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
1 Summary Four hundred and fifty two incoming NJCU freshmen completed a survey in August of 2012. 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 11-20 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
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%).
3 Age Valid 18 or under 404 90.0 19 to 21 36 8.0 22 to 25 4.9 26 to 30 1.2 31 to 34 3.7 Over 34 1.2 Total 449 100.0 Missing -1 3 Type of School Last Attended Valid High School 437 98.0 4 Yr college 3.7 2 Yr college 3.7 Vocation/tech school higher 3.7 Total 446 100.0 Missing -1 6
4 Fathers Educational Attainment Valid Some High school 111 25.8 High school diploma equiv 177 41.1 Some college 61 14.2 2 yr coll degree 18 4.2 4 yr coll degree 39 9.0 Grad /prof degree 25 5.8 Total 431 100.0 Missing -1 21 Mothers Educational Attainment Valid Some high school 95 22.0 High school diploma equiv 132 30.6 Some college 76 17.6 2 yr college degree 31 7.2 4 yr college degree 63 14.6 Grad or prof degree 35 8.1 Total 432 100.0 Missing -1 20
5 Hours Employed Valid None 53 12.2 10 or fewer 88 20.2 11-20 160 36.7 21-34 104 23.9 35 or more ft 31 7.1 Total 436 100.0 Missing -1 16 Weekly Hours Spent Caring For Child Valid None 322 75.6 10 or fewer 63 14.8 11-20 5 1.2 21-34 15 3.5 35 or more 21 4.9 Total 426 100.0 Missing -1 26
6 Weekly Hours Spent Caring For Elderly Valid None 363 85.0 10 or fewer 44 10.3 11-21 10 2.3 21-34 5 1.2 35 or more 5 1.2 Total 427 100.0 Missing -1 25 Class Time Valid Days only before 4pm 285 65.7 Evenings only after 4pm 11 2.5 Days and evenings 138 31.8 Total 434 100.0 Missing -1 18
7 Low Tuition Valid Very important 261 58.7 Somewhat important 111 24.9 Neutral 56 12.6 Not too important 8 1.8 Not important at all 9 2.0 Total 445 100.0 Missing -1 7 Convenience to Home Valid Very important 209 47.2 Somewhat important 134 30.2 Neutral 59 13.3 Not too important 20 4.5 Not important at all 21 4.7 Total 443 100.0 Missing -1 9
8 Reputation of the University Valid Very important 209 47.5 Somewhat important 126 28.6 Neutral 90 20.5 Not too important 10 2.3 Not important at all 5 1.1 Total 440 100.0 Missing -1 12 Opportunity for Financial Aid Valid Very important 255 57.8 Somewhat important 96 21.8 Neutral 67 15.2 Not too important 7 1.6 Not important at all 16 3.6 Total 441 100.0 Missing -1 11
9 Likelihood of Acceptance Valid Very important 234 53.9 Somewhat important 107 24.7 Neutral 74 17.1 Not too important 10 2.3 Not important at all 9 2.1 Total 434 100.0 Missing -1 18 Major Offering Valid Very important 292 66.2 Somewhat important 82 18.6 Neutral 50 11.3 Not too important 8 1.8 Not important at all 9 2.0 Total 441 100.0 Missing -1 11
10 Participation in Cooperative Education Valid Very important 84 19.2 Somewhat important 114 26.0 Neutral 162 37.0 Not too important 30 6.8 Not important at all 48 11.0 Total 438 100.0 Missing -1 14 Choice NJCU Valid 1st choice 189 42.9 2nd choice 167 37.9 3rd choice 62 14.1 None of the above 23 5.2 Total 441 100.0 Missing -1 11
11 Parent Influence Valid Weakest influence 62 14.2 Weak influence 27 6.2 Neutral 135 30.8 Strong influence 91 20.8 Strongest influence 123 28.1 Total 438 100.0 Missing -1 14 Teacher Influence Valid Weakest influence 89 20.3 Weak influence 49 11.2 Neutral 145 33.1 Strong influence 94 21.5 Strongest influence 61 13.9 Total 438 100.0 Missing -1 14
12 Guidance Counselor Influence Valid Weakest influence 55 12.6 Weak influence 56 12.8 Neutral 142 32.5 Strong influence 97 22.2 Strongest influence 87 19.9 Total 437 100.0 Missing -1 15 Relative Influence Valid Weakest influence 89 20.5 Weak influence 45 10.3 Neutral 115 26.4 Strong influence 95 21.8 Strongest influence 91 20.9 Total 435 100.0 Missing -1 17
13 Friend Influence Valid Weakest influence 73 16.6 Weak influence 46 10.5 Neutral 149 33.9 Strong influence 97 22.0 Strongest influence 75 17.0 Total 440 100.0 Missing -1 12 Local to Home Valid Weakest influence 52 11.9 Weak influence 20 4.6 Neutral 78 17.9 Strong influence 132 30.3 Strongest influence 154 35.3 Total 436 100.0 Missing -1 16
14 Plan to Graduate Valid Yes within 4 yrs 265 59.6 Yes within 5 yrs 33 7.4 Yes within 6 yrs 5 1.1 Yes but IDK how long I will need No I plan to take courses then transfer 55 12.4 75 16.9 Other 12 2.7 Total 445 100.0 Missing -1 7 Received Financial Aid Valid Yes 329 76.5 No 101 23.5 Total 430 100.0 Missing -1 22
15 Likely Major Valid Accounting 11 2.9 Art 12 3.2 Biology 33 8.8 Bus Admin acct.fin.man.mark. 46 12.3 Chemistry 5 1.3 Computer Science 17 4.5 Criminal Justice 48 12.8 Early Childhood Ed 17 4.5 Economics 2.5 Elementary ed 9 2.4 English 13 3.5 Fire Science 8 2.1 Geoscience 1.3 Health Sciences 6 1.6 History 8 2.1 Mathematics 7 1.9 Media arts 18 4.8 Music 14 3.7 Nursing 13 3.5 Philosophy 1.3 Physics 2.5 Political Science 4 1.1 Professional Security 7 1.9 Psychology 17 4.5 Sociology 7 1.9 Spanish 1.3 Special Education 9 2.4 Undecided 38 10.2
16 Total 374 100.0 Missing -1 78 Hope to Learn New Fields of Study Valid Very important 309 69.9 Somewhat important 113 25.6 Not too important 16 3.6 Not important at all 4.9 Total 442 100.0 Missing -1 10 Hope to Get a Good Job after Graduation Valid Very important 426 96.8 Somewhat important 12 2.7 Not too important 1.2 Not important at all 1.2 Total 440 100.0 Missing -1 12
17 Hope to Attend Graduate School Valid Very important 220 50.3 Somewhat important 135 30.9 Not too important 66 15.1 Not important at all 16 3.7 Total 437 100.0 Missing -1 15 County Valid Bergen 37 8.4 Essex 68 15.4 Hudson 255 57.7 Other 77 17.4 Out of State 5 1.1 Total 442 100.0 Missing -1 10 Gender Valid Male 180 40.2 Female 268 59.8 Total 448 100.0 Missing -1 4
18 U.S. Citizen Valid Yes 415 92.8 No 32 7.2 Total 447 100.0 Missing -1 5 Hispanic/Latino Valid Yes 197 44.3 No 248 55.7 Total 445 100.0 Missing -1 7 Ethnicity Valid American Indian or Alaskan native 8 2.5 Asian 39 12.3 Black or African American 113 35.6 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 11 3.5 White 146 46.1 Total 317 100.0 Missing -1 135
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