International Students
We look forward each summer to welcoming international students to Skidmore’s Pre-College Program!
Required Student Visa Forms and Information
The International Student Visa application can be found here. Please complete the Application for Certificate of Eligibility, which includes a Biographical Data Form and a Certificate of Finances Form, and submit them to Lilly Routledge (precollege@skidmore.edu) by June 1, 2024.
Upon your arrival to campus, it will be your responsibility to provide our office with the following:
- Copy of your passport ID page and the international student visa
- Copy of your I-20 form with your signature
- Copy of your I-94 arrival and departure
Visa Information (F-1) for newly enrolled students
As an international student and non-U.S. citizen, you are required to apply for and obtain an F-1 student visa (except citizens of Canada who do not need a visa to enter the US) in order to enter and pursue your education in the United States. American colleges are required by U.S. federal law to obtain several documents before we can issue a SEVIS I-20 (visa eligibility document) to the international student. Please complete the forms listed above and return to us with the documents requested, so that we can issue SEVIS I-20 to you.
With completed forms, please also send the following documents:
- A photocopy of the identification page from your passport.
- Original or copies of official bank statements, or other appropriate official documents certifying available funds to cover your expenses. This can be in the form of a SIGNED LETTER from a bank official on the bank's letterhead citing the availability of the funds as outlined later in this letter.
Traveling to and from the Program
Before booking your flight, please contact Lilly Routledge (Pre-College Program Coordinator) at precollege@skidmore.edu with your travel options. Please include your intended airline name, flight number, and arrival time.
Students must arrive at Skidmore College on July 1, 2024 between 12pm and 4pm for program check-in and to attend our mandatory program orientation. Please note, we cannot accommodate early arrivals.
If you are arriving to Skidmore via air or public transportation on the Program Arrival Day, your final destination must be at one of the following locations for our staff to provide pre-arranged transportation to campus:
Albany International Airport (ALB)
Saratoga Springs Bus Station (served by Grey hound, Adirondack Trailways)
Saratoga Springs Train Station (served by www.amtrak.com)
A Resident Assistant staff member from our program will personally greet you during Arrival Day check-in hours at either ALB or the Saratoga Springs Train/Bus Station and accompany you to Skidmore by taxi.
Alternately, a shuttle van service is available at your pre-arrangement and expense that provides links between New York City metro airports and the Albany International Airport:
Premiere Transportation NYC Metro Airport Shuttle
Premiere Transportation offers daily shuttle service between Albany Airport and JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports.
Please Note: All travel costs are the responsibility of the student. The Pre-College Program does not cover airfare, bus or train fare, or shuttle costs.
Before booking your departure flight, please contact Lilly Routledge (Pre-College Program Coordinator) at precollege@skidmore.edu with your travel options. Please include your intended airline name, flight number, and arrival time.
Completion of the program requires that students must remain enrolled at Skidmore College until the end of the program on August 3 and complete all coursework prior to departure. Check-out is by 11 a.m. on August 3.
For departures, the program will pre-arrange taxi service from campus to Albany International Airport or the Saratoga Springs Bus/Train station only.
Required Program Forms
All students must submit the required permissions, transportation, and minors health forms by June 1, 2024. Required forms can be found here.