2000 CIRP Survey of New Students

Local Results




The following tables are based on responses of incoming students on the 2000 CIRP Survey.  The survey was completed by 215 incoming students.  The data was analyzed  locally which will differ slightly from the analysis from the Higher Education Research Institute.

Although this information is valuable and provides a glimpse into some characteristics of the incoming class, please keep in mind that not all students completed the survey.  These data, therefore, are not intended to represent or profile the entire incoming class.  If you have questions about any of the information contained in this report, please contact Mary Ann Weaver at (765) 983-1589 or weavema@earlham.edu.

Gender
 

Gender
%
Male
41
Female
59

 

Race/Ethnicity
 

Ethnicity
%
White/Caucasian
82
African American/Black
4
American Indian
0
Asian American/Asian
4
Mexican American/Chicano
0
Puerto Rican
1
Other Latino
1
Other
7

 

English as Native Language
 

Response
%
Yes
92
No
8

 

High School Graduation
 

Date
%
2000
85
Before 2000
12
Other
2

 

"Did your high school require community service for graduation?"
 

Response
%
Yes
34
No
66

  
 
 

Number of Miles from Home


Miles
%
5 or less
3 
6 to 10
1 
11 to 50
4 
51 to 100
12 
101 to 500
34 
More than 500
46 

 Political Views
 

Political Views
%
Far left
16
Liberal
57
Middle of the road
23
Conservative
3
Far right
1

Average Grade in High School
 

Grade
%
‘A’ Average
46
‘B’ Average
50
‘C’ Average
4

  
 

SAT/ACT Scores (rounded)
 

Test
Average Score
SAT Verbal
630
SAT Math
610
ACT
26

 

"Is this college your…?"
 

Choice
%
First choice
78
Second choice
14
Third choice
5
Less than third choice
3

 

"To how many colleges other than this one did you apply for admission this year?"
 
 
 

Number
%
None
18
1-3 
35
4-6 
35
7 or more 
13

   
 

Housing Plans for Fall Semester
 

Living Situation
%
With Parents or Relatives
1
Other private home, apartment or room
0
College Dormitory
98
Fraternity or sorority house
0
Other campus student housing
1
Other
0

 

Student and Parent Religious Affiliation
 

Religion
Student (%)
Father (%)
Mother (%)
Baptist
3
2
4
Buddhist
1
1
2
Eastern Orthodox
2
1
1
Episcopal
1
1
2
Islamic
1
1
1
Jewish
4
6
6
Mormon
1
0
1
Lutheran
2
3
3
Methodist
3
3
5
Presbyterian
2
4
5
Quaker
16
14
14
Roman Catholic
8
13
14
Seventh Day Adventist
0
1
0
United Church of Christ
1
2
3
Other Christian
8
9
9
Other Religion
16
7
12
None
33
21
13

 
 
 

Parent Status
 

Status
%
Both alive and living with each other
68
Both alive, divorced or living apart
28
One or both deceased
3

 

Parents’ Highest Education Level
 

Education
Father (%)
Mother (%)
Grammar school or less
1
0
Some high school
1
2
High school graduate
6
7
Post-Secondary School 

other than college

1
3
Some college
10
8
College degree
23
29
Some graduate school
5
8
Graduate degree
52
43

Student Estimate of Parents’ Income
 

Income
%
Less than $6,000
3
$6,000 to $9,999
3
$10,000 to $14,999
2
$15,000 to $19,999
2
$20,000 to $24,999
8
$25,000 to $29,999
3
$30,000 to $39,999
8
$40,000 to $49,999
10
$50,000 to $59,999
10
$60,000 to $74,999
17
$75,000 to $99,999
14
$100,000 to $149,999
13
$150,000 to $199,999
4
$200,000 or more
5

Financial Worry
 

Level of Concern
%
None (confident will have sufficient funds)
32
Some (will probably have enough)
57
Major (not sure will have enough to complete)
11

  

Students’ Probable Major Field of Study
 

Probable Major
%
English
6
Fine Arts
6
Language/Literature
4
Philosophy
3
Theology or Religion
2
Biology
15
Engineering
1
Health Professions
2
Math or Computer Science
5
Physical Science
1
Anthropology and Sociology
5
Business Administration
1
Economics
1
Education
3
History
2
Political Science
9
Psychology
5
Other Social Sciences
3.3
Other Fields
9.9
Undecided
13

   

Highest Degree Planned to Obtain (Overall)
 

Degree
(%)
No Response
5
None
3
Vocational Certificate
1
Associate’s (A.A. or Equivalent)
0
Bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S., etc.)
16
Master’s degree (M.A., M.S., etc.)
34
Ph.D. or Ed.D.
30
M.D., D.O., D.D.S., or D.V.M.
6
LL.B. or J.D. (Law)
2
B.D. or M.DIV. (Divinity)
1
Other
2

 

"Rate yourself on each of the following traits as compared with the average person your age."
 
 
 
Area
Highest 10%
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Lowest 10%
Mean*
Academic ability
25
58
16
1
0
1.93
Artistic ability
13
33
33
20
1
2.64
Competitiveness
12
24
34
22
9
2.93
Cooperativeness
21
52
24
2
1
2.09
Creativity
31
42
23
3
1
2.00
Drive to achieve
20
45
29
6
1
2.23
Emotional health
10
41
35
13
2
2.55
Initiative
16
39
37
8
1
2.40
Leadership ability
22
39
30
7
2
2.28
Mathematical ability
14
25
31
25
5
2.83
Physical health
16
34
41
8
1
2.44
Popularity
7
29
48
13
3
2.80
Public speaking ability
11
41
32
16
1
2.54
Self-confidence (intellectual)
25
42
28
4
2
2.16
Self-confidence (social)
10
35
37
15
3
2.64
Self-understanding
30
43
21
5
1
2.18
Spirituality
18
36
33
9
4
2.45
Understanding of others
27
45
25
2
1
2.03
Writing ability
21
48
25
5
1
2.16
Computer Skills
7
23
49
19
2
2.87

*Lower means indicate a higher rating in comparison to peers.

   

Activities Engaged in by Students in the Past Year
 
Activity
Frequently (%)
Occasionally (%)
Not at All (%)
Mean*
Attended religious service
33
48
19
1.85
Was bored in class
37
55
8
1.71
Participated in demonstrations
11
39
49
2.38
Tutored another student
10
40
51
2.40
Studied with other students
28
59
14
1.86
Was a guest in a teacher’s home
13
35
51
2.38
Smoked cigarettes
14
18
68
2.55
Drank beer
8
39
53
2.50
Drank wine or liquor
7
52
41
2.34
Felt overwhelmed
39
51
10
1.71
Felt depressed
16
62
22
2.21
Performed volunteer work
29
58
13
1.84
Played a musical instrument
35
23
42
2.12
Asked a teacher for advice
37
53
10
1.73
Overslept
7
28
65
2.63
Discussed politics
44
47
9
1.66
Voted in a student election
22
46
32
2.09
Socialized with different ethnic groups
67
31
3
1.36
Came late to class
15
48
37
2.22
Attended a public concert
33
57
10
1.77
Visited an art gallery/museum
21
69
10
1.89
Discussed religion
49
45
6
1.57
Communicated via e-mail
78
18
4
1.26
Used the internet for research
61
34
5
1.44
Participated in internet chat rooms
16
26
59
2.42
Other internet use
51
38
11
1.60
Performed community service for class
14
37
49
2.35
Used a personal computer
76
18
6
1.30

* Lower means indicate a higher frequency of participation in given activity.
 
 

Hours Spent in Certain Activities in the Past Year
 
Activity
Percentage of Students Reporting Each Range of Hours
None
<1 hr
1-2
3-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
>20
Studying/Homework
1
5
10
21
28
17
10
8
Socializing with friends
1
1
6
16
28
17
12
19
Talking with teachers outside of class
3
33
31
18
10
2
1
2
Exercising/sports
5
14
16
24
16
14
5
6
Partying
27
23
19
14
10
3
4
1
Working (for pay)
41
2
2
8
14
12
12
8
Volunteer work
29
21
25
14
7
3
1
1
Student clubs
20
12
24
21
14
6
2
2
Watching TV
21
15
21
21
12
6
2
3
Child care
22
16
37
16
6
1
1
1
Reading
10
20
24
25
14
2
2
4
Video games
47
21
10
11
5
2
1
3
Prayer/meditation
30
31
24
10
1
2
1
1

 

"In deciding to go to college, how important to you was each of the following reasons?"
 
 
 
Reason
No Response (%)
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)
Mean*
My parents wanted me to go
1
27
40
32
2.06
I could not find a job
3
4
6
87
3.05
Wanted to get away from home
1
20
53
27
2.07
To be able to get a better job
1
46
33
20
1.73
To gain a general education and appreciation of ideas
1
84
12
2
1.31
To improve my reading and study skills
1
41
41
17
1.81
There was nothing better to do
3
7
9
81
2.76
To make me a more cultured person
1
68
26
5
1.36
To be able to make more money
2
32
38
29
2.00
To learn more about things that interest me
1
92
7
1
1.08
To prepare myself for graduate or professional school
1
49
34
16
1.66
A mentor/role model encouraged me to go
3
15
35
47
2.33
To get training for a specific career
1
30
36
32
2.02

*Lower means indicate greater importance.


 

Reasons influencing students’ decision to attend Earlham College
 
        Reason
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)
    Mean*
My relatives wanted me to come here
7
28
62
2.57
My teacher advised me
6
31
61
2.57
This college has a good academic reputation
61
31
6
1.44
This college has a good reputation for social activities
41
39
18
1.77
I was offered financial assistance
44
28
25
1.80
This college offers special education programs
28
35
34
2.06
This college has low tuition
4
20
72
2.71
High school counselor advised me
7
20
70
2.65
Private college counselor advised me
4
10
81
2.81
I wanted to live near home
7
13
77
2.73
Not offered aid by first choice
7
8
80
2.91
This college’s graduates gain admission to top graduate/professional schools
22
43
31
2.09
This college’s graduates get good jobs
25
46
27
2.16
I was attracted by the religious affiliation/orientation of the college
26
35
36
2.11
Wanted to go to a school about this size
67
22
9
1.40
Not accepted anywhere else
4
5
88
2.87
Rankings in national magazines
6
29
62
2.73
I was admitted through and Early Action or Early Decision program
10
9
77
2.70
Information from a website
5
31
61
2.58

*Lower means indicate greater importance.

   
 

Ratings of Likelihood of Certain Events in College
 
Activity
Very Good Chance (%)
Some Chance (%)
Very Little Chance (%)
No Chance (%)
Mean*
Change major field
21
50
21
74
2.09
Change career choice
30.2
48
14
3
1.89
Graduate with honors
21
60
13
2
1.96
Be elected to a student office
5
34
42
15
2.7
Get a job to help pay for college expenses
49
30
12
6
1.74
Work full time while attending college
2
10
39
45
3.33
Join a social fraternity, sorority or club
1
3
10
81
3.79
Play varsity/intercollegiate athletics
21
20
25
30
2.67
Make at least a "B" average
64
28
4
1
1.40
Need extra time to complete your degree requirements
6
21
54
15
2.81
Get a bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S., etc.)
77
13
3
2
1.26
Participate in protests or demonstrations
30
38
22
6
2.03
Drop out of this college temporarily (excluding transferring)
3
12
41
41
3.25
Drop out permanently (excluding transferring)
1
5
28
63
3.59
Transfer to another college before graduating
5
19
48
24
2.96
Be satisfied with your college
61
27
3
3
1.46
Participate in volunteer or community service work
50
33
10
3
1.65
Seek personal counseling
13
37
36
10
2.45

*Lower means indicate increased chance that event will occur.

   

Ratings of Importance of Life Objectives
 
Objective
Essential (%)
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)
Mean*
Becoming accomplished in performing arts
10
13
40
32
2.99
Becoming an authority in my field
14
33
33
15
2.52
Obtaining recognition for contributions to my special field
10
27
42
16
2.67
Influencing the political structure
17
26
32
22
2.61
Influencing social values
26
38
23
9
2.17
Raising a family
26
27
33
11
2.29
Having administrative responsibility for the work of others
4
10
28
54
3.38
Being very well off financially
13
16
34
34
2.91
Helping others who are in difficulty
32
43
17
4
1.93
Theoretically contributing to science
6
9
25
55
3.36
Writing original works 
15
21
28
32
2.80
Creating artistic work
14
17
32
34
2.89
Becoming successful in own business 
9
12
25
50
3.21
Becoming involved in environmental clean-up programs
14
27
39
15
2.57
Developing a meaningful life philosophy
46
26
16
8
1.87
Participating in a community action program
14
31
36
15
2.53
Helping to promote racial understanding
20
38
30
8
2.28
Keeping up to date with political affairs
18
30
33
15
2.47
Becoming a community leader
12
22
40
22
2.75
Integrating spirituality into my life
36
25
24
12
2.12

*Lower means indicate greater importance.

   Views on Social Issues
 
Issue
Agree Strongly (%)
Agree Somewhat (%)
Disagree Somewhat (%)
Disagree Strongly (%)
Mean*
Too much concern for the rights of criminals
5
22
43
25
2.93
Abortion should be legal
54
25
9
10
1.75
The death penalty should be abolished
45
20
18
13
1.98
Casual sex is acceptable
19
36
25
15
2.38
Marijuana should be legalized
25
38
17
17
2.26
Laws should prohibit homosexual relationships
5
1
10
81
3.72
Employers should be allowed to require drug testing of employees or applicants
18
35
32
11
2.38
Government should do more to control handguns
63
21
8
5
1.53
Racial discrimination no longer a problem in US
1
6
31
59
3.53
An individual can do little to create changes in society
5
12
31
50
3.3
Wealthy people should pay more taxes
35
36
21
4
1.94
Colleges should prohibit racist/sexist speech on campus
23
33
28
12
2.31
Same sex couples should have the right to legal marital status
69
17
8
3
1.44
Activities of married women should be confined to home and family
3
5
13
75
3.68
Affirmative action in college admissions should be abolished
9
16
51
17
2.83
People have a right to know about the personal lives of public figures
4
23
39
30
3.00

*Lower means indicate stronger agreement.

This report was prepared by Jennifer Slezak, Research Assistant, May, 2001

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Created by Mary Ann Weaver
weavema@earlham.edu
July 18, 2001