The primary data source for a study oF entry into postsecondary education was the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972. From this data it was seen that almost one-third of high school seniors enter four-year colleges within two years of graduation, and nearly half are in either two- or four-year institutions at that time. Socioeconomic status (SES) is a strong influence, and while medium SES individuals, as against high SES, seem to predominate at the two-year level, low-ability, high-SES persons stand out somewhat at this level of schooling. More men than women seem to get to college, except that black women seem to be gaining in entry as compared to men of any race. The four-year college seems to be characterized by higher SES and ability students. At the two-year level, high ability-low SES students do about as well as low ability-high SES students. But at the four-year level, in addition to more overall variability among students, women have the edge at both high and low ability levels. Blacks have higher entrance rates to four-year colleges than whites at each ability level while Hispanics seem to predominate at the two-year institutions. However, blacks seem to be concentrated in lower selectivity level postsecondary institutions when compared to whites. Whereas the American system is heading toward equality of postsecondary educational opportunity in terms of numbers and percentages of minorities entering school, it may have a long way to go in achieving a better match between minority individuals and the schools they attend. (Authors/MSE)