Welcome to Carleton!
We want to help our new students make the transition to Carleton College as smoothly as possible. To guide you on your way, we’ve created this web content specifically for new students. If you still have questions after you’ve read these pages, feel free to contact us for assistance.
Ready to get a sense of what move-in day will look like? Check out the video below highlighting the New Student Week experience for the Class of 2029 in September 2025.
- All new students should review this website.
- International students should also visit the Information for International Students site. All international students attending Carleton on a U.S. government-issued visa are required to attend International Student Orientation.
- Transfer students should also review the Information for Transfer Students.
Important Dates for Summer 2026
- Mid-May: receive a comprehensive mailing with details for the summer
- June–September: Action items are due
- July–August: Attend a Summer Send-Off
- September 3: International Student Orientation begins
- September 8: New Student Week begins
- Residence halls open: 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Parents depart campus: By 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- For transportation and arrival information, see the Move-In Day Resources page.
- October 16–18, 2026: Family Weekend
- November 24: Students leave campus for winter break after their last exam is finished, as determined by their professors. The residential halls close at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, so please ensure any travel plans have students vacating their spaces prior to that time. Housing information can be found on the Residential Life website.