The Campaign for Grinnell
Someone takes a photo of a family with a phone

Welcome to the Grinnell Community

Information for families of admitted students

Welcome, parents and families.

Congratulations on your student's admission to Grinnell College, and welcome to our community. You play an important role in your student's transition to college, and the resources on this page will help you fulfill that key role.

Keep an eye on your email inbox for information about events and other virtual opportunities and announcements for your family, such as live faculty chats, happy hours, virtual admitted student programs, live informational panels, and much more. If you want to join in, have your student register for events, too (login required). You can also participate in any of our traditional admission offerings.

  • Joe Bagnoli

    Message from Joe

    Joe Bagnoli, vice president for enrollment, would like to welcome you to Grinnell.

Deposit Dates

January 8
Early Decision 1
February 15
Early Decision 2
May 1
Regular Decision
  • Students in masks study in the student center.

    Upcoming Live Events

    Get to know Grinnell better by attending one of our live events throughout the spring. Joining on your own? We'll send you an email with the Zoom link before the event. Joining with your student? Have your student register online through their Admitted Student Portal (login required).

    • Live Faculty Panels
      • Jan. 27 - “How We Recover from COVID-19”
    • Information panels on all things Grinnell
      • March 31 - The Academic Experience 
      • April 7 - Student Affairs (Residence Life, New Student Orientation, Disability Resources, and Student Health & Wellness)
      • April 14 - The Center for Careers, Life, and Service

    Please check back on this webpage, or keep an eye on your email for information on future live events.

Helping your student get ready for Grinnell

Congratulations! Your student has been admitted. What's next?
Here’s a brief timeline of events and activities to plan for during the spring and summer before your student heads off to Grinnell.

Screenshot from Virtual Tour

Before May 1

Get to know Grinnell.
Gates tower

May - June

Some big choices.
  • May 1 — Decision Day! This is the deposit deadline for students who were admitted through regular decision. By this date, your student will submit their deposit to the school they choose to attend. We hope it's Grinnell!
  • June 1 — This is the due date for your student's roommate and housing preferences form.
  • June 30 — By this date, your student will rank their top five choices for their First-Year Tutorial.
A parent helps a student carry luggage.

July - August

Help your student stay on top of the paperwork.
  • All forms will be available through Grinnell’s intranet site, GrinnellShare (login required).
  • Late July — Your student's first Grinnell College bill will be due.
  • Early August — your student will receive their roommate and residence hall assignment.
  • Pack light, but thoughtfully. Here's a suggested packing list.

Welcome, International Students and Families

Information for Families of International and Global Nomad Students

International Student Affairs (OISA)
International Pre-Orientation Program (IPOP)
Students sitting in a circle on the grass during New Student Orientation.

Here for your student.

First-generation professors and employees of Grinnell College share advice for prospective first-generation college students.

Alumni Stories

Allison Wong ’12 at the United Nations Foundation

Why would I go somewhere that doesn’t feel the way Grinnell feels? I knew I wanted to be in an intentional community — with individuals who were both focused on their academics and dedicated to creating a supportive environment.

Allison Wong ’12, Officer, United Nations Foundation
Read Allison's Story
Blake Creasey ’16 in New York

I wanted to be making my own choices. Grinnell was willing to give me the power to do that.

Blake Creasey ’16, IT strategy senior consultant, Protiviti
Read Blake's Story
Alexandra Odom ’16 in front of a tree with autumn leaves

There was a point that I was like ‘I love teaching, but I also really love research,’ and I didn’t realize that there was a career where I could kind of meld the two.

Alexandra Odom ’16, Ph.D. student in history, University of North Carolina
Read Alex's Story
Raghav Malik in London

In business terminology, we call this thinking laterally and working cross-functionally. That’s basically, in my opinion, having a liberal arts education.

Raghav Malik ’13, Digital payments product owner, Mastercard
Read Raghav's Story
Amaris Bates in a theater

It was really cool to be able to get that experience under my belt and to be able to be in that professional performing environment.

Amaris Bates ’18, Management assistant, Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Read Amaris's Story

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