Vol. 2, No. 1, January 1997

 

New Century College 1996 Freshmen Survey

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"In Focus" is a vehicle for sharing information about learning and assessment in the George Mason community. "In Focus" is prepared by the Office of Institutional Assessment and is intended to make assessment-related information widely available. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

I. Introduction

This report examines the responses of the 1996 New Century College freshmen (n=191) who took the national freshmen survey developed by the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP). Specifically, the responses of 1996 NCC freshmen are compared to the responses of freshmen attending public universities across the United States and to the 1995 NCC survey respondents (n=157). Only select items from the survey are shared in this report.

II. Students Characteristics/Background

As in 1995, 1996 NCC freshmen are a more ethnically diverse population and are twice as likely to be "non-native English speakers" than freshmen nationally. Within the college, NCC enrolled a greater proportion of African Americans, Asian Americans and Hispanic Americans in 1996 compared to 1995. Further, this year's NCC freshmen are more likely to describe themselves as "far left" or "liberal" in political orientation and to "live at home with parents or relatives" during their first year at college when compared to 1995 NCC freshmen and to freshmen nationally.

III. Reasons for Going to College

Altruistic reasons for attending college are still important for many NCC students. In greater proportions than freshmen nationally, 1996 NCC freshmen said that becoming a more cultured person, learning more about things, and gaining a general education were "very important" reasons for going to college. This year's NCC freshmen, however, are also more likely to say that making more money is a "very important" reason for attending college.

IV. Reasons "Very Important" In Deciding to attend George Mason

In 1996, NCC freshmen are more likely than freshmen nationally to say that good academic reputation, offer of special programs, and encouragement of relatives are "very important" in their decision to attend. The desire to live near home decreased in importance among NCC students in 1996 and is now near the national average. Several reasons were more important to 1996 NCC freshmen when compared to 1995 NCC freshmen including good academic reputation, offer of financial assistance, relatives encouraging attendance, graduates going on to top graduate schools, special programs and the fact that graduates get good jobs.

V. Educational Choice, Goals and Experiences

GMU was the "first choice" institution and the "only college applied to" for substantially greater proportions of NCC freshmen in 1996. While this year's NCC freshmen are less likely to plan to earn Ph.D.'s or Ed.D.'s (18%), greater proportions said that they planned to earn Master's degrees (44%). Fewer (22%) planned to complete their Master's degrees at GMU.

VI. Educational Preparation

NCC freshmen continue to rate themselves similar to freshmen nationally on their leadership ability, popularity, and intellectual self confidence. They rate themselves substantially higher in artistic ability, social self confidence and understanding of others. Similar to 1995, 1996 freshmen continue to rate themselves lower than freshmen nationally on mathematical ability and physical health and are dramatically less likely to say their average grade in high school was between a B+ and an A+.

VII. Important College Objectives

NCC freshmen, are still more likely than freshmen nationally, to say that the college objectives listed below are "essential" or "very important." This year's NCC freshmen are more likely than the 1995 NCC freshmen to want to achieve in a performing art, be a community leader, and be involved in community action. They are less likely than 1995 NCC freshmen to think that environmental clean-up and developing a meaningful philosophy of life are "essential" or "very important" college goals.

VIII. Opinions and Activities

NCC freshmen are more likely than freshman nationally to say they will participate in students protests and volunteer community service. This year's freshmen, however, are less likely to say they will participate in these activities than last year's NCC freshmen. Although they mirror the national freshman responses, 1996 NCC students were less likely than those in 1995 to say that "sex is OK if the people liked each other" and almost twice as likely to think "married women are best at home" (25%). Fifteen percent of the 1996 NCC freshmen said that racial discrimination is no longer a problem.

IX. Activities Engaged in During the Past Year

During the past year, 1996 NCC freshmen were more likely than freshmen nationally to say they felt depressed, overwhelmed, bored in class, had overslept and missed class or an appointment, and found it difficult to study at home. They are also more likely to have worked in a political campaign and to have socialized with a different ethnic group than freshmen nationally.