International Applicants to Skidmore College

Three graduating students in caps and gowns stand arm-in-arm, smiling and wearing colorful stoles and cords that represent academic honors, cultural heritage, and campus involvement during Skidmore College’s Commencement ceremony.

Join our global community

Considering undergraduate study in the United States? At Skidmore College, we offer a personalized and supportive environment that empowers international students to thrive — academically, personally, and professionally. Our campus is home to more than 300 students from over 60 countries, each contributing to a dynamic, inclusive community. From individual guidance to generous financial aid, we are committed to your success.

Four international students at Skidmore College stand in front of a green Skidmore College backdrop, each holding a national flag. From left to right, the flags are from Sierra Leone, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

How to apply

To apply for admission, submit the Common Application or Coalition Application, along with official academic records, English proficiency test results (if required), and financial aid documentation (if applying for aid). Once we receive your application, you will gain access to the Skidmore Applicant Portal — a secure space to upload materials and track your application status.

Application dates and deadlines

Common questions

Skidmore defines an international student as any applicant who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. For admissions purposes, international admission counselors also review applications from U.S. citizens attending school outside the United States.

You may apply if you have completed the equivalent of a U.S. secondary school education, hold a GED, or have passed a recognized secondary school equivalency examination.

Approximately 300 students from more than 60 countries study at Skidmore — about 7% of our total student population of 2,700. An additional 5% of students hold dual citizenship (U.S. and another country), and many others joined us from high schools outside the United States.

Yes. On-campus housing is guaranteed for all Skidmore students for four years. Currently, 90% of students live on campus. There are also options for international students to request on-campus housing during holidays and breaks.

English is the language of instruction at Skidmore, and it is necessary that all students be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English. Generally, a score of 96-97 on the TOEFL or a 7.0/7.5 on the IELTS, or a 120 on the Duolingo English Test is regarding as an indicator of minimal proficiency for study at Skidmore.

If English is not your first language and you haven’t attended school for at least three years where English is the only language of instruction, you’ll need to submit one of these test scores:

TOEFL
IELTS
Duolingo English Test

Waivers are available for students completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program.

You'll need to send your official secondary school transcript (and university transcript, if applicable), plus at least one teacher or counselor recommendation.

You’ll need to include certified English translations. Transcripts should also include your school’s grading scale or explanation of how you’re evaluated.

Yes. Need-based financial aid is available to international applicants. You may submit either the CSS Profile or the Skidmore International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA). The ISFAA is available at no cost through your Skidmore Applicant Portal after you apply. Please know, if you choose to submit the ISFAA and not the CSS profile, you will not be at a disadvantage for determining aid eligibility.

Skidmore’s International Student and Scholar advising team will support you from acceptance to graduation. The team will also be your on-campus resource for:

Ongoing visa guidance
Employment and tax guidance
International student orientation
Advising and cultural support

What distinguishes Skidmore?

Skidmore College is internationally recognized for its innovative, interdisciplinary approach to liberal arts education. Students may pursue and integrate studies in the arts, sciences, humanities, and business while preparing for meaningful careers in a global context. Our location in Saratoga Springs, New York — a historic, safe, and culturally rich town — offers an exceptional setting for intellectual and personal growth.

Popular academic fields include: Business, biology, chemistry, computer science, dance, economics (designated as a STEM major), environmental sciences, pre-health pathways, psychology, statistics, and studio art.
Distinctive programs include: Arts administration, Black studies, intergroup relations, media and film studies, and the option to design your own major.
Dual-degree partnerships include:
- Engineering programs with Dartmouth College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- 4+1 MBA programs with Clarkson University and Rochester Institute of Technology

After Skidmore

Your success matters to us. Here's where some of our recent international alumni are now.

First jobs
Barclays	Boston Children's Hospital	Credit Suisse
Deloitte	Goldman Sachs	Google
McKinsey and Company	Microsoft	Ogilvy

Graduate schools
Brown University	Columbia University	Dartmouth College
Harvard University	Northwestern University	Stanford University
University of Chicago	Villanova University	Yale University

Student sits in the library at a desk with a book open and with book stacks behind her.

Life at Skidmore

What is it like to study at Skidmore as an international student? Anesu Mukombiwa ’24, a Davis United World College Scholar from Harare, Zimbabwe, reflects on four transformative years of study, connection, and creativity. Learn how she found a sense of belonging and purpose — and how Skidmore supported her academic and personal journey in a community where every voice is valued.

Watch Anesu's video

International young alumni

Nitin Natrajan ’20 | Singapore

Nitin is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in organizational studies at Boston College. A graduate in international affairs, he began his post-Skidmore career as a research associate at INSEAD and the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society, where he explored nonprofit leadership models across Singapore.

Novilhelha Flood ’22 | Malawi

Novilhelha is an MBA candidate at Bentley University and a business process consultant at SAP. She earned her degree in business at Skidmore, completing internships at BlackRock and Ernst & Young. Her professional journey began as an analyst at Goldman Sachs.

Syed Ebrahaim Shah ’18 | Pakistan

Syed is an engineer with TÜV Rheinland Group. Through Skidmore’s dual-degree engineering program with Dartmouth College, he earned bachelor’s degrees in both physics and engineering. He also completed a master’s in engineering at Cornell University and interned with Tesla.

Questions?

Send us an email and we'll connect you with international admissions experts.

Email admissions@skidmore.edu