Community colleges enroll nearly half the undergraduates in the U.S. These institutions play a significant role in the academic, social, political, and economic future of our nation. As historically open admission institutions, with a primary focus on providing access to higher education, they have been pressed in recent decades--as has all of higher education--to be more accountable and demonstrate the benefits they offer and at what cost. A common measure of accountability is student retention. What role do admission officers play in student retention? While the admission processes may be quite different between four-year institutions and community colleges, the purposes are similar. Insofar as they set the stage for what it takes to be successful in college, admission officers play a crucial role in the broader student life cycle that extends from prospect to alumnus. (Contains 2 tables.)