National surveys of the post-high school plans and aspirations of black and white high school seniors have been conducted for the past decade. Chances of college entry among blacks from 1977 through the mid-1980s have declined in contrast to the increasing college entry chances of whites. This paper analyses the plans of black and white seniors and shows that they have followed a similar path. There is little evidence that a change in values or motivation among black seniors accounts for the decline in their chances of college entry. Plans and aspirations to complete a four-year college have increased among both blacks and whites. Aspirations to enter the armed forces have also increased in the two groups. No particular trend has been found in their plans to attend vocational, technical and two-year colleges. The findings indicate the need for future research to account for the decline in chances of college entry for blacks. Specific factors to be examined are the following: (1) lagging trends in college graduation among blacks and whites; (2) patterns of entry into the military service; (3) changes in the labor market for recent high school graduates; and (4) the availability of direct grants to support college attendance. Statistical data are presented in tables and figures. (VM)