2004 CIRP Survey of New Students

Local Results




The following tables are based on responses of incoming students on the 2004 CIRP Survey.  The survey was completed by 310 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
What Type of High School did you graduate from? Highest Degree Planned to Obtain
"Did your high school require Community Service for graduation?" Self rating of Traits
Number of Miles from home Activities Engaged in by Student in Past Year
Political Views Hours Spent in Certain Activities in Past Year
Average Grade in High School Types of Community Service Performed
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
 

2004
2003
Gender
%
%
Female
60
59
Male
38
40

 

Race/Ethnicity
 

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

 

English as Native Language
 

2004
2003
Response
%
%
Yes
91
92
No
7
7

 

High School Graduation
 

2004
2003
Date
 %
Date		 %
2004
83
2003
81
2003
11
    
Before 2002
5
Before 2000
7
Other
1
Other
12

 

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

Type of School
%
Public
60
Private Independent
22
Private Religious
10
Public Magnet
6
Home School
1
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?"

2004
2003
Response
%
%
No
60
60
Yes
39
37

   

Number of Miles from Home

 

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

 

Political Views
 

2004
2003
Political Views
%
%
Liberal
56
59
Far left
20
13
Middle of the road
19
22
Conservative
2
2
Far right
1
1

   

Average Grade in High School
 

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

 

SAT/ACT Scores (rounded)
 

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

 

"Is this college your…?"
 

2004
2003
Choice
%
%
First choice
75
72
Second choice
19
19
Third choice
2
5
Less than third choice
3
3

   

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

 

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

   

Housing Plans for Fall Semester
 

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

 

Student Religious Affiliation
 

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

 

Parent Status
 

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

 

Parents’ Highest Education Level
 

 
2004
2003
2004
2003
 Education
Father (%)
Father (%)
Mother (%)
Mother (%)
Grammar school or less
1
1
1
1
Some high school
1
2
2
2
High school graduate
9
8
8
7

Post-Secondary School other than college
3
2
3
2
Some college
8
8
8
10
College degree
23
23
23
27
Some graduate school
3
4
6
6
Graduate degree
50
49
47
43

   

Student Estimate of Parents’ Income
 

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

   

Financial Worry
 

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

   

Students’ Probable Major Field of Study
 

2004 2003
Probable Major % %
Undecided
14
16
Political Science
10
6
Psychology
8
6
English
7
6
Fine Arts
6
4
Biology
6
6
Language/Literature
5
6
Education
5
6
Anthropology and Sociology
5
1
Other Social Sciences
3
4
Physical Science
3
4
Health Professions
2
3
Business Administration
2
2
Other Fields
2
2
Theology or Religion
2
2
History
2
2
Philosophy
2
1
Economics
1
1
Engineering
1
1
Math or Computer Science
1
1

   

Highest Degree Planned to Obtain (Overall)
 

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

Mean* (2003)
Understanding of others
25
48
22
3
0
2.04
2.07
Academic ability
20
57
22
0
1
2.04
1.99
Cooperativeness
18
50
28
2
1
2.16
2.06
Self-understanding
21
38
33
6
1
2.26
2.23
Creativity
17
45
31
6
1
2.28
2.12
Writing ability
18
44
27
10
1
2.31
2.34
Drive to achieve
18
37
30
13
1
2.42
2.28
Self-confidence (intellectual)
15
39
36
8
1
2.42
2.32
Leadership ability
19
34
33
13
1
2.43
2.50
Physical health
13
34
41
11
1
2.51
2.45
Emotional health
14
29
38
16
2
2.63
2.48
Public speaking ability
14
26
34
24
2
2.72
2.85
Self-confidence (social)
9
30
37
20
3
2.78
2.78
Artistic ability
6
37
38
23
6
2.85
2.75
Spirituality
10
28
31
19
10
2.90
2.71
Computer Skills
3
27
49
18
3
2.91
2.87
Mathematical ability
8
22
41
23
6
2.96
2.86
Religiousness
4
17
26
27
25
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* (2004)

Mean* (2003)
Used a personal computer
83
11
3
1.17
1.19
Used the internet for research
76
22
2
1.26
1.23
Socialized with different ethnic groups
71
26
3
1.32
1.31
Discussed politics
56
35
8
1.52
1.53
Maintained healthy diet
43
49
8
1.63
  
Was bored in class
42
49
7
1.67
1.75
Discussed religion with friends
38
50
10
1.70
Performed volunteer work
37
52
11
1.74
1.76
Felt overwhelmed
34
54
12
1.78
1.81
Asked a teacher for advice
32
56
11
1.79
1.83
Discussed religion with family members
29
52
17
1.86
Studied with other students
27
52
19
1.92
1.90
Discussed religion in class
22
49
27
2.00
Attended religious service
30
35
33
2.03
1.96
Stayed up all night
13
61
26
2.12
Voted in a student election
20
45
32
2.13
2.14
Felt depressed
13
57
30
2.17
2.20
Played a musical instrument
28
24
47
2.19
2.05
Came late to class
14
50
34
2.20
2.25
Missed school due to illness
5
64
30
2.21
Participated in demonstrations
12
47
40
2.29
2.24
Tutored another student
10
42
46
2.37
2.35
Performed community service for class
12
37
49
2.38
2.32
Drank wine or liquor
7
48
45
2.39
2.39
Was a guest in a teacher’s home
8
34
57
2.50
2.62
Drank beer
7
35
58
2.52
2.47
Worked on political campaign
3
19
76
2.69
  
Smoked cigarettes
7
15
78
2.71
2.70

* 1=frequently to 3=not at all.

*Activities that do not show a mean for 2003 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 (2004) Mean (2003)
Socializing with friends
1
2
6
17
25
22
11
16
5.49
5.33
Studying/Homework
2
6
14
22
24
16
8
6
4.68
4.60
Exercising/sports
6
12
15
22
17
15
6
6
4.27
4.04
Working (for pay)
45
4
6
9
12
8
8
7
3.31
3.16
Reading
12
18
25
27
11
4
2
0
3.25
3.32
Watching TV
19
15
23
25
9
6
1
1
3.12
3.19
Student clubs
20
12
31
21
7
4
1
2
3.02
3.01
Talking with teachers outside of class
6
31
38
18
4
1
0
0
2.82
2.75
Volunteer work
21
21
29
16
5
3
0
2
2.76
2.67
Partying
34
21
17
17
6
2
1
1
2.52
2.58
Child care/ household duties
27
22
28
16
4
0
0
1
2.48
2.39
Video games
48
17
12
12
7
2
1
1
2.18
2.16
Prayer/meditation
45
28
17
7
0
0
0
0
1.88
1.98


  *1=none to 8=greater than 20 hours.

 

Community Service in Which Students Participated During their Last Year in High School,

Type of Service
%
Other community service
54
Tutoring/teaching
46
Environmental activities
43
Child care
38
Community improvement
37
Services to the homeless
31
Service to religious community
27
Counseling/mentoring
18
Elder care
17
Conflict mediation
14
Hospital work
7
Substance abuse education
5
Other health education
5

*Students could bubble in multiple answers in response to this question.

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

 

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

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

Mean* (2004)

Mean* (2003)
To learn more about things that interest me
90
8
1
1.09
1.13
To gain a general education and appreciation of ideas
87
11
1
1.13
1.23
To make me a more cultured person
68
23
8
1.40
1.44
Find purpose in life
49
37
13
1.62
  
To prepare myself for graduate or professional school
50
33
16
1.66
1.65
To be able to get a better job
45
35
19
1.74
1.78
To be able to make more money
33
39
27
1.94
1.96
To get training for a specific career
36
34
31
1.95
2.04
My parents wanted me to go
29
40
30
2.01
2.12
Wanted to get away from home
25
47
27
2.02
2.20
There was nothing better to do
4
15
79
2.77
2.75
I could not find a job
2
5
92
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* (2004)

   Mean* (2003)
Wanted to go to a school about this size
64
27
7
1.43
1.54
This college has a good academic reputation
57
39
3
1.46
1.51
Visit to campus
60
24
15

1.54

  
This college has a good reputation for social activities
38
45
16
1.77
1.91
I was offered financial assistance
42
35
22
1.80
1.75
Grads get good jobs
29
37
32
2.03
Grads get admission into top schools
25
35
38
2.09
This college has low tuition
22
34
42
2.15
2.74
I was attracted by the religious affiliation/orientation of the college
20
32
46
2.27
2.30
Information from a website
10
38
49
2.39
2.33
Rankings in national magazines
9
35
55
2.46
2.49
My relatives wanted me to come here
8
25
65
2.57
2.60
High school counselor advised me
10
22
67
2.58
2.64
My teacher advised me
6
30
63
2.59
2.65
I was admitted through an Early Action or Early Decision program
9
14
74
2.66
2.58
I wanted to live near home
6
13
80
2.76
2.75
Private college counselor advised me
5
11
82
2.79
2.81
Not offered aid by first choice
3
7
88
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* (2004)

Mean* (2003)
Socialize with other racial groups
85
11
1
1
1.15
1.16
Make at least a "B" average
65
30
2
1
1.33
1.37
Be satisfied with your college
65
30
3
1
1.35
1.31
Communicate with professors
61
33
3
1
1.41
1.36
Participate in student clubs
61
30
6
1
1.44
1.45
Study Abroad
63
26
7
3
1.45
1.41
Participate in volunteer or community service work
50
34
11
3
1.64
1.59
Get a job to help pay for college expenses
44
32
16
6
1.79
1.77
Participate in protests or demonstrations
39
34
17
8
1.90
1.96
Change career choice
28
49
17
3
1.91
1.96
Change major field
22
49
22
5
2.05
2.11
Strengthen religious beliefs
28
34
22
14
2.17
2.17
Be elected to a student office
9
35
39
14
2.51
2.52
Seek personal counseling
12
30
44
12
2.51
2.53
Play varsity/intercollegiate athletics
22
17
29
30
2.63
2.59
Transfer to another college before graduating
3
19
53
23
2.92
2.85
Work full time while attending college
2
10
47
40
3.21
3.18
Join a social fraternity, sorority or club
1
3
12
83
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* (2004)

Mean* (2003)
Improving my understanding of other cultures and countries
40
37
18
4
1.83
1.79
Helping others who are in difficulty
33
39
25
2
1.96
2.03
Developing a meaningful life philosophy
38
27
23
10
2.05
2.20
Keeping up to date with political affairs
23
36
27
11
2.27
2.41
Influencing social values
22
33
34
10
2.33
2.51
Helping to promote racial understanding
17
38
36
8
2.35
2.44
Raising a family
25
28
31
15
2.36
2.39
Becoming an authority in my field
15
29
39
15
2.56
2.54
Integrating spirituality into my life
21
18
34
25
2.64
2.56
Participating in a community action program
11
29
40
18
2.66
2.72
Becoming involved in environmental clean-up programs
11
25
46
17
2.69
2.79
Influencing the political structure
13
26
37
23
2.70
2.86
Obtaining recognition for contributions to my special field
10
26
41
21
2.75
2.82
Becoming a community leader
12
23
37
27
2.80
2.85
Being very well off financially
13
17
43
26
2.83
2.82
Writing original works 
14
17
34
33
2.89
2.96
Creating artistic work
10
18
31
39
3.01
3.02
Becoming accomplished in performing arts
7
14
34
43
3.14
3.10
Working to find a cure for a health problem
9
9
35
46
3.14
  
Becoming successful in own business 
7
13
27
51
3.24
3.32
Having administrative responsibility for the work of others
4
10
35
50
3.33
3.34
Theoretically contributing to science
6
12
23
57
3.34
3.39

*1=essential to 4=not important.

*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* (2004)

Mean* (2003)

Same sex couples should have the right to legal marital status
71
17
6
4
1.43
1.44
Government should do more to control handguns
58
30
6
4
1.54
1.66
Abortion should be legal
57
26
7
8
1.66
1.65
Wealthy people should pay more taxes
41
40
12
5
1.81
1.92
The death penalty should be abolished
48
27
14
9
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
25
41
22
9
2.09
  
Marijuana should be legalized
26
38
24
11
2.20
2.26
Colleges should prohibit racist/sexist speech on campus
21
30
31
16
2.43
2.52
Affirmative action in college admissions should be abolished
5
26
44
19
2.84
2.76
Colleges have the right to ban certain speakers
3
17
43
35
3.05
  
Too much concern for the rights of criminals
2
18
45
32
3.11
3.07
An individual can do little to create changes in society
4
13
44
38
3.17
3.18
Military spending should be increased
2
7
28
61
3.42
3.39
Racial discrimination is no longer a problem in US
3
8
30
57
3.43
3.46
Married women should stay at home 3 3 11 81 3.74 3.71
Laws should prohibit homosexual relationships
3
3
10
82
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 Nichole Dudley, Student Research Assistant, and Mary Ann Weaver - Fall, 2004

weavema@earlham.edu