International Applicants
Questions?
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.
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.
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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 test scores
If English is not your first language and if you have not attended a high school for at least three years 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. - Standardized test scores
Prior to the 2020-21 admissions cycle, Skidmore required either the SAT or ACT from international students who have not attended an English-language-based school for at least three years. However, given the current challenges of testing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will offer test-optional admissions for all applicants seeking fall 2021 admission. - CSS Profile
International students do qualify for financial aid at Skidmore. To be considered for institutional aid, you must complete the CSS Profile.
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 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 nearly 300 international students from nearly 70 countries. This represents about 13% of the overall student body of 2,500 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.
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.