CIRP Freshman Survey

Prepared by Ashton Kunkle

December 3, 2008

2008 CIRP Survey of New Students

The following tables are based on responses of incoming students on the 2008 CIRP Survey.  The survey was completed by 283 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 Student Estimate of Parents' Income
Ethnicity Financial Worry
English as Native Language Students' Probable Major Field of Study
High School Graduation Year 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 Reasons Influencing Students' Decision to attend Earlham
Earlham as First Choice? Ratings of Likelihood of Certain Events in College
Applied at how many other colleges? Ratings of Importance of life Objectives

Housing Plans for Fall Semester

Views on Social Issues
Student and Parent Religious Affiliation Supplemental Questions
Parent Status  
Parents' Highest Education Level  

Gender
 

2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Gender
% % % %
%
%
Female
 58 51 53 59
60
59
Male
 41 47 45 37
38
40

Race/Ethnicity
 

2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Ethnicity
% % % %
%
%
White/Caucasian
 79 79 81 75
79
85
African American/Black
 8 6 7 9
7
5
Asian American/Asian
 5 5 6 6
4
4
Other
 10 4 4 6
5
3
Other Latino
 3 3 1 2
1
2
Mexican American/Chicano
 2 1 1 2
1
0
American Indian
 3 1 0 0
2
0
Puerto Rican
 0.4 1 0 0
1
0

English as Native Language
 

2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Response
% % % %
%
%
Yes
 89 86 86 87
91
92
No
 11 11 11 11
7
7

High School Graduation
 

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
2008 86 2007 88 2006 83 2005 82 2004
83
2003
81
Before 2008 14 Before 2007 12 Before 2006 17 Before 2005 18 Before 2004
17
 Before 2003 19

Number of Miles from Home
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
Miles
% % % %
%
%
More than 500
 55 50 43 54
47 
42 
101 to 500
 30 32 31 30
33
38
51 to 100
 9 11 15 7
12  
9  
11 to 50
 6 2 5 2
4  
4  
6 to 10
 0.7 1 1 1
1  
2  
5 or less
 0.4 3 2 2
3  
2  

Political Views
 

2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Political Views
% % % %
%
%
Liberal
 57 53 56 51
56
59
Middle of the road
 19 20 21 16
19
22
Far left
 17 17 15 25
20
13
Conservative
 3 5 4 5
2
2
Far right
 1 1 1 0
1
1

Average Grade in High School
 

2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Grade
% % % %
%
%
‘A’ Average
 48 42 44 47
47
45
‘B’ Average
 48 54 55 49
48
50
‘C’ Average
 3 4 1 4
4
5

SAT/ACT Scores
 

2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Test
Average Score Average Score Average Score Average Score
Average Score
Average Score
SAT Verbal
652
 647 660 628
636
640
SAT Math
606
 617 618 607
597
612
ACT
27
 26 25 27
27
27

"Is this college your…?"
 

2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Choice
% % % %
%
%
First choice
 66 58 62 68
75
72
Second choice
 22 28 25 21
19
19
Third choice
 9 9 8 6
2
5
Less than third choice
 3 4 4 4
3
3

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

 

2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Number
% % % %
%
%
1-3 
 28 28 31 31
34
40
4-6 
 36 34 36 33
32
30
7 or more 
 23 27 17 21
17
18
None
 13 10 14 15
16
14

Housing Plans for Fall Semester
 

2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Living Situation
% % % %
%
%
College Dormitory
 96 97 97 98
96
96
With Parents or Relatives
 3 2 1 1
2
1
Other campus student housing
 0.4 1 1 0
0
1
Other private home, apartment or room
 0.4 0 1 1
1
1

Student Religious Affiliation
 

  2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Religion 
 Student (%)

Student (%)

Student (%) Student (%)
Student (%)

Student (%)
None
 35 42 40 38
37
35
Quaker
 12 10 10 12
15
14
Other Religion
 11 9 6 6
4
12
Other Christian
 8 7 9 8
7
9
Roman Catholic
 6 7 8 6
6
6
Jewish
 6 5 7 5
7
4
Buddhist
 5 4 5 3
4
2
United Church of Christ
 0.4 3 0 1
1
1
Methodist
 3 1 4 4
3
2
Islamic
 3 1 3 1
1
1
Presbyterian
 2 1 2 2
3
2
Baptist
 3 1 2 3
4
4
Episcopal
 2 1 2 2
1
2
Eastern Orthodox
 0.4 0 0 0
1
0
Lutheran
 2 0 0 1
1
2
Seventh Day Adventist
 0 0 0 1
0
0
Mormon
 0.4 0 0 0
0
0

Parent Status
 

  2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Status 
 % % % %
%
%
Both alive and living with each other
 71 73 71 67
72
69
Both alive, divorced or living apart
 25 23 25 29
25
26
One or both deceased
 4 3 3 4
3
4

Parents’ Highest Education Level
 

  2008 2007 2006

2005
2004
 2008 2007 2006

2005
2004
 Education Father (%) Father (%) Father (%)

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

Mother (%)
Mother (%)
Grammar school or less
 0.7 2 0

1

1

1 1 0

1

1

Some high school
 2 2 2

4

1

0 2 1

2

2

High school graduate
 7 8 9

9

9

9 9 8

7

8

Post-Secondary School other than college

 2 2 5

2
3
 2 3 4

2

3

Some college
 11 9 10

8

8

9 8 11

8

8

College degree
 25 23 24

18

23

30 28 29

25

23

Some graduate school
 4 5 4

3
3
 5 5 4

4
6
Graduate degree
 49 45 46

55

50

44 42 44

49

47

Student Estimate of Parents’ Income
 

  2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Income 
 % % % %
%
%
Less than $10,000
 6 5 4 6
7
3
$10,000 to $14,999
 4 3 4 1
2
2
$15,000 to $19,999
 4 4 3 4
2
3
$20,000 to $24,999
 4 1 2 5
3
2
$25,000 to $29,999
 2 3 5 3
4
2
$30,000 to $39,999
 6 4 7 6
6
5
$40,000 to $49,999
 8 6 5 5
8
7
$50,000 to $59,999
 6 5 8 9
9
7
$60,000 to $74,999
 10 9 8 8
11
10
$75,000 to $99,999
 14 15 13 12
14
14
$100,000 to $149,999
 16 14 16 14
13
17
$150,000 to $199,999
 11 10 4 6
6
5
$200,000 to $249,999
 3 3 3 5
3
4
$250,000 or more
 7 5 6 6
6
3

Financial Worry
 

  2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Level of Concern 
 % % % %
%
%
Some (will probably have enough)
 59 51 48 61
53
50
None (confident will have sufficient funds)
 33 42 41 29
32
36
Major (not sure will have enough to complete)
 8 6 9 10
14
11

Students’ Probable Major Field of Study
 

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Probable Major
 % % % % % %
Social Science
 30.2 23.0 24.7 30.1
28.7
20.5
Arts and Humanities
 20.0 24.5 31.1 28.0
25.2
25.1
Biological Science
 14.2 17.0 12.4 9.4
10.3
14.0
Undecided
 8.0 1.4 0.4 3.5
13.5
2.9
Business
 4.7 5.0 5.7 3.1
3.5
1.8
Physical Science
 4.0 5.0 2.5 2.8
2.6
4.1
Education
 3.6 1.4 2.8 3.8
5.2
5.8
Professional
 3.2 3.5 4.6 6.3
4.5
4.1
Other Fields
 2.1 16.0 1.1 9.8
3.5
17.5
Engineering
 1.4 2.1 1.1 1.4
0.6
1.2
Technical
 1.4 1.1 0.4 0.3
1.6
0.6

Highest Degree Planned to Obtain (Overall)
 

  2008 2007 2006 2005
2004
2003
Degree 
 % % % %
%
%
Master’s degree (M.A., M.S., etc.)
 37 32 32 34
35
34
Ph.D. or Ed.D.
 36 30 27 26
30
27
Bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S., etc.)
 11 9 19 14
9
9
M.D., D.O., D.D.S., or D.V.M.
 9 6 6 5
5
6
LL.B. or J.D. (Law)
 5 4 3 6
2
7
Other
 3 2 2 0
2
1
None
 0 1 1 1
1
0
B.D. or M.DIV. (Divinity)
 0 0 1 1
1
1
No Response
 0 17 9 14
16
16

"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* (2008)
Mean* (2007)

Mean* (2006)
Mean* (2005)

Mean* (2004)
Drive to achieve
19.7
41.6
30.2
7.2
0
2.26
2.3
2.31
2.21
2.42
Self-understanding
14.0
40.1
28.8
4.3
0
2.16
2.26
2.19
2.16
2.26
Cooperativeness
21.1
50.0
25.1
2.5
0
2.09
2.14
2.12
2.11
2.16
Understanding of others
21.8
46.7
28.1
2.5
0
2.12
2.25
2.16
2.07
2.04
Creativity
17.8
51.8
24.0
4.7
0
2.18
2.28
2.24
2.13
2.28
Writing ability
16.0
37.9
38.3
6.5
0
2.38
2.44
2.44
2.28
2.31
Leadership ability
12.4
40.8
35.0
10.5
1.0
2.46
2.52
2.49
2.33
2.43
Self-confidence (intellectual)
16.0
45.9
28.1
8.7
1.0
2.32
2.31
2.4
2.29
2.42
Physical health
11.6
31.0
46.3
9.1
1.0
2.57
2.54
2.54
2.39
2.51
Academic ability
17.5
56.5
24.0
1.0
0
2.09
2.14
2.07
2.04
2.04
Emotional health
13.1
28.1
42.7
13.1
2.5
2.64
2.68
2.53
2.63
2.63
Public speaking ability
11.6
27.7
35.7
20.4
4.0
2.77
2.8
2.81
2.72
2.72
Spirituality
9.1
28.1
31.7
18.2
10.9
2.94
3.12
2.91
2.78
2.90
Self-confidence (social)
9.1
37.2
28.1
21.5
3.2
2.72
2.78
2.78
2.72
2.78
Mathematical ability
11.6
24.4
35.7
20.4
7.2
2.87
2.94
2.86
2.91
2.96
Computer Skills
4.7
22.6
50.3
20.4
1.4
2.91
2.72
2.88
2.99
2.91
Artistic ability
6.5
35.4
29.1
21.5
6.5
2.84
3.03
2.83
2.86
2.85

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

   

Activities Engaged in by Students in the Past Year
 
Activity
Frequently (%)
Occasionally (%)
Not at All (%)
Mean* (2008)
Mean* (2007)
Mean* (2006)
Mean* (2005)

Mean* (2004)
Used the internet for research
77
21
2
1.26
1.27
1.28
1.22
1.26
Socialized with different ethnic groups
76
22
2
1.25
1.32
1.38
1.23
1.32
Was bored in class
34
55
11
1.77
1.68
1.72
1.65
1.67
Performed volunteer work
38
52
10
1.72
1.76
1.87
1.80
1.74
Felt overwhelmed
30
58
11
1.81
1.75
1.85
1.80
1.78
Played a musical instrument
30
24
46
2.16
2.11
2.16
2.21
2.19
Asked a teacher for advice
35
55
10
1.74
1.78
1.83
1.88
1.79
Studied with other students
34
52
15
1.81
1.84
1.93
1.83
1.92
Attended religious service
24
48
28
2.04
2.13
2.15
1.93
2.03
Voted in a student election
24
39
37
2.13
2.12
2.17
2.07
2.13
Performed community service for class
19
38
43
2.24
2.27
2.45
2.34
2.38
Tutored another student
12
45
44
2.32
2.31
2.42
2.38
2.37
Felt depressed
9
57
34
2.25
2.16
2.26
2.22
2.17
Came late to class
7
57
36
2.29
2.32
2.26
2.20
2.20
Smoked cigarettes
7
17
76
2.69
2.69
2.71
2.71
2.71
Drank beer
11
32
57
2.46
2.48
2.44
2.43
2.52
Drank wine or liquor
10
41
49
2.39
2.41
2.38
2.34
2.39
Participated in demonstrations
6
39
56
2.50
2.53
2.39
2.25
2.29
Was a guest in a teacher’s home
9
31
61
2.52
2.61
2.57
2.57
2.50
Discussed religion
47
46
7
1.60
1.67
1.73
1.56
NA
Discussed politics
57
33
10
1.52
1.56
1.49
NA
NA

* 1=frequently to 3=not at all.
 
 

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 (2008)
Mean (2007)
Mean (2006)
Mean (2005)
 Mean (2004)
Socializing with friends
0.4
2
7
23
29
15
11
13
5.29
5.24
5.4
5.31
5.49
Studying/Homework
2
7
15
21
28
12
9
8
4.76
4.78
4.77
4.69
4.68
Exercising/sports
6
13
19
22
18
11
7
5
4.18
4.15
4.25
4.40
4.27
Reading
11
21
23
20
12
8
4
2
3.48
3.38
3.29
3.51
3.25
Watching TV
18
19
20
27
10
2
3
2
3.20
3.18
3.17
3.14
3.12
Working (for pay)
50
3
5
7
13
7
8
7
3.15
3.05
3.06
3.14
3.31
Talking with teachers outside of class
6
32
37
17
5
3
1
0.4
2.95
2.85
2.69
2.87
2.82
Volunteer work
18
24
28
16
8
2
1
3
2.97
2.84
2.62
2.91
2.76
Partying
33
21
20
14
8
3
1
0
2.57
2.63
2.67
2.64
2.52
Child care/ household duties
23
21
28
20
6
2
0
1
2.75
2.67
2.39
2.71
2.48
Video games
42
20
14
11
8
4
1
1
2.42
2.6
2.53
2.30
2.18


  *1=none to 8=greater than 20 hours.


 

Reasons influencing students’ decision to attend Earlham College
 
        Reason
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)
Mean* (2008)
Mean* (2007)
Mean* (2006)
Mean* (2005)

   Mean* (2004)
This college has a good academic reputation
59
37
4
1.44
1.43
1.45
1.47
1.46
Wanted to go to a school about this size
56
33
11
1.56
1.51
1.56
1.51
1.43
Visit to campus
57
23
20
1.63
1.65
1.68
1.59

1.54
I was offered financial assistance
56
23
20
1.64
1.73
1.74
1.76
1.80
Grads get good jobs
37
42
21
1.84
1.92
1.98
1.94
2.03
This college has low tuition
31
33
37
2.06
2.02
2.09
2.19
2.15
Grads get admission into top schools
31
42
27
1.96
1.91
2.08
1.93
2.09
This college has a good reputation for social activities
33
50
17
1.84
1.94
1.45
1.93
1.77
Information from a web site
16
48
37
2.21
2.22
2.29
2.20
2.39
I was admitted through an Early Action or Early Decision program
14
13
74
2.60
2.62
2.64
2.48
2.66
I was attracted by the religious affiliation/orientation of the college
15
31
54
2.39
2.42
2.45
2.26
2.27
Rankings in national magazines
9
35
56
2.47
2.36
2.41
2.35
2.46
High school counselor advised me
10
33
56
2.46
2.51
2.58
2.61
2.58
My teacher advised me
8
34
58
2.50
2.53
2.6
2.63
2.59
Private college counselor advised me
6
14
80
2.73
2.68
2.81
2.77
2.79
I wanted to live near home
5
15
81
2.76
2.71
2.73
2.76
2.76
Not offered aid by first choice
8
10
83
2.75
2.76
2.79
2.75
2.86
My relatives wanted me to come here
3
14
83
2.80
2.76
2.63
2.56
2.57

*1=very important to 3=not important.

   

Ratings of Likelihood of Certain Events in College
 
Activity
Very Good Chance (%)
Some Chance (%)
Very Little Chance (%)
No Chance (%)
Mean* (2008)
Mean* (2007)
Mean* (2006)
Mean* (2005)

Mean* (2004)
Socialize with other racial groups
84
15
0.8
0.8
1.18
1.13
1.2
1.14
1.15
Study Abroad
63
29
6
2
1.47
1.48
1.51
1.45
1.45
Be satisfied with your college
62
35
2
0.7
1.42
1.46
1.4
1.42
1.35
Make at least a "B" average
65
34
0.4
0.7
1.37
1.47
2.13
1.38
1.33
Participate in student clubs
58
33
7
2
1.51
1.51
1.57
1.53
1.44
Communicate with professors
59
37
3
1
1.47
1.47
1.52
1.41
1.41
Get a job to help pay for college expenses
50
31
15
5
1.73
1.74
1.89
1.73
1.79
Participate in volunteer or community service work
49
37
11
3
1.67
1.7
1.81
1.73
1.64
Change career choice
27
41
25
7
2.12
1.94
2.12
2.08
1.91
Play varsity/intercollegiate athletics
24
13
23
40
2.79
2.63
2.71
2.61
2.63
Participate in protests or demonstrations
24
39
25
12
2.26
2.27
2.24
1.96
1.90
Change major field
17
41
33
9
2.34
2.18
2.29
2.20
2.05
Seek personal counseling
12
38
42
8
2.45
2.51
2.66
2.50
2.51
Transfer to another college before graduating
2
21
50
27
3.01
2.9
2.97
2.95
2.92
Work full time while attending college
5
9
43
43
3.21
3.2
3.38
3.22
3.21
Join a social fraternity, sorority or club
2
5
16
77
3.68
3.65
3.7
3.72
3.72

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

Ratings of Importance of Life Objectives
 
Objective
Essential (%)
Very Important (%)
Somewhat Important (%)
Not Important (%)
Mean (2008)
Mean (2007)
Mean* (2006)
Improving my understanding of other cultures and countries
41
41
15
4
3.18
3.06
3.07
Developing a meaningful life philosophy
33
34
24
9
2.91
2.87
2.79
Helping others who are in difficulty
33
44
22
2
3.08
3.0
2.94
Raising a family
28
26
29
18
2.63
2.72
2.44
Keeping up to date with political affairs
20
40
32
9
2.70
2.62
2.56
Becoming an authority in my field
24
32
32
13
2.66
2.52
2.33
Influencing social values
14
42
30
15
2.55
2.6
2.48
Helping to promote racial understanding
18
37
36
9
2.65
2.57
2.52
Becoming involved in environmental clean-up programs
16
24
48
12
2.45
2.47
2.27
Writing original works 
10
18
29
44
1.94
1.99
1.77
Being very well off financially
17
28
41
15
2.46
2.35
2.28
Obtaining recognition for contributions to my special field
14
34
37
15
2.48
2.36
2.1
Creating artistic work
12
14
32
43
1.95
1.88
1.83
Becoming a community leader
14
26
38
22
2.32
2.17
2.04
Influencing the political structure
11
26
38
25
2.23
2.17
2.12
Participating in a community action program
11
32
41
16
2.38
2.29
2.17
Becoming successful in own business 
9
15
29
47
1.86
1.88
1.8
Becoming accomplished in performing arts
6
13
34
48
1.76
1.74
1.7
Theoretically contributing to science
6
15
27
52
1.75
1.77
1.52

*1=not important to 4=essential

Views on Social Issues
 
Issue
Agree Strongly (%)
Agree Somewhat (%)
Disagree Somewhat (%)
Disagree Strongly (%)
Mean (2008)
Mean (2007)
Mean* (2006)
Mean* (2005)

Mean* (2004)

Same sex couples should have the right to legal marital status
75
11
8
7
1.46
1.47
1.48
1.51
1.43
Federal government is not doing enough to control environmental pollution
63
27
8
2
1.48
1.38
1.38
NA
NA
Abortion should be legal
61
22
8
10
1.66
1.73
1.7
1.63
1.66
Government should do more to control handguns
47
36
13
5
1.75
1.8
1.74
1.62
1.54
Only volunteers should serve in the armed forces
49
33
13
5
1.73
1.72
1.81
The death penalty should be abolished
42
34
16
9
1.91
1.99
1.99
1.93
1.83
Wealthy people should pay more taxes
40
41
15
4
1.84
1.89
1.78
1.94
1.81
Dissent is a critical component of the political process
39
39
20
2
1.86
1.71
1.74
Marijuana should be legalized
21
38
27
15
2.37
2.34
2.36
2.35
2.20
Affirmative action in college admissions should be abolished
11
31
48
9
2.55
2.56
2.73
2.77
2.84
Colleges should prohibit racist/sexist speech on campus
7
24
32
37
2.99
2.97
3.06
2.46
2.43
Undocumented immigrants should be denied access to public education
5
12
35
47
3.24
3.08
3.19
Laws should prohibit homosexual relationships
3
3
10
85
3.77
3.64
3.72
3.69
3.75
An individual can do little to create changes in society
4
16
40
41
3.17
3.09
3
3.18
3.17
Too much concern for the rights of criminals
3
24
49
25
2.96
2.99
3.03
3.09
3.11
Military spending should be increased
2
9
33
57
3.46
3.32
3.43
3.50
3.42
Racial discrimination is no longer a problem in US
3
10
37
50
3.34
3.39
3.42
3.45
3.43

*1=agree strongly to 4=disagree strongly.

Supplemental Questions for the 2008 CIRP Survey

In your experience during your last school year in high school, about how often have you done each of the following?
Activity
Very Often (%)

Often (%)

Sometimes (%)

Never (%)
Not At All (%)

Mean * (2008)
Asked a librarian for help (in person, e-mail, chat, etc.)
12
18
40
29
0.4
2.87
Went to a school library to do course research
19
28
33
20
0.4
2.54
Used your school's Web-based library resources in completing class assignments
15
21
30
34
0.4
2.84

*1=very often to 4=never

Which of the following did you do in high school or plan to do in college?

Activity

Done in highschool (%)

Plan to do in college (%)

Do not plan to do (%)

Have not decided (%)
Participate in an instructional session led by a librarian or other library staff member
16
13
29
41
Participate in an online library tutorial
10
8
33
46

*1=very likely to 4=not likely.

To what extent does your high school emphasize each of the following?

Activity
Very Much %
Quite a Bit %
Some %
Very Little %
Not At All %

Mean * (2008)
Developing critical, analytical abilities
45
29
19
5
2
1.9
Developing the ability to obtain and effectively use information for problem-solving
42
32
19
7
1
1.94
Developing the ability to evaluate the quality of information available from various media sources (TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, etc.)
37
26
30
6
2
2.11

*1=very likely to 4=not likely.

To what extent has your high school experience contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in the following areas?

Activity
Very Much %
Quite a Bit %
Some %
Very Little %
Not At All %

Mean * (2008)
Evaluating the quality of information
33
34
27
5
2
2.08
Understanding how to ethically use information in academic work (proper citation use, not plagiarizing, etc.)
42
38
14
5
1
1.86

*1=very likely to 4=not likely.

Which of the following do you think would be the most important device to you in the coming year at Earlham?

Device
Most Important %
Computer
88
Ipod or othe MP3 player
3
Cell phone
9
Gaming system
0.4
PDA
0

If you are bringing a computer, what operating system does it run?

Operating System
%
Windows XP
24
Windows Vista
31
Mac OS X
42
Linux
2
None of these
0.8

If you are bringing a computer, are you planning to bring a printer with you?

Response
2008
Yes
51
No
47
No Response
4

Many students have a portable music player of some description. Which player do you use most often?

Type of Music Player
Usage %
Apple Ipod (all varieties)
72
Other MP3 player (eg Zune)
10
I use my cell phone to play music
3
Portable CD player
3
I don't have a portable music player on campus
12

Which method do you use most often for obtaining music to play on your portable player or computer?

Method
Usage %
Download from online retailer like iTunes or Amazon
26
Rip from CDs I own
30
Share music with friends
26
Download using P2P system (eg Limewire)
14
I don't acquire music in digital form
4

Which method do you use most often for obtaining digital video files (i.e. movies)?

Method
Usage %
Download from online retailer like iTunes or Amazon
18
Rip from DVDs
9
Share digital movies with friends
13
Download using P2P system (eg Limewire)
7
I don't acquire digital video files
54

Did you realize that downloading a copyrighted media file (music or movie) without paying for it is illegal?

Response
2008
Yes
94
No
6

Which social networking system is your favorite?

Social Networking System
Usage %
Facebook
79
Myspace
6
Livejournal
4
Other
3
None
8

What characterizes your membership of your favorite social networking system?

Types of Use
Usage %
I am very active: I check it every day and update my profile frequently
22
I am moderately active: I check it most days
46
I occasionally logon to catch up with my friends
22
I hardly visit the system at all
6
I don't participate in this kind of system
4

Many students bring a cell phone with them. How do you use your phone?

Types of Use
Usage %
I make heavy use of my cell phone (more than three times a day on average)
41
I use my cell phone moderately (once or twice a day)
43
I hardly use it at all (once a week)
9
I don't have a cell phone with me at college
6

 

This report was prepared by L. Ashton Kunkle, Student Research Assistant, and Mary Ann Weaver, Associate Director of Institutional Research

December, 2008

weavema@earlham.edu