December 2002

University the first choice
for most incoming freshmen
A majority of UM-Missoula freshmen ranked UM as their first choice of colleges and said academic reputation was the most important factor influencing their decision, according to a new survey completed by 2,656 freshmen.

The Entering Student Survey was distributed at freshman orientation sessions between June 2001 and August 2002 to determine students' academic intentions. Nearly 90 percent of respondents were age 17 to 19, while 8 percent were 20 to 24 and 4.5 percent were 25 to 63. Seventy-one percent were from Montana.

The survey, conducted by UM's Retention Committee, focused on four areas: educational decisions and future plans, reasons for attending UM, plans while enrolled and perceived academic preparation. Here are some survey highlights:

• Fifty-four percent ranked UM as their first choice of colleges, 20 percent said it was their second choice, and 14 percent reported that UM was their only choice. So 68 percent of respondents ranked UM as either their first or only choice.
• Fifty-seven percent said they planned to earn a bachelor's degree and 26 percent intended to earn a postgraduate degree. Ninety-nine percent said that graduating was either very important (91 percent) or somewhat important (8 percent).
• The top three factors influencing freshmen to attend UM were academic reputation (86 percent reporting strong influence or some influence), campus setting and appearance (85 percent) and outdoor life and recreational opportunities (81 percent).
• The top three reasons having little or no influence on freshmen's decisions to attend UM were the advice of school counselors, UM's reputation in intercollegiate athletics (both at 53 percent) and contact with faculty (50 percent).
• Ninety-four percent of respondents said they were full-time students, and 73 percent planned to live on campus.
• Sixty-five percent intended to work, and 10 percent said they would not work, while 25 percent said they were not sure. Thirty-three percent said they would work 20 hours per week, 25 percent said they would work 15 hours or less per week, and 20 percent planned to work 21 to 30 hours a week.
• Six percent intended to work 40 hours a week or more. Twenty-five percent said they expected to engage in volunteer work.
  Sixty-six percent of students felt well-prepared in reading, writing (both 52 percent) and listening skills (65 percent).
• When asked about areas in which they felt unprepared, freshmen were least confident about their public speaking, math and study skills.
• Twenty-nine percent of the students felt unprepared in public speaking, 27 percent indicated they were not prepared in math and 16 percent said they did not have sufficient study skills.

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