Statistics show that the number of student transfers has now doubled the number of entering freshmen at 4-year institutions. To acquire representative national data on the kinds of students who transfer and what determines whether they are admitted or not, a survey was made of 146 selected colleges that closely represent 4-year accredited institutions on regional and national bases. Data from these colleges provided documentation of transfer policies and procedures, how such practices vary among different types of institutions, and made it possible to estimate the national flow of transfer applicants and matriculants from 1 type of institution to another. This report analyzes these data. The study also revealed that these students are mostly absorbed by large public institutions, but that there are wide variations in institutional attitudes and practices with respect to transfer admissions. The shortage of financial aid and space for transfer students may be the result of inefficient utilization of resources and inadequate statewide planning. The practices of many institutions throughout the US need to be improved, and government groups at state and federal levels should consider the special financial needs of new transfer student populations when providing funds for the expansion of public junior colleges. The construction of institutions for the purpose of serving transfer students at junior and senior-year levels may also alleviate the plight of some of these students. (WM)