A longitudinal study of student flow and persistence at Santa Ana College (SAC) was planned to generate data on student description, student outcomes, attrition trends, and student attitudes and satisfaction with college services. A total of 629 students responded to an entering student questionnaire placed in registration packets or mailed directly to them. A comparison of the sample to all new and new transfer students and to all active students indicated that the sample was most like the "new" student group. It differed little from the active student population in ethnic distribution, night or day status, and age, but did differ in educational objectives and sex distribution; the active group had significantly more students pursuing an associate degree and fewer attending for personal reasons. The sample contained approximately 45% males and 55% females, the direct opposite of the distribution for active students. Over 43% of sample students planned to attend SAC for three or more semesters, reflecting that they are "serious students", the majority aspiring for higher degrees. Preparing for a career was the most important reason for attending SAC (64.2%). Investigators intend to follow the entire sample for the next five years. Student characteristics data and a copy of the questionnaire are appended. (TR)