From August 31 to mid-September 2021, the Office of Institutional Analysis invited all new first-year students to take the CIRP Freshman Survey. About 35% of Gettysburg students completed the survey. This was the first time we conducted the survey on line (In prior years, we used the paper surveys and the response rate had been over 90%). Below are select highlights of Gettysburg results (2021 vs. 2019).
Top Reasons for Going to College
Survey Question: "In deciding to go to college, how important to you was each of the following reasons?" (Rating Scale: Not important--Somewhat Important--Very Important). Compared with the Gettysburg Fall 2019 cohort, a notably higher % of Gettysburg Fall 2021 first-year students indicated "To prepare myself for graduate or professional school" as a "Very Important" reason for going to college; a notably lower % indicated "To please my family" as a "Very Important" reason.
Top Reasons for Deciding to Attend Gettysburg
Survey Question: "Below are some reasons that might have influenced your decision to attend this particular college. How important was each reason in your decision to come here? (Rating Scale: Not important--Somewhat Important--Very Important). Compared with the Gettysburg Fall 2019 cohort, a notably higher % of Gettysburg Fall 2021 first-year students indicated" The academic reputation of my intended major" as a "Very Important" reason for attending Gettysburg.
Degree Aspirations
80% of Gettysburg 2021 first-year students planned to attain a Master’s degree or higher.
Note: For the Fall 2021 results, because of the 35% response rate, the margin of error was approximately plus or minus 3.4 ~ 5.7 (depending on the specific survey item).