Admission

ADMISSION
Skidmore seeks students who demonstrate strong academic ability, intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and an energetic commitment to learning. Since students learn not only from the faculty but from each other, Skidmore also seeks diversity in its student body, looking for a wide geographical distribution and a variety of talents, interests, and backgrounds.

Because the number of qualified students applying for admission exceeds the limited size of each entering class, it is not possible to admit all candidates who could be expected to succeed at Skidmore. The Admissions Committee strives to admit those students whose abilities, interests, character, and background give them the greatest promise of profiting from and contributing to Skidmore College.

The committee’s primary emphasis is on the strength of a student’s academic record, as evidenced by quality of secondary school courses and classroom achievement. Personal qualities, accomplishments, interests, and capacity for growth are also strongly considered, so careful attention is paid to recommendations, the student’s personal statement, as well as cocurricular activities and lived experiences outside the classroom.

The Admissions staff welcomes communication with prospective candidates, their parents, and school advisors. Correspondence should be addressed to:

Office of Admissions
Skidmore College
815 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-1632
admissions@skidmore.edu

CAMPUS VISIT AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Skidmore College encourages visits from prospective students and families. In-person group information sessions and campus tours are offered throughout the year. Appointments should be made in advance at https://www.skidmore.edu/admissions/visit/index.php. In addition to general campus tours, specialized tours for the sciences and for the arts and open houses events are also available.

Skidmore also offers virtual information sessions and other opportunities to engage with members of the Skidmore community without having to travel to campus. Current offerings can be found at https://www.skidmore.edu/admissions/visit/virtual-campus.php.

APPLYING TO SKIDMORE
Applications
Skidmore accepts the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application. All applications must be submitted electronically and must be accompanied by a non-refundable $65 application fee or a request for a fee waiver.

School Transcripts
The School Report form and official high school transcript should be submitted within a week of the application deadline. Midyear grades should be sent as soon as they are available, but no later than mid-February. Skidmore recommends four years of English, three or more years of mathematics, three or more years of social science, three or more years of science, and three or more years of a world language.

Teacher Recommendations
Two academic teacher evaluation forms should be submitted as early as possible, but no later than a week after the application deadline.

STANDARDIZED TESTING
Skidmore College is test-optional and does not require the SAT or ACT for admission. Students may submit SAT or ACT scores if they feel the results best represent their academic potential. The Admission Committee does not make any assumptions as to why some students choose to submit scores while others do not; all applicants are given equal consideration in our holistic evaluation approach.

English is the language of instruction at Skidmore, and it is necessary that all students be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English. The TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test is required if English is not your first language. Generally, a score of 96-97 on the TOEFL or a 7.0/7.5 on the IELTS, or a 120 on the DET is regarded as an indicator of minimal proficiency for study at Skidmore. If you have attended a high school for at least three years where English is the language of instruction, or if you are enrolled in an IB diploma program, the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test is not required.

Self-Reported Scores
Students who choose to submit standardized testing may self-report scores in any of the following ways:

• Including scores on the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application
• Emailing a screen shot or PDF of the Student Score Report to admissions@skidmore.edu (Name must be visible)
• Submitting scores on the self-reported scores form in the Skidmore Applicant Portal

Students who apply with self-reported scores must submit verified scores upon enrollment that match self-reported scores.

EARLY DECISION
Skidmore’s Early Decision plan is designed for students who have examined their college preferences thoroughly and have decided that Skidmore College is their first choice. Although candidates for Early Decision (ED) at Skidmore may initiate applications to other colleges, it is understood that they will immediately withdraw them and enroll at Skidmore if accepted under an early decision plan. ED applicants should have grades for the current academic year sent to the Admissions Office as soon as they are available.

Skidmore offers both Early Decision I and Early Decision II deadlines. Any student may convert a submitted Regular Decision application to early decision up until February 1.

Students accepted under Early Decision will be required to maintain the course schedule and level of academic performance that distinguished them at the time of their ED acceptance. Accepted ED students in violation of this policy will have their admission status reevaluated.

Some Early Decision candidates who are not admitted under an ED plan will be deferred for reconsideration during the regular decision admissions process. ED applicants who clearly will not be competitive in the spring will be denied admission and released from the binding Early Decision commitment.

Early Decision applicants who are applying for a Skidmore grant under ED must file the PROFILE form of the College Scholarship Service by the appropriate application deadline, November 8 or January 15.

OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM
Economically and academically underserved students who apply may be referred to Skidmore’s Opportunity Program (OP). Those who are eligible New York state residents will be referred to the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) for consideration. Those who are ineligible for HEOP will be referred to the Academic Opportunity Program (AOP) for consideration. To obtain information about the Opportunity Program, visit: www.skidmore.edu/opportunity_program/

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Skidmore welcomes applications from international students, and the college is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

International students should follow the application guidelines for their appropriate application round, but should note that Skidmore offers a very limited number of financial aid awards to students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Students applying for aid are required to fill out the International Financial Aid application in their Skidmore Applicant Portal or to file the CSS Profile. Certification that financial obligations can be met will be required by Skidmore and also by the United States agency issuing a visa. The United States Immigration Form I-20 will be issued after the enrollment deposit has been paid.

The academic year at Skidmore is made up of two semesters, one running from the beginning of September to late December, and the second from mid-January to the beginning of May. Summer recess runs from May through August and may be utilized for travel or study; during this period, students must pay their own expenses. Limited on-campus housing is available during breaks in the academic year and is included in room/ board charges. On-campus housing in the summer requires additional room and board fees.

ACCELERATED ADMISSION
The Admissions Committee will consider applications from candidates who will graduate at the end of junior year (third year of high school). In such a case, the Admissions Committee gives special consideration to the reasons for accelerating graduation, with particular attention to the candidate’s maturity and potential for dealing with both the academic and social demands of college life. Successful candidates will have transcripts that look similar to students who have spent four years in a college prep curriculum.

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Skidmore employs a coordinator of Student Access Services who works as a member of the Office of Student Academic Services (SAS) team to ensure eligible students with disabilities are provided accommodations necessary to obtain full access to all Skidmore programs and activities. At any time during the admissions process, SAS staff and the coordinator are happy to consult with prospective students about available services. Students who wish to apply for academic or other accommodations are encouraged to contact the coordinator of Student Access Services. Students who would like to request accommodations from the College will be asked to provide the following information to the coordinator at the time of enrollment:

• Documentation containing current information and diagnosis of a specific condition. The evaluation should be completed by a specialist in the area of the corresponding condition (e.g., educational psychologist, certified school psychologist, psychiatrist).
• Specific recommendations from the professional conducting the evaluation, which list reasonable accommodations and modifications that would benefit the student on a college campus.

Students with a documented disability should complete the application for accommodations and return it with the required documentation to the coordinator of student access services in the Office of Student Academic Services. Using the information from the application and the diagnostic materials provided, the coordinator will evaluate requests and work in cooperation with students to determine reasonable accommodations. After their arrival at Skidmore, students are encouraged to meet with the coordinator to review approved accommodations and discuss implementation strategies and other SAS services.

Student Academic Services also provides an excellent range of academic support services for the general student population that may also be of help to students with disabilities. For example, SAS provides peer tutoring for most courses offered by the College, assistance with time management, and individualized academic support.

All students are required to fulfill world language, expository writing, mathematics, laboratory science, and other requirements of the Skidmore curriculum. Since the curriculum represents Skidmore’s definition of a sound liberal arts education, requirements are never waived. However, under a few exceptional and individualized circumstances, the College may consider substituting a course or courses for a curriculum requirement. Students should meet with the coordinator to discuss specific steps as necessary.

For more information, contact the coordinator for Student Access Services in Student Academic Services: 518-580-8150.

GAP YEAR POLICY
Requests for deferred enrollment, commonly known as a “gap year,” should be directed to deanofadmissions@skidmore.edu by June 1. Students must first complete the formal enrollment process, and then present a plan for what they will do during the gap year.

Applicants for financial aid must reapply for aid during the upcoming cycle by filing the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the appropriate deadlines.

TRANSFERRING TO SKIDMORE
Each year, Skidmore admits students who wish to transfer from other accredited colleges or universities. Such students should have maintained a strong record of achievement in liberal arts courses taken at colleges previously attended.

A candidate for admission with advanced standing should submit the Transfer Common Application, accompanied by a fee of $65, to the Office of Admissions by November 1 for admission in January or by April 1 for admission in September. In cases of economic hardship the application fee may be waived.

An official transcript (or transcripts) of all college-level work done through the most recently completed semester must be submitted. A midterm report of college work currently in progress is required. Applicants should also submit a final high school transcript and two recommendations from college professors who have taught the applicant in academic courses.

Transfer candidates will be notified of the Admissions Committee’s decision as soon after the pertinent deadline as possible. The committee expects that final records will be consistent with the record available at the time an offer of admission is made.

A limited number of financial aid packages are available to transfer students applying to Skidmore. Students are required to file the PROFILE form of the College Scholarship Service (CSS) no later than April 1 for fall admission and no later than November 1 for spring admission.

Students can make an account with the website Transferology for a preliminary evaluation of transfer credit. A tentative evaluation of transfer credit will be available upon request at the time of an acceptance; the definitive evaluation is done by the Office of the Registrar and is not available until after the student has enrolled at Skidmore. Only courses in which a student has received a grade of C or better are transferable. (See Transfer of Credit.)

At least 60 credit hours of the 120 credit hours required for graduation from Skidmore must be earned through enrollment in Skidmore College courses.

ARTICULATION AGREEMENT
Skidmore maintains an articulation agreement with Schenectady County Community College (SCCC). Candidates for admission are provided complete information on SCCC course articulations for the Skidmore degree program prior to the student’s acceptance of an admission offer. Students admitted under this articulation agreement will be awarded financial aid meeting their full demonstrated need. Students may contact the Office of Admissions for questions regarding application procedures and the Registrar’s Office for questions regarding course articulations.

ADMISSION OF SKIDMORE EMPLOYEES
Skidmore employees who are eligible for the tuition benefit (contact Human Resources to determine eligibility) may apply for admission as a part-time student by submitting to Skidmore a completed Transfer Common Application, accompanied by a fee of $65, by November 1 for admission in January or by April 1 for admission in September. Employees should discuss scheduling and time commitments with their supervisor prior to applying.

Employees are required to have earned at least 45 credits prior to applying for matriculation. These credits can be earned at Skidmore as a non-matriculated student, from another accredited institution, or a combination of the two. An official transcript (or transcripts) of all college-level work done through the most recently completed semester must be submitted. A midterm report of college work currently in progress is required. Applicants should also submit a high school transcript and two recommendations from college instructors who have taught the applicant in academic courses. Candidates will be notified of the Admissions Committee’s decision as soon as possible after the transfer application is complete. The committee expects that final records will be consistent with the record available at the time an offer of admission is made.

Evaluation of transfer credit is done by the Office of the Registrar and only courses in which a student has received a grade of C or better are transferable. (See Transfer of Credit.)

At least 60 credit hours of the 120 credit hours required for graduation from Skidmore must be earned through enrollment in Skidmore College courses.

Matriculated employees must complete degree requirements within eight years of matriculation and are encouraged to take at least one to two classes each semester.

FINANCIAL AID
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the PROFILE form of the College Scholarship Service should be submitted no later than that deadline listed for that application round. Skidmore’s FAFSA code is 002814; the PROFILE code is 2815.

Candidates applying for financial aid must complete their financial aid application in order to be admitted. Notification of financial aid eligibility is released to students at the same time as the offer of admission.

First-year students who elect to enroll at Skidmore without financial assistance from the College may apply for consideration for aid beginning the first semester of their junior year. Transfer students who enroll without grant assistance from the College are eligible to apply for grant assistance after two semesters of matriculated enrollment at Skidmore or when they become juniors, whichever comes later.

Key Dates for Candidates to Remember

Key Dates for Candidates

Date	Event
November 1	Application deadline for Early Decision I and Midyear Transfer
November 8	Financial Aid deadline for Early Decision I and Midyear Transfer
Mid-December	Early Decision I and Midyear Transfer notification
January 8	Application deadline for Early Decision II and Regular Decision
January 15	Financial Aid application deadline for Early Decision II and Regular Decision
February 1	Deadline for converting applications from Regular Decision to Early Decision II
Mid-February	Early Decision II notification
Mid-March	Regular Decision notification
April 1	Application deadline for fall transfer
May 1	Deadline for enrollment deposits from accepted Regular Decision candidates

Non-Matriculated Students

Visiting Students

Students from other institutions may spend a year or a semester at Skidmore College as visiting students while concurrently maintaining enrollment at their own colleges. For information, contact the Registrar at Skidmore College.

Special Students

Special students are not matriculated at Skidmore but may take a partial or full load of courses each semester, up to a maximum of 10 courses. Special students register on a space-available basis through the Office of the Registrar and pay a fee for each semester hour of credit. An application form may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. A $25 application fee is charged per academic semester.

Continuation Standards for Non-Matriculated Students

All students enrolling on a non-matriculated basis are expected to complete their academic work in a satisfactory manner according to the chart below. Failure to meet these standards will result in a review by the Committee on Academic Standing and possible withdrawal from the institution.

Students who fall below these standards may apply for a one-time nonrenewable waiver in order to continue enrollment. Petitions will be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing, and the decision of the committee will be based on academic evidence indicating the student’s potential for success.

Employees taking courses but not interested in obtaining a degree may petition the Committee on Academic Standing for a waiver of the 10-course limit.