Unsure about picking the right college? Liz Bracht ’24 was, too.

The process of choosing a college can be difficult, and the pressure to make the right decision can be a challenge. Sometimes it might feel like you’re tasked with an impossible choice, but you do not have to do this alone. 

Liz Bracht ’24 of East Meadow, New York, shares some insight into how she decided Skidmore was the best choice for her. The psychology major also reminds prospective students, “we’ve all been there.” 

How and why did you choose to come to Skidmore?  

The process …  

When I was applying to colleges, it was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I applied Regular Decision because COVID-19 made it a very unusual year for college applications, and I feared committing to any school via Early Decision since I had only toured a handful of the nearly 20 schools I applied to. I also sent out my applications before I did any interviews, and the interviews really made a difference for me. I vividly remember feeling an overwhelming sense of relief after Skidmore’s interview, which was conversational and informative, but also fun. Rather than feeling nervous or self-conscious, I felt like I could bring all of myself to the table. 

The academics …  

In the end, it was a combination of things that influenced my college choice. Skidmore has a strong psychology program, which I wanted to pursue. Embedded in the curriculum are a ton of elective course offerings and research opportunities — as well as clinical experiences. I wasn’t sure what area of psychology I wanted to pursue, but I loved the opportunity to explore multiple avenues. 

I’ve also been a dancer for as long as I can remember, and I did not want to give that up. When looking at colleges, I remember liking a lot of schools, then being disappointed when some other schools’ dance offerings were limited to a salsa club (true story) or a dance team that performed at athletic events. Before coming to Skidmore, I chatted with a dance professor and was assured that I would be able to pursue technique classes, as well as performance and choreography opportunities, regardless of whether I chose to major, minor, or just take classes in dance.  

I’m now doing research in collaboration with the Dance Department — something 17-year-old me could not have imagined. For me, research opportunities seemed like something accessible exclusively to people involved in the sciences, but at Skidmore, I have been empowered to do interdisciplinary research. 

The intangibles … 

There were also matters of location and size. I did not want to be at a big school or in a major city, but nor did I want to be at a college where the campus lacked things to do or was in a place that felt isolated. When I first visited the campus at Skidmore, I felt a warmth — and not just because it was summer — from the admissions counselors, ambassadors, and my lovely tour guide. I understood that a powerful sense of community and support existed here. Saratoga Springs also seemed to be the perfect college town for me.  

How did you overcome your initial concerns about making friends and feeling at home here?  

As scary as it might sound to someone in a new place surrounded by unfamiliar people, getting involved and putting yourself out there is the best thing you can do.   

I did one of the SCOOP pre-orientation programs; it was great to try something outside of my comfort zone (living in cabins in the woods, hiking, and going whitewater rafting) and to have 20 familiar faces by the time I returned to campus. I also signed up for several clubs to meet people with similar interests, although it was nerve-wracking at the time. I have also met incredible people through becoming a tour guide, RA, and peer mentor. 

 Still, I think finding things you can do for yourself is also important. I love doing things like walking downtown and going to Uncommon Grounds for breakfast. It helps me feel comfortable not just on campus but in the Saratoga area as well. 

What advice do you have for students considering Skidmore?  

 I think any student in the midst of their college search needs to consider how a school meets their needs as a whole person — not just academically. I recommend considering a few factors:  

• You should be confident that the academics have the level of rigor you desire and that the disciplines you are interested in pursuing are represented. 
• Consider the surrounding area; is it a place where you feel safe? Do you feel like there are things to do? Are there opportunities for you to pursue? Do you feel like it’s the setting (e.g., more of a city, a town, more rural, etc.) you want?  
• Consider whether there are cocurriculars that interest you and/or opportunities to start one. 
• Make sure there is support for finding internships, jobs, research, etc.  
• Finally, ensure you feel like the “vibe” is a good fit for you; you must live there for the majority of the year, so it’s important that a school not only checks all the boxes but feels like a place you could thrive academically, socially, mentally, and physically. 

How have you changed since you first arrived here?  

I have grown tremendously. I have become a much more confident person, with a fantastically strong support network. I’ve matured a lot by being on my own and learning how to balance different tasks, responsibilities, and priorities. Part of this growth has come from meeting people who not only challenge me academically but love and support me as a person.  

I’ve become more outgoing through working in admissions as a tour guide; I have been able to interact and connect with families, and I am honored to play a part in people’s college journey. With professors, despite feeling nervous and being more introverted, I have seen and experienced the value of going to office hours and asking questions. I have found that professors here enjoy getting to engage with students and further conversations started in the classroom, and their confidence in me has allowed me to become a more outgoing student. I have found so much support in the staff I get to work with, who genuinely care about connection and the well-being of the students they interact with. Through a variety of avenues, I’ve also found such wonderful friends. 

Academically, I have become much more excited about learning. This past spring, as I was beginning my research in the Dance Department, I had a moment where I got to connect things that I was learning in two or three different classes. I saw firsthand how interconnected elements from various disciplines can be. In high school, I had a very structured curriculum, which taught me a lot; however, having such a large number of options for classes that fill both general and major requirements at Skidmore provides me with the flexibility to take courses about things I am curious, passionate, and excited to learn about. The reclamation of the joy in learning makes the process of education so much more enriching.  

Growth is a continual process for me. But at Skidmore, I believe I have been able adapt and grow in a way that feels very true to myself.