Who are Our Students? An Overview of Ten Year Trends New Faculty Orientation August 23, 2010

We’ll survey the following topics* re: SNC Freshmen… Demographics Political Orientation Reasons for Choosing SNC Self-Rated Abilities Life Goals after College *(data from our annual freshman survey)

But first, a quick snapshot of the st Year Students 580 Domestic, 41 International 1 st year students, total 621 (compared w/ 544 in 2009). 68% of domestic freshmen from WI. 19% are from Illinois. 62% of domestic freshmen are women, compared w/ 58% in 2009.

Now, we return to ten Year Trends. We begin with these demographics: Ethnicity Catholicity Self-reported Political Orientation

Our Freshmen are mostly Caucasian

55%-70% of Freshmen report their religious preference as “Catholic”

Conservatives and Liberals about equal for Freshman Women

Freshman Men have more Conservatives

Why our Freshmen Choose St. Norbert Academic reputation and the perception that graduates get good jobs top the list of “Very Important” reasons for choosing St. Norbert.

“Academic Reputation” is a “very important” reason for most of our freshmen (slightly more so for women)

The perception that our grads get good jobs is a close second reason for choosing SNC

Incoming women are more enthused about the size of the College

SNC’s religious affiliation is “very important” for about 10-20% of new freshmen, more so for women

Into a Hall of Mirrors Our freshmen rate their abilities “compared to others my age.” The next charts show the percent of freshmen rating themselves “above average” or “top 10%” on selected abilities.

Self-rated “Academic Ability”

Self-Rated “Writing Ability”

Self-rated “Drive to Achieve”

Self-Rated “Leadership”

Self-Rated “Spirituality”

The Good Life After College: “Essential” or “Very Important” Life Goals Raising a Family Become Leader in chosen Profession Financial Stability Service to Others

Goal of “Raising a Family” most important for women and men

‘Becoming an authority in my field’ shows some decline

Men are more interested in being ‘well-off financially’ but women are catching up.

More Women are interested in service but both sexes above 60%.

This has been a presentation of Our Freshmen: A Quick View of Ten Year Trends New Faculty Orientation August 23, 2010 Jack Williamsen, OIE