Iowa Private College Week, Aug. 2-6

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Several Eastern Iowa colleges are among the 28 that will participate in the annual Iowa Private College week, Aug. 2-6.

During the week, potential students can visit private, nonprofit colleges for special tours and activities.

Area participants include Coe College and Mount Mercy College, both in Cedar Rapids, Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Grinnell College, Luther College in Decorah and Clarke College, Loras College and the University of Dubuque, in Dubuque.

The event, in its 12th 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 each campus 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. The passport also can be used for the first time in partnership with Casey's, for a 5 cent reduction per gallon in gas purchases for families making campus visits that week.

To register for Iowa Private College Week campus tours, students can contact the participating colleges directly or visit www.ThinkIndependently.com