A longitudinal study was conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to compare the academic progress of 768 students who transferred to UIUC in Fall 1977 from public community colleges in Illinois; 676 students who transferred to UIUC in Fall 1977 from four-year colleges; and 4,220 native UIUC students who were enrolled as continuing juniors in Fall 1977. The study involved: (1) a semester-by-semester analysis of the grade point averages (GPA's), academic status, and retention and graduation rates of the three student groups; (2) a comparison of the GPA's earned by the student groups during the study period in 12 academic areas; and (3) an analysis of the differences in academic achievement registered during the study period by students from each of the community colleges transferring five or more students to UIUC. In addition, a statistical analysis was used to determine predictive equations correlating pre-transfer GPA's with subsequent academic achievement at UIUC. The study report details procedures and limitations; reviews related research; contrasts pre- and post-transfer GPA's; compares the first, second, and third term academic progress of the three study groups; presents subject area and institutional comparisons; and discusses the implications of the study for UIUC policy. Data tables are appended. (JP)