ANN ARBOR—Students coming to the University of Michigan already have displayed significant academic achievement and intellectual seriousness, according to findings from an annual survey of first-year students.

“The results are indicative of Michigan’s distinctive strength as one of the most academically demanding institutions in the country,” said Paul Courant, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

U-M participates in the national Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP), giving U-M faculty and staff the ability to compare local and national findings, according to Malinda Matney, senior research associate in the Division of Student Affairs. For instance, cited Matney, 88 percent of U-M first-year students took at least one advanced placement (AP) course and 60 percent took between two and six AP exams. “This level of engagement in AP courses and exams is much broader than in the national first-year student population and in those attending highly selective public institutions,” Matney reported. “This reflects the high level of intellectual engagement of our students during their high school years.”

Royster Harper, vice president for student affairs, said that the survey findings are used in helping make decisions and set policies designed to improve the living and learning environment for first-year students. “The survey provides an excellent entering profile of a very accomplished and committed group of young people and we’re delighted to welcome them to our campus,” Harper declared.

The American Council on Education began CIRP in 1966. It is now conducted jointly with the University of California at Los Angeles. The intent of the study is to create a national profile of incoming undergraduate students.

The University has participated in CIRP each year since 1993, said Matney. “CIRP helps to answer many questions about incoming students, including why students chose to attend the University as well as their hopes and expectations for their educational experience.”

Responses to the CIRP survey also provide student profile characteristics like family background, high school activities and give some insight into attitudes and viewpoints on a variety of social issues, Matney explained. “For instance, students now coming to U-M are noting more political engagement than students in recent years, more inclined to discussing political issues and participation in demonstrations. This is especially notable since all U-M data was collected before 9-11,” Matney said.

Paul CourantCooperative Institutional Research ProgramThe American Council on Education