Factors contributing to Native students' college success were examined in a study of 50 Native freshmen and 42 non-Native freshmen at the University of Alaska in the 1973-74 academic year. The study compared students in relation to three common explanations of college success: level of academic preparation, goal orientation, ease in the campus social world. Data were obtained from interviews with students, the Student Orientation Services (SOS) counselor, an SOS professor familiar with each student's daily work, and the dormitory advisor, plus university records showing ACT scores, urban/rural background, grade-point averages, and credits completed. Results showed that college success among Native freshmen was most strongly and consistently related to level of academic skills acquired in high school. Goal orientation, similar for Natives and non-Natives, did not appear to be important to success. Natives were significantly more likely to see the university as an unfriendly place with active prejudice, but no significant relationship appeared between these attitudes and college performance. Study results raised serious questions about the long-term consequences of decreased attention high schools are giving to college preparation of Native students. It was maintained that high schools must increase quality of academic preparation, especially for rural students interested in college. (RS)