2005 CIRP Survey of New Students

The following tables are based on responses of incoming students on the 2005 CIRP Survey.  The survey was completed by 286 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 Parent Status
Ethnicity Parents' Highest Education Level
English as Native Language Student Estimate of Parents' Income
High School Graduation Year Financial Worry
What Type of High School did you graduate from? 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

Gender
 

2005
2004
2003
Gender
%
%
%
Female 59
60
59
Male 37
38
40

 

Race/Ethnicity
 

2005
2004
2003
Ethnicity
%
%
%
White/Caucasian 75
79
85
African American/Black 9
7
5
Other 6
5
3
Asian American/Asian 6
4
4
American Indian 0
2
0
Mexican American/Chicano 2
1
0
Other Latino 2
1
2
Puerto Rican 0
1
0

 

English as Native Language
 

2005
2004
2003
Response
%
%
%
Yes 87
91
92
No 11
7
7

 

High School Graduation
 

2005 2004 2003
Date %
Date
 %
Date		 %
2005 82 2004
83
2003
81
2004 8 2003
11
    
2003 4
Before 2002
5
Before 2000
7
Other 6 Other
1
Other
12

 

"What Type of High School Did You Graduate From?"

Type of School
%
Public
60
Private Independent
20
Private Religious
11
Public Magnet
4
Home School
4
Public Charter
1

*This table shows no comparison with the previous year because it is a new question added to the survey.

 

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

2005
2004
2003
Response
%
%
%
No 43
60
60
Yes 56
39
37

   

Number of Miles from Home

2005
2004
2003
Miles
%
%
%
More than 500 54
47 
42 
101 to 500 30
33
38
51 to 100 7
12  
9  
11 to 50 2
4  
4  
6 to 10 1
1  
2  
5 or less 2
3  
2  

Political Views
 

2005
2004
2003
Political Views
%
%
%
Liberal 51
56
59
Far left 25
20
13
Middle of the road 16
19
22
Conservative 5
2
2
Far right 0
1
1

   

Average Grade in High School
 

2005
2004
2003
Grade
%
%
%
‘A’ Average 47
47
45
‘B’ Average 49
48
50
‘C’ Average 4
4
5

 

SAT/ACT Scores (rounded)
 

2005
2004
2003
Test
Average Score
Average Score
Average Score
SAT Verbal 628
636
640
SAT Math 607
597
612
ACT 27
27
27

 

"Is this college your…?"
 

2005
2004
2003
Choice
%
%
%
First choice
 68
75
72
Second choice
 21
19
19
Third choice
 6
2
5
Less than third choice 4
3
3

   

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

 

2005
2004
2003
Number
%
%
%
1-3  31
34
40
4-6  33
32
30
7 or more  21
17
18
None 15
16
14

   

Housing Plans for Fall Semester
 

2005
2004
2003
Living Situation
%
%
%
College Dormitory 98
96
96
With Parents or Relatives 1
2
1
Other private home, apartment or room 1
1
1
Other campus student housing 0
0
1
Fraternity or sorority house 0
0
0
Other 0
0
0

 

Student Religious Affiliation
 

  2005
2004
2003
Religion  Student (%)
Student (%)
Student (%)
None 38
37
35
Quaker 12
15
14
Jewish 5
7
4
Other Christian 8
7
9
Roman Catholic 6
6
6
Other Religion 6
4
12
Baptist 3
4
4
Buddhist 3
4
2
Presbyterian 2
3
2
Methodist 4
3
2
Episcopal 2
1
2
Eastern Orthodox 0
1
0
Lutheran 1
1
2
United Church of Christ 1
1
1
Islamic 1
1
1
Mormon 0
0
0
Seventh Day Adventist 1
0
0

 

Parent Status
 

  2005
2004
2003
Status  %
%
%
Both alive and living with each other 67
72
69
Both alive, divorced or living apart 29
25
26
One or both deceased 4
3
4

 

Parents’ Highest Education Level
 

 

2005
2004
2003

2005
2004
2003
 Education

Father (%)
Father (%)
Father (%)

Mother (%)
Mother (%)
Mother (%)
Grammar school or less

1

1

1

1

1

1

Some high school

4

1

2

2

2

2

High school graduate

9

9

8

7

8

7

Post-Secondary School other than college

2
3
2

2

3

2

Some college

8

8

8

8

8

10

College degree

18

23

23

25

23

27

Some graduate school

3
3
4

4
6
6
Graduate degree

55

50

49

49

47

43

   

Student Estimate of Parents’ Income
 

  2005
2004
2003
Income  %
%
%
Less than $10,000 6
7
3
$10,000 to $14,999
 1
2
2
$15,000 to $19,999 4
2
3
$20,000 to $24,999 5
3
2
$25,000 to $29,999 3
4
2
$30,000 to $39,999 6
6
5
$40,000 to $49,999 5
8
7
$50,000 to $59,999 9
9
7
$60,000 to $74,999 8
11
10
$75,000 to $99,999 12
14
14
$100,000 to $149,999 14
13
17
$150,000 to $199,999 6
6
5
$200,000 to $249,999 5
3
4
$250,000 or more 6
6
3

   

Financial Worry
 

  2005
2004
2003
Level of Concern  %
%
%
Some (will probably have enough) 61
53
50
None (confident will have sufficient funds) 29
32
36
Major (not sure will have enough to complete) 10
14
11

   

Students’ Probable Major Field of Study
 

2005 2004 2003
Probable Major % % %
Arts and Humanities 28.0
25.2
25.1
Biological Science 9.4
10.3
14.0
Business 3.1
3.5
1.8
Education 3.8
5.2
5.8
Engineering 1.4
0.6
1.2
Physical Science 2.8
2.6
4.1
Professional 6.3
4.5
4.1
Social Science 30.1
28.7
20.5
Technical 0.3
1.6
0.6
Other Fields 9.8
3.5
17.5
Undecided 3.5
13.5
2.9
Total 100
100
100

   

Highest Degree Planned to Obtain (Overall)
 

  2005
2004
2003
Degree  %
%
%
Master’s degree (M.A., M.S., etc.) 34
35
34
Ph.D. or Ed.D. 26
30
27
No Response 14
16
16
Bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S., etc.) 14
9
9
M.D., D.O., D.D.S., or D.V.M. 5
5
6
LL.B. or J.D. (Law) 6
2
7
Other 0
2
1
None 1
1
0
B.D. or M.DIV. (Divinity) 1
1
1
Vocational Certificate 0
0
0
Associate’s (A.A. or Equivalent) 0
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* (2005)

Mean* (2004)

Mean* (2003)
Understanding of others
25.4
45.4
26.1
2.8
0.4
2.07
2.04
2.07
Academic ability
19.7
58.1
20.8
1.4
1
2.04
2.04
1.99
Cooperativeness
20.1
51.8
25.7
2.5
0
2.11
2.16
2.06
Self-understanding
24.3
42.6
27.8
3.2
2.1
2.16
2.26
2.23
Creativity
21.2
50.9
22.6
4.6
0.7
2.13
2.28
2.12
Writing ability
19.1
38.9
37.8
3.9
0.4
2.28
2.31
2.34
Drive to achieve
23.2
41.2
27.5
7.7
0.4
2.21
2.42
2.28
Self-confidence (intellectual)
17.6
43.7
31.3
6.7
0.7
2.29
2.42
2.32
Leadership ability
20.1
39.1
28.9
11.3
0.7
2.33
2.43
2.50
Physical health
17.7
31.8
44.5
5.7
0.4
2.39
2.51
2.45
Emotional health
12.0
31.8
39.6
14.8
1.8
2.63
2.63
2.48
Public speaking ability
9.8
32.2
35.7
15.7
5.2
2.72
2.72
2.85
Self-confidence (social)
12.3
32.4
32.0
17.6
5.3
2.72
2.78
2.78
Artistic ability
6.7
32.0
35.9
19.4
6.0
2.86
2.85
2.75
Spirituality
10
34.5
31.3
16.4
7.5
2.78
2.90
2.71
Computer Skills
3.5
25.0
53.5
14.8
2.8
2.99
2.91
2.87
Mathematical ability
9.2
24.4
36.0
26.9
3.5
2.91
2.96
2.86
Religiousness
4.6
19.4
29.7
22.6
23.3
3.42
3.51
3.45

*1=highest 10% to 5=lowest 10%.

   

Activities Engaged in by Students in the Past Year
 
Activity
Frequently (%)
Occasionally (%)
Not at All (%)
Mean* (2005)

Mean* (2004)

Mean* (2003)
Used a personal computer
85.7
10.8
3.5
1.18
1.17
1.19
Used the internet for research
79.0
19.9
1.0
1.22
1.26
1.23
Socialized with different ethnic groups
78.7
19.2
2.1
1.23
1.32
1.31
Discussed religion
47.9
46.9
4.9
1.56
Was bored in class
43.3
48.2
8.5
1.65
1.67
1.75
Discussed politics with friends
49.7
41.3
9.1
1.59
Performed volunteer work
39.5
46.2
13.6
1.80
1.74
1.76
Felt overwhelmed
34.0
51.6
14.4
1.80
1.78
1.81
Asked a teacher for advice
24.7
62.2
13.1
1.88
1.79
1.83
Discussed politics with family members
51.7
38.8
9.4
1.58
Studied with other students
31.6
53.7
14.7
1.83
1.92
1.90
Discussed politics in class
52.1
36.7
10.8
1.58
Attended religious service
32.4
42.3
25.4
1.93
2.03
1.96
Voted in a student election
24.1
45.0
30.9
2.07
2.13
2.14
Felt depressed
13.3
58.2
28.1
2.22
2.17
2.20
Played a musical instrument
27.8
22.9
49.3
2.21
2.19
2.05
Came late to class
14.1
52.1
33.8
2.20
2.20
2.25
Participated in demonstrations
10.5
53.7
35.8
2.25
2.29
2.24
Tutored another student
11.2
39.2
49.7
2.38
2.37
2.35
Performed community service for class
14.7
36.1
49.1
2.34
2.38
2.32
Drank wine or liquor
11.2
43.5
45.3
2.34
2.39
2.39
Was a guest in a teacher’s home
6.6
30.1
63.3
2.57
2.50
2.62
Drank beer
9.8
37.1
53.1
2.43
2.52
2.47
Worked on political campaign
8.4
17.8
71.1
2.59
2.69
  
Smoked cigarettes
5.2
18.9
75.9
2.71
2.71
2.70

* 1=frequently to 3=not at all.

*Activities that do not show a mean for 2003 or 2004 indicate a new question to the survey.
 
 

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 (2005)
 Mean (2004) Mean (2003)
Socializing with friends
0.3
2.4
5.9
19.9
31.1
15.0
10.5
13.6
5.31
5.49
5.33
Studying/Homework
1.0
6.6
12.6
26.2
23.4
15.4
9.1
4.9
4.69
4.68
4.60
Exercising/sports
4.2
11.5
18.9
17.8
19.9
11.9
7.0
8.0
4.40
4.27
4.04
Working (for pay)
46.5
1.7
9.4
11.5
10.1
7.0
6.6
6.3
3.14
3.31
3.16
Reading
9 .4
15.0
26.6
24.5
10.1
8.7
2.8
1.4
3.51
3.25
3.32
Watching TV
19
15
23
25
9
6
1
1
3.14
3.12
3.19
Student clubs
20
12
31
21
7
4
1
2
2.97
3.02
3.01
Talking with teachers outside of class
6
31
38
18
4
1
0
0
2.87
2.82
2.75
Volunteer work
21
21
29
16
5
3
0
2
2.91
2.76
2.67
Partying
34
21
17
17
6
2
1
1
2.64
2.52
2.58
Child care/ household duties
27
22
28
16
4
0
0
1
2.71
2.48
2.39
Video games
53.5
11.5
11.2
9.4
6.3
2.4
0.3
4.2
2.30
2.18
2.16
Prayer/meditation
39.2
28.0
22.4
7.7
1.4
0.3
0
0
2.02
1.88
1.98


  *1=none to 8=greater than 20 hours.

 

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

was each of the following reasons?"
 
Reason
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)
Mean* (2005)

Mean* (2004)

Mean* (2003)
To learn more about things that interest me
86.6
11.7
1.8
1.15
1.09
1.13
To gain a general education and appreciation of ideas
77.8
20.1
2.1
1.24
1.13
1.23
To make me a more cultured person
61.3
27.8
10.9
1.50
1.40
1.44
Find purpose in life
49.7
31.8
16.8
1.64
1.62
  
To prepare myself for graduate or professional school
53.7
32.2
14.1
1.60
1.66
1.65
To be able to get a better job
45.9
33.1
21.0
1.75
1.74
1.78
To be able to make more money
28.9
44.4
26.8
1.98
1.94
1.96
To get training for a specific career
35.8
32.6
31.6
1.96
1.95
2.04
My parents wanted me to go
28.2
42.3
29.6
2.01
2.01
2.12
Wanted to get away from home
23.3
43.5
33.2
2.10
2.02
2.20
There was nothing better to do
5.0
18.1
76.9
2.72
2.77
2.75
A mentor encouraged me to go
10.1
35.0
53.5
2.41
N/A
N/A
I could not find a job
3.2
5.3
91.2
2.91
2.92
2.90

*1=very important to 3=not important.

*Reasons that do not show a mean for 2003 indicate a new question to the survey.

   
 

Reasons influencing students’ decision to attend Earlham College
 
        Reason
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)
Mean* (2005)

   Mean* (2004)

   Mean* (2003)
Wanted to go to a school about this size
60.8
27.2
12.0
1.51
1.43
1.54
This college has a good academic reputation
56.4
40.4
3.2
1.47
1.46
1.51
Visit to campus
59.7
21.2
19.1
1.59

1.54

  
This college has a good reputation for social activities
27.9
51.2
20.8
1.93
1.77
1.91
I was offered financial assistance
47.9
27.8
24.3
1.76
1.80
1.75
Grads get good jobs
33.2
40.0
26.8
1.94
2.03
Grads get admission into top schools
32.2
39.7
27.6
1.93
2.09
This college has low tuition
22.4
33.6
43.0
2.19
2.15
2.74
I was attracted by the religious affiliation/orientation of the college
20.8
32.5
46.6
2.26
2.27
2.30
Information from a website
19.5
41.1
39.4
2.20
2.39
2.33
Rankings in national magazines
14.5
36.0
49.5
2.35
2.46
2.49
My relatives wanted me to come here
7.4
29.3
63.3
2.56
2.57
2.60
High school counselor advised me
8.5
22.3
69.1
2.61
2.58
2.64
My teacher advised me
4.9
27.2
67.8
2.63
2.59
2.65
I was admitted through an Early Action or Early Decision program
19.5
13.5
67.0
2.48
2.66
2.58
I wanted to live near home
5.7
12.4
81.9
2.76
2.76
2.75
Private college counselor advised me
4.6
14.2
81.1
2.77
2.79
2.81
Not offered aid by first choice
7.1
11.0
81.9
2.75
2.86
2.82

*1=very important to 3=not important.

*Reasons that do not have a mean for 2003 indicate a new question to the survey.

   

Ratings of Likelihood of Certain Events in College
 
Activity
Very Good Chance (%)
Some Chance (%)
Very Little Chance (%)
No Chance (%)
Mean* (2005)

Mean* (2004)

Mean* (2003)
Socialize with other racial groups
88.8
7.3
1.0
1.7
1.14
1.15
1.16
Make at least a "B" average
64.7
29.7
3.8
0.7
1.38
1.33
1.37
Be satisfied with your college
60.5
35.0
2.1
1.4
1.42
1.35
1.31
Communicate with professors
61.9
33.6
2.4
1.0
1.41
1.41
1.36
Participate in student clubs
60.8
25.2
9.4
3.5
1.53
1.44
1.45
Study Abroad
65.4
24.1
6.3
3.1
1.45
1.45
1.41
Participate in volunteer or community service work
50.0
33.6
12.2
2.8
1.73
1.64
1.59
Get a job to help pay for college expenses
49.7
30.8
11.9
6.6
1.73
1.79
1.77
Participate in protests or demonstrations
35.0
37.1
19.2
7.3
1.96
1.90
1.96
Change career choice
24.8
46.5
20.6
7.0
2.08
1.91
1.96
Change major field
19.6
43.7
29.4
6.3
2.20
2.05
2.11
Strengthen religious beliefs
30.1
31.8
25.2
14
2.17
2.17
2.17
Be elected to a student office
12.2
29.4
34.3
22.7
2.65
2.51
2.52
Seek personal counseling
11.9
33.2
42.3
11.2
2.50
2.51
2.53
Play varsity/intercollegiate athletics
24.8
19.2
19.2
35.0
2.61
2.63
2.59
Transfer to another college before graduating
5.6
19.6
45.1
28.7
2.95
2.92
2.85
Work full time while attending college
2.4
11.2
43.0
42.0
3.22
3.21
3.18
Join a social fraternity, sorority or club
0.7
3.8
12.2
81.8
3.72
3.72
3.71

*1=very good chance to 4=no chance.

   
 

Ratings of Importance of Life Objectives
 
Objective
Essential (%)
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)
Mean* (2005)
Improving my understanding of other cultures and countries
38.1
39.9
17.5
2.8
3.15
Helping others who are in difficulty
35.2
39.5
21.0
4.3
3.06
Developing a meaningful life philosophy
32.3
31.9
22.7
13.1
2.83
Keeping up to date with political affairs
22.7
34.0
26.2
17.0
2.62
Influencing social values
21.6
33.0
32.6
12.8
2.63
Helping to promote racial understanding
23.1
34.5
32.4
10.0
2.71
Raising a family
30.0
25.4
27.6
17.0
2.69
Becoming an authority in my field
14.2
34.9
35.6
15.3
2.48
Integrating spirituality into my life
21.0
22.4
31.7
24.9
2.40
Participating in a community action program
13.5
29.9
37.7
18.9
2.38
Becoming involved in environmental clean-up programs
12.5

24.6
42.3
20.6
2.29
Influencing the political structure
15.3
19.9
36.7
28.1
2.22
Obtaining recognition for contributions to my special field
7.1
33.7
42.2
17.0
2.31
Becoming a community leader
14.2
25.5
34.8
25.5
2.28
Being very well off financially
11.4
19.2
43.8
25.6
2.16
Writing original works 
12.8
15.6
28.4
43.3
1.98
Creating artistic work
13.5
14.2
28.7
43.6
1.98
Becoming accomplished in performing arts
7.1
13.5
32.3
47.2
1.81
Becoming successful in own business 
8.6
15.0
23.3
53.2
1.79
Having administrative responsibility for the work of others
1.4
15.4
35.0
48.2
1.70
Theoretically contributing to science
6.0
9.2
29.4
55.3
1.66

*1=not important to 4=essential

*Objectives that do not show a mean for 2003 indicate a new question to the survey.

   

Views on Social Issues
 
Issue
Agree Strongly (%)
Agree Somewhat (%)
Disagree Somewhat (%)
Disagree Strongly (%)
Mean* (2005)

Mean* (2004)

Mean* (2003)

Same sex couples should have the right to legal marital status
72.5
12.3
7.0
8.1
1.51
1.43
1.44
Government should do more to control handguns
50.5
38.8
8.5
2.1
1.62
1.54
1.66
Abortion should be legal
59.2
24.6
9.9
6.3
1.63
1.66
1.65
Wealthy people should pay more taxes
39.5
43.4
13.5
3.2
1.94
1.81
1.92
The death penalty should be abolished
47.5
23.2
17.6
11.6
1.93
1.83
1.83
It's all right for two people to have sex if they really like each other but have only known each other a short time
19.6
39.6
26.2
11.9
2.26
2.09
  
Marijuana should be legalized
22.7
35.8
25.2
16.3
2.35
2.20
2.26
Colleges should prohibit racist/sexist speech on campus
20.8
27.5
37.0
14.8
2.46
2.43
2.52
Affirmative action in college admissions should be abolished
6.8
28.3
45.7
19.2
2.77
2.84
2.76
Too much concern for the rights of criminals
2.9
18.0
46.4
32.7
3.09
3.11
3.07
An individual can do little to create changes in society
2.5
19.1
36.2
42.2
3.18
3.17
3.18
Military spending should be increased
1.7
3.8
26.9
65.0
3.50
3.42
3.39
Racial discrimination is no longer a problem in US
0.7
10.5
31.9
56.8
3.45
3.43
3.46
Married women should stay at home
1.4
3.9
13.1
81.6
3.75
3.74
3.71
Laws should prohibit homosexual relationships
4.3
4.6
8.9
82.3
3.69
3.75
3.75

*1=agree strongly to 4=disagree strongly.

*Issues that do not show a mean for 2003 indicate a new question to the survey.

This report was prepared by Carlos Paredes, Student Research Assistant, and Mary Ann Weaver - Fall, 2005

weavema@earlham.edu