Let us get to know you.
If you'd like to share more about yourself, we invite you to schedule an interview. Please be aware that Grinnell does not require a personal interview for admission, and we don't give special preference to students who participate. Also, you may only interview once.
Interviews for First-Year Applicants
You may interview on campus beginning in February of your junior year through January of your senior year. We also occasionally will offer interviews on the road — we encourage you to participate in an off-campus interview, especially if you are not able to make it to Grinnell's campus for a visit.
Register for an interview on campus Register for an off-campus interview
Online Interviews for Domestic Juniors and Rising Seniors
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may schedule an online interview beginning in the spring of your junior year through May 15. Online interviews are a great way to share more about yourself, and can take place over FaceTime, Skype, or a phone call. After you schedule an online interview, a senior interviewer or admission counselor will contact you within 5 business days to schedule a mutually convenient day and time.
Interviews for International First-Year Applicants
The international admission coordinator and/or his admission colleagues may offer off-campus interviews to applicants in cities included in their international admission travel schedules. You can view our travel plans online and then select a country or region from the drop-down menu. If interviews will be offered, the Office of Admission will send invitations to students in its database who reside in the designated travel areas several weeks prior to the interview period. Simply follow the instructions in the email to make detailed arrangements with the admission counselor.
Skype Interviews for International First-Year Applicants
If you are not a U.S. citizen or US permanent resident, you may request a Skype interview from November through February 1 of your senior year. Skype interviews are a great way for you to share more about yourself, but please know that submitting an interview request form does not guarantee you an interview with Grinnell. Skype interviews for international students have requirements, such as:
- You cannot have registered/completed a formal interview or submitted a recorded interview already to Grinnell;
- You must be applying to be a first year at Grinnell for the upcoming fall semester;
- You must have submitted your Common Application to Grinnell already;
- You must have submitted either the ISFAA, the CSS Profile, or the Certification of Finances.
If you have any questions, please contact us..
On-Campus Interviews for Transfer Applicants
You may interview until April 1 for fall admission.
How Grinnell Uses the Interview
Our interviewers submit written summaries of all interviews conducted. These summaries will be considered in the evaluation process, but are not the most significant component of the final decision.
Grinnell accepts InitialView, Vericant, and Duolingo interviews from students who have these to submit.
Grinnell College welcomes individuals with disabilities and strives to provide the fullest access possible during the visit process. If any member of your party requires an accommodation as the result of a disability, you must request accommodations at least two weeks in advance of your scheduled visit to ensure that the fullest range of accommodation options are available. It may not be possible to meet all requested accommodations when accommodations are requested fewer than two weeks in advance.