who is coming to college? 2012 cirp freshman survey results

Who is Coming to College? 2012 CIRP Freshman Survey Results

Lunch with LawlorChicago, IL

February 9, 2013

John H. PryorDirector, Cooperative Institutional Research Program

Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA

Higher Education Research Institute

We believe inthe transformative power of higher education

CIRP Freshman Survey

• Comprehensive survey of incoming first-time full-time college students at four-year institutions

• Beginning of longitudinal research program that continues with the YFCY, DLE, and CSS

• 47th year and over 15 million students total

Social Media

@john_h_pryor

Hey Barack…this CIRP data is insightful! #highered #aacu13

CIRP Freshman Survey 2012

• Administered at – 389 four-year institutions– 236,937 students

• “Norms” – 283 four-year institutions– 192,912 students– Weighted to 1.5 million

entering four-year institutions

CIRP Conceptual Framework• Student experience is comprehensive, multifaceted and

inter-related, not focused on one or two issues

• Look at cognitive and affective domains

• Collect data that is:– Behavioral (what students do, i.e., study, interact, etc)– Psychological (attitudes, values, self-concept)– Environmental (campus climate, residence type)

Astin’s I-E-O Model

INPUT

CIRP Freshman Survey(previous academic performance,

financial concerns, expectations, degree aspirations,

self-concept in high school, race, sex)

ENVIRONMENT

YFCY/DLE/CSS(e.g., residence, interactions

with peers and faculty, curricularand co-curricular experiences)

OUTCOME

YFCY/DLE/CSS(gains in college, satisfaction with

college, retention, post-college plans)

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

2010 201250%

55%

60%

65%

70%

Reasons to go to College(% Indicating “Very Important”)

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

40

50

60

70

80

90

100 To be able to get a better job

To be able to make more money

To gain a general education and appreciation of ideas

% o

f Stu

dent

s

Most important objective:Being well off financially

1966

1968

1970

1972

1974

1976

1978

1980

1982

1984

1986

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Being very well off fi-nancially

Developing a meaningful philosophy of life

% o

f Stu

dent

s

Most important objective:Being well off financially

1966

1968

1970

1972

1974

1976

1978

1980

1982

1984

1986

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Being very well off fi-nancially

Raising a fam-ily

Developing a meaningful philosophy of life

% o

f Stu

dent

s

Increased Importance of Financial Reasons(% Indicating “Very Important”)

1972

1974

1976

1978

1980

1982

1984

1986

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

I was offered financial assistanceThe cost of attending this collegeCould not afford first choiceNot offered aid by first choice

% o

f Stu

dent

s

The First Choice Gap

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

64.160.7 60.7 60.5

57.9 59.3

80.6 77.8 79.2 78.976.0 76.7

Attending First choice Accepted First Choice

% o

f Stu

dent

s

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

Time to Degree• New in 2012

• “How many years do you expect it will take you to graduate from this college?”

• Importance in college choice:– “The percentage of students who graduate from

this college”

Time to Degree• Only 8.6% believe they will take 5 years

– National figure is 15.8%

• 2.7% believe they will take 6 years– National figure is 4.5%

5yr Degree and Prospective Major

19.1% Engineering14.0% English

Public Private

College 11.3% 4.3%

University 7.8% 15.0%

Time to Degree“The percentage of students that

graduate from this college”

was “very important” to only

30.4%

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

Support for Same-Sex Marriage(% Indicating “Agree Strongly” or “Agree Somewhat”)

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

% o

f Stu

dent

s

Support for Same-Sex Marriage(% Indicating “Agree Strongly” or “Agree Somewhat”)

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Liberal Middle of the Road Conservative

% o

f Stu

dent

s

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

Liberal/Far Left Middle of the Road Conservative/Far Right0

10

20

30

40

50

60

30.3

44.2

25.526.4

48.0

25.6

37.4

42.5

20.0

32.3

47.0

20.7

Men 2008Men 2012Women 2008Women 2012

% o

f Stu

dent

sPolitical Orientation in 2008 and 2012, by Sex

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

70.3

58.2

39.5

20.1

62.7 61.1

41.9

23.0

2008

2012

% o

f Stu

dent

sSupport for Social and Political Views, by Year

(% Indicating “Agree Strongly” or “Agree Somewhat”)

Liberal/Far Left Middle of the Road Conservative/Far Right0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

73.7

59.9

41.0

82.4

66.4

38.1

2008 2012

% o

f Stu

dent

sWealthy Should Pay More Taxes

(% Indicating “Agree Strongly” or “Agree Somewhat”)

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

Updated Majors• Reflect contemporary majors

– Biology (from 8 to 12)– Engineering (from 8-13)– Business (from 8 – 12)

• No large changes between categories

• Business continues to be the largest (14.4%)– 14.1% Health professions– 12.6% Biological sciences– 10.4% Engineering

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

New for 2012

19.3% Pre-med

6.3% Pre-law

Pre-Med Pre-LawBiological & Life Sciences 43.7 2.7

Health Professions 31.7 1.5

Social Science 5.7 12.7

Undecided 4.3 6.7

Engineering 3.7 2.4

Physical Science 3.7 0.7Other (Agriculture, Education, English, Fine Arts, Math/Computer Scienced, Library Science, Other Non-technical)

3.6 9.0

Business 1.7 18.1

Arts & Humanities 0.9 5.0

History or Political Science 0.4 26.6

Justice and Security 0.4  14.6 

Academic Major Intentions among Pre-Med and Pre-Law Students

HBCU Differences

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities enroll the largest percentage of both

– Pre-med22.9% vs 19.3%

– Pre-law• 10.5% vs 6.3%

Occupational Connections

• Pre-med– 35.7% Physicians– 11.7%Nurses– 2.1% Research Scientists

Occupational Connections

• Pre-law– 46.8% Attorney– 11.3%Business– 6.8% Law enforcement– 5.1% Government

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

New for 2012

Historically asked how many years of a subject (English, Math, Music, etc)recommended years in Nation at Risk

Research on math level indicates a connection with retention

Pre-calculus/Trigonometry Calculus AP Probability & Statistics AP Calculus0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

63.5

12.6

7.4 8.6

74.2

20.0

10.7

18.7

78.6

28.1

12.4

22.2

85.0

33.8

18.3

37.2

91.2

47.3

23.3

48.9

HBCUs

Public 4-Year Colleges

Private 4-Year Colleges

Public Universities

Private Universities

% o

f Stu

dent

s

Type of High School Math Courses Completed

Pre-calculus/Trigonometry Calculus AP Calculus AP Probability & Statistics0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

80.3

28.9 28.3

15.1

85.3

35.7 37.6

16.7

Not Pre-MedPre-Med

% o

f Stu

dent

sType of High School Math Courses Completed,

by Pre-Med Intention

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

Slight Rise in Selected Habits of Mind(% Indicating “Frequently” or “Occasionally”)

2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Ask questions in class

Accept mistakes as part of the learning process

Revise your papers to improve your writing

Evaluate the quality or re-liability of information you received

Look up scientific re-search articles and resources

% o

f Stu

dent

s

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

Trend of “Felt Overwhelmed by All I Had to Do”(% Indicating “Frequently”)

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

% o

f Stu

dent

s

Felt Overwhelmed by All I had To Do(% Indicating “Frequently”)

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Women Men

% o

f Stu

dent

s

High Emotional Health High Social Self-Concept High Academic Self-Concept0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

67.4

34.429.0

40.2

23.420.5

Not at all OverwhelmedFrequently Overwhelmed

% o

f Stu

dent

sImpact of Feeling Overwhelmed

Impact of Economics

Expectations and Reality of Time to Graduation

Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Political Views and Orientation between 2008 and 2012

Revised Majors in 2012

Pre-Med or Pre-Law Track

Differences in Math Preparation

Specific Habits of Mind on the Rise

Feeling Overwhelmed as High School Seniors

Where Students Reside

Living Plans for Fall

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

College residence

With parents or relatives

Other private home, apartment, room

% o

f Stu

dent

s

Students Living with Family

• Important factor in college choice – Cost (57.3% vs 40.1%)– Live near home (49.0% vs 13.7%)

• Financing college– Using loans (48.7% vs 62.3%)– Not using any family resources (21.1% vs 12.7%)

Students Living with Family

• “Very good” chance of transfer– 10.0% vs 5.2%

• Need extra time to complete degree – 7.9% vs 5.4%

Conclusions

• Economic impact intensifies– All time highs

• At the same time, few see time to degree as important as it should be

• Students identify more with “middle of the road” politically, yet hold liberal views

• More students entering having felt overwhelmed

For More Information

www.heri.ucla.edu

john.pryor@ucla.edu