This study attempted to identify desirable mail questionnaire characteristics as perceived by those who conduct successful surveys (those with a high return rate) of teacher education program graduates. The data pool consisted of 80 questionnaires completed by individuals at teacher education institutions nationwide. Eighteen items were perceived as important for mail questionnaires used in follow-up surveys of graduates. The respondents' selections of important survey characteristics differed in some respects from the choices of experts and other experienced researchers. For example, the respondents were more inclined to place general directions on the questionnaire rather than in a separate cover letter. Respondents also indicated that response options should be brief, and initial items should be connected with the purpose of the survey. All of the respondents thought it important that the instrument look easy to complete. Additional desirable mail questionnaire characteristics included: (1) brief instructions; (2) adequate space for responding; (3) one piece of information per item; (4) each item and its response options on same page; (5) choice of words reflecting literacy level of target population; (6) brief response options; and (7) items which are simple, direct, and unambiguous. (IAH)