A study investigated variables related to the success or failure of New Mexico Jicarilla Apaches in their pursuit of post-secondary education, including adequacy of high school experiences as preparation for post-secondary education. Subjects (54 males, 67 females) responded to a questionnaire using items from two instruments previously developed for follow-up studies of American Indian high school graduates. Data indicated that Jicarillas were less assimilated into the dominant culture than were other tribes, as they retained use of the Apache language and life style and had a greater degree of Indian blood. The most important factor in the withdrawal of Jicarillas from post-secondary education was the lack of adequate high school preparation; math and science were the most difficult high school subjects for both college attenders and non-attenders. Respondents felt high school counselors had not provided adequate information about post-secondary education, parents and teachers provided most encouragement in choosing a college major, and tribal scholarships were the most important source of financial aid. Recommendations called for evaluation of Jicarilla high school curriculum, better career counseling, upgraded job skills for reservation employees, use of Jicarilla college graduates to adapt the schools to Jicarilla students' needs, and selection of scholarship committee members knowledgeable about post-secondary education. (Author/MH)