We are proud of our partnership with QuestBridge, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting high-achieving, under-served high school students with educational opportunities at some of the best colleges and universities in the U.S. Every year, QuestBridge provides low-income high school students across the U.S. with these opportunities through its College Prep Scholarship program and National College Match program. We’re also honored to participate in QuestBridge’s three National College Admissions Conferences every year.
In their own words
Makaila Hootman ’25
Alexis, Illinois | Classics and political science double major
“The greatest tool I have gained as a Grinnell student is the support from my professors and peers. The environment at Grinnell is more caring than I could have ever dreamed. My professors provide guidance for me inside and outside of the classroom and are helping me build a future based on my goals and values. My peers push me to think past my own perspectives while still valuing my contributions. There is really something special about being a part of such a unique community.”
David Hudson ’23
Brooklyn, New York | Psychology major
“Grinnell has been nothing short of a support system for me to explore, re-explore, and express myself. I came to college to find who I am and who I want to be, and I've grown more in my time here than at any other stage in my life. Everyone welcomed me here and was super friendly, it felt safe for me to be here, and I cannot thank Grinnell College enough for guiding me through this process of discovery."
"I am so grateful Grinnell chose me. I truly cannot see myself at any other college. Specifically, the music professors at Grinnell continuously offer ample opportunities for me to explore my interests and grow not only as a musician but also as a future educator in the arts."
Hometown: Los Angeles, California Major(s)/Concentration(s): political science and gender, women's, and sexuality studies (GWSS) double major Extracurriculars/Work-Study: Student of Latinx/es (SOL) event coordinator; Admission multicultural intern; Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP) mentor; chisme y cafecito frequenter; cooking & baking; Saints Rest Coffee House enthusiast Off-Campus Study: Grinnell in London (fall 2025) Why I love Grinnell: I love that I have been able to explore all of my interests and still find what subjects I am most passionate about. But this passion isn’t just limited or even kept within academics. Grinnell has given me the opportunity to explore on-campus events and organizations that give me a safe space to go to. There is always something to look forward to at the end of the week, and Grinnell’s small-town feel is definitely homey during the holidays!
Hi! My name is Abby Davison, and I am the 2025–26 Grinnell QuestBridge Scholar president.
The QuestBridge Executive Board works to foster connections between all FGLI (first-generation, low-income) and QuestBridge scholars on the Grinnell College campus. Throughout the semester, you can find us at events such as our s'mores event in the fall, our National Quest Day in November, and our "Crafty" events in the spring! We are always excited to meet incoming students, and we are happy to guide anyone to FGLI resources and events, so please feel free to reach out!
“I would say if you decide to come to Grinnell, the opportunities are endless.” Cinthia Romo ’21, a sociology/French double major with a peace and conflict studies concentration, tells us about her interests and the different organizations she is involved with at Grinnell College, including serving on the board of QuestBridge. “I could have never imagined the doors that Grinnell would open for me, or the passions it would ignite in me. Being a Grinnellian has been an extremely personally fulfilling and liberating experience that has made me a much more confident and independent individual excited for the future.”
QuestBridge is a nonprofit organization that connects exceptional low-income students with leading colleges nationwide. But it's not just about admission and financial aid — it’s also a student organization that helps students have fun, find their community, and feel at home on campus
Academically talented first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students contribute to the Grinnell experience and are a vital part of what makes Grinnell, Grinnell. Read how the College is dedicating resources and working to support their journeys through Grinnell.
Gil Perez ’21 found Grinnell through QuestBridge, played on the soccer team, had a double major and concentration, and pursued internships, experiential learning, and volunteer opportunities in Chicago and Minneapolis. Next up: a master’s degree in management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see your question below? Contact admission@grinnell.edu and we will be happy to help.
Grinnell College does not charge anyone an application fee.
International students and undocumented or DACAmented students are eligible to apply to Grinnell College through QuestBridge for the National Match, Early Decision, or Regular Decision as long as they meet other eligibility criteria set/determined by QuestBridge.
Students applying for first-year admission for fall 2025 are not required to submit ACT and/or SAT test scores. Applicants who choose to apply with an SAT and/or ACT may submit either official or self-reported scores to Grinnell College. All enrolling students who applied with a self-reported test score will be required to submit an official test score prior to arriving on campus. To learn more about our test-optional admission policy and get advice on whether or not to submit your score report, please see Requirements and Deadlines.
Your intention regarding submission of test scores must be indicated to us through your response on our “Test Optional Choice Form.” You can find this form in your personal application status page. We cannot review your application until you submit this form. If you decide to submit test scores for review with your application, you may use unofficial scores for purposes of the application. You can upload your score reports through your student portal, or indicate them on your application. If you are admitted through the National Match and submitted unofficial scores we will require the scores from an official source prior to your enrollment at the College (i.e.: sent to us by your counseling office, or from the testing agency, or appear we will accept as official scores that are on your official transcript). The same is true if you are admitted through Early Decision 2 or Regular Decision and you applied using a test score. If you have any questions, please contact Patty Amador-Lacson, amadorla@grinnell.edu.
Note: If a student submits several unofficial or “official” score reports for an exam (i.e.: a score report for each time a student sat for a test), Grinnell will superscore the results to create a new composite score.
Grinnell College will create a brand new score by taking the highest subscores earned by a student in each official/unofficial score report sent to Grinnell. This will likely create a higher ACT composite score or combined SAT evidence-based reading and writing (ERW) + math score than one that appears on an official/unofficial score report.
Grinnell College will only require an official test score, should you indicate that you'd like us to consider your test score in the admission process, after a student accepts an offer of admission and submits a deposit (or has their deposit waived).
Grinnell College will count as official score reports received from the following sources:
a score report received directly from the testing agencies (i.e.: ACT or the College Board)
a test score on an “official” high school transcript —
Transcript must be sent to Grinnell College by a high school counselor or registrar (cannot come from the student directly), and
Transcript must show the date each test was taken and all subscores for each test sitting.
a complete score report sent directly to Grinnell by a guidance counselor or registrar.
If you chose to apply with test scores, you will receive a request for official scores (if not submitted initially with your file) if you are admitted and accept that offer of admission and submit a deposit or request a waiver. Official transcripts showing test scores can be sent to us by guidance counselor or registrar using these methods:
by mail to the Office of Admission — Grinnell College, 1227 Park Street, Grinnell, IA 50112
Yes, you may apply Early Decision II (binding). If you did not match and would like to be considered for Early Decision II, please send an email to us letting us know you’d like to apply in that admission round. The ED II application deadline is January 5.
Note: Early Decision Agreement Form required. Because our Early Decision rounds are binding, to complete an Early Decision application you must have QuestBridge forward all your materials and also submit the Early Decision agreement form. You can access this agreement via the Common Application website or you can send a note to us to request a blank PDF.
Yes. If you apply to Grinnell College Early Decision II you are making a promise to the College that you will attend if you are admitted and withdraw all other applications for admission you may have submitted to other institutions.
Yes, you may use your QuestBridge application to apply in the Regular Decision round. Grinnell College will automatically move all applicants who tried to match with Grinnell, but who did not match into our Regular Decision round unless we hear otherwise from the student.
We would accept your QuestBridge application for Regular Decision even if you did not apply to Grinnell College for the match.
Yes, you can use your QuestBridge application to apply to Grinnell College in Early Decision II or Regular Decision even if you were not named a QuestBridge finalist.
Yes, you can use your QuestBridge application to apply to Grinnell College in Early Decision II or Regular Decision even if you were not named a QuestBridge finalist.
This is optional. You may submit a Common Application to Grinnell College if you wish, but this is not required to complete the application.
Our primary application source is the Common Application. If you submit both the QuestBridge and Common Application, it is our policy to read the Common Application. Related materials may come from both sources, and we review each file thoroughly and holistically. If you have questions about your application documents, please send your questions to Patty Amador-Lacson.
If you submit both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile at the same time, or shortly after submitting applications for admission to Grinnell College, then we will provide you a tentative financial aid package with an offer of admission. See application deadlines.
Grinnell College meets 100% of all students’ demonstrated need. Please consult our financial aid page for more information.
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