Early Decision
Early Decision (ED) is designed for students who have decided Skidmore is their first-choice college. You can apply ED I by Nov. 15 or ED II by Jan. 15. You can also convert a Regular Decision (RD) application to ED II until Feb. 1.
ED Checklist
- Please review application steps and policies in How to Apply. Submit the Early Decision Agreement form including student, parent/guardian and school counselor signatures.
- International students applying ED will also need to submit the items requested of international applicants.
Dates and deadlines
- To be considered for ED I, you must apply by Nov. 15.
- To be considered for ED II, you must apply by Jan. 15.
- RD applicants can also convert to ED II until Feb. 1.
ED checklist
Download a copy of your application checklist to keep handy as you prepare your materials
Grab your copy
Frequently Asked Early Decision Questions
The following questions and answers should be helpful to you in deciding whether Early Decision is right for you. We encourage you to discuss your plans with your parents and guidance counselor before making a final decision.
About 50% of our first-year classes are admitted and enroll through the ED application process.
To submit an ED application, file the Application for First-Year Admission with the application fee (or fee waiver request) by Nov. 15 for ED I and by Jan. 15 for ED II. RD applicants can also convert to ED II until Feb. 1.
Since the Admissions Committee renders decisions on ED applications within a month of the deadline, it is important that required information from the counselor and teachers be submitted in a timely fashion. Download a copy of our Early Decision Checklist for helpful reminders.
Students who apply by the Nov. 15 deadline for ED I will be notified of the decision in mid-December. Those who apply by the Jan. 15 ED II deadline will hear by Feb. 15, as will those who convert RD applications to ED by Feb. 1. While ED candidates may initiate applications to other colleges, if they are accepted under one of our ED plans they must immediately withdraw all other applications and enroll at Skidmore.
Yes, you can convert your RD application to an ED II application until Feb. 1. Send an email to Admissions at admissions@skidmore.edu and indicate that you want to convert your application. Admissions will work with you to formalize it.
Candidates who are applicants for financial aid should register online for the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Financial Aid Application as soon as possible. A CSS Profile customized financial aid application for Skidmore will be made available from the College Scholarship Service and should be completed online as soon as applicants know they are applying ED to Skidmore.
Accepted ED students whose financial aid applications are complete will receive notification about their financial aid with their decision letters.
The only difference is the dates. Many students visit colleges early and know by Nov. 15 that Skidmore is their first choice and are able to file an ED I application. Other students wait until Jan. 15 because their decision to apply early came after the ED I deadline or because they want the Admissions Committee to have the benefit of new test scores and/or senior grades in making the decision on their application.
Some students who are not accepted ED are deferred for reconsideration for Regular Decision and notified of their final decision in early March. In some cases, an ED candidate will not be competitive for admission and in these situations, the Admissions Committee denies the applicant at the time of ED notification.
Have more questions? We have more answers. Explore more Admissions FAQs.