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Abstract
Background and Methodology
Enrollment Management-Related Information
Demographic Information
Expectations and Values Information
Summary and Conclusions
BFYSQ Item Responses
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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