The results of the 1980 Freshman Survey, which is part of the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP), are summarized, and trend data concerning students enrolled in colleges in the western states and in the nation are examined. Among the findings of the 1980 Freshman Survey are the following: grade inflation in the nation's high schools is leveling somewhat; growing numbers of women continue to express strong interest in traditionally male careers; student political beliefs are moving toward the center from the left; and more students are making use of financial aid programs, particularly the Basic Grant and Guaranteed Student Loan Programs, to help cover the costs of going to college. Additionally, data on admissions indicate that roughly four out of every five students were admitted to at least two colleges. It is suggested that students in the western states are different in some ways from their counterparts elsewhere largely because of the structure of higher education in this region and the dominant role of the public sector. With regard to subject area interests and career aspirations, students in the West are very similar to students in other parts of the country. A project that involves institutional applications of CIRP data, specifically within the context of recruitment and retention concerns, is briefly described. This project, a consortium effort of eight private colleges in Southern California, uses CIRP data to develop a freshman class profile to improve student recruitment and retention. (SW)