About FYE
At Skidmore, we believe in the transformative power of liberal education — more precisely, in the power of an educational experience that combines curricular and co-curricular opportunities to liberate the mind and nurture the soul. The First-Year Experience Program is an academic experience designed to get you started on that journey.
Scribner Seminars
FYE's hallmark is the Scribner Seminar — a small, intense course in which you work
closely with a Skidmore faculty member who will also serve as your advisor. First-year
students select a Scribner Seminar from approximately 45 different offerings, exploring
fascinating interdisciplinary topics such as American Buddhism or Sport, Self, & Society.
All seminars are designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity, challenge preconceived
notions, and provide a solid foundation for continued study at Skidmore.
Scribner Seminars
Summer Reading
A central feature of Skidmore’s First-Year Experience is the Summer Reading program,
the purpose of which is twofold. First, we want to impress upon you that intellectual
engagement need not be confined to classrooms, studios, labs, or academic calendars;
on the contrary, higher learning is ongoing and everywhere. Second, we want to provide
you with a common intellectual journey that generates questions, prompts conversations,
and binds the first-year class together.
Learn more
New Student Orientation
Your first moments and days at Skidmore are special, and we're proud to be responsible
for ensuring it's a seamless and meaningful experience. Our office oversees New Student
Orientation, the required program all incoming students participate in, which includes
move-in, Convocation, and a series of introductions to life here, including residential
life, student affairs, academics, and more.
Fall 2023 New Student Orientation
Skidmore also offers Pre-Orientation, led by the office of Office of Campus Life and
Engagement, and distinct programs for, London FYE, International, and Opportunity
Program students.
All Orientation programs
Campus Partners
The FYE team works closely with a number of campus offices that will also play an important part in your introduction to Skidmore.
Our summer newsletter for new students and families is your resource for knowing what to do and when – from health forms and academic assessments to advising and more. Incoming students will receive the newsletter automatically, but families are welcome to sign-up as well.