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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 2000 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’ 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 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 2,824 questionnaires
were returned. This represents a 84% response rate from among the 3,372 new
first year full-time students enrolled in Fall 2000 at main campus. 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?
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| None |
26% |
|
28% |
|
29% |
| 1 |
24% |
|
26% |
|
25% |
| 2 |
24% |
|
25% |
|
25% |
| Three or
More |
26% |
|
21% |
|
21% |
How many other
colleges besides BGSU admitted you this year?
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| None |
NA |
|
32% |
|
34% |
| One |
NA |
|
30% |
|
29% |
| Two |
NA |
|
23% |
|
22% |
| Three or More |
NA |
|
15% |
|
16% |
Among colleges to
attend, was BGSU your . . .
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| First Choice |
82% |
|
84% |
|
84% |
| Second Choice |
15% |
|
14% |
|
15% |
| 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 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| To Prepare for a Professional Career |
NA |
|
89% |
|
88% |
| To Get a Better Job |
80% |
|
77% |
|
73% |
| To Be Able to Make More Money |
69% |
|
66% |
|
63% |
| To Learn More about Things That Interest me
|
66% |
|
63% |
|
62% |
| To Gain a General Education |
55% |
|
52% |
|
51% |
| To Make Me a More Cultured Person |
34% |
|
31% |
|
29% |
| To Improve My Reading and Study Skills |
34% |
|
29% |
|
28% |
| To Learn More About Other People |
NA |
|
25% |
|
25% |
How important
were each of the following in your decision to attend BGSU? (Percent "Very
Important")
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| BGSU graduates get good jobs |
37% |
|
53% |
|
50% |
| My BGSU visit was pleasant and friendly |
NA |
|
42% |
|
42% |
| BGSU offers unique educational programs |
16% |
|
41% |
|
40% |
| BGSU’s academic reputation |
54% |
|
42% |
|
39% |
DEMOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION
How many miles from BGSU is your
permanent home?
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| 10 miles or Less |
2% |
|
4% |
|
4% |
| 11 to 50 miles |
22% |
|
23% |
|
23% |
| 51 to 100 miles |
18% |
|
19% |
|
18% |
| 101 to 500 miles |
56% |
|
53% |
|
53% |
| Over 500
miles |
2% |
|
2% |
|
3% |
What is your best estimate of your parents' income?
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| Less than $30,000 |
18% |
|
9% |
|
8% |
| $30,000-$49,999 |
35% |
|
20% |
|
18% |
| $50,000-$74,999 |
32% |
|
34% |
|
33% |
| $75,000-$99,999 |
7% |
|
20% |
|
21% |
| $100,000 or More |
7% |
|
18% |
|
20% |
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 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| Parents |
68% |
|
75% |
|
73% |
| Other College Loan |
2% |
|
32% |
|
29% |
| Ford Direct Subsidized Loan |
11% |
|
27% |
|
27% |
| Other College Grant/Scholarship |
6% |
|
26% |
|
26% |
| Savings From Summer Work |
12% |
|
21% |
|
23% |
| Other Savings |
8% |
|
16% |
|
17% |
| Other Loan |
3% |
|
15% |
|
15% |
| College Work Study |
1% |
|
5% |
|
11% |
| Pell Grant |
2% |
|
11% |
|
10% |
| Perkins Loan |
1% |
|
7% |
|
9% |
| Other Source |
1% |
|
8% |
|
7% |
| Part-Time Job On Campus |
1% |
|
5% |
|
6% |
| Part-Time Job Off Campus |
0% |
|
4% |
|
4% |
| Other Private Grant |
2% |
|
4% |
|
3% |
| Ohio Instructional Grant |
2% |
|
2% |
|
3% |
The percentage of students who have expected to get their financial
support from other college loans, the ford direct subsidized loan, other
college grants/scholarships, savings, other loans, and college work study
increased between 1990 and 2000. How concerned are you about your ability to finance
your college education?
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| Not at All |
NA |
|
32% |
|
29% |
| Somewhat |
NA |
|
55% |
|
56% |
| Very |
NA |
|
13% |
|
15% |
How many hours per week during the school year
do you plan to be employed?
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| None |
NA |
|
30% |
|
29% |
| 1 to 9 |
NA |
|
23% |
|
20% |
| 10 to 19 |
NA |
|
37% |
|
40% |
| 20 to 39 |
NA |
|
10% |
|
11% |
| 40 or More |
NA |
|
0% |
|
0% |
For each of the following items, please indicate
your level of involvement while in 9th-12th grade (Percent "Highly
Involved"):
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
Athletics |
NA |
|
NA |
|
64% |
Part-time job |
NA |
|
NA |
|
54% |
Community service |
NA |
|
NA |
|
30% |
Band or orchestra |
NA |
|
NA |
|
27% |
Religious organization |
NA |
|
NA |
|
26% |
Choir or vocal ensemble |
NA |
|
NA |
|
22% |
Theatre |
NA |
|
NA |
|
22% |
Academic honor society |
NA |
|
NA |
|
18% |
Student council |
NA |
|
NA |
|
17% |
Yearbook |
NA |
|
NA |
|
16% |
Class officer |
NA |
|
NA |
|
15% |
Newspaper |
NA |
|
NA |
|
12% |
Debate |
NA |
|
NA |
|
4% |
ROTC |
NA |
|
NA |
|
1% |
What is the highest level of formal
education obtained by your parents?
|
Father |
Mother |
| High school graduate |
29% |
31% |
| Some college |
19% |
18% |
| College degree |
29% |
28% |
| Graduate degree |
15% |
12% |
Mother and father high school or less:
At least one parent a college graduate:
Both parents college graduates: |
|
19%
59%
29% |
Your Father's Occupation
(10% or More Than 10% of Respondents):
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| Business |
30% |
|
32% |
|
33% |
| Other |
23% |
|
17% |
|
18% |
| Skilled Trades |
10% |
|
12% |
|
12% |
Your Mother's Occupation (10% or
More Than 10% of Respondents):
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| Business |
21% |
|
26% |
|
25% |
| Other |
23% |
|
20% |
|
20% |
| Teacher |
15% |
|
14% |
|
17% |
| Nurse |
9% |
|
9% |
|
10% |
Your Probable Occupation
(10% or More Than 10% of Respondents):
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| Teacher or administrator |
18% |
|
21% |
|
23% |
| Undecided |
11% |
|
20% |
|
19% |
| Business |
14% |
|
14% |
|
15% |
| Other |
10% |
|
11% |
|
11% |
What is the highest degree you plan
to obtain anywhere?
| |
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| Bachelor's |
31% |
|
11% |
|
13% |
| Master's |
47% |
|
69% |
|
62% |
| Doctorate |
12% |
|
9% |
|
12% |
| Professional |
7% |
|
11% |
|
12% |
What is the highest degree you plan
to obtain at BGSU?
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| Bachelor's |
73% |
|
77% |
|
75% |
| Master's |
19% |
|
21% |
|
22% |
| Doctorate |
2% |
|
1% |
|
2% |
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 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| English |
NA |
|
5% |
|
6% |
| Reading |
NA |
|
2% |
|
2% |
| Mathematics |
NA |
|
24% |
|
21% |
| Social Studies |
NA |
|
2% |
|
1% |
| Science |
NA |
|
6% |
|
6% |
| Foreign Language |
NA |
|
7% |
|
7% |
As in 1999, 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 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| get a Bachelor's Degree |
81% |
|
75% |
|
77% |
| find a job in my major after
graduation |
71% |
|
69% |
|
71% |
| be satisfied with BGSU |
52% |
|
58% |
|
60% |
| get a job to help pay for college |
46% |
|
51% |
|
51% |
| make at least a B average |
44% |
|
46% |
|
48% |
What is your estimate of the chance that you will
. . . (Percent "None")
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| drop out of college permanently |
NA |
|
87% |
|
89% |
| drop out of college temporarily |
NA |
|
73% |
|
78% |
| get married while in college |
NA |
|
48% |
|
52% |
| fail one or more courses |
NA |
|
41% |
|
47% |
| work full-time while attending |
NA |
|
38% |
|
40% |
| transfer to another college before
graduation |
NA |
|
32% |
|
39% |
The percentage of freshmen who estimated the chances as none that they will
drop out of college, get married while in college, fail one or more courses, and
transfer to another college before graduation increased between 1999 and 2000.
How important are each of the following to you?
(Percent "Essential" or "Very Important")
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| being very well off financially |
64% |
|
81% |
|
83% |
| raising a family |
73% |
|
79% |
|
78% |
| helping others in difficulty |
61% |
|
69% |
|
69% |
| becoming an authority in my field |
63% |
|
65% |
|
64% |
| obtaining recognition from my colleagues for
my contributions |
NA |
|
57% |
|
53% |
| influencing social values |
41% |
|
53% |
|
48% |
| Becoming successful in a business of my own |
30% |
|
45% |
|
48% |
How important are each of the following to you?
(Percent "Not Important")
|
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
2000 |
| becoming accomplished in the arts |
NA |
|
56% |
|
56% |
| writing original works (poems, novels,
etc.) |
NA |
|
53% |
|
54% |
| creating artistic works |
NA |
|
52% |
|
54% |
| making a contribution to science |
NA |
|
42% |
|
45% |
| influencing the political structure |
NA |
|
30% |
|
36% |
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 2000 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 unique educational programs, academic reputation, and a pleasant
and friendly campus visit are the principal reasons students choose BGSU.
Freshmen are mostly in-state and middle class. Most of them participated in
athletics, religious organizations, band or orchestra, and community service
during their high school years. Their most frequent academic goal at BGSU is a
Bachelor’s Degree in education, "undecided", or business. Parents are still the
greatest source of financial support for college, but increased number of
students have expected to get their financial support from loans,
grants/scholarships, savings, and college work study between the early 1990's
and now. 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. Mathematics is the sole area where a sizeable
percentage of freshmen (21%) are concerned about their academic preparation for
college work. Being very well off financially and raising a family are among
their most important goals.
The Office of Institutional Research welcomes
feedback concerning this and other studies and how they can continue to be improved.
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