Postsecondary plans of over 16,000 freshmen and seniors enrolled in Pennsylvania's public and private high schools during 1983-1984 were studied. Attention was directed to the effect of community, school, family, and student personal factors and characteristics that influence student decisions to attend various forms of postsecondary education. Based on the findings, recommendations to improve college attendance were offered for schools, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, private business, industries, and associations, and the legislature. The survey administered to seniors was the College Board's Survey of Postsecondary Education and Careers; the freshmen survey was especially constructed for the study. The analyses showed that the single factor that most influenced students' plans for postsecondary education was their parents' preferences for their postsecondary activities. The students' levels of ability, their high school programs and achievement, and their family socioeconomic status had some modifying influence on their plans. Educational and career aspirations and career information, educational opportunities, and financial aid also influenced students' plans. Included are the recommendations, copies of the survey instruments, and a list of participating secondary schools. (SW)