Eastern Iowa colleges join weeklong effort

Potential students will visit Eastern Iowa colleges this week for special tours and activities during Iowa Private College Week.

The annual event, which runs through Friday, spotlights 28 of Iowa's private colleges and universities.

Area participants include Coe College and Mount Mercy College, both in Cedar Rapids, Cornell College in Mount Vernon, and Grinnell College.

The event, in its 11th year, is sponsored by the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Higher education officials say the week is a good way for prospective students and parents to visit several Iowa colleges in a short time and get a feel for the campuses.

Visitors can attend free information sessions and tours twice daily, at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at the colleges during the week.

Students who visit at least three colleges during the week and collect “passport” stamps from the schools will be eligible for a drawing for one of 56 bookstore vouchers worth $500 each.

Each participating college and university will award two $500 bookstore vouchers to students who visit during Private College Week, collect the stamps, apply, are accepted and enroll.