Information on the senior year at Northwestern University, Illinois, and suggestions for providing focus to the last year of undergraduate study are presented, based on a needs assessment conducted by the Curricular Policies Committee of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Department heads and other staff were contacted to obtain a profile of current practice, and a survey of transcripts was undertaken to determine actual student patterns in the senior year. In addition, catalogs from other colleges were evaluated to provide a profile of existing practice. Information is presented on placement patterns of graduates of the CAS, and enrollment patterns and requirements of senior-year honors programs and specific programs/majors at the bachelors- and masters-degree levels. Additional focal areas include: grade point average (GPA) in the senior year, GPA in major field, double majors, enrollment in optional courses outside the senior's division, college requirements, organization of the senior academic year, the effect of advanced placement and transfer credits on senior year patterns, and student characteristics. Finally, a number of curricular options are discussed. A booklet, "The Senior Year," is attached that describes capstone courses, linkage seminars, and other opportunities for scientific and scholarly research available within the CAS. (SW)