This report presents survey data (from 194,182 students at 382 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 with more students reporting having been involved in demonstrations and expecting to be further 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 continues a steep decline while interest in teaching (elementary and secondary levels) and nursing continue to rise. Finally, degree aspirations for postgraduate study continue to rise to a record level of 61.1 percent of the freshmen surveyed in 1990. Appendices contain the research methodology, the 1990 Student Information Form, the coding scheme for collapsed items, a list of institutions participating in the Freshmen Survey, and a sample report furnished to the participating campuses. (GLR)