New College at Hofstra University is an alternative to the conventional liberal art program; students achieve the traditional liberal arts goals through a curriculum which is more flexible in structure and more varied in modes of educational experiences offered. A profile of the characteristics of students choosing to attend New College was developed by administering a series of three entrance tests to entering freshmen in September 1976. The three assessment instruments administered to 37 students were: the American Council on Education (ACE) questionnaire determining background information, educational and career objectives, values and attitudes, and trait self-ratings; the Omnibus Personality Inventory measuring intellectual disposition or style; and the New College Writing Test to test a student's ability to write clear and correct expository prose. Comparisons are made between 1976 students and students entering in previous years as well as comparisons with students entering other universities on a national scale. The resulting differences occurred in the area of career objectives, and social and political values. The New College student appears to be more educationally and academically self-confident than the average entering freshmen. (JMF)