At an urban Dallas community college, first-time-in-college (FTIC) distance learning students enrolled in a three-credit academic transformation class were compared with FTIC students enrolled in the same course in on-campus classes. The distance-learning students were more at risk as measured by final semester grades and retention compared to on-campus students. Distance learning FTIC students may be at a disadvantage with regards to programs that are typically leveraged within an on-campus class such as supplemental instruction and mentoring. FTIC distance learning of a new-to-college class may need to be reexamined so that the success of FTIC distance learning students can increase to comparative levels with on-campus students.