An explanation of the Bakke case, traditional admissions procedures, current trends and descriptions of six highly selective current programs and their admissions criteria are presented. In the Bakke case, the Supreme Court held that universities may not set quotas, i.e., reserve fixed numbers of places for blacks or members of other minority groups. The Court declared that race may be considered as one factor in developing a diversified student body, and affirmative action efforts are not illegal as long as candidates are evaluated on an individual basis and no quotas are set. Criteria that colleges and universities use in admission decisions are academic achievement and potential, motivation of the student, and the needs of the institution, particularly its desire for a diversified student body. Today most colleges and universities agree that nonacademic experiences such as work or overcoming hardship should count for a great deal, as should appropriate innate skills and human qualities. Of the six school programs that are described, two medical schools and one law school chose not to be identified by name. The other three programs that are described are The College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University; The Medical College of Ohio; and Temple University School of Law of Philadelphia. These examples suggest some general guidelines for affirmative action efforts while maintaining fairness and academic integrity and obeying the legal mandate of the Bakke decision. Recommendations are listed for recruitment, financing, and admission procedures. (SW)