This study examined the academic and social experiences of first-year female and visible minority group science students at "Big U," a large multi-racial and multi-cultural commuter university, located in a central Canadian city. In 1992, a total of 498 incoming science students were surveyed in September, November, and February-March of the first year. Response rates for the surveys were 89 percent, 84 percent, and 68 percent, respectively. Data were also gathered through focus groups and administrative records. The study found that first-year grade point averages varied by neither gender nor minority group status. Overall, female and minority group students reported that they had been treated by faculty, staff, and students in the same way that other students had been treated. Female students reported more contacts with faculty and staff, belonged to fewer campus organizations, and participated in fewer sports activities than male students. Males reported being more satisfied with the quality of instruction and their grades than did female students. When compared to other groups, female and minority group students encountered more problems relevant to university life, and female students indicated less self-confidence. (MDM)