A national study demonstrates that significant, positive changes
occur while students attend Pine Manor College -- changes that are
also significantly greater than those occurring in women who attend
other colleges across the country.
Compared to when they were first year students -- and compared
to women at other colleges – PMC graduates demonstrated greater
increases in intellectual and social self-confidence; greater commitment
to promoting racial understanding, participating in community action
programs and becoming leaders in their communities; and a stronger
belief that individuals can help bring about social change.
This national survey of college students, sponsored by the American
Council on Education and the Higher Education Research Institute
(HERI) at UCLA, is designed to better understand the impact of the
college experience on student learning. Data have been collected
since 1965 from more than 10 million students at over 1700 colleges
and universities. PMC has participated in this effort for over two
decades.
PMC first year students complete a survey designed by HERI when
they first arrive at the College and again during their senior year.
Questions for the first year students focus on previous experiences
with learning, their confidence about their abilities, their intended
areas of study in college, and their goals, values, and aspirations.
The senior survey asks students about their experiences over their
four years in college, as well as their values, hopes, and aspirations
for the future.
For several years we have collected direct evidence on how PMC
students have developed by comparing the first year and senior year
survey answers of individual students. These data clearly demonstrate
that PMC graduates have been positively affected by their experience
at the College in ways that are consistent with the mission and
values of Pine Manor College.
Student Development from First Year to Senior Year (2000-2004)
|
Female Respondents |
PMC
|
NS |
AP |
PMC |
NS |
AP |
PMC |
NS |
AP |
| |
Firstyr
|
Firstyr |
Firstyr |
Senior |
Senior |
Senior |
CHG |
CHG |
CHG |
| Student rated self "above
average" or "highest 10%" as compared with the
average person of his/her age in: |
| Self Confidence (intellectual) |
42.6
|
56.2 |
54.3 |
72.3 |
64.1 |
61.6 |
29.7 |
7.9 |
7.3 |
| Self Confidence (social) |
45.8
|
40.8 |
42.6 |
77.1 |
52.8 |
52.7 |
31.3 |
12.0 |
10.1 |
| Self Understanding |
47.8
|
56.2 |
53.4 |
71.7 |
69.0 |
65.4 |
23.9 |
12.8 |
12.0 |
| Objectives considered to be "essential"
or "very important" |
| Influencing social values |
31.1
|
41.1 |
44.0 |
57.8 |
49.3 |
51.8 |
26.7 |
8.2 |
7.8 |
| Participating in a community
action program |
29.5
|
31.7 |
29.7 |
45.5 |
33.7 |
31.8 |
16.0 |
2.0 |
2.1 |
| Helping to promote racial understanding |
37.8
|
35.2 |
31.4 |
62.2 |
40.1 |
38.8 |
24.4 |
4.9 |
7.4 |
| Becoming a community leader |
31.8
|
32.3 |
32.5 |
52.3 |
34.8 |
34.2 |
20.5 |
2.5 |
1.7 |
| Student agrees "strongly" or
"somewhat" |
| Realistically,
an individual can do little to bring about changes in our society |
30.0
|
18.7 |
19.2 |
15.0 |
16.9 |
16.8 |
-15.0 |
-1.8 |
-2.4 |
(Data from UCLA Higher Education Research Institute)
PMC - Pine Manor College
NS - Non-Sectarian 4-year Colleges
AP -All Private 4-year Colleges
Posted on
Wed, February 9, 2005
by Pine Manor College