Visit Programs and Events

The Office of Admission is open to visitors!

Feel free to come by as a walk-in, or if possible, register in advance for a campus visit.

For more opportunities to engage with Grinnell, check out our virtual visit options. You are also welcome to contact us via email at the Office of Admission or call 641-269-3600 if you have further questions.

Virtual Grinnell Diversity Preview Program

Fall 2021

This preview program is a great way to discover your place at one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges. The program will take place over the course of two sessions on two different dates. Students can participate in one, or both of these sessions.

Sunday, Oct. 3, 4–5:30 p.m. CT — “What is Grinnell College and why should I want to go there?” Learn about Grinnell College from an admission counselor and current students, then take a live, student-led virtual tour.
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 7–8:15 p.m. CT — “Is Grinnell the right place for me? What’s it really like for a diverse student at Grinnell College?” Join us for a student life panel and Q&A with currently enrolled students.

Registrants must be entering their senior year of high school. They must be either students of color (African American/Black, Asian, Latinx, or Native American) or the first in their family to attend college, and interested in a liberal arts education (arts and humanities, mathematics and sciences, and social sciences). While this program is primarily for domestic students, international students are welcome to participate.

Discover Grinnell

Monday, Sept. 27 and Monday, Nov. 1, 2021

Discover Grinnell is an in-person fall open house program for high school juniors and seniors. We have a morning full of activities planned, including opportunities to speak with faculty members, administrators, and current students. It’s a great time to visit campus and get to know the Grinnell community!

Virtual Discover Grinnell Program

Saturday, Oct. 9 from 2–4 p.m. CT

Eager to learn more about what Grinnell College can offer you? Discover Grinnell is our virtual fall open house program for prospective students and families. It’s a great way to get a broad overview of the Grinnell College experience, whether you are just getting started with the college search or finalizing your application.

Early Decision with the Experts: Get Your Guidance (Webinar)

Domestic Edition: Sunday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. CT

International Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 15 and Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 8 a.m. CT

This hour-long session is designed specifically for domestic or international parents and families who have a student who wants to apply to Grinnell College through Early Decision. The session will begin with an overview of the application and financial aid process as it applies to domestic students or international students. Admission and financial aid staff will leave plenty of time to answer your questions and are prepared to demystify the Early Decision process as much as possible so that your student is ready to submit an Early Decision I application by Nov. 15, or Early Decision II application by Jan. 1. Prospective students are also welcome to attend one of the sessions.

Register for an Early Decision Webinar

Junior Visit Day

Monday, Feb. 21, 2022

Whether you’re a high school junior who is already in the thick of your college search or you’re looking to go on your very first college visit, we’ve designed a program just for you.

During our Junior Visit Day, you’ll be able to tour campus, attend class, and get an overview of Grinnell’s uniquely personalized academic program, life beyond the classroom, and our admission and financial aid process. It’s a great opportunity to meet current students, eat in the dining hall, and start to think about whether you might be a Grinnellian.

Registration will open in Dec. 2021.

Virtual Junior Visit Day

Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022

Whether you’re a high school junior who is already in the thick of your college search or you’re looking to learn more about your very first college, we think we’ve designed a virtual program just for you.

During our Virtual Junior Visit Day, you’ll get an overview of Grinnell’s uniquely personalized academic program, learn more about life at a small, residential liberal arts college, and hear tips from the experts on navigating the college admission and financial aid process. You’ll also be able to take a live virtual tour of campus led by current students. All sessions are optional; feel free to come and go as you please.

Registration will open in Dec. 2021.

Admitted Student Weekend Programs

Spring 2022

You’ve applied and been accepted. Congratulations! We invite you to experience Grinnell’s endless possibilities at one of our admitted student programs, designed specifically for you.

Over the course of two days, you’ll have the chance to:

sit in on a class of your choice
spend the night on campus with a current student
interact one-on-one with faculty members at our academic and campus resource fair
learn about student life during small group breakout sessions with senior students
go on a student-led tour of campus
tour the performing arts and athletics and recreation centers
relax and enjoy Sunday evening activities with other admitted students
attend panels on the academic experience, the Grinnell residential community, and post-graduate opportunities

Registration will be available in March 2022.

Admitted Student Day Program

Spring 2022

We realize that not every student can attend one of the admitted student weekend programs listed above, so we invite you to spend a half-day on campus this spring instead.

Over the course of the day, you’ll have the chance to:

sit in on a class
hear about post-graduate opportunities and funding for internships from staff members in the Center for Careers, Life, and Service
learn about student life and our residential community during a current student panel
go on a student-led tour of campus
tour the performing arts and athletics and recreation centers
spend the night on campus with a current student

Registration will be available in March 2022.

Virtual Admitted Student Programs and Events

Spring 2022

Congratulations on your admission to Grinnell College! While we wish we could host you on campus, we are excited to present a variety of opportunities to get to know Grinnell through panels, programs, live virtual chats, faculty meetings, and more. Please visit your admitted student portal to register and learn more.

Fall Preview Day

Fall 2022

Fall Preview Day is one of our fall open house programs for prospective students who are high school juniors and seniors. We have a full day of activities planned, including opportunities to speak with faculty members, administrators, and current students. It’s a great time to visit campus and get to know the Grinnell community!

Activities run from 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and include:

information session conducted by an admission counselor and a current student
campus tour led by a current student
complimentary lunch in the Marketplace Dining Hall
class visits
presentation by the Center for Careers, Life, and Service
specialty tours of Bucksbaum Center for the Arts, the Humanities and Social Studies Center, and Noyce Science Center (optional)
admission interviews (optional)
financial aid appointments (optional)

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.