Based on data collected from the 1,288 students who enrolled at Kapiolani Community College as first-time freshmen in Fall 1979, a study was undertaken to determine the characteristics of new students that are predictive of two dependent variables: (1) second semester enrollment, and (2) a first semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above. A stepwise regression analysis was applied to assess the predictive value of the following independent variables: full- or part-time enrollment status, educational objectives, scores on English and math placement tests, sex, age, marital status, high school GPA, employment status, basic skills competency, educational goals, college choice, financial worry, defined career plans, and degree of student self-confidence. Study findings, based on two separate regression equations for vocational and liberal arts students, indicate that while academic characteristics seemed more highly correlated with GPA and academic persistence than did personal characteristics, none of the independent variables could account for more than 20% of the variance in either of the dependent variables. Data tables and summary conclusions and recommendations are included in the study report. (JP)