A study was conducted at Prince George's Community College, in Maryland, to investigate the relatively low pass rates associated with General Chemistry 1 (CHM101), a lower-level science course that satisfies a general education requirement and serves as a prerequisite for Chemistry and Biology students. To identify correlates of student success, Spring 1996 CHM101 enrollees were surveyed during the first 2 weeks of the course concerning their work and life experience and educational preparation. Multiple regression analyses, combining survey results from 180 completed questionnaires, students' course grades, and social and academic characteristics derived from student records, yielded the following findings: (1) cumulative grade point average was the preeminent predictor of success in CHM101, followed by socio-educational "maturity," and developmental reading and math placement scores; (2) since the CHM101 population differed very little from the general credit student population, the very low completion rates could not be traced to any special characteristics; and (3) a large proportion of the enrollees simply found the uncompromising subject matter of CHM101 beyond their power to master. Future studies should assess the effect of personal motivation, quality of study habits, family pressures, receipt of counseling and tutoring, and levels of "science anxiety" on student success. (MPH)