Charges and assumptions of three AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) working groups that reviewed the general professional education of physicians and college preparation for medicine are presented. The 3-year project assessed the present educational approaches and developed recommendations to improve instructional programs and learning. Broad discussions were also stimulated among the medical school and college faculties and their disciplinary societies about medical and college education. Three working groups considered three major facets of the problem: (1) essential knowledge, (2) fundamental skills, and (3) personal qualities, values, and attitudes. To guide deliberations, charges were written for each working group and a series of assumptions and questions arising from the assumptions were posed for each facet. Assumptions guiding the working group on essential knowledge covered such concerns as: information management technology, college science, broad baccalaureate education, biomedical science, and clinical disciplines. Assumptions dealt with by the fundamental skills group covered areas such as: skill development during college, skills during clerkshops and skills in the prevention of diseases. Concerns of the third working group had to do with personal growth and development, curiosity, competition, concern for patient welfare, and coping with emotional stress. A roster of the AAMC project panel and staff is included. (SW)