This study was designed to determine the effect of high school physics, the frequency of high school physics laboratory use, and high school mathematics background on the success of students taking first semester physics. Data were obtained from undergraduates (N=248) at Mississippi State University. The final letter grade in the first semester of freshman physics was used as the measure of physics success. Based on the findings from the 248 participating students, characteristics identified as indicators of success in freshman physics were: (1) high school physics background; (2) a strong background in mathematics including geometry, advanced math and calculus; and (3) laboratory experience in the high school physics background. (ML)