Grinnell College Academic Calendar: A Comprehensive Guide
This article provides a detailed overview of the Grinnell College academic calendar, covering key dates, deadlines, and important information for students, faculty, and staff. The information presented is intended to provide clarity and assist in academic planning.
Fall Semester 2025
Key Dates and Deadlines
The fall semester of 2025 begins with staggered early arrivals on August 11. New Student Orientation starts August 22, followed by the opening of Residence Halls to Returning Students on August 24. Classes officially begin on Thursday, August 28.
Important deadlines during the semester include:
- September 5: Final applications due from students off campus the previous semester or students continuing a MAP for fall 297, 299, 387, 397, 399, and 499 independent studies.
- September 12: Last day to add a course or an audit, drop a course without transcript entry, and change a course from credit to audit or audit to credit. This applies to regular full-semester courses.
- September 15 - November 7: Period during which a full-term course may be withdrawn with a W transcript entry.
- October 3: Last day to add a plus-2.
- October 13: Major declarations for second year, second semester students are due; cutoff for all declarations until after registration for spring 2026.
- October 14 - November 4: Advising period for 2026 registration.
- October 18: Fall break starts. Residence Halls Remain Open.
- October 27: Classes resume after fall break.
- November 5 - November 7: Registration for spring 2026 via Colleague Self-Service.
- November 7: Last day to change to or from S/D/F grading. Last day to withdraw from a full-term course with a W transcript entry.
- November 24: Final applications for spring 297, 299, 387, 397, 399, and 499 independent studies are due.
- December 1 - December 19: Spring 2026 add/drop period via Colleague Self-Service.
- December 12: Last day of classes.
- December 15: Last day to request an incomplete.
- December 16 - December 19: Exam Week.
- December 20: Noon - Residence Halls Close for Winter Recess.
Deadlines for Short Courses
It is important to note the specific deadlines for short courses, which differ from those of full-semester courses.
- ½ semester course (lasting 6-7 weeks): The last day to add/drop or audit is the second Friday after the course start date. The last day to elect S/D/F grading or withdraw with a W transcript entry is by the Friday of the fourth full week of the course.
- Short course (less than a ½ semester): The last day to add/drop, audit, and elect S/D/F grading is by the end of the second class meeting day. Students may not withdraw (W transcript entry) from a short course.
Spring Semester 2026
Key Dates and Deadlines
The spring semester of 2026 begins. Residence Halls Open on January 17. Martin Luther King Day on January 19. Classes officially begin on Tuesday, January 20.
Important deadlines during the semester include:
- January 12 - January 30: Add/drop for spring 2026 classes via Colleague Self-Service.
- January 20: First day of classes
- January 23: Final applications for spring 297, 299, 387, 397, 399, and 499 independent studies due from students off campus the previous semester or students continuing a MAP.
- January 30: Last day to add a course or an audit, drop a course without transcript entry, and change a course from credit to audit or audit to credit. This applies to regular full-semester courses.
Deadlines for Short Courses
It is important to note the specific deadlines for short courses, which differ from those of full-semester courses.
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- ½ semester course (lasting 6-7 weeks): The last day to add/drop or audit is the second Friday after the course start date. The last day to elect S/D/F grading or withdraw with a W transcript entry is by the Friday of the fourth full week of the course.
- Short course (less than a ½ semester): The last day to add/drop, audit, and elect S/D/F grading is by the end of the second class meeting day. Students may not withdraw (W transcript entry) from a short course.
Additional Key Dates
- March 7: Spring Break Begins -Residence Halls Remain Open.
- March 23: Classes Resume.
- May 16: Residence Halls Close for Non-Seniors
- May 18: Commencement
- May 19: Noon- Residence Halls Close for Graduating Seniors
- May 25: Memorial Day
Summer Semester 2026
Key Dates and Deadlines
The summer term commences on Tuesday, May 26.
Important deadlines during the semester include:
- June 1: Last day to request 299 and submit part B for 499 summer research.
- June 5: Last day to add/drop a 299 or 499.
- July 6: Last day to withdraw from an independent study (299 or 499) with a W transcript entry.
- July 31: Last day of summer 2026 term.
Five-Year Calendar Overview (2025-2030)
The Office of the Registrar publishes five-year calendars each year, providing a broader view of academic scheduling. Some key dates across the next five academic years are:
| 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 | 2029-30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staggered Early Arrivals Begin | Aug. 11 | Aug. 10 | Aug. 09 | Aug. 07 | Aug. 13 |
| New Student Orientation Begins | Aug. 22 | Aug. 21 | Aug. 20 | Aug. 18 | Aug. 24 |
| Residence Halls Open to Returning Students | Aug. 24 | Aug. 23 | Aug. 22 | Aug. 20 | Aug. 26 |
| First Day Of Classes | Aug. 28 | Aug. 27 | Aug. 26 | Aug. 24 | Aug. 30 |
| Labor Day - No Classes | Sept. 1 | Sept. 7 | Sept. 6 | Sept. 4 | Sept. 3 |
| Fall Break Begins | Oct. 18 | Oct. 17 | Oct. 16 | Oct. 14 | Oct. 20 |
| Classes Resume | Oct. 27 | Oct. 26 | Oct. 25 | Oct. 23 | Oct. 29 |
| Thanksgiving Recess | Nov. 27 | Nov. 26 | Nov. 25 | Nov. 23 | Nov. 22 |
| Classes Resume | Dec. 01 | Nov. 30 | Nov. 29 | Nov. 27 | Nov. 26 |
| Last Day of Classes | Dec. 12 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 10 | Dec. 08 | Dec. 14 |
| Exam Week Begins | Dec. 15 | Dec. 14 | Dec. 13 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 17 |
| Last Day of Exam Week | Dec. 19 | Dec. 18 | Dec. 17 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 21 |
| Residence Halls Close for Winter Recess | Dec. 20 | Dec. 19 | Dec. 18 | Dec. 16 | Dec. 22 |
| Residence Halls Open | Jan. 17 | Jan. 23 | Jan. 22 | Jan. 20 | Jan. 19 |
| Martin Luther King Day | Jan. 19 | Jan. 18 | Jan. 17 | Jan. 15 | Jan. 21 |
| First Day Of Classes | Jan. 20 | Jan. 25 | Jan. 24 | Jan. 22 | Jan. 22 |
| Spring Break Begins | Mar. 07 | Mar. 13 | Mar. 11 | Mar. 10 | Mar. 9 |
| Classes Resume | Mar. 23 | Mar. 29 | Mar. 27 | Mar. 26 | Mar. 25 |
| Residence Halls Close for Non-Seniors | May 16 | May 22 | May 20 | May 19 | May 18 |
| Commencement | May 18 | May 24 | May 22 | May 21 | May 20 |
| Residence Halls Close for Graduating Seniors | May 19 | May 25 | May 23 | May 22 | May 21 |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | May 31 | May 29 | May 28 | May 27 |
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of Classes | May 26 | June 1 | May 30 | May 29 | May 28 |
| Add/Drop | June 05 | June 11 | June 09 | June 08 | June 07 |
| Withdraw | July 06 | July 12 | July 10 | July 09 | July 08 |
| Last Day of Classes | July 31 | Aug. 06 | Aug. 04 | Aug. 03 | Aug. 02 |
Key Considerations for Students
- Course Add/Drop and Audit Deadlines: Pay close attention to the deadlines for adding, dropping, or auditing courses, as they vary depending on the course length (full-semester, half-semester, or short course).
- Grading Options: Be aware of the deadlines for changing grading options (e.g., from letter grade to S/D/F).
- Withdrawal Policies: Understand the implications of withdrawing from a course, including the "W" transcript entry and the deadlines for doing so.
- Independent Study Applications: Plan ahead and submit applications for independent studies (297, 299, 387, 397, 399, and 499) well in advance of the deadlines.
- Major Declaration: Second-year students should be mindful of the major declaration deadline.
- Registration Periods: Take note of the advising and registration periods to ensure timely enrollment in courses.
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