This article presents information on research and policy implications for higher education in the U.S. The decade of the 1970s witnessed many dramatic changes in the roles and status of women in American society. More women--particularly married women with children--took jobs outside the home; young women began to delay marriage and childbearing; young people of both sexes became more aware of sex-role stereotypes and, in many cases, worked to overcome them. Since 1966 the freshman questionnaire has included an item asking respondents to rate themselves on a number of traits as compared with the average student. Typically, the majority see themselves as outstanding in academic ability, drive to achieve, and understanding of others. Generally speaking, today's college freshmen have a more positive image of themselves than did freshmen of earlier years. Substantially greater proportions of 1980 freshmen rated themselves high on intellectual and social self-confidence, drive to achieve, leadership ability, and understanding of others. Across the years, however, men have consistently given themselves higher ratings on most traits. On two traits, artistic ability and stubbornness, male and female freshmen have moved somewhat closer together.