The 2004 College Applicant Survey (CAS) describes the college-bound applicant pool by covering a broad range of areas including key demographics, factors influencing college selection, academic background and financial preparedness. It is the most comprehensive and the richest source of survey data to date on applicants to the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology. Acumen Research Group Inc. developed the survey tool and coordinated the survey in consultation with a college steering committee and the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation (CMSF). The Ontario College Application Services selected the random sample, distributed and collected the surveys. The research was primarily funded by the CMSF with supplemental funding from ACAATO. Due to an information sharing agreement, ACAATO was able to receive the data and perform secondary analysis on the 2004 CAS to look more closely at the factors affecting the transition from school to college and the characteristics of applicants who have taken various pathways to college. An exploration of applicant backgrounds shows that there are three distinct pathways to college: those applying directly from high school (Direct Entry), those who have not attended high school in the previous 12 months and have no post secondary education (Delayed Entry), and those with some postsecondary education (Previous PSE). This report focuses on these pathways in relation to their demographics (gender, income, age, etc.), academic profile (high school academics, college plans), and perceptions of college (individuals who influenced them, concerns, confidence). Appended are: (1) Comparison of OCAS secondary and non secondary statistics and CAS survey profile; and (2) 2004 College Applicant Survey Questionnaire. (Contains 22 figures, 7 tables and 6 footnotes.)