This paper compares freshmen who enrolled in the College Seminar at Ramapo College (a 4-year liberal arts college in New Jersey) with freshmen who have not taken the seminar. The seminar course includes units on higher education in America; study skills (e.g., writing papers, research skills, taking notes, time management, computer skills); communication and interpersonal skills (e.g., avoiding date rape, solving disputes); substance abuse; stress management; values clarification; volunteerism; discrimination and other minority issues; and career planning. The study's data include responses from 68 percent, 80 percent, and 80 percent of the 1986, 1987, and 1988 freshmen cohorts (ranging from 400 to 500 students) respectively. Retention rates into the subsequent years of college favored those students who enrolled in the seminar. Of eight variables analyzed to predict cumulative grade point average after four semesters in college, the best predictor was "grade and enrollment in College Seminar." Students who took the course attended more events on campus, belonged to more extracurricular organizations, felt more comfortable approaching faculty, spoke with faculty more frequently outside of class, and were more familiar with college support services. The paper concludes that students who have taken the seminar bonded more to the institution and experienced more benefits in both the academic and personal spheres. (JDD)