
24% |
|
22% |
|
27% |
| Business |
22% |
|
13% |
|
13% |
| Lawyer (attorney) or judge |
0% |
|
9% |
|
10% |
| Therapist |
NA |
|
9% |
|
10% |
| Farmer or forester |
2% |
|
8% |
|
7% |
Your Probable Occupation:
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2001 |
| Undecided |
13% |
|
18% |
|
17% |
| Business |
13% |
|
17% |
|
15% |
| Other |
10% |
|
13% |
|
15% |
| Therapist |
7% |
|
11% |
|
11% |
| Teacher or administrator |
16% |
|
10% |
|
9% |
What is the highest degree you plan to obtain anywhere?
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| Bachelor's |
39% |
|
14% |
|
13% |
| Master's |
43% |
|
64% |
|
66% |
| Doctorate |
9% |
|
10% |
|
9% |
| Professional |
6% |
|
12% |
|
10% |
What is the highest degree you plan to obtain at BGSU?
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| Bachelor's |
NA |
|
78% |
|
78% |
| Master's |
NA |
|
19% |
|
19% |
| Doctorate |
NA |
|
1% |
|
2% |
Although increased number of students would like to obtain a Master's degree anywhere between early 1990's and early 2000's,
their most frequent academic goal at BGSU is a Bachelor's degree.
Do you feel that you will need any special tutoring or remedial work in any of the following subjects?
| |
1992 |
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| English |
NA |
|
6% |
|
14% |
| Reading |
NA |
|
2% |
|
4% |
| Mathematics |
NA |
|
24% |
|
42% |
| Social Studies |
NA |
|
2% |
|
3% |
| Science |
NA |
|
7% |
|
12% |
| Foreign Language |
NA |
|
8% |
|
13% |
Compared with 2001 freshman, 2002 freshman were more concerned about their academic preparation for college work, especially
in the area of mathematics.
EXPECTATIONS AND VALUES INFORMATION
What is your estimate of the chance that you will . . . (Percent "Very Good")
| |
1992
|
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
| get a Bachelor's Degree |
77% |
|
78% |
|
74% |
| find a job in my major after graduation |
63% |
|
72% |
|
70% |
| be satisfied with BGSU |
53% |
|
60% |
|
56% |
| get a job to help pay for college expenses |
47% |
|
54% |
|
49% |
| make at least a "B" average |
48% |
|
46% |
|
41% |
| join a social club, fraternity, or sorority |
11% |
|
19% |
|
21% |
| participate in volunteer or community service work |
16% |
|
15% |
|
18% |
| change your major |
17% |
|
18% |
|
17% |
| play varsity intercollegiate athletics |
8% |
|
12% |
|
13% |
| change your career choice |
17% |
|
15% |
|
14% |
| graduate with honors |
12% |
|
11% |
|
9% |
| join a student professional/government organization |
NA |
|
6% |
|
8% |
| need extra time to complete your degree |
15% |
|
5% |
|
6% |
| work full time while attending college |
1% |
|
4% |
|
5% |
| participate in student protests/demonstrations |
7% |
|
4% |
|
5% |
| transfer to another college before graduation |
6% |
|
3% |
|
5% |
| get married while in college |
4% |
|
2% |
|
4% |
| be elected to an academic honor society |
6% |
|
5% |
|
4% |
| be elected to a student office |
1% |
|
2% |
|
2% |
| fail one or more courses |
1% |
|
1% |
|
1% |
| drop out of college permanently |
0% |
|
0% |
|
1% |
| drop out of college temporarily |
1% |
|
0% |
|
0% |
Compa | 
