Persistence and graduation rates of University of California, Davis, special action students admitted in any fall quarter from 1975 to 1985 were studied. Special action students show academic potential but do not meet admission requirements of completed course work and academic achievement. The number of special action students during this 10-year period increased by 73%. In 1975 a large majority of special action students were also members of underrepresented (i.e., Student Affirmative Action--SAA) minority groups; by 1985 SAA and White students were equally represented among special action admits. In 1985 SAA students made up 15% of all entering students but 43% of entering special action students. About half of all Black students entering the university were admitted by special action; the proportion of Chicanos was about 25%. Special action students did not persist at rates close to those of regularly admitted cohorts. About 60% of all special action students persist through a second year at the university. About 45% of all special action students entering in fall 1979 or 1980 graduated. About one in two White and Asian special action students graduated, compared with only one in three Black and Chicano special action students. (SW)