This report presents a profile of students enrolled in Freshman Inquiry courses during Fall 2013, including demographic, academic, and financial information

Carpenter, Rowanna L.

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PDXScholar (Portland State University)

Portland State University PDXScholar University Studies Assessment Research University Studies Assessment Fall 2013 A Profile of Freshman Inquiry Students Fall 2013 Rowanna L. Carpenter Portland State University, carpenterr@pdx.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/unst_assessment_research  Part of the Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Citation Details Carpenter, Rowanna L., "A Profile of Freshman Inquiry Students Fall 2013" (2013). University Studies Assessment Research. 9. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/unst_assessment_research/9 This Report is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in University Studies Assessment Research by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. For more information, please contact pdxscholar@pdx.edu. For information about University Studies Assessment and Research, please contact Rowanna Carpenter, Director of Assessment  (503-725-3445, carpenterr@pdx.edu)  A Profile of Freshman Inquiry Students Fall 2013  In order to better understand the students who enroll in Freshman Inquiry (FRINQ) courses and identify areas where they may need support, University Studies (UNST) began collecting and compiling data on these students.  This report presents a profile of FRINQ students from Fall 2013.  It presents an overview of all students enrolled in FRINQ during Fall 2013 and then summarizes information from the Prior Learning Survey.  It is organized around three areas that contribute to student success:  academic preparation and concern; financial and physical wellbeing; and connectedness to campus.     OVERALL PROFILE (For all FRINQ students, N=1085)  Academic Profile   Demographic Profile New students:  89.7% of FRINQ students were new to PSU during Fall 2013.  The rest began at PSU prior to Fall 2013. Full-time status:  92.7% of FRINQ students were enrolled at PSU as full-time students. Class level:  94.2% of FRINQ students were freshmen.  4.1% were sophomores, 1.7% were juniors and seniors. HS GPA:  21.2% of FRINQ students entered PSU with a HS GPA lower than 3.0.  46.7% had a HS GPA between 3.0 and 3.49 and 32.2% had a HS GPA of 3.5 or higher.   Gender:  52.5% of FRINQ students were female, 47.5% were male. Ethnicity:  .8% were Native American, 11.1% were Asian, 3.7% were Black, 16.6% were Hispanic/Latino, 6.0% were International Students, 7.6% report multiple ethnicities, .7% were Pacific Islander, 49.8% were White, and 3.7% were unknown. Residency Status:  73% of FRINQ students were Oregon residents. Age:  85.8% of FRINQ students were 19 years or younger, 12.2% were between 20 and 25, and 2% were older than 25.   PRIOR LEARNING SURVEY RESPONSES (N=1087)  ACADEMIC PROFILE  Academic Background First Generation Status:  51.7% of FRINQ students are first-generation college students; neither parent had earned a 4-year degree. Prior Activity:  81.6% of FRINQ students were attending high school last year.    Data Sources:  PSU Data Warehouse:  PSU Office of Institutional Research and Planning 4th week student data file, includes demographic and enrollment data for all 2013 FRINQ students. Prior Learning Survey:  Survey administered during weeks 1 and 2 of fall term.  1085 students responded to the survey (85.5% response rate).  Academic Assistance  Graduation Requirements:  56.8% of FRINQ students report that they understand PSU graduation requirements fairly or very well.  31.1% understand the requirements a little and 12% do not understand the requirements very well.  Students reported on the kinds of help they think they need as they begin the school year. Ratings made on a scale of 1 = I don’t need any help to 3 = I need a lot of help  Activity % of Students needing a lot of help Writing 22.1 Math 31.6 Reading and understanding academic texts 15.6 Tutoring in other areas 10.2 Study skills 14.3 Finances 26.1 Using the library 5.5 Adjusting to college 7.4 Finding a job 20.9 Finding a social group 10.6  Academic Plans  PSU Plans:  88.3% of FRINQ students planned to earn a bachelor’s degree from PSU Degree Plans:  For 31.5% a bachelor’s degree was the highest degree they intend to earn.    FINANCIAL PROFILE  Work Hours:  50.1% of FRINQ students planned to work between 1 and 20 hours per week.  30.9% do not plan to work; the rest will work more than 20 hours per week.   Financial Concern:  36.9% listed financial issues as their top concern as they start the year.  24% expressed a major concern about finances; they are worried they may not have enough money to finish school. Students expressed agreement with the following questions about their finances Question % Agree or Strongly agree I understand the various financial aid options available to me 60.6 I understand how student loans work 57.3 I understand where to go to ask questions about financial aid issues 64.6 I understand where to go to ask questions about my bill at PSU. 59.2 My personal financial situation makes me feel stressed 55.1 I feel prepared financially to meet an emergency (car repairs, medical bills, etc.) 31.3 I understand how to find a job to help pay for college 57.1 I understand how to make a plan for addressing my financial needs 52.7 I understand how to use credit cards responsibly 73.6 For information about University Studies Assessment and Research, please contact Rowanna Carpenter, Director of Assessment  (503-725-3445, carpenterr@pdx.edu)    CONNECTEDNESS  Housing:  43.3% lived on campus. Orientation:  75.6% of students reported having attended orientation prior to fall term. Campus Involvement:  Students reported where they would participate on campus. Activity % Planning to Participate Student clubs or organizations 56.9 Volunteering in community 40.9 Student government 4.1 Greek life 4.1 Intramural sports 16.3 Outdoor program 15.9    STUDENT PROFILE  Home Language:  35.3% reported speaking a language other than English at home. Care for Dependents:  8.6% had at least part-time responsibility for dependents.   CONCLUSION  This profile of students enrolled in Freshman Inquiry courses for fall 2013 reveals that while they represent the characteristics of traditional college students in many ways (e.g., age, transition directly from high school), they are also an increasingly diverse group.  The Hispanic/Latino  population has grown more than 9% over the last 5 years.  First-generation students continue to make up almost half of the students enrolled in FRINQ courses and about 35% of FRINQ students report speaking a language other than English at home.  They also vary in their level of concern over their finances; about 24% are not sure they will have enough money to finish college.    

A Profile of Freshman Inquiry Students Fall 2013

https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009&amp;context=unst_assessment_research

A Profile of Freshman Inquiry Students Fall 2013

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