2008 Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) Results Presented by the Office of Planning and Assessment for Student Development CIRP Freshman

2008 Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) ResultsPresented by the Office of Planning and Assessment for Student Development

CIRP Freshman Survey 2008

The CIRP Freshman Survey is administered by the Higher Education Research Institute at University of California, Los Angeles. The questionnaire is designed to capture the high school experiences, behaviors, attitudes, expectations and beliefs of incoming first-time college students.

This presentation reveals the results of the survey administered to the Fall 2008 incoming freshmen cohort at UNT compared to two peer groups of public universities.


CIRP Designated Stratification Levels

Stratification Level

Selectivity LevelMedian SAT

ScoreMedian ACT

Score

1 Low Less than 1070 Less than 23

2 Medium 1070-1149 23-24

3 High 1150 or more 25 or more

Selectivity is based on median SAT/ACT composite scores of entering class as reported to IPEDS.

UNT’s scores on The Freshmen Survey were compared to 1) All Medium-SelectivityPublic Universities and 2) All Public Universities.


Public Universities – Medium2008 Participants

• Colorado State University

• Iowa State University

• North Dakota State University

• Oklahoma State University

• Purdue University

• Texas Tech University

• University of Alabama

• University of California-Santa Cruz

• University of Massachusetts-Amherst

• University of Minnesota-Duluth

• University of North Texas

• Utah State University N = 19,442 students


All Public Universities 2008 Participants• Colorado State University2

• Florida State University3

• Georgia Institute of Technology3

• Iowa State University2

• Miami University3

• North Dakota State University2

• Northern Arizona University1

• Northern Illinois University1

• Oklahoma State University2

• Purdue University2

• Rutgers University-Newark1

• South Dakota State University1

• Texas Tech University2

• University of Alabama2

• University of California-Los Angeles3

• University of California-Riverside1

• University of California-San Diego3

• University of California-Santa Barbara3

• University of California-Santa Cruz2

• University of Colorado-Colorado Spring1

• University of Florida3

• University of Georgia3

• University of Idaho1

• University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign3

• University of Massachusetts-Amherst2

• University of Massachusetts-Boston1

• University of Michigan3

• University of Minnesota-Duluth2

• University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill3

• University of North Texas2

• University of Pittsburgh3

• University of South Carolina-Columbia3

• University of Texas-Austin3

• University of Vermont3

• Utah State University2

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University3

Superscript indicates selectivity level. N = 67,765 students


Financing the First Year of College

29% of UNT students expect their families to contribute $10,000 or more to theirfirst year of college expenses whereas 16% expect zero family contribution.

Over 50% of UNT students do not expect to take out loans or other aid that must berepaid to finance their first year.


Concerns about Financing College

A higher percentage of women compared to men at UNT have concerns about beingable to finance their college education.


Distance From Permanent Home

A higher percentage of UNT students attend college within 50 miles of their permanenthomes compared to students at other public universities.


Representation of Religious Faiths


Average Grade in High School

Almost 50% of UNT students report obtaining A grade averages in high school.


Men Women

A or A+ 15.5 21.1

A- 26.8 33.5

B+ 25.4 22.6

B 24.7 16.9

B- or lower 7.7 5.8

Gender Differences in Self-Reported Grades

In general, women report obtaining higher grades in high school than men. This trend is evident for the two comparison groups medium public universities and all public universities as well.


Unhealthy Behavior in High School

A higher percentage of UNT students “frequently” or “occasionally” smoked cigarettes in the last year of high school. Nationally, as of 2006 the CDC estimated that 23% of high school students smoked and the Texas Youth Tobacco Survey by the Texas Department of State Health Services indicated that 22.4% of high school students used cigarettes.


Unhealthy Behavior – Gender Differences

A significantly higher percentage of women at UNT report feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities compared to men.


Academic Behaviors in High School


Academic Behaviors – Gender Differences


Student Self-Appraisal

A slightly higher percentage of UNT students rate themselves above average or in the highest 10% of their peers in artistic ability, creativity and computer skills.

A lower percentage of UNT students rate themselves above average in mathematical and academic ability.


Student Self-Appraisal – Gender Differences

A higher percentage of men at UNT rated themselves above average in academic ability, self-confidence, mathematical ability and computer skills compared to women.


How UNT Students Spent their Time in the Last Year of High School

Over 20% of incoming UNT students report spending less than an hour a week on studying or homework; 77% report spending 5 hours or less per week.


Average Time Spent Studying Per Week in High School

On average incoming UNT students spend less time studying or doing homework per week in high school than peers at other public universities.


Time Spent Studying Per Week – Gender Differences

On average , men at UNT spend less time studying or doing homework per week in high school than women.


Very Important Reasons in Deciding to Attend My College

Academic reputation continues to be the #1 factor influencing students to attend UNT. The percentage of students citing UNT’s strong academics has risen from 42% in 2005 to 54% in 2008.

#1

#2

#3


Very Important Reasons in the Decision to Attend UNT


Working during the last year of high school

Over 21% of incoming UNT freshmen report spending more than 20 hours a week working for pay.


Essential or Very Important Life Objectives

*

*

*†

*Objectives important to a higher percentage of UNT students† Objectives important to a lower percentage of UNT students.


Essential or Very Important Life Objectives

**

*

*Objectives important to a higher percentage of women.


In College There is A Very Good Chance I Will…


At UNT There is A Very Good Chance I Will…


Top-Ranking Probable OccupationsProbable Occupation UNT Public U-medium All Public U

Accountant or actuary 2.2 2.2 2.3

Actor or entertainer 2.3 0.9 0.8

Artist 6.2 2.2 1.5

Business executive 7.0 7.0 8.0

Business owner 3.6 2.6 2.9

Clinical psychologist 2.1 1.2 1.2

Computer programmer or analyst 2.4 2.5 2.0 Engineer 4.7 16.1 12.7 Lawyer (attorney) or judge 2.5 2.4 3.7 Musician (performer, composer) 4.9 1.5 1.3 Physician 4.3 4.7 8.4 Therapist (physical, occupational, 3.0 2.6 2.4 Teacher or administrator (elementary) 4.1 3.0 2.2

Teacher or administrator (secondary) 3.8 2.9 2.7

Writer or journalist 4.7 2.5 2.6

Other 14.0 9.1 7.9 Undecided 11.2 14.2 14.9

Yellow indicates occupations selected by higher percentages of UNT students.Pink indicates occupations selected by lower percentages of UNT students.


Top Ranking Probable Occupations - UNTProbable Occupation Men Women Total

Accountant or actuary 2.5 2.0 2.2 Actor or entertainer 2.0 2.5 2.3 Artist 4.5 7.5 6.2 Business executive 9.0 5.6 7.0 Business owner 5.8 1.9 3.6 Clinical psychologist 1.3 2.6 2.1 Computer programmer or analyst 5.2 0.5 2.4 Engineer 9.6 1.2 4.7 Lawyer (attorney) or judge 2.4 2.6 2.5 Musician (performer, composer) 7.5 3.0 4.9 Physician 3.7 4.8 4.3 Therapist (physical, occupational, 1.6 4.0 3.0 Teacher or administrator (elementary) 0.6 6.7 4.1 Teacher or administrator (secondary) 3.9 3.8 3.8 Writer or journalist 3.7 5.5 4.7 Other 10.6 16.5 14.0 Undecided 11.9 10.7 11.2 Yellow indicates occupations selected by higher percentages of male students.Pink indicates occupations selected by higher percentages of female students.


UNT-Specific Questions

These are the 20 optional institution-specific questions that can be asked on the CIRP Freshman Survey Instrument. Questions

were developed by Division of Student Development staff.


Tutoring and Academic SupplementationChance of needing math tutoring? Chance of needing English tutoring?

Chance of needing science tutoring? Comfort level in seeking tutoring if needed?


Healthy LifestylesChance you will participate in the Recreation Center?

Importance of following a healthy lifestyle?


Helicopter ParentsHow involved were your parents in your success in High School?

How involved will your parents be in your success at UNT?


PrideRate your level of pride in your high school experience:

Rate your level of pride in deciding to attend UNT:


Communicating about EventsHow often has a friend convinced you to attend an event?

How do you find out about school and community events?


Money MattersWhat is your estimate of your total college costs for 4 years?

How many credit cards do you have in your name?

Estimated costs for 4 years in 2008 (in-state + residence hall board): ~$60,000 - $70,000


Longterm RelationshipsWhat is your expectation of meeting a spouse/life partner at UNT?

What is your expectation of forming lifelong friendships at UNT?


Career SupportWhat is your expectation that UNT will help you find a job you want?

How willing are you to get help from an alum with your career?


PatronageHow much influence does a business’ sponsorship of a UNT event have in your decision to use their products/services?

How important do you believe financial support from alumni is to UNT?

Documents

2008 Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) Results Presented by the Office of Planning and Assessment for Student Development CIRP Freshman