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 you may only interview once.
Tips from the Experts
Why do an admission interview?
Whether or not to do an admission interview is a question you’ll likely ponder during your college admission process. It’s understandable that you might wonder if it is worth it to do one and if it will actually help you in your application process. Hear from Patty Amador-Lacson, senior associate director of admission, as she shares three big reasons why doing an interview is a great opportunity.
Interview Processes
Whether you are a first-year applicant, transfer applicant, domestic student, or international student, there are different processes for everyone. Explore below to learn more about how to request your interview.
Online Interviews
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may request an online interview beginning in June of your junior year. Our conversational interviews last about 20–30 minutes and are a great way for us to get to know you. After you request an online interview, a senior interviewer or admission counselor will contact you within five business days to schedule a mutually convenient day and time. Please note that during the summer, we only offer online interviews on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT.
Please note that after Nov. 15 we only grant interviews to students who have submitted an application (Common Application or QuestBridge). If you have any questions, please contact your area admission counselor.
In Person Interviews
You may interview on campus beginning in June of your junior year through December of your senior year. You can see if interviews are available when filling out your campus visit registration.
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.
Online Interviews
If you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, you may request an online interview with us from July through December of your final year in high school; only currently enrolled high school students may request an interview. 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. Online interviews for international students are not required in the admission process, and if you have submitted or are planning to submit an InitialView, Vericant, or Duolingo interview, please do not request an interview — that third party interview suffices for our application process. Students may request an interview until the deadline to which they are applying: Early Decision I, Nov. 15; Early Decision II, Jan. 5; Regular Decision, Jan. 15.
Note: Should the review committee require further information to illuminate your application, you might be invited to participate in an interview after the deadline to which you applied.
International students, request an online interview.
In Person Interviews
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. Please follow the instructions in the email to make detailed arrangements with the admission counselor.
Transfer applicants may interview on campus or virtually from October through March. You can see if interviews are available when filling out an on-campus visit registration. Otherwise, feel free to request a virtual interview here. If you have questions about applying or interviewing as a transfer applicant, please contact Christian Morris, Grinnell College’s transfer liaison.
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.