Academic Calendar

Carleton College Academic Calendar 2026-2027: Important Dates

By eriq elikplim

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Carleton College academic calendar 2026-2027 provides the essential schedule of term start dates, class registration cutoffs, reading days, final exam periods, and official campus recesses for undergraduate students in Northfield, Minnesota.

Whether you are balancing class schedules, planning travel for extended term breaks, or tracking academic deadlines through the registrar, staying aligned with the official timeline is crucial for managing your liberal arts degree path.

Carleton College operates on a fast-paced 10-week trimester system comprising three primary terms: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Rather than standard 3- or 4-credit courses, Carleton measures course weight in 6-credit units—where one 6-credit course represents approximately 125 hours of combined direct instruction and independent study across the 10-week term.

Full-time students typically register for three courses per term (18 credits), with 210 total credits required for graduation. Each term includes ten full weeks of active instruction, a dedicated midterm break day, and a structured reading-and-exam window at the close of the term.

Navigating the Carleton College academic calendar 2026-27 enables students to optimize their enrollment during add/drop registration windows, track mid-term progress, and organize long break periods—such as the six-week winter break between Fall and Winter terms.

From New Student Week orientation and Opening Convocation to the Carleton College spring break 2027 schedule and annual Carleton College commencement 2027 exercises, reviewing key dates helps keep your academic obligations and personal plans on track.

Below is the complete section-by-section breakdown of key term dates, examination schedules, and deadlines for the upcoming academic year.

Carleton College Academic Calendar Fall 2026

  1. New Student Week is held from Tuesday, September 8, 2026, through Sunday, September 13, 2026.
  2. Carleton College Fall 2026 classes start on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. It is the first day of school.
  3. The Overload Petition deadline is Friday, September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
  4. The First Five Week Course Drop/Add deadline is Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
  5. The Ten Week Course Drop/Add deadline is Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
  6. The Ten Week Independent Study Drop/Add deadline is Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
  7. The First Five Week Course Late Drop deadline and S/CR/NC deadline are Friday, October 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
  8. The last day of the First Five Weeks is Thursday, October 15, 2026.
  9. The Second Five Weeks begin on Friday, October 16, 2026.
  10. Carleton College Fall Break 2026 is from Saturday, October 17, 2026, through Monday, October 19, 2026. Classes resume on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 8:15 a.m, after the Fall Break Schedule.
  11. The Second Five Week Course Drop/Add deadline is Friday, October 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
  12. Advising Days are held from Monday, October 26, 2026, through Monday, November 2, 2026.
  13. The Ten Week Course Late Drop deadline and S/CR/NC deadline are Friday, October 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
  14. Registration for Winter Term is from Tuesday, November 3, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027.
  15. The Second Five Week Course Late Drop deadline and S/CR/NC deadline are Friday, November 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
  16. The last day of classes is Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
  17. Reading Days are from Thursday, November 19, 2026, through Friday, November 20, 2026.
  18. Exams are held from Saturday, November 21, 2026, through Monday, November 23, 2026.
  19. Grades are due on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

Carleton College Academic Calendar Winter 2027

  1. Carleton College Spring 2027 classes begin on Monday, January 4, 2027, at 8:30 a.m.
  2. The Overload Petition deadline is Friday, January 8, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
  3. The First Five Week Course Drop/Add deadline is Sunday, January 10, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.
  4. The Ten Week Course Drop/Add deadline is Sunday, January 10, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.
  5. The Ten Week Independent Study Drop/Add deadline is Sunday, January 10, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.
  6. The First Five Week Course Late Drop deadline and S/CR/NC deadline are Friday, January 22, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
  7. The last day of the First Five Weeks is Thursday, February 4, 2027.
  8. The Second Five Weeks begin on Friday, February 5, 2027.
  9. Carleton College Mid-Term Break 2027 is from Saturday, February 6, 2027, through Monday, February 8, 2027.
  10. Classes resume on Tuesday, February 9, 2027, at 8:15 a.m.
  11. The Second Five Week Course Drop/Add deadline is Friday, February 12, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
  12. Advising Days are held from Monday, February 15, 2027, through Monday, February 22, 2027.
  13. The Ten Week Course Late Drop deadline and S/CR/NC deadline are Friday, February 19, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
  14. Registration for Spring Term is from Tuesday, February 23, 2027, through Sunday, March 28, 2027.
  15. The Second Five Week Course Late Drop deadline and S/CR/NC deadline are Friday, February 26, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
  16. The last day of classes is Wednesday, March 10, 2027.
  17. Reading Days are from Thursday, March 11, 2027, through Friday, March 12, 2027.
  18. Exams are held from Saturday, March 13, 2027, through Monday, March 15, 2027.
  19. Grades are due on Monday, March 22, 2027, at 8:30 a.m.

Carleton College Academic Calendar Spring 2027

  1. Classes begin on Monday, March 29, 2027, at 8:30 a.m.
  2. The Overload Petition deadline is Friday, April 2, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
  3. The First Five Week Course Drop/Add deadline is Sunday, April 4, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.
  4. The Ten Week Course Drop/Add deadline is Sunday, April 4, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.
  5. The Ten Week Independent Study Drop/Add deadline is Sunday, April 4, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.
  6. The First Five Week Course Late Drop deadline and S/CR/NC deadline are Friday, April 16, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
  7. The last day of the First Five Weeks is Thursday, April 29, 2027.
  8. The Second Five Weeks begin on Friday, April 30, 2027.
  9. Mid-Term Break is from Saturday, May 1, 2027, through Monday, May 3, 2027.
  10. Classes resume on Tuesday, May 4, 2027, at 8:15 a.m.
  11. The Second Five Week Course Drop/Add deadline is Friday, May 7, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
  12. Advising Days are held from Monday, May 10, 2027, through Wednesday, May 19, 2027.
  13. The Ten Week Course Late Drop deadline and S/CR/NC deadline are Friday, May 14, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
  14. Registration for Fall Term is from Thursday, May 20, 2027, through Sunday, September 12, 2027.
  15. The Second Five Week Course Late Drop deadline and S/CR/NC deadline are Friday, May 21, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
  16. The last day of classes is Wednesday, June 2, 2027.
  17. Reading Days are from Thursday, June 3, 2027, through Friday, June 4, 2027.
  18. Exams are held from Saturday, June 5, 2027, through Monday, June 7, 2027.
  19. Senior grades are due on Wednesday, June 9, 2027, at 8:30 a.m.
  20. Commencement is held on Saturday, June 12, 2027.
  21. Grades are due on Wednesday, June 16, 2027, at 8:30 a.m.

For more on the Carleton College Academic Calendar 2026-2027, including real-time schedule updates, registration procedures, and official campus notices, visit the official Carleton College Registrar’s webpage.

eriq elikplim
eriq elikplimhttps://acadcalendar.com
Eric Elikplim is the lead editor of AcadCalendar.com. Eriq draws on 10 years of experience in edtech and project management. He has collaborated directly with multiple universities, establishing processes to cross-check term dates, registration deadlines, and exam schedules. Beyond calendar data, Eriq contributes thought leadership on academic productivity: he has authored articles on semester planning, and consulted with student organizations to refine reminder features and user experience.

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