The purpose of this report is to compare the freshman experience of commuter and residents students at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) who were studied as part of the Maryland Longitudinal Study. Residents, dependent commuters, and independent commuters in the Representative Sample (434 students representing all ethnic groups at the university) and the Black Group (303 Black students) were compared in regard to reasons for choosing UMCP, academic expectations, employment, involvement, interpersonal relationships, sources of support and encouragement, institutional identification, and satisfaction. Results showed that commuter and resident students arrive with similar aptitudes (as reflected by their SAT scores) and with similar expectations for academic success. They begin their college experience with equal degrees of identification with the institution and with basically equal levels of satisfaction with college. However, as early as the second semester of their freshman year, commuters, especially dependent commuters, are significantly less involved in key aspects of campus life, i.e., on-campus jobs, student organizations, and relationships with people affiliated with UMCP. Data are reported in 10 tables, and the implications of the results for faculty and staff are discussed. Contains 15 references. (KM)