A study was conducted to analyze and compare groups of full-time students entering Mercer County Community College (MCCC) in fall 1980, 1981, and 1982 to identify any longitudinal differences, similarities or trends among them. Information derived from MCCC's student database and student responses to the Basic Skills Placement Test (BSPT) Student Biographic Questionnaire provided a profile of sources of students; student characteristics; and students' reasons for choosing MCCC, needs for services, and goals and plans. Study findings included the following: (1) the number of new full-time students decreased from 1,434 in fall 1980 to 1,370 in fall 1981 and then increased to 1,392 in fall 1982; (2) over the 3-year period, patterns of residence for new entering students shifted, with an increasing percentage entering from locations within Mercer County; (3) the 1980 and 1981 groups were composed of 50% males, while the 1982 group had 52% males; (4) there were more younger students represented in 1981 and 1982 than in 1980; (5) the educational level of the students' parents had risen over the 3 years, as had the students' aspirations for their own educational attainment; (6) the BSPT performance of the 1982 group was below that of the previous groups; and (7) more students had immediate plans to work full-time after leaving MCCC, while less were planning to work while attending school. The Student Biographic Questionnaire is appended. (Author/LAL)