2003 CIRP Survey of New Students

Local Results




The following tables are based on responses of incoming students on the 2003 CIRP Survey.  The survey was completed by 342 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. 

Links to tables
Gender Parents' Highest Education Level
Ethnicity Student Estimate of Parents' Income
English as Native Language Financial Worry
High School Graduation Year Students' Probable Major Field of Study
"Did your high school require community service for graduation?" Highest Degree Planned to Obtain
Number of Miles from Home Self Rating of Traits
Political Views Activities Engaged in by Student in Past Year
Average Grade in High School Hours Spent in Certain Activities in Past Year
SAT/ACT Scores "In deciding to go to college, how important to you was each of the following reasons."
Earlham as first choice? Reasons Influencing Students' Decision to attend Earlham
Applied at how many other colleges? Ratings of Likelihood of Certain Events in College

Housing Plans for Fall Semester

Ratings of Importance of life Objectives
Student and Parent Religious Affiliation Views on Social Issues
Parent Status  

 

Gender
 

 
2003
2002
Gender
%
%
Female
59
53
Male
40
45

 

Race/Ethnicity
 

 
2003
2002
Ethnicity
%
%
White/Caucasian
85
79
African American/Black
5
7
Asian American/Asian
4
6
Other
3
5
Other Latino
2
1
Mexican American/Chicano
0
1
American Indian
0
0
Puerto Rican
0
0

 

English as Native Language
 

 
2003
2002
Response
%
%
Yes
92
91
No
7
9

 

High School Graduation
 

 
2003
  
2002
Date
%
Date
%
2003
81
2002
80
Before 2000
7
Before 2000
19
Other
12
Other
2

 

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

 
2003
2002
Response
%
%
No
60
61
Yes
37
37

   
 
 

Number of Miles from Home


 
2003
2002
Miles
%
%
More than 500
42 
46 
101 to 500
38
37
51 to 100
9  
8  
11 to 50
4  
3  
6 to 10
2  
1  
5 or less
2  
3  

 

Political Views
 

 
2003
2002
Political Views
%
%
Liberal
59
56
Middle of the road
22
18
Far left
13
17
Conservative
2
5
Far right
1
1

   

Average Grade in High School
 

 
2003
2002
Grade
%
%
‘A’ Average
45
36
‘B’ Average
50
54
‘C’ Average
5
5

 

SAT/ACT Scores (rounded)
 

 
2003
2002
Test
Average Score
Average Score
SAT Verbal
640
635
SAT Math
612
595
ACT
27
26

 

"Is this college your…?"
 

 
2003
2002
Choice
%
%
First choice
72
77
Second choice
19
15
Third choice
5
4
Less than third choice
3
2

   

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

 

 
2003
2002
Number
%
%
1-3 
40
31
4-6 
30
26
7 or more 
18
14
None
14
26

   

Housing Plans for Fall Semester
 

 
2003
2002
Living Situation
%
%
College Dormitory
96
97
Other private home, apartment or room
1
1
With Parents or Relatives
1
1
Other campus student housing
1
1
Fraternity or sorority house
0
0
Other
0
1

 

Student Religious Affiliation
 

 
2003
2002
Religion
Student (%)
Student (%)
None
35
35
Quaker
14
18
Other Religion
12
14
Other Christian
9
5
Roman Catholic
6
8
Baptist
4
2
Jewish
4
4
Presbyterian
2
1
Episcopal
2
3
Buddhist
2
2
Methodist
2
2
Lutheran
2
1
United Church of Christ
1
2
Islamic
1
1
Mormon
0
1
Seventh Day Adventist
0
0
Eastern Orthodox
0
1

 
 
 

Parent Status
 

 
2003
2002
Status
%
%
Both alive and living with each other
69
67
Both alive, divorced or living apart
26
29
One or both deceased
4
4

 

Parents’ Highest Education Level
 

 
2003
2002
2003
2002
Education
Father (%)
Father (%)
Mother (%)
Mother (%)
Grammar school or less
1
1
1
1
Some high school
2
1
2
0
High school graduate
8
13
7
9

Post-Secondary School other than college
2
1
2
4
Some college
8
8
10
11
College degree
23
26
27
27
Some graduate school
4
3
6
7
Graduate degree
49
46
43
40

   

Student Estimate of Parents’ Income
 

 
2003
2002
Income
%
%
Less than $10,000
3
2
$10,000 to $14,999
2
2
$15,000 to $19,999
3
4
$20,000 to $24,999
2
4
$25,000 to $29,999
2
3
$30,000 to $39,999
5
8
$40,000 to $49,999
7
7
$50,000 to $59,999
7
11
$60,000 to $74,999
10
9
$75,000 to $99,999
14
12
$100,000 to $149,999
17
14
$150,000 to $199,999
5
6
$200,000 to $249,999
4
2
$250,000 or more
3
5

   

Financial Worry
 

 
2003
2002
Level of Concern
%
%
Some (will probably have enough)
50
55
None (confident will have sufficient funds)
36
32
Major (not sure will have enough to complete)
11
12

   

Students’ Probable Major Field of Study
 

 
2003
2002
Probable Major
%
%
Undecided
16
14
English
6
7
Language/Literature
6
7
Psychology
6
6
Political Science
6
6
Biology
6
3
Education
6
3
Fine Arts
4
5
Other Social Sciences
4
3.3
Physical Science
4
1
Health Professions
3
2
Business Administration
2
1
Other Fields
2
1
Theology or Religion
2
1
History
2
3
Engineering
1
1
Economics
1
0
Anthropology and Sociology
1
3
Math or Computer Science
1
2
Philosophy
1
2

   

Highest Degree Planned to Obtain (Overall)
 

 
2003
2002
Degree
(%)
(%)
Master’s degree (M.A., M.S., etc.)
34
32
Ph.D. or Ed.D.
27
25
No Response
16
20
Bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S., etc.)
9
9
LL.B. or J.D. (Law)
7
5
M.D., D.O., D.D.S., or D.V.M.
6
5
Other
1
1
B.D. or M.DIV. (Divinity)
1
1
Vocational Certificate
0
0
None
0
2
Associate’s (A.A. or Equivalent)
0
0

 

"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* (2003)
Mean* (2002)
Academic ability
25
53
22
1
0
1.99
2.07
Cooperativeness
25
50
22
4
1
2.06
2.14
Understanding of others
26
46
24
4
1
2.07
2.12
Creativity
26
43
24
5
1
2.12
2.12
Self-understanding
21
42
32
6
0
2.23
2.16
Drive to achieve
21
40
31
7
2
2.28
2.31
Self-confidence (intellectual)
17
42
34
5
2
2.32
2.27
Writing ability
18
39
36
5
2
2.34
2.39
Persistance
17
37
41
5
1
2.36
2.36
Physical health
13
36
44
7
0
2.45
2.46
Emotional health
18
31
38
11
2
2.48
2.55
Leadership ability
17
36
31
13
3
2.50
2.52
Risk taking
10
30
42
15
2
2.66
2.63
Spirituality
16
31
29
14
10
2.71
2.61
Artistic ability
12
34
37
21
7
2.75
2.80
Self-confidence (social)
11
28
38
20
4
2.78
2.72
Public speaking ability
10
27
37
20
6
2.85
2.79
Mathematical ability
12
25
34
25
4
2.86
3.02
Computer Skills
7
25
47
16
5
2.87
2.90
Popularity
3
22
61
12
2
2.89
2.82
Religiousness
7
19
23
25
27
3.45
3.41

*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* (2003)

Mean* (2002)
Used a personal computer
85
11
4
1.19
1.25
Used the internet for research
79
19
2
1.23
1.32
Communicated via e-mail
78
19
2
1.24
1.30
Socialized with different ethnic groups
72
24
4
1.31
1.32
Other internet use
64
31
6
1.43
1.47
Discussed Politics
56
36
9
1.53
1.70
Participated in internet chat rooms
61
19
20
1.59
2.50
Discussed religion
46
47
7
1.61
1.70
Was bored in class
37
52
12
1.75
1.79
Performed volunteer work
35
55
11
1.76
1.93
Felt overwhelmed
31
57
12
1.81
1.80
Asked a teacher for advice
31
56
13
1.83
1.84
Studied with other students
29
53
19
1.90
1.90
Visited an art gallery/museum
21
65
15
1.94
1.99
Attended religious service
32
40
28
1.96
2.03
Played a musical instrument
36
24
41
2.05
2.13
Voted in a student election
21
45
34
2.14
2.20
Felt depressed
12
57
32
2.20
2.18
Participated in demonstrations
16
45
40
2.24
2.51
Came late to class
12
50
38
2.25
2.23
Performed community service for class
18
33
49
2.32
2.37
Tutored another student
13
38
49
2.35
2.45
Drank wine or liquor
7
47
46
2.39
2.31
Drank beer
9
35
56
2.47
2.37
Was a guest in a teacher’s home
7
25
68
2.62
2.55
Overslept
2
34
65
2.63
2.55
Smoked cigarettes
8
15
77
2.70
2.66

* 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

Mean* (2003)

Mean* (2002)
Studying/Homework
2
8
13
24
21
14
11
6
4.60
4.60
Socializing with friends
1
2
6
20
22
17
13
16
5.33
5.44
Talking with teachers outside of class
5
37
33
15
4
2
0
1
2.75
2.87
Exercising/sports
6
11
17
21
21
9
7
3
4.04
4.26
Partying
35
15
18
15
8
4
2
2
2.58
2.86
Working (for pay)
47
4
4
6
11
9
8
8
3.16
3.30
Volunteer work
23
20
27
17
4
3
1
1
2.67
2.64
Student clubs
20
14
25
22
9
4
2
2
3.01
2.78
Watching TV
16
16
20
24
12
5
2
1
3.19
3.27
Child care/ household duties
26
24
27
14
4
1
0
0
2.39
2.51
Reading
10
18
21
28
10
6
2
2
3.32
3.36
Video games
47
17
15
9
5
3
1
1
2.16
2.10
Prayer/meditation
40
25
23
5
3
1
0
0
1.98
1.98


  *Higher means indicate more time spent participating in given activity.

"In deciding to go to college, how important to you

was each of the following reasons?"
 
 
 
Reason
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)

Mean* (2003)

Mean* (2002)
To learn more about things that interest me
89
9
2
1.13
1.17
To gain a general education and appreciation of ideas
80
18
3
1.23
1.22
To make me a more cultured person
64
28
8
1.44
1.54
To prepare myself for graduate or professional school
51
33
16
1.65
1.78
To improve my reading and study skills
43
42
15
1.72
1.67
To be able to get a better job
45
33
22
1.78
1.70
To be able to make more money
29
46
25
1.96
1.95
To get training for a specific career
32
32
36
2.04
2.05
My parents wanted me to go
22
44
34
2.12
2.10
Wanted to get away from home
18
45
38
2.20
2.12
A mentor/role model encouraged me to go
13
32
56
2.43
2.40
There was nothing better to do
6
14
81
2.75
2.73
I could not find a job
2
5
93
2.90
2.90

*Lower means indicate greater importance.

   
 

Reasons influencing students’ decision to attend Earlham College
 
        Reason
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)

   Mean* (2003)

   Mean* (2002)
This college has a good academic reputation
55
39
6
1.51
1.55
Wanted to go to a school about this size
56
35
10
1.54
1.58
I was offered financial assistance
47
32
22
1.75
1.87
This college has a good reputation for social activities
32
45
23
1.91
2.01
This college offers special education programs
36
34
30
1.94
1.92
I was attracted by the religious affiliation/orientation of the college
18
35
48
2.30
2.34
Information from a website
11
46
44
2.33
2.37
Rankings in national magazines
7
36
56
2.49
2.55
I was admitted through an Early Action or Early Decision program
13
16
72
2.58
2.55
My relatives wanted me to come here
5
31
65
2.60
2.58
High school counselor advised me
8
21
72
2.64
2.67
My teacher advised me
5
25
70
2.65
2.59
This college has low tuition
4
17
78
2.74
2.75
I wanted to live near home
4
17
79
2.75
2.73
Private college counselor advised me
4
11
85
2.81
2.82
Not offered aid by first choice
3
12
85
2.82
2.83

*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* (2003)

Mean* (2002)
Get a bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S., etc.)
83
11
2
2
1.16
1.29
Socialize with other racial groups
82
12
1
2
1.16
1.19
Develop close friendships
78
16
2
1
1.20
1.26
Be satisfied with your college
65
27
3
1
1.31
1.38
Communicate with professors
63
31
2
2
1.36
1.39
Make at least a "B" average
60
35
1
1
1.37
1.46
Study Abroad
66
23
5
4
1.41
1.55
Participate in student clubs
59
30
6
2
1.45
1.63
Participate in volunteer or community service work
49
37
8
3
1.59
1.80
Get a job to help pay for college expenses
46
30
14
7
1.77
1.87
Change career choice
28
46
16
7
1.96
2.00
Participate in protests or demonstrations
32
40
15
10
1.96
2.15
Change major field
21
46
23
8
2.11
2.11
Strengthen religious beliefs
29
30
23
15
2.17
2.20
Be elected to a student office
7
39
35
16
2.52
2.78
Seek personal counseling
10
33
39
15
2.53
2.42
Play varsity/intercollegiate athletics
23
17
25
32
2.59
2.60
Transfer to another college before graduating
4
21
51
22
2.85
2.94
Work full time while attending college
4
10
39
44
3.18
3.20
Drop out
0
3
23
70
3.58
3.52
Join a social fraternity, sorority or club
1
2
10
84
3.71
3.74

*Lower means indicate increased chance that event will occur.

   
 

Ratings of Importance of Life Objectives
 
Objective
Essential (%)
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)

Mean* (2003)

Mean* (2002)
Improving my understanding of other cultures and countries
37
38
16
4
1.79
1.86
Helping others who are in difficulty
30
40
28
2
2.03
2.15
Developing a meaningful life philosophy
32
28
27
12
2.20
2.18
Raising a family
25
29
30
17
2.39
2.41
Keeping up to date with political affairs
22
29
35
14
2.41
2.49
Helping to promote racial understanding
15
35
40
10
2.44
2.42
Influencing social values
16
32
39
14
2.51
2.47
Becoming an authority in my field
16
31
37
17
2.54
2.43
Integrating spirituality into my life
20
26
33
22
2.56
2.48
Participating in a community action program
11
27
43
19
2.72
2.76
Becoming involved in environmental clean-up programs
8
24
47
20
2.79
2.68
Being very well off financially
10
23
42
25
2.82
2.72
Obtaining recognition for contributions to my special field
10
20
48
22
2.82
2.80
Becoming a community leader
9
22
45
24
2.85
2.85
Influencing the political structure
11
23
37
30
2.86
2.89
Writing original works 
14
16
30
40
2.96
2.84
Creating artistic work
11
18
29
42
3.02
3.01
Becoming accomplished in performing arts
7
17
35
41
3.10
3.16
Becoming successful in own business 
5
12
29
54
3.32
3.23
Having administrative responsibility for the work of others
4
11
33
52
3.34
3.30
Theoretically contributing to science
5
12
24
60
3.39
3.39

*Lower means indicate greater importance.

   

Views on Social Issues
 
Issue
Agree Strongly (%)
Agree Somewhat (%)
Disagree Somewhat (%)
Disagree Strongly (%)

Mean* (2003)

Mean* (2002)

Same sex couples should have the right to legal marital status
75
14
5
7
1.44
1.53
Abortion should be legal
57
27
10
6
1.65
1.72
Government should do more to control handguns
56
28
10
6
1.66
1.60
The death penalty should be abolished
47
30
16
7
1.83
1.87
Wealthy people should pay more taxes
38
39
18
6
1.92
2.01
Marijuana should be legalized
26
36
25
13
2.26
2.24
People should not obey laws that are against their beliefs
12
39
36
9
2.36
2.40
Colleges should prohibit racist/sexist speech on campus
19
33
26
22
2.52
2.34
Affirmative action in college admissions should be abolished
7
26
51
16
2.76
2.70
Too much concern for the rights of criminals
3
17
50
30
3.07
2.88
An individual can do little to create changes in society
5
16
37
42
3.18
3.12
Military spending should be increased
2
9
29
58
3.39
3.31
Racial discrimination is no longer a problem in US
2
7
35
56
3.46
3.38
Married women should stay at home 3 5 11 81 3.71 3.66
Laws should prohibit homosexual relationships
3
4
8
85
3.75
3.62

*Lower means indicate stronger agreement.

 

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This report was prepared by Nichole Dudley, Student Research Assistant, and Mary Ann Weaver - Fall, 2003

weavema@earlham.edu