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 contains the Annual Statistical Report compiled by the Office of Admissions in cooperation with several other related units. Published each fall, the report collects a wide array of statistics on student enrollment including gender and ethnicity numbers, degrees awarded, and enrollment by college.

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 (1971-2003) contains an incomplete second copy of the Annual Statistical Reports compiled by the Office of Admissions and Campus Visits in cooperation with other departments on campus related to student enrollment: Office of New Student Programs, Office of the Registrar, and Office of Student Financial Aid. Published each fall, the report compiles a wide array of statistics on student enrollment including gender and ethnicity numbers, degrees awarded, and enrollment by college. A full set of reports is catalogued and available in the University Archives.

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

• Annual Statistical Reports are cataloged and available in the University Archives (call nos. LD2532.9 I57x, LD2532.9 I571x, LD2532.9 I573x, LD2532.9 I5731, LD2532.9 I57311, LD2532.9 I573111, and LD2532.9 I5732x)
• Office of Admissions Enrollment Statistics, RS 7/2/3
• Office of Admissions Admissions Reports, RS 7/2/4
• Student Profile (call no. LD2546 S78x) published by Iowa State’s Office of Institutional Research

The collection is organized chronologically.