FRESHMAN ORIENTATION SURVEY: FALL 2012

Transcription

1 FRESHMAN ORIENTATION SURVEY: FALL 2012 Candace Amorino, M.A. Assistant Director of Institutional Research Michael Buscio Graduate Assistant Arthur Kramer, Ph.D. Director of Institutional Research

2 1 Summary Four hundred and fifty two incoming NJCU freshmen completed a survey in August of The respondents are typical of what is considered a traditional college freshman: around 18 years old and enrolling directly from high school. Twenty-six percent of fathers of freshmen (n=111) and 22% of mothers (n=95) have less than a high school degree. Forty-one percent of fathers (n=177) and 31% (n=132) of mothers have a high school degree as their highest level of formal education. One hundred and seventy seven freshmen have both parents with no college, making 39% of freshmen first generation college students. One hundred and sixty (37%) freshmen expect to work hours per week while attending day time classes (before 4pm). Most of the respondents do not need to care for a child or an ailing relative. Low tuition was the most important factor in selecting NJCU, and the likelihood of being accepted was also an important reason. The majority of the respondents expect to graduate in four years, while 17% plan to transfer prior to graduating. The reputation of the University stood very important, along with the opportunity to receive financial aid. Three hundred and twenty nine (76%) received financial aid. The availability of a particular major was very important; and the top five majors most freshmen seem to show interest in are Criminal Justice (n=48; 13%), Business Administration (n=46; 12%), Biology (n= 33; 9%), Media Arts (n=18; 5%), and a three-way tie between Computer Science, Early Childhood Education, and Psychology (n=17; 4%). Thirty-eight (10%) freshmen were undecided in their major. The main reason selected by freshmen for attending NJCU was to acquire the ability to get a good job after graduating (n=426; 97%). The next highest reason was to learn new fields of

3 2 study (n=309; 70%), and to a lesser degree, to attend Graduate School (n=220; 50%). Forty-three percent said NJCU was their first choice (n=189; 43%), and the importance of participating in cooperative education stood as a neutral incentive to attend (n=162; 37%). The strongest influence to attend college was from parents (n=123; 28%), while the weakest influence was other relatives (n=89; 20%). Also, being local and close to home stood out as a strong influence (n=154; 35%). The majority of the respondents reside in Hudson County (n=255; 58%), and are U.S. citizens (n=415; 93%). Two hundred and sixty eight (60%) are female, and (n=180; 40%) are male. Also, the majority of the respondents are white (n=146; 46%), while another high majority are Hispanic/Latino (n=197; 44%).

4 3 Age Valid 18 or under to to to to Over Total Missing -1 3 Type of School Last Attended Valid High School Yr college Yr college 3.7 Vocation/tech school higher 3.7 Total Missing -1 6

5 4 Fathers Educational Attainment Valid Some High school High school diploma equiv Some college yr coll degree yr coll degree Grad /prof degree Total Missing Mothers Educational Attainment Valid Some high school High school diploma equiv Some college yr college degree yr college degree Grad or prof degree Total Missing -1 20

6 5 Hours Employed Valid None or fewer or more ft Total Missing Weekly Hours Spent Caring For Child Valid None or fewer or more Total Missing -1 26

7 6 Weekly Hours Spent Caring For Elderly Valid None or fewer or more Total Missing Class Time Valid Days only before 4pm Evenings only after 4pm Days and evenings Total Missing -1 18

8 7 Low Tuition Valid Very important Somewhat important Neutral Not too important Not important at all Total Missing -1 7 Convenience to Home Valid Very important Somewhat important Neutral Not too important Not important at all Total Missing -1 9

9 8 Reputation of the University Valid Very important Somewhat important Neutral Not too important Not important at all Total Missing Opportunity for Financial Aid Valid Very important Somewhat important Neutral Not too important Not important at all Total Missing -1 11

10 9 Likelihood of Acceptance Valid Very important Somewhat important Neutral Not too important Not important at all Total Missing Major Offering Valid Very important Somewhat important Neutral Not too important Not important at all Total Missing -1 11

11 10 Participation in Cooperative Education Valid Very important Somewhat important Neutral Not too important Not important at all Total Missing Choice NJCU Valid 1st choice nd choice rd choice None of the above Total Missing -1 11

12 11 Parent Influence Valid Weakest influence Weak influence Neutral Strong influence Strongest influence Total Missing Teacher Influence Valid Weakest influence Weak influence Neutral Strong influence Strongest influence Total Missing -1 14

13 12 Guidance Counselor Influence Valid Weakest influence Weak influence Neutral Strong influence Strongest influence Total Missing Relative Influence Valid Weakest influence Weak influence Neutral Strong influence Strongest influence Total Missing -1 17

14 13 Friend Influence Valid Weakest influence Weak influence Neutral Strong influence Strongest influence Total Missing Local to Home Valid Weakest influence Weak influence Neutral Strong influence Strongest influence Total Missing -1 16

15 14 Plan to Graduate Valid Yes within 4 yrs Yes within 5 yrs Yes within 6 yrs Yes but IDK how long I will need No I plan to take courses then transfer Other Total Missing -1 7 Received Financial Aid Valid Yes No Total Missing -1 22

16 15 Likely Major Valid Accounting Art Biology Bus Admin acct.fin.man.mark Chemistry Computer Science Criminal Justice Early Childhood Ed Economics 2.5 Elementary ed English Fire Science Geoscience 1.3 Health Sciences History Mathematics Media arts Music Nursing Philosophy 1.3 Physics 2.5 Political Science Professional Security Psychology Sociology Spanish 1.3 Special Education Undecided

17 16 Total Missing Hope to Learn New Fields of Study Valid Very important Somewhat important Not too important Not important at all 4.9 Total Missing Hope to Get a Good Job after Graduation Valid Very important Somewhat important Not too important 1.2 Not important at all 1.2 Total Missing -1 12

18 17 Hope to Attend Graduate School Valid Very important Somewhat important Not too important Not important at all Total Missing County Valid Bergen Essex Hudson Other Out of State Total Missing Gender Valid Male Female Total Missing -1 4

19 18 U.S. Citizen Valid Yes No Total Missing -1 5 Hispanic/Latino Valid Yes No Total Missing -1 7 Ethnicity Valid American Indian or Alaskan native Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander White Total Missing

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