This study developed a descriptive profile of female presidents of selected four-year independent colleges by examining their career paths, mentor relationships, professional development and background, and institutional characteristics, as well as any hindrances that had impacted their ascent to the presidency. A 49-item questionnaire mailed to 129 female college presidents listed in the American Council on Education Women in Higher Education database elicited 91 responses. The study found that: (1) fewer than 20 percent of respondents had followed the traditional career path of faculty member, department head/division chair, and chief academic officer to the college presidency; (2) being in an all-female college positively influenced the advancement of female college presidents; (3) more mentoring opportunities are available to aspiring female college presidents; (4) national professional education programs contribute to career advancement; (5) female presidents did not strategically plan early in their careers to seek the college presidency; (6) female college presidents are more likely to be contacted by search firms prior to their appointments to the presidency; and (7) some aspiring female college presidents continue to experience challenges in coping with personal and institutional hindrances. Two appendixes include the questionnaire and related materials. (Contains about 117 references.) (RH)