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Volunteerism Among U.S. College Freshmen At All-Time High, UCLA Study Finds
Freshmen entering U.S. colleges and universities this past fall are the most community-service-minded class in the 31-year history of UCLA's nationwide survey of college freshmen. The survey of more than 250,000 freshmen shows record numbers of students doing volunteer work and record numbers giving of their time at least an hour each week.
The fall 1996 survey, conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA's Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, shows that 71.8 percent of the freshmen questioned did volunteer work during the past year. That compares to 70.3 percent in 1995 and a low of 62 percent in 1989. A record-high 38.4 percent of this year's freshmen spend one or more hours per week volunteering, compared to 37.2 percent in 1995 and a low of 26.6 percent when this question first was asked in 1987.
"Local and national efforts to encourage community service involvement appear to have had an effect as young people today are voluntarily taking action to help others in their communities," said Linda J. Sax, assistant professor of education at UCLA and associate director of the survey. "These trends are especially encouraging given recent studies showing that volunteer work has positive effects on students' personal and academic development."
The annual freshman survey, conducted under the continuing sponsorship of the American Council on Education, is the nation's longest-standing and most comprehensive assessment of student attitudes and plans. This school year's survey included 354,853 students at 709 of the nation's two- and four-year colleges and universities. The data from 251,232 of these students at 494 institutions have been adjusted statistically to be representative of the 1.5 million first-time, full-time students entering college as freshmen last fall.
Here's a sampling of other survey results and major trends since fall 1966:
Student concerns about their financial situations are growing.
In a climate of growing uncertainty about the availability of student aid, a record 33.1 percent of freshmen questioned cite financial assistance as a "very important" reason for selecting their freshman college, compared to 31.6 percent in 1995 and a low of 13.6 percent in 1976.
The percentage of freshmen choosing their college because it has low tuition rose sharply to its second highest point ever, 31.3 percent compared to 27.7 percent in 1995. And those going elsewhere because they weren't offered financial aid by their first-choice college reached a high of 5.7 percent, up from 5.2 percent in 1989, when this question last was asked.
"These findings suggest that the failure of federal and state financial aid to keep up with the cost of college is changing the way students pick their colleges," said Alexander W. Astin, UCLA professor of education and director of the survey. "Rather than picking the college that offers the most appropriate program, more students will be making choices on the basis of low cost and the availability of financial aid."
Two-thirds of freshmen are at least somewhat concerned they won't have enough funds to complete college. Increasing numbers expect to work while going to school to help pay college expenses (41.1 percent, compared to 39.5 percent in 1995 and a low of 34.7 percent in 1989). The percentage of freshmen expecting to work full time while in school rose to 6.4 percent from 5.5 percent in 1995 and a low of 3.2 percent when this question first was asked in 1982.
Other recent studies at UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute indicate that working at off-campus jobs increases a student's chances of dropping out of college. "If current financial aid policies are increasing college dropout rates by forcing more students to find off-campus employment," said Astin, "then these policies must certainly be regarded as short-sighted."
"Grade Inflation" continues.
Freshmen in fall 1996 report higher grades than in any previous freshman survey. A record 31.5 percent report earning "A" averages in high school compared to 28.1 percent in 1995 and a low of 12.5 percent in 1969. Conversely, the number reporting "C" averages or lower dropped to an all-time low of 14.6 percent from 15.5 percent in 1995 and a high of 32.5 percent in 1969.
Students also are taking more college preparatory courses than ever before. Record numbers of students report taking at least three years of math (95.1 percent, up from a low of 83.3 percent when this question first was asked in 1983), two years of foreign language (84.4 percent, compared with a low of 64.2 percent in 1983), and two years of biological science (41.3 percent, compared to a low of 33.1 percent in 1990). Increasing numbers of students also are taking at least two years of physical science (52.6 percent compared to a low of 46.8 percent in 1992) and a half year of computer science (58.3 percent compared to a low of 52.2 percent in 1984).
"These survey results appear to reflect reaction to an increasing societal pressure to go to college in order to get ahead in life," Sax said. "Students are feeling pressured to take more college preparatory courses and high school teachers are feeling pressured to be more lenient in their grading,"
Despite a more challenging class load, students continue to report a high degree of academic disengagement, with the percentage of freshmen reporting being frequently "bored in class" reaching an all-time high of 35.6 percent (up from 33.9 percent in 1995). A record number also report they occasionally "overslept and missed class or (an) appointment" and the percentage of freshmen reporting spending six or more hours per week studying remains low at 35.7 percent, compared to a high of 43.7 percent in 1987.
Self-confidence and aspirations are on the rise.
Students are thinking more highly than ever of themselves and their capabilities, but researchers caution that this growing self-confidence may not always be substantively based. When asked to compare themselves to the average person their age, more freshmen than ever rate themselves "above average" or in the "highest 10 percent" on academic, writing, public speaking, leadership and artistic abilities. Also on the rise are freshman perceptions of their mathematical ability, intellectual self-confidence and social self-confidence.
"This improved self-concept may be more the result of current self-esteem-raising programs in kindergarten through 12th grade than actual gains in ability," Sax noted. "Nevertheless, healthier self-confidence levels -- no matter the source -- contribute to success in college."
Improved self-concepts parallel students' growing optimism about their academic future. More freshmen than ever estimate that there is a "very good chance" they will "make at least a 'B' average" in college, and record numbers expect to "be elected to an academic honor society." Despite falling retention rates nationwide, a record 66.3 percent of this year's freshmen plan to earn graduate or advanced professional degrees, including an all-time high 38.9 percent aspiring to master's degrees and a record 15.1 percent planning to pursue Ph.D. or Ed.D. degrees.
At the risk of bursting bubbles, survey director Astin noted that "it seems reasonable to assume that these rising academic expectations and educational aspirations are at least partially attributable to 'grade inflation' in high school. Greater 'success' in high school may be leading more students to have high expectations for college and beyond."
Interest in teaching careers is on the rise; interest in business and law is dropping.
Interest in elementary and secondary teaching careers rose again to its highest point in 23 years. Overall, 10.2 percent of freshmen report an interest in teaching, including 13.7 percent of female students and 5.7 percent of men, compared to 9.7 percent in 1995. Medical careers also remain popular, with 6.4 percent of freshmen (6.9 percent of women and 5.8 percent of men) planning to become doctors, matching 1995's high. Interest in business careers hit a 20-year low at 14 percent, compared to the all-time high in 1987 of 24.6 percent. And the number of freshmen planning to become lawyers hit a record low of 3.3 percent compared to a high in 1989 of 5.4 percent.
Political interest remains low even in an election year.
Student interest in keeping up to date with political issues remains weak. Those who consider political awareness a "very important" or "essential" life goal rose slightly during the 1996 election year to 29.4 percent from 28.5 percent in 1995. But this latest number is lower than the previous presidential election year (38.8 percent in 1992) and is dramatically lower than the all-time high of 57.8 percent in 1966. Similarly, although the percentage of freshmen who frequently "discussed politics" during the past year increased slightly during 1996 (16.2 percent compared to 14.8 percent in 1995) it is lower than the 1992 election year (24.6 percent) and far below the all-time high of 29.9 percent in the 1968 election year. The number of students working on a political campaign fell to 6.6 percent this year from 7.6 percent in 1995 and a high of 16.4 percent in 1969.
"Apparently, the 1996 presidential elections did little to rekindle college students' interest in politics," Sax observed.
Political views are changing, with freshmen moving in equal numbers to both conservative and liberal categories after a two-year shift towards the "middle-of-the-road." Those declaring themselves in the middle dropped from 54.3 percent in 1995 to 52.7 percent. Those describing themselves as "liberal" or "far left" increased from 23.8 percent in 1995 to 24.6 percent and those calling themselves "conservative" or "far right" increased from 21.9 percent in 1995 to 22.7 percent this year.
Membership in the political extremes is growing. Those labeling themselves "far left" reached a 26-year high of 2.9 percent and those calling themselves "far right" reached an all-time high of 1.7 percent.
Social attitudes are changing.
Freshman social attitudes show a continued decline in support of sexual and reproductive freedom. Support for keeping abortion legal declined for the fourth straight year to 56.3 percent, compared to a high of 64.9 percent in 1990 and a low of 53.3 percent in 1979. In a similar trend, support has reached an all-time low for the notion that "if two people like each other, it's all right for them to have sex even if they've known each other for a very short time." This year, 41.6 percent agreed with that statement, compared to 42.7 percent in 1995 and a high of 51.9 percent in 1987.
"This latter finding reflects college students' changing attitudes towards sex in an era of increasing consciousness about AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases," Sax said.
UCLA has conducted the national freshman survey since 1973. Since its inception in 1966, more than 9 million students at more than 1,500 institutions have participated.
Volunteerism Among U.S. College Freshmen At All-Time High, UCLA Study Finds
The American Freshman - National Norms for 1996
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The fall 1996 survey, conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA's Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, shows that 71.8 percent of the freshmen questioned did volunteer work during the past year. That compares to 70.3 percent in 1995 and a low of 62 percent in 1989. A record-high 38.4 percent of this year's freshmen spend one or more hours per week volunteering, compared to 37.2 percent in 1995 and a low of 26.6 percent when this question first was asked in 1987.
"Local and national efforts to encourage community service involvement appear to have had an effect as young people today are voluntarily taking action to help others in their communities," said Linda J. Sax, assistant professor of education at UCLA and associate director of the survey. "These trends are especially encouraging given recent studies showing that volunteer work has positive effects on students' personal and academic development."
The annual freshman survey, conducted under the continuing sponsorship of the American Council on Education, is the nation's longest-standing and most comprehensive assessment of student attitudes and plans. This school year's survey included 354,853 students at 709 of the nation's two- and four-year colleges and universities. The data from 251,232 of these students at 494 institutions have been adjusted statistically to be representative of the 1.5 million first-time, full-time students entering college as freshmen last fall.
Here's a sampling of other survey results and major trends since fall 1966:
Student concerns about their financial situations are growing.
In a climate of growing uncertainty about the availability of student aid, a record 33.1 percent of freshmen questioned cite financial assistance as a "very important" reason for selecting their freshman college, compared to 31.6 percent in 1995 and a low of 13.6 percent in 1976.
The percentage of freshmen choosing their college because it has low tuition rose sharply to its second highest point ever, 31.3 percent compared to 27.7 percent in 1995. And those going elsewhere because they weren't offered financial aid by their first-choice college reached a high of 5.7 percent, up from 5.2 percent in 1989, when this question last was asked.
"These findings suggest that the failure of federal and state financial aid to keep up with the cost of college is changing the way students pick their colleges," said Alexander W. Astin, UCLA professor of education and director of the survey. "Rather than picking the college that offers the most appropriate program, more students will be making choices on the basis of low cost and the availability of financial aid."
Two-thirds of freshmen are at least somewhat concerned they won't have enough funds to complete college. Increasing numbers expect to work while going to school to help pay college expenses (41.1 percent, compared to 39.5 percent in 1995 and a low of 34.7 percent in 1989). The percentage of freshmen expecting to work full time while in school rose to 6.4 percent from 5.5 percent in 1995 and a low of 3.2 percent when this question first was asked in 1982.
Other recent studies at UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute indicate that working at off-campus jobs increases a student's chances of dropping out of college. "If current financial aid policies are increasing college dropout rates by forcing more students to find off-campus employment," said Astin, "then these policies must certainly be regarded as short-sighted."
"Grade Inflation" continues.
Freshmen in fall 1996 report higher grades than in any previous freshman survey. A record 31.5 percent report earning "A" averages in high school compared to 28.1 percent in 1995 and a low of 12.5 percent in 1969. Conversely, the number reporting "C" averages or lower dropped to an all-time low of 14.6 percent from 15.5 percent in 1995 and a high of 32.5 percent in 1969.
Students also are taking more college preparatory courses than ever before. Record numbers of students report taking at least three years of math (95.1 percent, up from a low of 83.3 percent when this question first was asked in 1983), two years of foreign language (84.4 percent, compared with a low of 64.2 percent in 1983), and two years of biological science (41.3 percent, compared to a low of 33.1 percent in 1990). Increasing numbers of students also are taking at least two years of physical science (52.6 percent compared to a low of 46.8 percent in 1992) and a half year of computer science (58.3 percent compared to a low of 52.2 percent in 1984).
"These survey results appear to reflect reaction to an increasing societal pressure to go to college in order to get ahead in life," Sax said. "Students are feeling pressured to take more college preparatory courses and high school teachers are feeling pressured to be more lenient in their grading,"
Despite a more challenging class load, students continue to report a high degree of academic disengagement, with the percentage of freshmen reporting being frequently "bored in class" reaching an all-time high of 35.6 percent (up from 33.9 percent in 1995). A record number also report they occasionally "overslept and missed class or (an) appointment" and the percentage of freshmen reporting spending six or more hours per week studying remains low at 35.7 percent, compared to a high of 43.7 percent in 1987.
Self-confidence and aspirations are on the rise.
Students are thinking more highly than ever of themselves and their capabilities, but researchers caution that this growing self-confidence may not always be substantively based. When asked to compare themselves to the average person their age, more freshmen than ever rate themselves "above average" or in the "highest 10 percent" on academic, writing, public speaking, leadership and artistic abilities. Also on the rise are freshman perceptions of their mathematical ability, intellectual self-confidence and social self-confidence.
"This improved self-concept may be more the result of current self-esteem-raising programs in kindergarten through 12th grade than actual gains in ability," Sax noted. "Nevertheless, healthier self-confidence levels -- no matter the source -- contribute to success in college."
Improved self-concepts parallel students' growing optimism about their academic future. More freshmen than ever estimate that there is a "very good chance" they will "make at least a 'B' average" in college, and record numbers expect to "be elected to an academic honor society." Despite falling retention rates nationwide, a record 66.3 percent of this year's freshmen plan to earn graduate or advanced professional degrees, including an all-time high 38.9 percent aspiring to master's degrees and a record 15.1 percent planning to pursue Ph.D. or Ed.D. degrees.
At the risk of bursting bubbles, survey director Astin noted that "it seems reasonable to assume that these rising academic expectations and educational aspirations are at least partially attributable to 'grade inflation' in high school. Greater 'success' in high school may be leading more students to have high expectations for college and beyond."
Interest in teaching careers is on the rise; interest in business and law is dropping.
Interest in elementary and secondary teaching careers rose again to its highest point in 23 years. Overall, 10.2 percent of freshmen report an interest in teaching, including 13.7 percent of female students and 5.7 percent of men, compared to 9.7 percent in 1995. Medical careers also remain popular, with 6.4 percent of freshmen (6.9 percent of women and 5.8 percent of men) planning to become doctors, matching 1995's high. Interest in business careers hit a 20-year low at 14 percent, compared to the all-time high in 1987 of 24.6 percent. And the number of freshmen planning to become lawyers hit a record low of 3.3 percent compared to a high in 1989 of 5.4 percent.
Political interest remains low even in an election year.
Student interest in keeping up to date with political issues remains weak. Those who consider political awareness a "very important" or "essential" life goal rose slightly during the 1996 election year to 29.4 percent from 28.5 percent in 1995. But this latest number is lower than the previous presidential election year (38.8 percent in 1992) and is dramatically lower than the all-time high of 57.8 percent in 1966. Similarly, although the percentage of freshmen who frequently "discussed politics" during the past year increased slightly during 1996 (16.2 percent compared to 14.8 percent in 1995) it is lower than the 1992 election year (24.6 percent) and far below the all-time high of 29.9 percent in the 1968 election year. The number of students working on a political campaign fell to 6.6 percent this year from 7.6 percent in 1995 and a high of 16.4 percent in 1969.
"Apparently, the 1996 presidential elections did little to rekindle college students' interest in politics," Sax observed.
Political views are changing, with freshmen moving in equal numbers to both conservative and liberal categories after a two-year shift towards the "middle-of-the-road." Those declaring themselves in the middle dropped from 54.3 percent in 1995 to 52.7 percent. Those describing themselves as "liberal" or "far left" increased from 23.8 percent in 1995 to 24.6 percent and those calling themselves "conservative" or "far right" increased from 21.9 percent in 1995 to 22.7 percent this year.
Membership in the political extremes is growing. Those labeling themselves "far left" reached a 26-year high of 2.9 percent and those calling themselves "far right" reached an all-time high of 1.7 percent.
Social attitudes are changing.
Freshman social attitudes show a continued decline in support of sexual and reproductive freedom. Support for keeping abortion legal declined for the fourth straight year to 56.3 percent, compared to a high of 64.9 percent in 1990 and a low of 53.3 percent in 1979. In a similar trend, support has reached an all-time low for the notion that "if two people like each other, it's all right for them to have sex even if they've known each other for a very short time." This year, 41.6 percent agreed with that statement, compared to 42.7 percent in 1995 and a high of 51.9 percent in 1987.
"This latter finding reflects college students' changing attitudes towards sex in an era of increasing consciousness about AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases," Sax said.
UCLA has conducted the national freshman survey since 1973. Since its inception in 1966, more than 9 million students at more than 1,500 institutions have participated.