Skidmore College - Homepage

Skidmore offers multiple ways to apply: the Common Application, Coalition Application, and QuestBridge Application. 

To be considered for Skidmore’s need-based financial aid, submit the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile by November 8 for Early Decision I and January 15 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision. 

If you’ve decided to enrich your education with a gap year experience, you can request a one-year deferral by emailing admissions@skidmore.edu by June 1. 

Submitting SAT or ACT scores is completely optional. Skidmore has been test-optional since 2016, allowing students to choose whether their test scores best reflect their academic potential. No matter what, all applicants receive equal consideration through our holistic review process. 

At Skidmore, you have the flexibility to explore multiple interests before choosing a path. Students declare their major by the second semester of their sophomore year, and many discover new passions or combine disciplines along the way. 

Skidmore meets 100% of demonstrated financial need through need-based grants, ensuring that affordability doesn’t stand in the way of opportunity. 

The Admissions Committee seeks students who will thrive academically, personally, and creatively. Your academic record, coursework rigor, and performance are important, but we also value your personal statement, recommendations, and extracurricular involvement. These elements help us understand your unique perspective, passions, and potential contributions to our community. 

• Visit campus or attend a virtual program  
• Join our mailing list  
• Contact the Admissions Office 

As of Fall 2024, Skidmore no longer offers admissions interviews. However, you can engage with our community through virtual and in-person events. If you have specific questions, our admissions counselors are happy to connect with you. 

Nope! It's free to apply to Skidmore. 

No. Skidmore offers Early Decision I (Nov. 1), Early Decision II (Jan. 8), and Regular Decision (Jan. 8), but does not have an Early Action option. 

Yes! If your plans change, you can switch your Early Decision application to Regular Decision by emailing admissions@skidmore.edu by: 

• November 30 for Early Decision I 
• February 1 for Early Decision II 

Skidmore’s Opportunity Program supports highly motivated students whose financial or academic backgrounds might present barriers to college access. There’s no separate application — every applicant is automatically considered. OP includes: 

• Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) – for eligible New York State students.
• Academic Opportunity Program (AOP) – for students outside New York or with family incomes slightly above HEOP guidelines. 

If you’re excited about spending your first semester in London, simply select “Yes” when prompted in the General Questions section of the Common Application. Note: You must be 18 years old on the first day of the program to participate, which is usually around August 20. Contact us to confirm the start date for your year. 

No! Students admitted to Skidmore must meet the same academic standards, whether they enroll on campus or in London. 

About 50% of each incoming class is admitted through Early Decision. 

Early Decision applicants are admitted at a higher rate because the applicant pool is smaller. However, all applications — whether Early or Regular Decision — are evaluated using the same criteria. 

Yes, but if you’re admitted to Skidmore through Early Decision, you must withdraw all other applications and commit to enrolling at Skidmore. 

If you’re not admitted, you may be: 

• Deferred to Regular Decision, receiving your final decision in mid-March. 
• Denied admission, allowing you time to focus on other college options. 

Skidmore meets 100% of demonstrated need. Use these tools to estimate your aid eligibility: 

• MyinTuition – A quick estimate based on six financial questions. 
• Net Price Calculator – A detailed assessment of your financial aid eligibility. 

U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible to apply for Skidmore aid.   

The College Board determines CSS Profile fee waivers. Check their website for details. 

Skidmore's CSS PROFILE code is 2815, FAFSA code is 002814, and TAP code (NYS residents only) is 0855. 

Skidmore meets 100% of your demonstrated financial need. Here’s how we calculate it: Cost of Attendance – Expected Family Contribution = Your Financial Aid Offer Your financial aid package may include: 

• Grants (from Skidmore and federal programs like Pell Grants and SEOG) 
• Work-study (on-campus job opportunities) 
• Federal Direct Loans 

We determine your financial need using the CSS Profile and/or FAFSA and consider factors like: 

• Family size and number of children in college 
• Family income and assets 
• Extraordinary medical expenses or unique financial circumstances 
• Financial information from both parents (if divorced or separated) 

Across all current students, the average aid package is $59,750. 54% of students received need-based grants and 58% receive some form of aid. 

Applicants will receive their financial aid award along with their admission decision in the Skidmore Applicant Portal on decision notification day. 

If your family’s financial situation stays the same and you meet priority deadlines, your aid package should remain consistent. Remember, you must reapply for financial aid annually. 

Skidmore is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need. However, financial aid availability may be a factor for some applicants later in the process. That said, a strong academic profile always strengthens your admission chances. 

Skidmore does not offer financial assistance to students who declare themselves independent of their parents, nor are we able to offer assistance if parents decide that they no longer wish to support a student at Skidmore College. 

Yes! Plenty of part-time campus jobs are open to all students. 

Your Skidmore financial aid (except work-study) applies to both Skidmore-run and approved outside programs. Additional costs like airfare may be factored into your aid package. 

No, we do not change our award on the basis of what a family is offered from another college or university. 

Outside scholarships typically do not reduce your Skidmore aid. However, your total aid package cannot exceed the cost of attendance. If adjustments are needed, Skidmore first reduces loans or federal aid before adjusting grant aid. 

Your school counselor or administrator should submit: 

• IB students: Predicted IB exam results 
• A-Level students: O-Level/IGCSE results and predicted A-Level results 

 
Final results must be submitted once admitted and enrolled.  
  
College Credit: 

• IB Higher Level exams: Score of 5 or higher earns 4 credits per exam (up to 16 credits) 
• A-Level courses: Grade of C or higher earns 4 credits per course (up to 16 credits) 
• AS-Level courses: Grade of C or higher earns 2 credits per course 

The use of agents is not needed to gain admission to Skidmore. As part of our application review process we look closely for any signs of unethical practices in all submitted documents. 

Skidmore College welcomes applications from undocumented and DACA students.  

Yes! International students who have begun coursework at another college should apply as transfer students. 

You only need to translate your grades to English. The translations can be done by an official from your school and they do not need to be done by an external agency, unless you are doing that for other schools and want to use the same files.  

Yes! Campus work is a great way to gain experience and earn money for personal expenses and spending money. 

Yes, but only if your national exam results are required for graduation or are tied to your school grades. In that case, they will be reviewed as part of your final assessment. If your national exams are not linked to your school grades or completion requirements, Skidmore does not require them. 

Yes! The fall deadline is April 1 and the spring deadline is November 1.  

Skidmore evaluates: 

• College academic record 
• High school transcripts (if relevant) 
• Course rigor and selection 
• Personal statement and recommendations 
• Extracurricular involvement and achievements 

A minimum of one semester of college level work must be completed to apply as a transfer.

You must complete at least 60 of the 120 required credits at Skidmore. A maximum of 60 transfer credits will be accepted. 

Some need-based institutional grant assistance is available. For more information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 518-580-5750.

Yes! Housing is guaranteed for all students. 

Skidmore College maintains an articulation agreement with SUNY Schenectady County Community College (SCCC). Candidates for admission are provided complete information on SCCC course articulations for the Skidmore degree program prior to the student's acceptance of an admission offer. Students admitted under this articulation agreement will be awarded financial aid meeting their full demonstrated need. For more information about transferring to Skidmore, contact Lisa Rinaolo-Johnson at lrinaolo@skidmore.edu. For more information about credits and degrees, please contact Paula Puckett at ppuckett@skidmore.edu.