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Off-Campus Study & Exchanges
 

First-Year Experience in London

Frequently Asked Questions

If I accept the offer to go to London, can I still be considered to study on-campus in Saratoga Springs in September?
No. We depend on your commitment to the London program when we make our plans for the fall semester. You will need to choose whether to go to London OR commit to an on-campus spot in September.

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What will happen if I accept this offer and then I change my mind?
Your initial deposits are non-refundable. You may be responsible to Skidmore for any monies already paid by Skidmore on your behalf, or in any respect committed on your behalf, that are not retrievable by Skidmore. Once you arrive in London, no fees are refundable.'

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What kind of student profile presents the best prospect for success in London?
According to past participants of the London program, independent, adaptable, open-minded, adventurous, mature, tolerant, and responsible students succeed in London. Students tell us that people who tend to be reluctant to engage in new experiences might find it more difficult to adjust.

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Will I be able to talk to someone who has studied with Skidmore’s First-Year Experience in London before making my decision?
Yes. Returning students from previous London programs have volunteered to e-mail or talk with prospective students to answer questions from the student perspective. Let us know, and we will provide contact information for a student that has already studied in London. If you attend an Accepted Candidates Day, you may speak with past participants at our information table.

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Will there be an orientation program for the enrolled London students?
Yes. All students going to London will begin the fall semester with a 2-day orientation on the Saratoga Springs campus. The group will travel together to a New York City airport and fly as a group to London. After arrival in London, orientation will continue in London with the faculty directors, IES staff, and Skidmore Program Assistant. See Orientation and Activities for arrival and orientation dates.

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How will I get to London?
Skidmore arranges a group flight leaving from a New York City airport and will provide transportation for the students from the Skidmore campus to the airport.

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Do I need a passport to travel to London?
Yes. If you do not have one, you should apply now at your local U.S. Post Office or the passport issuing agency in your country.

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Do I need a visa to travel to London?
Yes, students will need a visa to travel to London. The only students that do not need a visa are those students who are citizens of the UK or European Union. If you are a US citizen, you will be able to enter the UK as a Short Term Student. There is no fee for this visa and you will apply for it upon entry into the United Kingdom at the airport. If your citizenship is other than U.S., check with a British Consulate to find out what type of visa you will need or contact Off-Campus Study & Exchanges at Skidmore College for more information. Please note that visa requirements are subject to change.

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Will there be opportunities to travel while I’m studying in London?
YES! Skidmore will plan a number of cultural and social activities in and around London during the semester. Many students also travel independently during the mid-semester break. Non-U.S. citizens may need to apply for additional visas to travel to countries in Europe other than the U.K.

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Can parents visit in London?
While it is not recommended for parents to visit while classes are in session, some families may wish to visit their sons and daughters during the mid-semester break or at the end of the program. On the other hand, the break is, for many students, a great time to engage in their own independent travel. We do expect that students will meet their academic and programmatic responsibilities regardless of when family and friends visit. Visitors to London, including family, are not permitted to participate in field trips or activities related to the program.

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Is it expensive to live in London? How should I plan?
Goods and services cost about twice as much as those in larger U.S. cities. Returning students have told us that they were glad they had saved money from their summer jobs to take advantage of the wonderful cultural offerings in London. Don’t forget: tuition, room, most meals, local transportation, and many cultural experiences will be pre-paid. Students will receive a stipend of about £460 per month to be used toward food and local transportation. Also, students can apply their Skidmore financial aid package to the cost of the London FYE program.

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Will it be hard to become part of the Skidmore community when I return from London?
The best way to become a real part of your Skidmore class on your return is to introduce yourself to others, join organizations, audition for plays, try out for sports teams, or apply for leadership positions. Previous participants tell us that being part of a returning group from London helped too, as they had many ‘ready-made’ friendships before reaching campus.

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If I am planning to be pre-med or major in the sciences, can I still study in London?

With careful planning and close advisement, pre-med students and students planning to major in the sciences can study in London for their first semester at Skidmore. Some of Skidmore’s pre-med and science major course requirements are sequenced and the first course in the sequence may only be offered in the fall semester on the Saratoga Springs campus. This means you may have to wait until your sophomore fall to take the first course in the sequence of requirements for certain departments. Most of the courses available in London are based in the humanities and social sciences except for Calculus I, which may fulfill a mathematics requirement for some science majors.

Students who need to take BI-105 and BI-106 (the first year of biology), may take BI-106 in the spring semester and BI-105 in sophomore fall, since BI-105 is only offered in the fall semester.

You are strongly encouraged to contact the Chair of your intended major department or the Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC) before you commit to London and discuss your options

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Where will I live when I come to Skidmore in January?
London FYE students will live on campus when they return to Skidmore for the spring semester. Students will be sent a housing questionnaire to complete in late October for spring semester housing on campus. The Office of Residential Life places students in on-campus housing where space is available, and upper class students have first choice in housing.

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How will my grades appear on my Skidmore transcript?
You will receive Skidmore credits and grades. Grades count towards your Skidmore GPA.

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Will I get into the classes I want for the second semester at Skidmore?
You will register for classes using the Skidmore online registration system in the same manner as the rest of the first-year class. Upper class students have first choice of courses. Thus, first-year students should plan for a flexible range of course choices. The Skidmore faculty directors in London serve as faculty advisors for the London FYE students and will advise the students about registering and course selection for the spring semester.

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