Barron named associate dean of academic records
Inside Furman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
Survey says…
Since 1972 Furman has participated in an annual survey of the nation's college freshmen coordinated by UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute and the American Council on Education.
The survey is a valuable source of information about entering students' high school experiences, their attitudes and their expectations of college.
Here are a few selected statistics from the freshmen that entered Furman this fall:
o Almost 80 percent averaged grades of A- or higher in high school.
o Twenty-two percent live more than 500 miles away. o More than 90 percent took at least one advance placement course in high school. Forty-six percent took more than three.
o Twenty-four percent applied to more than five colleges. o Eighty-three percent of the class said Furman was their first choice.
o One-third said they frequently felt overwhelmed by all they had to do.
o Almost 90 percent intend to pursue an advanced degree after they graduate from Furman.
o Fourteen percent plan to become physicians, nine percent lawyers, eight percent business executives. When asked what objectives they considered to be essential in their lives, 85 percent said "raising a family," 73 percent said "integrating spirituality into my life," 72 percent said "helping others who are in difficulty," 64 percent said "becoming an authority in my field," and 57 percent said "developing a meaningful philosophy of life."
Students' top three reasons for choosing to attend Furman were academic reputation, size and financial aid. Seventy-three percent traveled outside the U.S. before coming to Furman.
More than half expect to take part in a study abroad program while they are here. About half say the chances are very good they will participate in volunteer or community service work. Ninety-nine percent either brought a computer with them or intended to buy one this year.
More than half brought laptops. Eighty-five percent said the federal government should do more to discourage energy consumption. Forty-six percent characterize their political views as conservative, 17 percent as liberal.