This paper suggests that community colleges receive undeserved criticism as institutions that contribute to students' decline in college motivation. Rather, many college-bound youths underestimate college demands due to open-admissions policies and the ready availability of remedial courses, and fail to prepare adequately for this educational transition. High school students who believe they can make plans for college even if their academic achievement is low seem to reduce their efforts in high school. A 1992 national survey found that, while students with low grades can attend college, over 80% of college-planning students with low high school grades fail to complete any college degree 10 years later. Analyses indicate that high school grades strongly predict educational attainment, signifying whether students attain their plans, predicting plans-attainment for blacks and whites alike, and explaining much of the lower attainment and unrealized plans of disadvantaged students. High school grades have proven to be the most influential factor affecting students' failure to attain their original educational plans in open-door colleges. This paper asserts that the best way for community colleges to intervene would be to inform students about what they must do in high school to make their preparation match their educational plans. The development of linkage programs between high schools and colleges also may help improve high school students' understandings of college requirements. Contains 45 references. (AS)