The Office of Admissions at Iowa State University is responsible for coordinating new student admissions, campus visits, new student orientation, student financial aid and other related operations. Originally overseen by the University Registrar, the Office of Admissions and the Office of the Registrar were made independent units in 1988. Both offices were relocated to the Enrollment Services Center (formerly Alumni Hall) at that time. This collection consists of data and reports compiled by the Office of Admissions and provides general information on incoming students such as gender, ethnicity, and place of origin. Much of this data is included in the Annual Statistical Report which is compiled by the Office of Admissions and other related units.

The Recorder's Office, renamed the Office of the Registrar in 1906, was established in 1886 as part of the Treasurer's Office. For many years the roles of Treasurer and Recorder/Registrar were held by one man, Herman Knapp. However, beginning in 1920 the Registrar became a full-time position with the appointment of J. R. Sage. During this time, the Office of the Registrar oversaw student admissions, academic records and transcripts, class scheduling, and graduation requirements. A separate Admissions Office, under the oversight of the Registrar, was established in Beardshear Hall in 1943.

In 1959, Registrar Arthur Gowan added Director of Admissions to his title to emphasize the growing importance of the admissions operation. By 1963 the Office of the Registrar was absorbed into the newly organized Office of Admissions and Records and the title of Director changed to Dean in 1965. Also at that time, the position of Assistant Director of Admissions became Director of Admissions. In 1988, the position of Dean of Admissions and Records was eliminated and the Office of Admissions and the Office of the Registrar became independent units under the oversight of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Both offices were relocated to the Enrollment Services Center (formerly Alumni Hall) at that time.

The position of Assistant Vice President for Enrollment was established in 1996 to oversee and coordinate admissions, campus visits, new student orientation, student financial aid and other related operations. As of 2012, all of these activities are organized under the Office of Admissions.

Heads of Admissions:

This collection (1930-2001) consists of data and reports compiled by the Office of Admissions and provides general information on incoming students such as gender, ethnicity, and place of origin. Some of this data was not collected in the earliest reports. The reports include monthly reports and final reports for fall admissions numbers as well as reports for spring and summer admissions. Much of this data is included in the Annual Statistical Report which is compiled by the Office of Admissions and other related units.

Related collections in the Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library include:

• Annual Statistical Reports (this and related titles are classified under the following call numbers: LD2532.9 I57x, LD 2532.9 I571x, LD 2532.9 I5731, LD 2532.9 I57311, LD 2532.9 I573111, and LD2532.9 I5732x)

This collection is organized chronologically.