Chat Transcript
April 13, 2012
Skidmore Admissions: Hello and welcome! Before we begin, the panelists will introduce themselves.
Nino_Student: Hello everybody!!!! I am Nini, from Georgia (the country) and this is my second year at Skidmore. I am International Affairs major and Italian Minor. It will be a pleasure to me to answer all your questions :)
Ana_Student: Hello Skiddies! I am Ani, student from Georgia, Tbilisi. I am currently in my Freshmen
year. My anticipated majors are psychology and sociology. I am also thinking about
economics or German majors. I am very happy that I got a chance to chat with you and
PLEASE ask any questions you might have about academics, residential life or how you
say hello in Georgian :) P.S I love talking and chocolate cake!
Subhan_Skidmore: Hello and welcome! My name is Subhan Ali. I am the International Student & Scholar
Advisor at Skidmore College. I help the International Students with their visa matters.
Xin_Student: Hi everyone! I am Xin, from China. I am from class of 2015. I am thinking about majoring
in psychology and minoring in art.
Musa_Student: Hey. I am Musa from Sierra Leone ,West Africa. I am a freshman and I am going to major in Health and Exercise Sciences.
Yoon_Young: Can we choose which math courses to take or are there mandatory courses for all students?
Nino_Student: Hello! There are some required courses. But you can choose any math courses you want
to take. But you should keep in mind all the other requirements.
Lulu: What are the required classes?
Xin_Student: Only EN105 (ENGLISH class) is required for all students, but there are many different
topic you can choose.
Ana_Student: Skidmore all college requirements include: Art, Cultural Diversity, Expository Writing, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Natural Science, Non Western, Quantitative Reasoning, Social Science and Natural Science. You should take at least one course in the subjects below. http://www2.skidmore.edu/MasterSchedule/allCollege/ you can go to this link and check all college requirements!
Musa_Student: Well, there are college requirements that you should take for you to graduate. These courses are not for your majors. You have to take at least 1 course in humanities, social science,arts, natural science with lab,non-western, cultural diversity, quantitative reasoning (maths) and English.
Yoon_Young: Can we choose which math courses to take or are there mandatory courses for all students?
Ana_Student: Skidmore has two requirements. QR1 and QR2. If your Math SAT score is more than 630
you can take QR2 classes (math classes) if not, then in the beginning of the semester
you'll be given a math test and if you pass you will be able to take math courses.
If you don't pass the first time, it's ok, you have 4 tries.
Yoon_Young: So what are we gonna study in QR2 course?
Ana_Student: Some of the QR2 classes include: Calculus, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics...
Athena: If I have already decided what my major is, do I have major class in the first year?
Xin_Student: Yes, there are some intro class for freshmen. Here is a the schedule for freshman
https://www2.skidmore.edu/studentsystem/masterSchedule/fy_index.cfm?CFID=400048&CFTOKEN=31661775
Musa_Student: Just like you, I decided what I am gonna major in before I came to college. For instance if you are planning to major in Biology you can choose to take one biology course in your first semester. But it will also be good if you take classes different from what you intend to major in. Your seminar is going to be one of them.
Ana_Student: Hello Athena! If you decided your major you can take classes that fulfill your major
requirements. http://cms.skidmore.edu/academics/index.cfm you can check requirements
for your majors here.
joe122: Are the choices of "international" food in and around the campus reasonable?
Musa_Student: Yes. There is a whole section in the dining hall that is called Global Cafe, that
is where continental food is been served everyday. I think you can also present recipes
to the dining services if you want to.
Subhan_Skidmore: It depends very much on a person's individual preferences. Saratoga Springs the town where Skidmore is located has quite a few ethnic restaurants, i.e., there are many Asian and other ethnic restaurants in town. So if you like to try different cuisines you can do so.
Lulu: Is it gonna be hard to do a double major in business and theater?
Musa_Student: I don't think it is hard.I know many people in business department who are double majoring. It requires extra work but its not impossible. You can do it if you want to.
Yoon_Young: Does QR2 have Statistics as well? So that means I could choose one of classes in
QR2 freely?
Ana_Student: Yes! You can take intro to statistics and this will fulfill your QR2 requirements. You can go to this web.site: http://www2.skidmore.edu/MasterSchedule/allCollege/ and check courses under QUANTITATIVE REASONING
Athena: Can the AP scores exchange the credits for the required classes?
Musa_Student: Yes. If you get 4 or 5 in any subject then you can have credit for that. However
you can only get credits for a maximum of 4 subjects.
Athena: Do we have some music major? Such as Piano, cello, and etc.
Nino_Student: Yes, we do. Check this link http://cms.skidmore.edu/music/majors/index.cfm ... besides,
we have an amazing new music building :)
Musa_Student: This is the link to the music department. You can browse through it and see the different courses that are offered http://cms.skidmore.edu/music/courses/index.cfm
Yoon_Young: Are there lots of international students?
Nino_Student: This year we had 54 international students. And we will have even more.
Musa_Student: There are about 50 international students in my year (freshman). But we do have more international students in senior,junior and sophomore years.
Subhan_Skidmore: There are over one hundred twenty international students from over 50 different countries. So it is a very good international mix.
Athena: Do we have balls or other social activities?
Nino_Student: We have a huge Halloween party in October, besides there are many formal dinners and dances.
Musa_Student: Ho yes. There are many social activities happening on campus. That is why most people hardly go away for weekends. There are more social events happening than you can attend. So you will have options what you want to attend.
Lulu: do we have single rest rooms?
Musa_Student: We share bathrooms with our our roommates and suitemates. The bathrooms are always clean because they clean it every morning. So you don't have to worry about hygiene.
Xin_Student: Every suite has its own rest room.
joe122: What do kids usually do for fun?
Ana_Student: FALSTAFFS remember this name, you will hear it a lot when you come here. That is
the place in Skidmore where nearly every weekend Skidmore parties are held. Also,
since skidmore is so rich with its clubs, we have interesting guest speakers (For
example last semester we had Zana Briski, winner of Oscar), we have dance perfrmances,
music performances and so on.
Musa_Student: There are comedy shows happening normally Friday nights. Musical and drama concerts
normally takes place. Also many clubs organise different fun events that brings students
together.
Yoon_Young: Are there special courses for students whose first language is not English?
Musa_Student: My first language is not English, so don't worry. You can start with the writing
seminars in English before you move on to the next stage of English classes. We also
have the writing centre that helps students in their English essays and any other
English related difficulties.
Yoon_Young: Is there kitchen in dorm?
Xin_Student: There is only a hall that has stoves. Other halls have kitchens every floor ,with
microwaves and refrigerator.
Ana_Student: Yes. Every dorm has kitchen. Kitchens are equipped with microwave and fridge but you can not cook in the dorms.
Musa_Student: There are kitchens in floors where you can use the mircowave. However you can't cook in dorms because you will have a meal plan in the dining hall. When you move to an apartment in your junior or senior year then you can cook.
Lulu: Can you still major or minor in dance if you're a first-time learner?
Musa_Student: Absolutely. I know few people that are only starting to dance now and are thinking
of majoring or minoring in Dance. I am currently taking a dance class though I am
not going to major in it. The dance department is a very good one as well.
linh.hoang: what part-time jobs can I do in my freshman year?
Nino_Student: Freshmen can work only in the dining hall. But, you will be able to choose other part time jobs in your sophomore, junior and senior years.
Yoon_Young: And is it available to change my international driver license to US one in NY? Do
i have to take extra courses to change it?
Subhan_Skidmore: The NY State does not require an international student to obtain a NY Drivers license.
If you apply for a local drivers license you will have to take a test.
Xin_Student: For a Chinese driver license, you can only exchange a 3-months US driver license. But you can drive with a Chinese license in NYS, if someone borrows you a car. I am not sure about a Korean one. Here is a link might be useful.http://www.dmv.ny.gov/
joe122: how do most of the students go about grabbing an internship? where do people usually
go to do them?
Nino_Student: There are is a Student Academic Services, where they will help you with internships,
jobs and researches. Besides, you can always talk to your professors. There will be
many presentations how to find internships and jobs.
Athena: Are the English programs hard before the first semester? What will happen if I fail
that program?
Ana_Student: Don't worry Athena they are not that hard. And if you feel that the course is hard
we have many places you can get help form. We have Writing Centre, where you can take
your papers and they will help you with writing your essay. Also, we have tutors which
will help you in your classes. And FINALLY, professor also has office hours and he/she
will help you out any time. So don't worry about failing.
Musa_Student: They are not hard. You just need to work hard and study. You will get so much help
from your professor, English tutors and writing centre.
Musa_Student: Bye BYE GUYS. It was nice interacting with you. I am off to my campus job now. Congratulations
to you all and see you guys next semester!
Yoon_Young: Does fitness facilities are good?
Nino_Student: We have a really good gym!
Ana_Student: Yes. Our Sports centre is equipped with Weight Room, Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts,
Soccer Field and etc.
Yoon_Young: Does sports centre all free for students to use?
Subhan_Skidmore: Yes, it is free for students to use.
linh.hoang: Does Skidmore offer Chinese courses?
Xin_Student: Yes. There are many Chinese courses, such as Elementary Chinese, and there are many
Chinese tutors who are very helpful.
G: I have a question. About how many hours a day are students having lessons?
Xin_Student: It depends on your schedule. If you are taking studio art classes, you will spend
more time in class, average 6 hours a week for one class
Nino_Student: Depends how many courses you have on that day. It depends on you and the way you
choose your schedule.
Ana_Student: It depends on you, how you organize your schedule. Maximum credits you can take is
18.
Athena: How many students share a dorm room.~~
Ana_Student: Maximum 3. Usually freshmen get triple room, but you also get 200 $ deposit for being
in triple :)
Yoon_Young: How much is the average living cost in the campus?
Xin_Student: Room+Board about 6,000usd for a semester.
Yoon_Young: Does dorm selected randomly? roomates also?
Nino_Student: In your freshman year the room selection is random. But, you will be able to choose
your room and roommate in you sophomore, junior and senior years.
Ana_Student: For freshmen yes. But Residential life will also take in account your preferences such as: Gender neutral dorms, or substance free dorms, but you can not choose your roommate
Athena: I'm from China. Can I be the chinese courses tutor in my first year?
Xin_Student: Actually, you can. You can talk to the professor and have an interview.
Skidmore Admissions: Last call for questions! The session will end soon. Please submit
your last questions now!
Berke_2016: Are the girls and boys rooms in the same building ?
Xin_Student: Yes, but we have all women floor.
joe122: How would you guys sum up or describe the over all vibe of skidmore that makes it
its own sort of school?
Ana_Student: study MORE! eat MORE! Fun More! and if you are lucky sleep MORE! this is skid MORE! :D
Nino_Student: Skidmore is a happy place for sure!!!When it is a sunny day, people just come out, sit on the grass, play some music and just chill. The skidmore society is very diverse. There are a lot of friendly and welcoming people.
Berke_2016: How many dorms are substance allowed ?
Xin_Student: All halls are substance free. However you can have alcohol in villages, if you are over 21.
Athena: What is the percentage about the girls and boys in Skid?
Ana_Student: 60% girls and 40% boys
linh.hoang: How is winter at Skidmore? Do you guys get sick of the snow?
Ana_Student: Winter in Skidmore is usually cold, it gets -20-25 Celsius. But this year we had mild winter.
Athena: 0_0~How about the quality about boys?~~O(∩_∩)O
Ana_Student: hahah Athena :D Come and check in the fall ! :D
Berke_2016: How are the parties ?
Ana_Student: Depends on the party you go to. There are many different kinds of parties on campus
and off-campus, also this fall I went to Albany for DJ AVICII's concert and DEADMOU5.
So party options are big but if you are not party person no worries. There are many
other events going on in Skidmore like: comedy show, theater performance, and etc.
Subhan_Skidmore: Thank you everybody it was great chatting with you. I look forward to seeing you
all in the Fall :)
Xin_Student: Great time chatting with you guys!!! Have a nice summer!! And see you in fall!!
Nino_Student: It was really nice to chat with you guys!!! I cant wait to see you this fall! Good luck!!!!
Ana_Student: Very nice to talk to you all guys!!! And I'm looking forward for meeting you in the
fall! And have AWSOME summer, get much rest, much sun! And e-mail me if you have any
questions: alordkip@skidmore.edu !
Skidmore Admissions: Thank you all for participating in the international student live chat! If you have
any more questions, please call the Admissions office at 1-800-867-6007 or e-mail
admissions@skidmore.edu.
