This report presents survey data (from 216,362 students at 403 higher education institutions) on the characteristics of students attending American colleges and universities as first-time, full-time freshmen. The normative data presented are reported separately for men and for women and for 35 different groupings of institutions. The major stratifying factors are institutional race (predominantly black versus predominantly white), control (public, private-nonsectarian, Roman Catholic, Protestant), type (university, four-year college, two-year college), and the selectivity level of the institution. A major trend identified by the survey indicates a rise in student activism: more students are reporting having been involved in demonstrations and expecting to be involved in their college years. In addition, the environment and racial discrimination continue to be among the top concerns of students. Student interest in business careers showed a modest decline down to 21.8 percent from 24.6 percent in 1987, interest in the computer field has declined as well. Degree aspirations for postgraduate study continued to rise to a record level of 59.6 percent of the freshmen surveyed in 1989. In addition, the survey indicates that drug and alcohol use appears to be declining. Appendices contain the research methodology, the 1990 Student Information Form, a list of institutions participating in the Freshmen Survey, and a sample report furnished to the participating campuses. (GLR)