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We're here to help. If a natural disaster, community event, or personal circumstance is impacting your ability to apply on time, please reach out so we can discuss your options. Students or school counselors can contact us at admissions@skidmore.edu or call 518-580-5570.

Answers to common questions

We're glad you have questions. You're always welcome to email or call us for answers. You may also want to sign-up for emails and regular communications. For your convenience, we've curated our responses to the most common questions that arise among applicants.

Most frequently asked

How do I apply to Skidmore?

How do I apply to Skidmore?

Skidmore uses the Common Application, the Coalition Application, and the QuestBridge Application. 

How do I apply for financial aid?

How do I apply for financial aid?

Complete the ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓÆµScholarship Service Financial Aid profile (CSS) by November 8 for ED I and January 15 for ED II and Regular Decision. 

How do I request a gap year (deferral)?

How do I request a gap year (deferral)?

Enrolled first-year students may request a one-year deferral of their enrollment via email by June 1.

Does Skidmore require standardized test scores?

Does Skidmore require standardized test scores?

Skidmore has been test-optional since 2016. Students are not required to submit SAT or ACT test scores. You may still submit your scores if you feel the results best represent your academic potential. For students who choose to submit the ACT, please note that the science section is not required. All applicants will be given equal consideration through our holistic evaluation process.

When do I have to declare a major?

When do I have to declare a major?

You must formally declare a major by the second semester of your sophomore year, prior to registration for your junior year. Many students start undecided or change their original path once they're here.

How does Skidmore award financial aid?

How does Skidmore award aid?

We meet 100% of demonstrated need through need-based grants. This means you only pay what you can afford. We do not "gap" students. 

Other common questions

 

Applying to Skidmore

The Admissions Committee strives to admit students whose abilities, interests, character, and background give them the greatest promise of profiting from and contributing to the Skidmore community.

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, and co-curricular activities.

Skidmore ended interviews in Fall 2024. Instead, we hope students will join us for one of our many virtual and in-person programs. If you have questions that aren’t answered at a program, we encourage you to call or email the Office of Admissions to schedule a conversation with an admissions counselor.

You may request an application fee waiver through the Common Application or the Coalition Application.

No. Students may apply through Early Decision I (November 1), Early Decision II (January 8) or Regular Decision (January 8).

Yes. You can change your Regular Decision application to Early Decision I by November 30 or to Early Decision II by February 1. Write to admissions@skidmore.edu and we will help you formalize your application change. Please note, both Early Decision I and Early Decision II are binding admission plans.

The Opportunity Program (OP) provides access to a high-quality liberal arts education for talented and motivated students whose academic and financial circumstances would otherwise make them unable to attend our institution. OP consists of students from New York admitted through the state’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and students recruited through Skidmore’s Academic Opportunity Program (AOP) who live outside of New York and/or have a family income that slightly exceeds HEOP guidelines. There is no additional application for AOP/HEOP scholarships at ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓÆµ. All applications are screened for AOP/HEOP eligibility.   Learn more

After completing the enrollment reply form and applicable deposit, admitted and enrolled students may request a one-year deferral by sending an email to deanofadmissions@skidmore.edu. The email should outline the plans for their gap year and should be sent by June 1. The request will be reviewed by the Dean of Admissions and students can expect a formal response. 

Within the Common Application the question for the London First Year Experience is listed in the General Questions section, "Are you interested in spending your first semester in London? (Students must be 18 years of age by late August in order to be eligible for the London Program." Select "Yes" in answer to this question. Accepted students will be notified of their London admissions decision in their acceptance packet.

No. All applicants must meet the same academic requirements for admission to Skidmore. 

No. You can choose to enroll on the Saratoga campus or in London when you submit your enrollment form. Once you have submitted your enrollment form, your decision is binding.

 

Costs and Aid

We’ve included some common questions below. For more financial aid information, visit the Financial Aid website

These two cost calculators can help you anticipate your college costs and estimate your eligibility for need-based scholarships. A Skidmore education might be more affordable than you think.

  • – This tool asks six basic financial questions and gives you a basic estimate of the amount your family will need to contribute for one year at Skidmore.
  • – This more comprehensive tool also provides you an early estimate of your eligibility for need-based financial aid, including grants and scholarships.

If you are a United States citizen or permanent resident of the US, you are eligible to apply for financial aid at Skidmore. The ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓÆµis also able to offer a very limited number of financial aid awards to students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Prospective international students who indicate on their admission application they intend to apply for financial aid will have a Skidmore financial aid application available to complete in the admission portal. Returning international students who are re-applying for financial aid must .

The fee and waivers are determined by the ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓÆµBoard.  

Skidmore's code is 2815, code is 002814, and code (NYS residents only) is 0855.

Please contact Financial Aid as soon as possible by emailing finaid@skidmore.edu.

Skidmore offers need-based financial aid and meets 100% of demonstrated need. This means you pay only what you and your family can afford. We do not "gap" students.  
 
A financial aid "package" usually includes grants, a campus job, and a loan. Student aid funds come from a variety of sources including Skidmore's own grants, as well as many federal financial aid programs such as Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), the Federal Work-Study Program, and Federal Direct Loans.  

Skidmore also offers two limited merit scholarships.  

For more information, visit Types of Aid.

Across all current students, the average first year package was $52,400. 52% of students received need-based grants.  

At Skidmore, financial assistance is based on your demonstrated financial need. We determine your need using the information you provide in the ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓÆµScholarship Service (CSS) Profile and/orFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. How it works:

  • Financial Need Calculation: We subtract what you and your family can contribute from the total cost of attending Skidmore. If your family's contribution is less than the total cost, you qualify for financial aid.
  • Considerations: We take into account various factors, including family size, the number of children in college, family assets, extraordinary medical expenses, and any unique circumstances you may have.
  • Divorced or Separated Parents: If your parents are divorced or separated, we may need financial information from both.