Special Events and Programs

July 27, 2025, at 2 p.m. CT

Join us for our annual summer preview day, hosted on Zoom! Prospective students and family members are welcome to attend. Learn the basics about Grinnell’s unique academic program, vibrant community, and more. Bring questions for Grinnell students and employees during this two-hour event.

Sunday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m. CT 

Join us for a virtual program for parents and family members of prospective students! During this program you will hear from faculty and staff who will work closely with your student(s) if they were to come to Grinnell. The program will conclude with breakout rooms offering Q&A with our expert faculty and staff panelists. 

Registration will open in late summer 2025. 

On-Campus:

Monday, Sept. 29, or Friday, Oct. 10

Discover Grinnell programs are our annual in-person fall open house programs for high school juniors and seniors. We have a full schedule of activities planned, including class visits and 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!

Registration will open in late summer 2025.

Virtual:

Sunday, Oct. 12, at 2 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.

Registration will open in late summer 2025.

Sunday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. CT

This preview program is a great way to discover your place at one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges. Registrants must be domestic students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) entering their senior year of high school. We encourage attendance from students who: 

• wish to have a campus affinity with communities of color (American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; Black or African American; Latinx/Hispanic; or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander)
• the first in their immediate family to attend college
• a low-income student

Registration will open in late summer 2025.

For Domestic Students — Sunday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. CT 

For International Students — Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 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. 5. Prospective students are also welcome to attend.

Registration will open in early fall 2025. 

Monday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. CT

Join Steph Haines, senior associate director of financial aid, for an hour long presentation and Q&A about applying for financial aid at Grinnell College. This program is open to parents, family members, and prospective students. This program is intended for domestic-applicants, only (U.S. citizens and permanent residents). 

Registration will open in early fall 2025. 

On-Campus:

Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 or Friday, March 27, 2026

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 and get an overview of Grinnell’s personalized academic program, life beyond the classroom, and our admission and financial aid process. It’s a great opportunity to meet current students and start to think about if you might be a Grinnellian.

Registration will open in late fall 2025.

Virtual:

Winter 2026

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. 

Registration will open in late fall 2025.

On-Campus:

April 2026 — register through your Admitted Student Portal

Registration will be available in March 2025.

Congratulations on your admission! We invite you and your family to learn more about Grinnell by joining us for a program just for admitted students. Over the course of the day, you’ll have the chance to:

• hear from faculty and current students about the academic experience
• 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
• take a student-led tour of campus
• tour the performing arts and athletics and recreation centers

Virtual:

Spring 2026 — register through your Admitted Student Portal

Registration will be available in spring 2025.

Congratulations on your admission to Grinnell College! We are excited to present a variety of opportunities to get to know Grinnell through panels, programs, live virtual chats, and more. Example programs including hearing from current students about our three academic divisions or diving into breakout rooms to ask your “real” questions about Grinnell; learning about the international student experience at Grinnell; and observing a panel about diversity, belonging, and inclusion with Intercultural Affairs staff and students from diverse backgrounds and identities.