International Applicants
Welcome to Skidmore College, a top-ranked liberal arts school in beautiful Saratoga Springs, New York.
Do you thrive in a small, personal community rather than a place where no one knows
your name? Would you like to count your professors as mentors and friends and learn
by doing in a welcoming, supportive environment? If so, we think you're going to like
it here.
International Applicant Checklist
Please begin by reviewing How to Apply, as all application steps listed are required for international students. In addition, you will need to pay special attention to:
- English Language Proficiency tests
If English is not your first language and if you have not attended a high school for three years or more where English is the only language of instruction, you must submit a TOEFL, IELTs or Duolingo English Test score. We can waive the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo for students completing an IB diploma program. - Secondary school and university-level transcripts and recommendations
Recommendations not written in English should be accompanied by English translations. Transcripts should include an explanation of the grading scale/system. - CSS Profile
International students do qualify for financial aid at Skidmore. To be considered for institutional aid, you must either submit the CSS Profile or the Skidmore International Student Financial Aid Application. Once you submit your application and receive access to your Skidmore Applicant Portal, you will be able to fill out and submit the Skidmore International Student Financial Aid form at no cost by clicking the link in your financial aid checklist.
Please note: The $65 admissions application fee will be automatically waived for all international
students who are applying for need based financial aid. You can request a fee waiver
directly within the Common Application or Coalition Application payment page.
Class of 2028
Ready to join us for Fall 2024? Start your application through either the Common Application or Coalition Application website.
More than ever, pursuing study in a country other than your own is not only beneficial to you but vital to furthering global understanding. We hope you'll give Skidmore serious consideration, as our strong and growing family of international students — nearly 300 on campus — confirms that Skidmore offers a valuable educational and personal experience.
Why SkidmoreStudent stories
Map of student home countries
International Student Services
Learn more
Frequently asked international Applicant questions
Skidmore considers an international student to be any individual who does not have United States citizenship or a permanent resident visa. In regard to the application process, the international admission counselors evaluate all applications for international students as well as U.S. citizens attending school outside of the United States.
You are eligible to apply if you’ve completed the equivalent of a U.S. secondary school education, are a GED recipient or have completed a secondary school equivalency exam.
The admissions requirements for international students are the same as they are for US students except for the following:
The residential liberal arts and sciences college is a uniquely American model for undergraduate study. It is a holistic approach to intellectual and personal growth that encourages engagement across academic disciplines and within all aspects of campus life. This broad approach is different from the vocational/professional preparatory model found at large universities around the world. In the United States, undergraduate programs at universities and colleges share similar characteristics.
Currently, there are about 250 international students from more than 60 countries. This represents about 9% of the overall student body of 2,700 students. We also have a number of students with U.S. citizenship who enrolled at Skidmore from a high school outside of the U.S. and 5% who hold dual passports (U.S. and another country).
Due to the volume of international students, we cannot accommodate all requests for video interviews. However, we do offer some interview options for international students.
- A video interview for international students, except for those residing in China.
- For Chinese applicants, we recommend that you use InitialView or Vericant for your interview.
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 regarded as an indicator of minimal proficiency for study at Skidmore.
Have more questions? We have more answers. Explore more Admissions FAQs.
We appreciate that choosing a college in many ways is about identifying a campus where you'll feel comfortable spending the next four years. But, when you're hundreds or thousands of miles away, that's pretty hard to do. Happily, we've developed several virtual resources we think will help you picture what life is like here.