College Freshmen Lack Confidence in Computer Skills

The American Freshman survey has long recorded the supersized confidence of college freshmen. Compared to the average person their age, the great majority of freshmen rate themselves above average in academic ability, intellectual self-confidence, competitiveness, drive to achieve, and leadership ability, to name just a few. But they admit to having some shortcomings. Fewer than half of college freshmen say they are above average in these abilities...

Percent rating self above average

Artistic ability: 28.2%

Computer skills: 32.6%

Spirituality: 37.2%

Public speaking: 40.5%

Risk-taking: 43.4%

Self confidence (social): 46.6%

Writing ability: 47.9%

Mathematical ability: 49.0%

Source: Cooperative Institutional Research Program at the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, The American Freshman: National Norms Fall 2015