In this study an entering cohort of freshmen majors in mathematics and science at a land grant, research one institution was examined to first determine if a group of students who persisted in science and mathematics disciplines were different in terms of pre-college characteristics from a group of students who dropped with grade point averages (GPAs) less than 2.0 and another group of students who dropped with grade point averages equal to or above 2.0. In particular, rank in high school graduating class, math SAT and verbal SAT were examined. Secondly, these three variables were examined as predictors of group membership for students retained in math and science, students who changed from mathematics and science with GPAs less than 2.0, and students who changed from math and science with GPAs equal or greater than 2.0. This study informs admission counselors about SAT and high school performance for would-be STEM majors. Whether admission decisions or intrusive academic advising might be based on such factors is a decision for individual institutions. (Contains 3 figures.)