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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 1999 administration of the BGSU First Year Student Questionnaire (BFYSQ) to
new main campus freshmen. 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¡¯ expectations, values, and self-ratings.
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 summer before
they matriculate.
The BFYSQ was distributed to all new first year students registered for BGSU¡¯s Orientation and Registration Program. A total
of 3,207 questionnaires were returned. This represents a 93% response rate from among the 3,445 students attending Orientation
and Registration in July. BFYSQ results were analyzed by noting the percentages of participants who provided various responses
to each questionnaire item. Results were 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?
| |
1990
|
|
1998
|
|
1999
|
| None |
26%
|
|
31%
|
|
28% |
| 1 |
24%
|
|
25%
|
|
26% |
| 2 |
24%
|
|
22%
|
|
25% |
| Three or More |
26%
|
|
22%
|
|
21% |
How many other colleges besides BGSU admitted you this year?
|
|
1990
|
|
1998
|
|
1999
|
| None |
NA |
|
39%
|
|
32% |
| One |
NA |
|
31%
|
|
30% |
| Two |
NA |
|
17%
|
|
23% |
| Three or More |
NA |
|
13%
|
|
15% |
Among colleges to attend, was BGSU your . . .
|
|
1990
|
|
1998
|
|
1999 |
| First Choice |
82%
|
|
84%
|
|
84% |
| Second Choice |
15%
|
|
14%
|
|
14% |
| Less Than Second Choice |
3%
|
|
2%
|
|
2% |
How important were each of the following in your decision to attend college in general? (Percent "Very Important")
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| To Prepare for a Professional Career |
NA |
|
93% |
|
89% |
| To Get a Better Job |
80% |
|
83% |
|
77% |
| To Be Able to Make More Money |
69% |
|
69% |
|
66% |
| To Learn More about Things That Interest me |
66% |
|
74% |
|
63% |
| To Gain a General Education |
55% |
|
64% |
|
52% |
| To Make Me a More Cultured Person |
34% |
|
43% |
|
31% |
| To Improve My Reading and Study Skills |
34% |
|
35% |
|
29% |
| To Learn More About Other People |
NA |
|
33% |
|
25% |
How important were each of the following in your decision to attend BGSU? (Percent "Very Important")
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| BGSU graduates get good jobs |
37% |
|
63% |
|
53% |
| My BGSU visit was pleasant and friendly |
NA |
|
55% |
|
42% |
| BGSU¡¯s academic reputation |
54% |
|
53% |
|
42% |
| BGSU offers unique educational programs |
16% |
|
52% |
|
41% |
DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
How many miles from BGSU is your permanent home?
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| 10 miles or Less |
2% |
|
3% |
|
4% |
| 11 to 50 miles |
22% |
|
23% |
|
23% |
| 51 to 100 miles |
18% |
|
18% |
|
19% |
| 101 to 500 miles |
56% |
|
54% |
|
53% |
| Over 500 miles |
2% |
|
2% |
|
2% |
What is your best estimate of your parents' income?
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| Less than $30,000 |
18% |
|
10% |
|
9% |
| $30,000-$49,999 |
35% |
|
20% |
|
20% |
| $50,000-$74,999 |
32% |
|
36% |
|
34% |
| $75,000-$99,999 |
7% |
|
19% |
|
20% |
| $100,000 or More |
7% |
|
15% |
|
18% |
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)
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| Parents |
68% |
|
74% |
|
75% |
| Other College Loan |
2% |
|
24% |
|
32% |
| Ford Direct Subsidized Loan |
11% |
|
28% |
|
27% |
| Other College Grant/Scholarship |
6% |
|
24% |
|
26% |
| Savings From Summer Work |
12% |
|
21% |
|
21% |
| Other Savings |
8% |
|
15% |
|
16% |
| Other Loan |
3% |
|
13% |
|
15% |
| Pell Grant |
2% |
|
9% |
|
11% |
| Perkins Loan |
1% |
|
6% |
|
7% |
| Other Source |
1% |
|
6% |
|
8% |
| College Work Study |
1% |
|
6% |
|
5% |
| Part-Time Job On Campus |
1% |
|
4% |
|
5% |
| Other Private Grant |
2% |
|
6% |
|
4% |
| Part-Time Job Off Campus |
0% |
|
3% |
|
4% |
| Ohio Instructional Grant |
2% |
|
3% |
|
2% |
How concerned are you about your ability to finance your college education?
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| Not at All |
NA |
|
28% |
|
32% |
| Somewhat |
NA |
|
58% |
|
55% |
| Very |
NA |
|
14% |
|
13% |
How many hours per week during the school year do you plan to be employed?
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| None |
NA |
|
28% |
|
30% |
| 1 to 9 |
NA |
|
20% |
|
23% |
| 10 to 19 |
NA |
|
42% |
|
37% |
| 20 to 39 |
NA |
|
10% |
|
10% |
| 40 or More |
NA |
|
0% |
|
0% |
What is the highest level of formal education obtained by your parents?
| |
Father |
Mother |
| High school graduate |
29% |
34% |
| Some college |
19% |
20% |
| College degree |
29% |
25% |
| Graduate degree |
14% |
11% |
Mother and father high school or less:
At least one parent a college graduate:
Both parents college graduates:
|
|
18%
57%
26%
|
Your Father's Occupation (10% or More Than 10% of Respondents):
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| Business |
30% |
|
28% |
|
32% |
| Other |
23% |
|
17% |
|
17% |
| Skilled Trades |
10% |
|
11% |
|
12% |
Your Mother's Occupation(10% or More Than 10% of Respondents):
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| Business |
21% |
|
21% |
|
26% |
| Other |
23% |
|
23% |
|
20% |
| Teacher |
15% |
|
13% |
|
14% |
Your Probable Occupation (10% or More Than 10% of Respondents):
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| Teacher or administrator |
18% |
|
18% |
|
21% |
| Undecided |
11% |
|
17% |
|
20% |
| Business |
14% |
|
12% |
|
14% |
| Other |
10% |
|
11% |
|
11% |
What is the highest degree you plan to obtain anywhere?
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| Bachelor's |
31% |
|
8% |
|
11% |
| Master's |
47% |
|
70% |
|
69% |
| Doctorate |
12% |
|
11% |
|
9% |
| Professional |
7% |
|
10% |
|
11% |
What is the highest degree you plan to obtain at BGSU?
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| Bachelor's |
73% |
|
75% |
|
77% |
| Master's |
19% |
|
22% |
|
21% |
| Doctorate |
2% |
|
1% |
|
1% |
The vast majority of respondents reported that English is their native language and that both of their parents are alive and
living together.
Do you feel that you will need any special tutoring or remedial work in any of the following subjects?
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| English |
NA |
|
NA |
|
5% |
| Reading |
NA |
|
NA |
|
2% |
| Mathematics |
NA |
|
NA |
|
24% |
| Social Studies |
NA |
|
NA |
|
2% |
| Science |
NA |
|
NA |
|
6% |
| Foreign Language |
NA |
|
NA |
|
7% |
Mathematics is the only subject where a sizeable percentage of freshmen are concerned about their academic preparation for
college work.
EXPECTATIONS AND VALUES INFORMATION
What is your estimate of the chance that you will . . . (Percent "Very Good")
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| get a Bachelor's Degree |
81% |
|
82% |
|
75% |
| find a job in my major after graduation |
71% |
|
74% |
|
69% |
| be satisfied with BGSU |
52% |
|
65% |
|
58% |
| get a job to help pay for college |
46% |
|
57% |
|
51% |
| make at least a B average |
44% |
|
54% |
|
46% |
What is your estimate of the chance that you will . . . (Percent "None")
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| drop out of college permanently |
NA |
|
90% |
|
87% |
| drop out of college temporarily |
NA |
|
74% |
|
73% |
| get married while in college |
NA |
|
45% |
|
48% |
| fail one or more courses |
NA |
|
46% |
|
41% |
| work full-time while attending |
NA |
|
41% |
|
38% |
The percentage of freshmen who estimated the chances as very good that they will make at least a B average, be satisfied with
BGSU, get a Bachelor's Degree, and find a job after graduation declined between 1998 and 1999. At the same period of time
the percentage of students who estimate no chance that they will fail one or more courses also decreased.
How do you rate yourself on each of the following? (Percent "Above Average" or "Highest 10%")
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| Honesty |
NA |
|
94% |
|
78% |
| Cooperativeness |
77% |
|
90% |
|
73% |
| Understanding of Others |
69% |
|
94% |
|
68% |
| Drive to Achieve |
70% |
|
91% |
|
68% |
| Emotional Health |
54% |
|
84% |
|
61% |
| Leadership Ability |
49% |
|
90% |
|
60% |
| Academic Ability |
70% |
|
86% |
|
56% |
| Creativity |
NA |
|
78% |
|
56% |
| Physical Health |
54% |
|
86% |
|
54% |
| Competitiveness |
52% |
|
82% |
|
54% |
| Social Self-Confidence |
36% |
|
80% |
|
52% |
| Intellectual Self-Confidence |
48% |
|
68% |
|
52% |
| Physical Appearance |
NA |
|
82% |
|
44% |
| Popularity |
37% |
|
72% |
|
40% |
| Stubbornness |
NA |
|
75% |
|
37% |
| Mathematical Ability |
38% |
|
77% |
|
36% |
| Public Speaking Ability |
28% |
|
65% |
|
35% |
| Writing Ability |
45% |
|
71% |
|
34% |
| Artistic Ability |
25% |
|
63% |
|
29% |
The 1999 freshmen rated themselves less highly on nearly all attributes listed above as contrasted with the 1998 results.
How important are each of the following to you? (Percent "Essential" or "Very Important")
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| being very well off financially |
64% |
|
77% |
|
81% |
| raising a family |
73% |
|
80% |
|
79% |
| helping others in difficulty |
61% |
|
73% |
|
69% |
| becoming an authority in my field |
63% |
|
64% |
|
65% |
| obtaining recognition from my colleagues for my contributions |
NA |
|
53% |
|
57% |
| influencing social values |
41% |
|
53% |
|
53% |
How important are each of the following to you? (Percent "Not Important")
| |
1990 |
|
1998 |
|
1999 |
| becoming accomplished in the arts |
NA |
|
58% |
|
56% |
| writing original works (poems, novels, etc.) |
NA |
|
54% |
|
53% |
| creating artistic works |
NA |
|
54% |
|
52% |
| making a contribution to science |
NA |
|
44% |
|
42% |
| influencing the political structure |
NA |
|
37% |
|
30% |
| becoming successful in a business of my own |
NA |
|
23% |
|
21% |
| becoming a community leader |
NA |
|
25% |
|
19% |
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
This report continues a more than twenty-five 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.
The results of the current study are similar to those of prior "freshman survey" administrations. BGSU students continue to
be pragmatic and vocationally oriented. Freshmen apply and are admitted to few other institutions. BGSU is their overwhelming
first choice. Their reasons for attending college are vocational and educational. The perceived career success of our graduates
coupled with academic reputation, unique educational programs and a pleasant and friendly campus visit are the principal reasons
students choose BGSU. Freshmen are mostly in-state and middle class. Their most frequent academic goal is a Bachelor¡¯s Degree
in education, business, or "undecided." Parents are clearly the greatest source of financial support for college. Most of
the respondents are very positive about their chances of earning a Bachelor¡¯s Degree, finding a job in their major after
graduation, and being satisfied with BGSU. Nearly none estimate that they will drop out of college temporarily or permanently.
Mathematics is the sole area where a sizeable percentage of freshmen (24%) are concerned about their academic preparation
for college work. The majority of freshmen rate themselves highly on honesty, cooperativeness, understanding of others, drive
to achieve, emotional health and leadership ability. Being very well off financially and raising a family are among their
most important goals.
Comparisons between years revealed some interesting findings. Of particular concern may be the findings that: (1) the percentage
of freshmen who estimate a very good chance that they will make at least a B average, be satisfied with BGSU, get a Bachelor's
Degree, and find a job after graduation declined at least 5% between 1998 and 1999. At the same period of time the percentage
of freshmen who estimate no chance that they will fail one or more courses also decreased 5%. (2) the 1999 freshman rated
themselves less highly than those in 1998 on nearly all attributes listed.
The Office of Institutional Research welcomes feedback concerning this and other studies and how they can continue to be improved.
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