There's a virtually endless array of opportunity to explore on- and off-campus. Such delving is best done in person, but in the interim, some good starting points are listed below.

Interculturalism

At Skidmore, Interculturalism defines our approach to community. We believe that a broadly diverse blending of backgrounds, cultures, religions, interests, and perspectives best prepares us to succeed in the world and makes daily life richer and more fun. For exposure to other cultures, including cultures where they’re a distinct minority, over 40 percent of our students study abroad for a term or longer.

Honors

If you have the talent and commitment to pursue honors-level work, Skidmore offers maximum encouragement ... and maximum opportunity. Honors Forum is open to students taking specific honors courses, participating in forum leadership and events, demonstrating academic and social integrity, and maintaining a 3.4 GPA or higher. Periclean is our honor society that recognizes juniors and seniors for academic achievement and personal integrity. The society also sponsors the Periclean Scholar Awards to recognize outstanding senior projects and announces the yearly Periclean Alumni Scholar. Skidmore’s chapter of the national honorary society Phi Beta Kappa recognizes students who have performed outstandingly while undertaking a liberal, challenging, and diversified course of study. More? Dean’s List, Departmental Honors, College Honors, and 60 named academic prizes awarded during the Honors Convocation or Commencement.

Volunteerism

It’s an important value for us and we therefore give generously of our time and resources. The Volunteer Office coordinates opportunities and supports faculty as they engage their students in service-learning projects throughout Saratoga County. The student-run Benef-Action sponsors fundraising activities on campus and promotes volunteer participation. Many Skidmore students combine volunteerism with an overseas experience – on projects ranging from childhood literacy in Peru to rainforest ecology.

Town and Region

Saratoga Springs is perennially short-listed as one of the most interesting and vibrant small towns in the U.S. With a fascinating history, delightfully walkable downtown (one mile from campus), charming coffee shops and bistros, national and local retailers, scintillating night spots, a legendary folk club (Caffe Lena, where Don McLean wrote American Pie), four-star restaurants to neighborhood diners, and arguably the world’s most beautiful and historic thoroughbred race track, Saratoga has it all. But if town life’s not sufficient, or you’d prefer a change of pace, consider rock or mountain climbing in the Adirondacks, white water rafting, canoeing, or kayaking, downhill or cross-country skiing, trekking, mountain biking, and more – all within a one hour’s drive. And if you crave a big city fix, New York, Boston, and Montreal are within an easy four-hour drive. That said, you may choose to never leave campus ... and with our own North Woods (as big as Central Park), sports, equine center, and 3000 events a year, who could blame you?

Intramurals

Athletics at Skidmore aren’t a digital function (yes, I’m a jock; no, I’m an artist). They’re analog. So we have a continuum, from novices playing flag football to national caliber varsity athletes. And what sport you play, or how well you play it, has absolutely nothing to do with your major, your GPA, or your ability to explain the finer points of Heidegger’s Being and Time. Intramural athletics and recreational sport are part of who we are and how we see ourselves. If you’re an amateur athlete – or open to becoming one -- you’ll love it here!