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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 2001 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 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 2,972 questionnaires were
returned. This represents a 83% response rate from among the 3,575 new
freshmen who participated in summer 2001 Orientation and
Registration Program. 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. A complete listing of all questionnaire responses is
provided here.
ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT-RELATED INFORMATION
How many other
colleges besides BGSU did you apply to?
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| None |
28% |
|
29% |
|
29% |
| 1 |
20% |
|
25% |
|
24% |
| 2 |
23% |
|
25% |
|
25% |
| Three or
More |
29% |
|
21% |
|
22% |
How many other
colleges besides BGSU admitted you this year?
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| None |
NA |
|
34% |
|
35% |
| One |
NA |
|
29% |
|
29% |
| Two |
NA |
|
22% |
|
21% |
| Three or More |
NA |
|
16% |
|
15% |
Among colleges to
attend, was BGSU your . . .
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| First Choice |
81% |
|
84% |
|
82% |
| Second Choice |
16% |
|
15% |
|
16% |
| 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")
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| To Prepare for a Professional Career |
NA |
|
88% |
|
88% |
| To Get a Better Job |
82% |
|
73% |
|
71% |
| To Be Able to Make More Money |
72% |
|
63% |
|
63% |
| To Learn More about Things That Interest me
|
68% |
|
62% |
|
61% |
| To Gain a General Education |
55% |
|
51% |
|
51% |
| To Make Me a More Cultured Person |
34% |
|
29% |
|
29% |
| To Improve My Reading and Study Skills |
29% |
|
28% |
|
26% |
| My Parents Wanted Me to Go |
30% |
|
24% |
|
25% |
| To Learn More About Other People |
NA |
|
25% |
|
24% |
| I Wanted to Get Away from
Home |
21% |
|
21% |
|
22% |
| A Mentor/Role Model
Encouraged Me to Go |
NA |
|
11% |
|
10% |
How important
were each of the following in your decision to attend BGSU? (Percent "Very
Important")
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| BGSU graduates get good jobs |
NA |
|
50% |
|
50% |
| My BGSU visit was pleasant and friendly |
NA |
|
42% |
|
41% |
| BGSU offers unique educational programs |
NA |
|
40% |
|
38% |
| BGSU’s academic reputation |
NA |
|
39% |
|
38% |
DEMOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION
How many miles from BGSU is your
permanent home?
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| 10 miles or Less |
2% |
|
4% |
|
5% |
| 11 to 50 miles |
19% |
|
23% |
|
24% |
| 51 to 100 miles |
19% |
|
18% |
|
18% |
| 101 to 500 miles |
58% |
|
53% |
|
52% |
| Over 500
miles |
2% |
|
3% |
|
2% |
What is your best estimate of your parents' income?
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| Less than $30,000 |
18% |
|
8% |
|
8% |
| $30,000-$49,999 |
33% |
|
18% |
|
19% |
| $50,000-$74,999 |
31% |
|
33% |
|
30% |
| $75,000-$99,999 |
10% |
|
21% |
|
21% |
| $100,000 or More |
8% |
|
20% |
|
22% |
Compared with 1991, the
percentage of students whose estimated parental income was $75,000 or more
doubled from 18% in 1991 to 43% in 2001. The percentage of students whose
estimated parental income was $49,000 or below decreased from 51% in 1991
to 27% in 2001.
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)
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| Parents |
69% |
|
73% |
|
74% |
| Other College Loan |
3% |
|
29% |
|
33% |
| Ford Direct Subsidized Loan |
NA |
|
27% |
|
28% |
| Other College Grant/Scholarship |
5% |
|
26% |
|
26% |
| Savings From Summer Work |
12% |
|
23% |
|
22% |
| Other Loan |
3% |
|
15% |
|
18% |
| Other Savings |
9% |
|
17% |
|
17% |
| College Work Study |
2% |
|
11% |
|
13% |
| Pell Grant |
3% |
|
10% |
|
11% |
| Other Source |
1% |
|
7% |
|
8% |
| Part-Time Job On Campus |
2% |
|
6% |
|
7% |
| Perkins Loan |
1% |
|
9% |
|
6% |
| Part-Time Job Off Campus |
1% |
|
4% |
|
4% |
| Ohio Instructional Grant |
NA |
|
3% |
|
3% |
| Other Private Grant |
NA |
|
3% |
|
2% |
How concerned are you about your ability to finance
your college education?
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| Not at All |
NA |
|
29% |
|
30% |
| Somewhat |
NA |
|
56% |
|
54% |
| Very |
NA |
|
15% |
|
16% |
How many hours per week during the school year
do you plan to be employed?
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| None |
NA |
|
29% |
|
28% |
| 1 to 9 |
NA |
|
20% |
|
21% |
| 10 to 19 |
NA |
|
40% |
|
39% |
| 20 to 39 |
NA |
|
11% |
|
12% |
| 40 or More |
NA |
|
0% |
|
0% |
The vast majority (99%) of respondents indicated that English is their
native language and 74% 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"):
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
Athletics |
NA |
|
64% |
|
66% |
Part-time job |
NA |
|
54% |
|
55% |
Community service |
NA |
|
30% |
|
30% |
Band or orchestra |
NA |
|
27% |
|
28% |
Religious organization |
NA |
|
26% |
|
27% |
Choir or vocal ensemble |
NA |
|
22% |
|
22% |
Theatre |
NA |
|
22% |
|
21% |
Academic honor society |
NA |
|
18% |
|
18% |
Student council |
NA |
|
17% |
|
18% |
Yearbook |
NA |
|
16% |
|
17% |
Class officer |
NA |
|
15% |
|
14% |
Newspaper |
NA |
|
12% |
|
11% |
Debate |
NA |
|
4% |
|
4% |
ROTC |
NA |
|
1% |
|
2% |
What is the highest level of formal
education obtained by your parents?
|
Father |
Mother |
| High school graduate |
30% |
32% |
| Some college |
17% |
17% |
| College degree |
29% |
29% |
| Graduate degree |
15% |
13% |
|
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
Mother and father high school or less:
At least one parent a college graduate:
Both parents college graduates: |
|
NA
NA
NA |
|
19%
59%
29% |
|
18%
59%
29% |
Your Father's Occupation
(10% or More Than 10% of Respondents):
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| Business |
30% |
|
33% |
|
23% |
| Other |
25% |
|
18% |
|
20% |
| Semi-skilled worker |
5% |
|
3% |
|
11% |
Your Mother's Occupation (10% or
More Than 10% of Respondents):
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| Other |
24% |
|
20% |
|
22% |
| Business |
22% |
|
25% |
|
13% |
| Actor, Artist, or Musician |
1% |
|
0% |
|
11% |
Your Probable Occupation
(10% or More Than 10% of Respondents):
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| Undecided |
11% |
|
19% |
|
18% |
| Business |
15% |
|
15% |
|
17% |
| Other |
10% |
|
11% |
|
13% |
| Therapist |
6% |
|
2% |
|
11% |
| Teacher or administrator |
20% |
|
23% |
|
10% |
2001 students
were more likely to report that they would become therapists and less
likely to report that they would become teachers or administrators than
were earlier groups of first year students.
What is the highest degree you plan
to obtain anywhere?
| |
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| Bachelor's |
34% |
|
13% |
|
14% |
| Master's |
44% |
|
62% |
|
64% |
| Doctorate |
12% |
|
12% |
|
10% |
| Professional |
7% |
|
12% |
|
12% |
What is the highest degree you plan
to obtain at BGSU?
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| Bachelor's |
72% |
|
75% |
|
78% |
| Master's |
20% |
|
22% |
|
19% |
| Doctorate |
3% |
|
2% |
|
1% |
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?
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| English |
10% |
|
6% |
|
6% |
| Reading |
5% |
|
2% |
|
2% |
| Mathematics |
27% |
|
21% |
|
24% |
| Social Studies |
2% |
|
1% |
|
2% |
| Science |
12% |
|
6% |
|
7% |
| Foreign Language |
10% |
|
7% |
|
8% |
Like the years before, 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")
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| get a Bachelor's Degree |
79% |
|
77% |
|
78% |
| find a job in my major after
graduation |
72% |
|
71% |
|
72% |
| be satisfied with BGSU |
52% |
|
60% |
|
60% |
| get a job to help pay for college |
48% |
|
51% |
|
54% |
| make at least a B average |
44% |
|
48% |
|
46% |
What is your estimate of the chance that you will
. . . (Percent "None")
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| drop out of college permanently |
NA |
|
89% |
|
91% |
| drop out of college temporarily |
NA |
|
78% |
|
79% |
| get married while in college |
NA |
|
52% |
|
54% |
| fail one or more courses |
NA |
|
47% |
|
46% |
| work full-time while attending |
NA |
|
40% |
|
39% |
| transfer to another college before
graduation |
NA |
|
39% |
|
38% |
How important are each of the following to you?
(Percent "Essential" or "Very Important")
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| being very well off financially |
71% |
|
83% |
|
84% |
| raising a family |
72% |
|
78% |
|
78% |
| helping others in difficulty |
60% |
|
69% |
|
69% |
| becoming an authority in my field |
69% |
|
64% |
|
64% |
| obtaining recognition from my colleagues for
my contributions |
55% |
|
53% |
|
56% |
| influencing social values |
41% |
|
48% |
|
49% |
| Becoming successful in a business of my own |
35% |
|
48% |
|
48% |
How important are each of the following to you?
(Percent "Not Important")
|
1991 |
|
2000 |
|
2001 |
| writing original works (poems, novels,
etc.) |
NA |
|
54% |
|
56% |
| becoming accomplished in the arts |
NA |
|
56% |
|
55% |
| creating artistic works |
NA |
|
54% |
|
52% |
| making a contribution to science |
NA |
|
45% |
|
46% |
| influencing the political structure |
NA |
|
36% |
|
36% |
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
This report continues a nearly 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.
The
results of 2001 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 primarily 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 that students choose BGSU.
2001 Freshmen are mostly from in-state and
middle class family. 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
1991 and now. Most of the respondents participated in
athletics and had a part-time job during their high
school years. More than 70% of them still wanted to be employed during their
college year. Their most frequent academic goal at BGSU is a Bachelor’s
Degree in "undecided" or business. Mathematics is the
sole area where a sizeable percentage of freshmen (24%) are concerned
about their academic preparation for college work.
The respondents seemed to be highly
confident in their abilities. Most of them are very positive about
their chances of earning a Bachelor’s Degree, finding a job in their
field after graduation, and being satisfied with BGSU. The majority of
them predict that they will not drop out college temporarily or
permanently. 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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