<p>We're planning to visit some colleges for a week in June and my D really wants to visit Grinnell. After looking at the website, though, it doesn't look like Grinnell is really "open" in the summer When</a> to Visit Grinnell - Grinnell College . (Most of the other schools we plan to visit still seem to hold info sessions and tours even if school is not in session.)</p>
<p>Should she just wait until one of the Discover Grinnell programs (Oct 9 or Nov 13)? Discover</a> Grinnell Program - Grinnell College But knowing my D, she will think she's too busy next fall to take time off from school...</p>
<p>Don’t go on the “iowa private college week” thing. I did and it was pointless. There were to many people to get questions answered and no personal Q&A sessions. The only worthwhile thing was the tour, which you can go any other week. It is definitely best to visit schools when students are on campus, I have found.</p>
<p>Both times we visited, it was in April and it is best to be there when the school is in session. I would be surprised, though, if the college is not doing tours and info sessions over the summer. I suggest you call admissions and ask.</p>
<p>Grinnell is definitely open to visitors in the summer. We went in July. They get too few visitors over the summer to make it worth scheduling formal information sessions so just call up and schedule a tour. We (and the one other family visiting) each had our own tour guides who not only did the usual ‘dog and pony’ but answered every possible question we had. S also interviewd (for over an hour) with someone on the admissions staff-he emerged beaming because it had been so much fun-and then I was invited to sit down with S and the interviewer so they could answer any questions one-on-one. What I especially appreciated was the frank assessment of S’s chances of receiving a merit scholarship. You can’t get this kind of individual attention at many schools, so remoteness has its advantages. S announced on the way home that this was the place he wanted to be.</p>
<p>If you stay at The Carriage House (which we recommend), its across the street diagonally from the admissions office, and everything is within walking distance.</p>
<p>I’m glad you could give a better answer. Both of our visits were really delightful too. I think they do give each family its own tour guide. It makes for a very personal experience. My son’s interview was also really a fun one and she did bring us in at the end to chat and ask questions. Our experience of the school, and our son’s, have been consistent with what we felt on our visits–what a great place to spend 4 years!</p>
<p>Thank you all for answering. I had fully intended to call the admissions office today, but time slipped away. It’s good to know that D and I can visit even if the school doesn’t have formal info sessions and tours. </p>
<p>One other thing we plan to do is go to this “Eight of the Best Colleges” program when it comes to Austin on May 18. The 8 colleges are Claremont McK, Colorado C, Connecticut C, Grinnell, Haverford, Kenyon, Macalester and Sarah Lawrence. It’s the first I’ve heard of those schools travelling together, but it sounds worthwhile. Have any of you been to this?</p>
<p>These are all great schools. We visited Claremont McK (while we were visiting Pomona), Haverford, Mac and Sarah Lawrence. My son applied to Carleton, Goucher, Grinnell, Haverford, Lewis & Clark, Mac, Oberlin, Pomona, Reed and Vassar. In the end, he felt Grinnell was his best fit. This would not be the case for everyone, but it has been great for him.</p>
<p>My son and I attended an Eight of the Best in 2006. Overall, it was pretty good as a representative from each school spoke. I recall each school had a booth with additional people who could answer questions. The feeling we got from each school at the event turned out to be accurate when we visited 6 of the 8 colleges. Also, we did pick up some valuable information.</p>
<p>I remember one girl telling the rep from one of the colleges that their school would be a perfect fit for her. Without missing a beat, the rep immediately asked why the school would be a perfect fit. The poor girl didn’t know what hit her. She stammered and said something about the college being small and small classes but she couldn’t mention one specific or unique thing about the particular college. A little preparation never hurts.</p>
<p>Going when school is in session is preferred but summer is also a nice time too. You can still get a tour and information session. Don’t just rely on Eight of the Best meeting (I didn’t realize that the came to Austin, that would have been helpful last year). My recommendation would be to do both.</p>
<p>Once you visit you might just fall in love with Grinnell as I did :)</p>
<p>I agree Eidda. We had to do a lot of our visiting in the summer too.</p>
<p>Austinhills, be sure to really look over the beautiful new student center and the science building (if your student is interested). The library is fun too with its “treehouses”.</p>
<p>The “ruralness” of the town was a little startling to me at first, but you have to factor in the huge amount of free activities they have on campus. You won’t see them in the summer or the excited happy groups of students everywhere, so use your imagination.</p>