STUDENTS AND FACULTY

Enrollment: 21,959.

Student Body: 43% female, 57% male, 24% out-of-state, 5% international (105 countries represented). Asian 3%, African American 3%, Caucasian 82%, Hispanic 3%.

Retention and Graduation: 84% freshmen return for sophomore year. 35% freshmen graduate within 4 years. 17% grads go on to further study within 1 year. 6% grads pursue arts and sciences degrees. 2% grads pursue law degrees. 4% grads pursue business degrees. 2% grads pursue medical degrees.

Faculty: Student/faculty ratio 16.3:1. 1435 full-time faculty, 92% hold PhDs, 20% are members of minority groups, 32% are women. 13% of classes are taught by teaching assistants.

ACADEMICS

Degrees: Bachelors, masters.

Classes: Most classes have 20-29 students. Most lab/discussion sessions have 20-29 students.

Majors with Highest Enrollment: Finance; marketing/marketing management; mechanical engineering.

Special Study Options: Accelerated program, cooperative education program, cross-registration, distance learning, double major, dual enrollment, English as a Second Language (ESL), exchange student program (domestic), external degree program, honors program, independent study, internships, liberal arts/career combination, student-designed major, study abroad, teacher certification program, weekend college.

Honors programs: ISU offers both a University Honors Program and a Freshman Honors Program. Each program promotes an enhanced academic environment for students of high ability and emphasizes the development of an enriched, individualized program study that meets each student’s particular needs, interests and abilities. Honors gives students a supportive community in which to pursue their goals and stretch their horizons. Benefits include unique courses, small class sizes, research opportunities and funding, access to graduate-level courses, and priority registration. Combined degree programs: BA/MEng, BS/MS. Special programs offered to physically disabled students include note-taking services, reader services, tape recorders, tutors.

Career services: Alumni network, alumni services, career/job search classes, career assessment, internships.

Career services highlights include: Our Learning Communities, in which students who have similar career goals live together and share academic courses, are ranked high nationally.

FACILITIES

Housing: Coed dorms, special housing for disabled students, men’s dorms, special housing for international students, women’s dorms, fraternity/sorority housing, apartments for married students, apartments for single students, theme housing: Learning Communities; family housing; quiet, non-smoking, or alcohol-free floors; graduate/adult undergraduate housing. 95% of campus accessible to physically disabled.

Special Academic Facilities/Equipment: Brunnier art museum, Farm House museum, observatory, numerous institutes, research centers, College of Design Gallery, Virtual Reality Application Center, Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship.

Computers: 100% of classrooms, 75% of dorms, 100% of libraries, 100% of dining areas, 100% of student union, 40% of common outdoor areas have wireless network access. Students can register for classes online. Administrative functions (other than registration) can be performed online.

CAMPUS LIFE

Environment: Town.

Activities: Choral groups, concert band, dance, drama/ theater, jazz band, literary magazine, marching band, music ensembles, musical theater, opera, pep band, radio station, student government, student newspaper, student-run film society, symphony orchestra, television station

Organizations: 799 registered organizations, 43 honor societies, 34 religious organizations. 34 fraternities, 19 sororities.

Athletics (Intercollegiate): Men: Basketball, cross-country, football, golf, track/field (outdoor), track/field (indoor), wrestling. Women: Basketball, cross-country, diving, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track/field (outdoor), track/field (indoor), volleyball.

On-Campus Highlights: Union Drive Community Center (dining center), Reiman Gardens, Lied Recreation Center, Memorial Union, Virtual Reality Lab (available to visitors also), Campanile. Environmental Initiatives: Establishment of the Live Green Initiative (www.livegreen.iastate.edu/about/) that has included: 1. Hiring of a Director of Sustainability (www.iastate.edu/Inside/2008/1212/rankin.shtml) 2. Creation of a 13-member (students, staff, and faculty) President’s Advisory Committee on Energy Conservation and Global Climate Change (www.committees.iastate.edu/comm-info.php?id=136) 3. Creation of a Live Green Loan Fund for energy conservation and sustainability projects (www.livegreen.iastate.edu/loan/) 4. Completion of an annual Symposium on Sustainability (www.livegreen.iastate.edu/symposium/) Commitment to Sustainable Operations highlighted by: 1. Energy—through a joint contract with the City of Ames, 10% of Iowa State University’s energy is derived from wind. In addition, there is ongoing evaluation and testing of renewable fuel sources. 2. Building and Construction—LEED Gold Certification Requirement for all new construction and major renovation projects. Specific Iowa State University required LEED credits have also been designated. In addition, for all other campus projects the incorporation of sustainable design standards is required. 3. Dining Services—10% of purchases are local, organic, or environmentally-preferable. Trayless dining in two dining centers has reduced food waste by 50%. Food waste is composted at the university’s compost facility and utilized for on-campus projects. Prepared leftover food is donated to a free meal program in the Ames community. 4. Campus Green Teams—Development of campus green teams dedicated to increasing sustainability efforts as related to a specific campus building, college, department, or operation. To date, there are 25 Iowa State University Green Teams. Student Engagement highlighted by: 1. Solar Decathlon—multi-disciplinary, internationally recognized team (www.solard.iastate.edu/) taking part in a competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered home. 2. Greenhouse Group—residence hall team committed to greening Iowa State University through student initiatives and activities—including the establishment of a residence hall multi-commodity recycling program(http://sodb.stuorg.iastate.edu/view.php?id=1603) 3. Green Umbrella Group—founded by the Government of the Student Body Sustainability Director for the purpose of offering a collective representation and collaboration opportunity for all student organizations (-25) that support sustainability at Iowa State University (http://sodb.stuorg.iastate.edu/viewphp?id=1586)

ADMISSIONS

Freshman Academic Profile: Average high school GPA 3.53. 28% in top 10% of high school class, 62% in top 25% of high school class, 93% in top 50% of high school class. 91% from public high schools. SAT Math middle 50% range 540-690. SAT Critical Reading middle 50% range 490-640. ACT middle 50% range 22-28. Minimum paper TOEFL 530. Minimum web-based TOEFL 71.

Basis for Candidate Selection: Very important factors considered include: Class rank, academic GPA, rigor of secondary school record, standardized test scores. Other factors considered include: Application essay, recommendation(s), character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, geographical residence, interview, state residency, talent/ability, volunteer work, work experience.

Freshman Admission Requirements: High school diploma is required and GED is accepted. Academic units required: 4 English, 3 mathematics, 3 science, (2 science labs), 2 foreign language, 2 social studies. Academic units recommended: 4 English^ 4 mathematics, 4 science, (3 science labs), 3 foreign language, 4 social studies.

Freshman Admission Statistics: 15,066 applied, 81% admitted, 38% enrolled.

Transfer Admission Requirements: College transcript(s), statement of good standing from prior institution(s). Minimum college GPA of 2.0 required. Lowest grade transferable D.

General Admission Information: Application fee $30. Regular application deadline 7/1. Notification on a rolling basis, beginning on or about 7/1. Nonfall registration accepted. Admission may be deferred for a maximum of 1 year. Credit and/or placement offered for CEEB Advanced Placement tests.

COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

Annual in-state tuition $6,102. Annual out-of-state tuition $17,668. Room and board $7,277. Required fees $895. Average book expense $1,014. Required Forms and Deadlines: FAFSA. Priority financial aid filing date 3/1.

Notification of Awards: Applicants will be notified of awards on a rolling basis beginning 4/1.

Types of Aid: Need-based scholarships/grants: Federal Pell, SEOG, state scholarships/grants, the school’s own gift aid. Loans: Direct Subsidized Stafford, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford, Direct PLUS, Federal Perkins, state loans, college/university loans from institutional funds, private alternative loans.

Student Employment: Federal Work-Study Program available. Institutional employment available. Highest amount earned per year from off-campus jobs $1,877. Off-campus job opportunities are excellent.

Financial Aid Statistics: 51% freshmen, 52% undergrads receive need-based scholarship or grant aid. 25% freshmen, 26% undergrads receive non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. 38% freshmen, 43% undergrads receive need-based self-help aid. 2% freshmen, 2% undergrads receive athletic scholarships. 83.7% freshmen, 79.1% undergrads receive any aid. 71.2% undergrads borrow to pay for school. Average cumulative indebtedness $30,411.

Criteria for awarding institutional aid: Non-need-based: Academics, art, athletics, leadership, minority status, music/ drama, state/district residency.