A Decade of Change: The Demographics, Attitudes, Aspirations and Behaviors of UCSD Freshman Students 1991-2002 1
UCSD Then and Now: Demographic Profile 2
Total UCSD Undergraduate Population Gender Percentage of Population 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 52% 48% 48% 52% Male Female 1991 2002 Year 3
Total UCSD Undergraduate Population Ethnicity 1991 2002 4 3% 1% 7% 4% 3% 17% 58% 8% 1% 0% 8% 5% 2% 34% 37% 13% 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Percentage of Population African-American Mexican-American Native-American Asian Caucasian Filipino Latino Other/Undeclared Ethnicity
Total UCSD Undergraduate Population Age 1991 2002 Average Age 21 21 5
Total UCSD Undergraduate Population Fields of Study 2002 Humanities 4% Engineering 22% 1991 Arts 5% Science/Math 23% Humanities 8% Arts 4% Engineering 18% Science/Math 26% Undeclared/ Special 12% Social Science 32% Undeclared/ Special 13% Social Science 32% 6
Total UCSD Undergraduate Population Home Location 1991 2002 Geographic Origin 2% Foreign 3% Out-of-State 6% 2% Other California Counties 9% 13% San Francisco/Bay Area 14% 20% Los Angeles/Orange Counties 34% 39% San Diego/Imperial Counties 36% 24% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Percentage of Population 7
Total UCSD New Registered Freshmen Mean Recentered SAT 1991 2002 1209 1239 Mean High School GPA 1991 2002 3.91 3.94 8
Changing Attitudes, Beliefs, Behaviors of New UCSD Freshmen Data Source: HERI/UCLA Freshman Survey Comparison of 1991 (N=2,037) and 2002 (N=3,789) Freshman Cohorts Reasons for Choosing UCSD Financial Concerns Academic Performance and Engagement Perceptions on Academic Ability and Intellectual Self-Confidence Emotional Health Shifts in Social and Political Views Choice of Major 9
UCSD CHOSEN FOR REPUTATION OF ACADEMIC RIGOR AND NATIONAL RANKINGS 10
"Very Important" Factors Influencing Decision to Attend UCSD (2002 Cohort) 100% ge Reported Percenta 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 68% Good academic 30% Rankings in 18% 18% 17% Size of college Good r eputation f or Low tuition 7% Relatives' inf luence 35% Parents' influence r eputation ma ga z ine s social acitivites on attending UCSD on attending any college Area 11
Reported Percentage 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10 % 0% 81% 65% 66% 66% 13% Anticipated Levels of Satisfaction With UCSD 1984-2002 Applied to 7 or more colleges 66% 68% 62% 65% 61% 49% 48% 57% 27% 43% 2% 24% 21% 1984 1986 1988 1991 1996 2002 Survey Y ear Chances are very good they will be satisfied with college experience Ranked UCSD as first choice 12
FINANCIAL CONCERNS 13
Comparing Financial Concerns: 1991 versus 2002 1991 Reported Percentage 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 11% 18% 16% 17% Being of f ered f inancial assist ance* Low t uit ion* 47% 51% Get a job t o help pay for college expenses** 2% 5% Work f ull-t ime** 78% 63% Being very well-of f f inancially*** 2002 Area (*Very important influencing factor, **Student estimates very good chance, ***Essential or very important objective) 14
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND ENGAGEMENT Grades and test scores are higher, but confidence is lower Use of Technology 15
Grades and Academ ic Behavior 1984-2002 Reported Percentage 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 1209 1209 1225 1239 1135 1163 71% 52% 66% 66% 49% 42% 42% 39% 38% 33% 47% 41% 36% 28% 24% 15% 1984 1986 1988 1991 1996 2002 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Mean "Recentered" SAT Score Reported grades of A or A+ Bored in class Studied 6 or more hours per w eek SAT "Recentered" Survey Year 16
Self-Reported "Above Average" or "Highest 10%" 100% 1991 2002 Reported Percentage 80% 60% 40% 20% 95% 90% 75% 67% 44% 38% 79% 67% 65% 55% 67% 52% 0% Academic Ability Mathematical Ability Public Speaking Ability Intellectual Self- Conf idence Make at Least a "B" Average Writing Ability Area 17
Computer Use in the Last Year 100% 92% 85% Reported Pecentage 80% 60% 40% 20% 68% 0% Used a personal computer Used internet for research or homework Other internet use Area 18
INDICATORS OF EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS 19
Gender Differences In Emotional Health Ratings Reported Percentage 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 8% 11% 20% 40% 62% 52% 10% 15% Male Female 0% In the Past Year " Felt Depressed" In t he Past Year " Felt Overwhelmed" Emotional Health Rating as " Highest 10%" or " Above Average" Chances are Very Good They Will "Seek Personal Counseling" Area 20
SHIFT IN POLITICAL VIEWS 21
Political Views How would you characterize your political views? All Freshmen Freshman Men Freshman Women 1991 2002 1991 2002 1991 2002 Far left 2% 3% 2% 4% 1% 2% Liberal 33% 36% 30% 32% 36% 38% Middle of the road 46% 46% 43% 45% 48% 47% Conservative 19% 15% 24% 18% 15% 13% Far right 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 22
Political Views Student Agrees Strongly or Somewhat All Freshmen Freshman Men Freshman Women 1991 2002 1991 2002 1991 2002 Abortion should be legal[ized] 77% 70% 77% 70% 78% 70% Racial discrimination is no longer a major problem in America 10% 19% 12% 22% 9% 16% It is important to have laws prohibiting homosexual relationships 21% 20% 28% 25% 15% 15% Marijuana should be legalized 23% 41% 25% 47% 21% 36% The death penalty should be abolished 26% 34% 23% 30% 29% 38% The federal government should do more to control the sale of handguns 87% 80% 81% 74% 92% 85% Same sex couples should have the right to legal marital status -- 69% -- 63% -- 74% Affirmative action in college admissions should be abolished -- 64% -- 68% -- 60% 23
CHOICE OF MAJOR Engineering and Biology Continue to be the Most Popular Majors Among Incoming UCSD Freshmen 24
Student's Probable Major Field 100% Percentage Reporting 80% 60% 40% 20% 21% 21% 15% 20% 11% 7% 6% 8% 16% 16% 15% 11% 1991 2002 0% Biological Science Engineering Health Professional Arts and Humanities Social Sciences Undecided Major Field 25
Educational Objectives 100% 90% 1991 2002 80% Percentage Reporting 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 6% 8% 30% 38% 28% 29% 28% 19% 6% 5% 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% Bachelor's Master's Ph.D., Ed.D. Medical Doctorate Highest Degree Intend to Obtain Law Divinity Other 26
Student Identification UCUES 2002 Results: UCSD All other UC Schools All UC Students Student Strongly Identifies with... N % N % N % Students who are serious about getting good grades 1,040 16% 11,036 18% 12,076 18% Party-goers, fun-loving students 708 11% 6,441 11% 7,149 11% Students who are serious about social/political issues 387 6% 4,701 8% 5,088 8% Intellectuals 690 11% 7,557 12% 8,247 12% Religious students 281 4% 2,588 4% 2,869 4% Jocks 314 5% 2,037 3% 2,351 4% Other students of my ethnic background 449 7% 5,260 9% 5,709 8% Other students in my major or field of interest 829 13% 9,435 15% 10,264 15% Fraternity/Sorority types 149 2% 1,380 2% 1,529 2% Students from affluent backgrounds/'rich' kids 123 2% 1,143 2% 1,266 2% Artsy students 249 4% 2,779 5% 3,028 5% Liberal students 476 8% 5,211 9% 5,687 8% Conservative students 255 4% 2,514 4% 2,769 4% Other 203 3% 2,232 4% 2,435 4% 27
Summary and Discussion UCSD Freshmen are Highly Motivated, Academically Prepared and Socially Aware High Educational and Career Objectives Anxious about Performing Well Academically, Despite Strong High School Grades and Test Scores UCSD Chosen for Strong Academic and National Reputation More Freshmen are Worried about Financing their Education Growing Use of Technology and Computers 28