In this brief, the authors propose three measures of "early momentum" for two reasons: Research is beginning to show that these near-term metrics predict long-term success, and the metrics focus attention on initial conditions at colleges that are particularly important for solidifying the foundation for student success. While these measures are valuable individually, as a group they give a better picture of the impact of reforms on students, and thus are more valuable if used together. These measures include: (1) Credit momentum--defined as attempting at least 15 semester credits in the first term or at least 30 semester credits in the first academic year; (2) Gateway momentum--defined as taking and passing "pathway-appropriate" college-level math and college-level English in the first academic year; and (3) Program momentum--defined as taking and passing at least nine semester credits (three courses) in the student's field of study in the first academic year. In this report, the authors present evidence that these metrics predict long-term success and then discuss how they can help focus reforms on the early foundations of student success.