A representative sample of 987 entering freshmen (45 percent male and 55 percent female) at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), were surveyed regarding their attitudes and demographic characteristics during two-day summer orientation sessions. The typical UMCP freshman was from an upper-middle class home, earned at least a B average in high school, and was optimistic in his or her expectations of academic and social life at college. The typical freshman planned to live in the university residence halls and expected to become involved in student activities, but did not plan to work during the school year. Thirty-three percent of the students surveyed stated that getting a better job was their main reason for going to college. UMCP in particular was chosen mostly for its good academic reputation (by 29 percent of the students) and its low tuition (14 percent). It was the initial choice of school for most of those surveyed; 55 percent indicated UMCP as their first choice and 24 percent as their second choice. Compared to national norms, the 1980 freshman class at UMCP was similar to entering freshmen at other public universities. A shared concern was their ability to finance their college education. Demographically, the UMCP sample was slightly different from the national sample in that it included somewhat more minority students and was somewhat more affluent. (Author/LBL)