The National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 (NLS) is periodically surveying a large national sample to chart their educational, vocational, and personal development and to relate this information to earlier experiences, plans, and personal characteristics. This report describes the class in terms of the short-term post secondary education plans they had while in high school, the fulfillment of those plans the following fall (October 1972), and the extent to which those who began a post secondary education in October 1972 were continuing this education one year later. Sixty percent of the class planned to attend a post secondary education institution; 53 percent actually attended a college or school in October 1972; and one year later the figure was 46 percent. Of the seniors not planning to attend school, very few actually attended a post secondary institution the following fall. Four-year college continuance rates were very high, but continuance rates for those attending two-year colleges or vocational-technical schools were lower. Very few respondents made transitions from a non-post secondary education activity to post secondary education between October 1972 and October 1973. In October 1972, 40 percent had jobs while attending post secondary institutions. The data are presented according to six variables: high school curriculum, academic ability, socioeconomic status, race or ethnic group, sex and geographic region. (Author/BW)