does skidmore college have supplemental essays

Skidmore College

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• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at Skidmore College?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Skidmore College’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

This college guide uses the most recent data available provided by the U.S. Department of Education. This information was last updated on October 10th, 2023.

Skidmore College Admission Requirements Guide

Whether you’re just starting to consider Skidmore College as an option or are well into the application process, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the Skidmore College undergraduate admission requirements. After reading this guide, you will understand what needs to be done to maximize your chances of being admitted to this institution’s undergraduate program.

Skidmore College Acceptance Rate

The Skidmore College admission rate was 30.59% for the most recent class. While it can still be challenging to stand out among the pool of applicants, students who put in the effort to craft a strong application and demonstrate their passion and potential have a decent chance of being admitted to these schools. Ultimately, you should strive to find the right fit for your goals and interests, regardless of acceptance rates. This admission requirement rundown should help improve your chances of being accepted into Skidmore College.

Skidmore College SAT Score Requirements

The SAT is a standardized test that measures college readiness and educational foundation. The SAT has been used for nearly 100 years to test prospective students in mathematics, reading, writing, and language. Here are the SAT metrics to take into account when applying to Skidmore College.

Skidmore College Average SAT Scores

When looking at the undergraduate students who were in the most recently admitted class, the average Skidmore College SAT Score was 1373.

Here is the range of Skidmore College SAT scores segmented by the three sections of the test: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing.

Skidmore College's SAT Score Choice Policy

Skidmore College does accept the SAT ‘Superscore’ policy. This means that applicants who have taken the SAT several times may submit their best scores for each section, rather than submitting every full report. For example, if you received a higher score on your Reading section during your first test, but received a higher score on the Mathematics section on your second test, you may combine these scores for a comprehensive ‘Superscore’.

Skidmore College ACT Score Requirements

The ACT was founded in 1969 and serves as another college readiness measurement tool. The four subject areas are: English, mathematics, reading, and science. Here are the details regarding Skidmore College’s ACT Requirements.

Skidmore College Average ACT Scores

When examining the most recently accepted undergraduate class, the median ACT Score for Skidmore College is 31.

Here is an updated range of Skidmore College ACT scores segmented by the three sections of the exam: English, Math, and Writing.

Skidmore College's ACT Score Choice Policy

Skidmore College only allows ACT composite scores to be submitted. Applicants are invited to submit all of their ACT attempts if their college counselor recommends it, though.

Skidmore College Application Requirements

Skidmore College is a great undergraduate school to attend. Skidmore College’s admission office is able to extend offers to many students while still being selective. To stand out in the admissions process, it is critical to abide by the school’s application requirements.

Does Skidmore College Use the Common App?

Like most major U.S. schools, Skidmore College does use the Common Application for their admissions process. The Common App is a unified application that prospective students use to apply to undergraduate colleges and universities. It allows applicants to use a single application that can be sent to as many colleges as they apply to, instead of repeatedly inputting the same demographic and academic information per school. Skidmore College may request additional materials, such as supplemental essays and questions, but the primary application structure remains the same.

Does Skidmore College Require Letters of Recommendation?

Skidmore College requires 2 letters of recommendation from teachers. These letters of rec, or ‘teacher evaluations’, are used to assess what type of student you are and your strengths in a learning environment. It is highly recommended to ask teachers that you have a strong relationship with to write these letters of recommendation, as they can attest to your academic and interpersonal skills. Try to find teachers who are familiar with your character, rather than just test grades. Remember that the goal is to show Skidmore College that you are a comprehensively complete applicant.

A recommendation letter from a school counselor or guidance counselor is required to apply to Skidmore College. High school counselors are constantly writing letters of recommendation for students, so asking them to create one for you is a fairly straightforward process. Ensure that they are at least somewhat familiar with your character and goals, as the purpose of this letter is to show Skidmore College that you are a comprehensively complete applicant.

Skidmore College Application Checklist

See our application checklist for Skidmore College below to ensure you complete and submit the proper materials.

Required Application Materials:

• Completed Common App
• Standardized Test Scores, such as the SAT or ACT
• 2 Letters of Recommendation from Teachers
• 1 Letter of Recommendation from a School Counselor
• Personal Statement (College Essay)
• Skidmore College Application Fee or Fee Waiver
• Academic Transcripts (at the time of submission and when senior year first semester grades are released)

Optional Application Materials:

• Additional Recommendation Letters (Teacher Evaluations)

Skidmore College Facts & Frequently Asked Questions

Is skidmore college public or private.

Skidmore College is a private, non-profit university. Private universities’ primary sources of funding are through tuition, donations, and endowments. Although tuition may be higher at these nonprofit institutions, generous financial aid packages are more common than public schools. Tuition rates do not differ between in-state and out-of-state students.

How Many Students Does Skidmore College Have?

Skidmore College is known for having a smaller student body. Our latest data indicates there are 2676 undergraduate degree-seeking students enrolled. With a fewer students in each classroom, individuals are able to engage more with their classmates and professors. Office hours are accessible, and opportunities for networking and relationship-building are vast at Skidmore College.

How do I apply to Skidmore College?

Make sure you have all of the required application materials we covered on hand. You can learn more about the application process for this particular institution at Skidmore College’s Website.

Where is Skidmore College?

Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, NY. To visualize where Skidmore College’s campus is based in relation to Saratoga Springs’s downtown area and landmarks, take a look at the interactive map below.

Skidmore College Campus Map

Final Thoughts on Applying to Skidmore College

Hopefully this guide helped you to learn more about the admissions requirements for Skidmore College. When applying to colleges, remember to keep in mind that not every school will be a good fit. Take the time to evaluate what’s most important to you, such as the school’s academic opportunities, financial aid benefits, and location. All of the application components we covered are important – take your time to put your best foot forward. The College Grid team wishes you the best of luck on your college applications!

Sydney Janssen

As a valedictorian in high school, I developed a strong passion for learning and pushing myself to achieve academic success. Now, as a first-generation college graduate, I'm excited to share my experiences and insights with others who may be navigating similar paths through College Grid.

ADMISSION Skidmore seeks students who demonstrate strong academic ability, intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and an energetic commitment to learning. Since students learn not only from the faculty but from each other, Skidmore also seeks diversity in its student body, looking for a wide geographical distribution and a variety of talents, interests, and backgrounds.

Because the number of qualified students applying for admission exceeds the limited size of each entering class, it is not possible to admit all candidates who could be expected to succeed at Skidmore. The Admissions Committee strives to admit those students whose abilities, interests, character, and background give them the greatest promise of profiting from and contributing to Skidmore College.

The committee’s primary emphasis is on the strength of a student’s academic record, as evidenced by quality of secondary school courses and classroom achievement. Personal qualities, accomplishments, interests, and capacity for growth are also strongly considered, so careful attention is paid to recommendations, the student’s personal statement, as well as cocurricular activities and lived experiences outside the classroom.

The Admissions staff welcomes communication with prospective candidates, their parents, and school advisors. Correspondence should be addressed to:

Office of Admissions Skidmore College 815 North Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-1632 [email protected]

CAMPUS VISIT AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Skidmore College encourages visits from prospective students and families. In-person group information sessions and campus tours are offered throughout the year. Appointments should be made in advance at https://www.skidmore.edu/admissions/visit/index.php . In addition to general campus tours, specialized tours for the sciences and for the arts and open houses events are also available.

Skidmore also offers virtual information sessions and other opportunities to engage with members of the Skidmore community without having to travel to campus. Current offerings can be found at https://www.skidmore.edu/admissions/visit/virtual-campus.php .

APPLYING TO SKIDMORE Applications Skidmore accepts the Common Application or Coalition Application. All applications must be submitted electronically and must be accompanied by a non-refundable $65 application fee or a request for a fee waiver.

School Transcripts The School Report form and official high school transcript should be submitted within a week of the application deadline. Midyear grades should be sent as soon as they are available, but no later than mid-February. Preparation for Skidmore should include a minimum of four years of English, three or more years of mathematics, three or more years of social science, three or more years of science, and three or more years of a world language.

Teacher Recommendations Two academic teacher evaluation forms should be submitted as early as possible, but no later than a week after the application deadline.

STANDARDIZED TESTING Skidmore College is test-optional and does not require the SAT or ACT for admission . Students may submit SAT or ACT scores if they feel the results best represent their academic potential. The Admission Committee does not make any assumptions as to why some students choose to submit scores while others do not; all applicants are given equal consideration in our holistic evaluation approach.

English is the language of instruction at Skidmore, and it is necessary that all students be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English. The TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test is required if English is not your first language. Generally, a score of 96-97 on the TOEFL or a 7.0/7.5 on the IELTS, or a 120 on the DET is regarded as an indicator of minimal proficiency for study at Skidmore. If you have attended a high school for at least three years where English is the language of instruction, or if you are enrolled in an IB diploma program, the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test is not required.

Self-Reported Scores Students who choose to submit standardized testing may self-report scores in any of the following ways:

• Including scores on the Common Application or the Coalition Application
• Emailing a screen shot or PDF of the Student Score Report to [email protected] (Name must be visible)
• Submitting scores on the self-reported scores form in the Skidmore Applicant Portal

Students who apply with self-reported scores must submit verified scores upon enrollment that match self-reported scores.

EARLY DECISION Skidmore’s Early Decision plan is designed for students who have examined their college preferences thoroughly and have decided that Skidmore College is their first choice. Although candidates for Early Decision (ED) at Skidmore may initiate applications to other colleges, it is understood that they will immediately withdraw them and enroll at Skidmore if accepted under an early decision plan. ED applicants should have grades for the current academic year sent to the Admissions Office as soon as they are available.

Skidmore offers both Early Decision I and Early Decision II deadlines. Any student may convert a submitted Regular Decision application to early decision up until February 1.

Students accepted under Early Decision will be required to maintain the course schedule and level of academic performance that distinguished them at the time of their ED acceptance. Accepted ED students in violation of this policy will have their admission status reevaluated.

Some Early Decision candidates who are not admitted under an ED plan will be deferred for reconsideration during the regular decision admissions process. ED applicants who clearly will not be competitive in the spring will be denied admission and released from the binding Early Decision commitment.

Early Decision applicants who are applying for a Skidmore grant under ED must file the PROFILE form of the College Scholarship Service by the appropriate application deadline, November 15 or January 15.

OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM Economically and academically underserved students who apply may be referred to Skidmore’s Opportunity Program (OP). Those who are eligible New York state residents will be referred to the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) for consideration. Those who are ineligible for HEOP will be referred to the Academic Opportunity Program (AOP) for consideration. To obtain information about the Opportunity Program, visit: www.skidmore.edu/opportunity_program/

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Skidmore welcomes applications from international students, and the college is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

International students should follow the application guidelines for their appropriate application round, but should note that Skidmore offers a very limited number of financial aid awards to students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Students applying for aid are required to fill out the International Financial Aid application in their Skidmore Applicant Portal or to file the CSS Profile. Certification that financial obligations can be met will be required by Skidmore and also by the United States agency issuing a visa. The United States Immigration Form I-20 will be issued after the enrollment deposit has been paid.

The academic year at Skidmore is made up of two semesters, one running from the beginning of September to late December, and the second from mid-January to the beginning of May. Summer recess runs from May through August and may be utilized for travel or study; during this period, students must pay their own expenses. Limited on-campus housing is available during breaks in the academic year and is included in room/ board charges. On-campus housing in the summer requires additional room and board fees.

ACCELERATED ADMISSION The Admissions Committee will consider applications from candidates who will graduate at the end of junior year (third year of high school). In such a case, the Admissions Committee gives special consideration to the reasons for accelerating graduation, with particular attention to the candidate’s maturity and potential for dealing with both the academic and social demands of college life. Successful candidates will have transcripts that look similar to students who have spent four years in a college prep curriculum.

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Skidmore employs a coordinator of Student Access Services who works as a member of the Office of Student Academic Services (SAS) team to ensure eligible students with disabilities are provided accommodations necessary to obtain full access to all Skidmore programs and activities. At any time during the admissions process, SAS staff and the coordinator are happy to consult with prospective students about available services. Students who wish to apply for academic or other accommodations are encouraged to contact the coordinator of Student Access Services. Students who would like to request accommodations from the College will be asked to provide the following information to the coordinator at the time of enrollment:

• Documentation containing current information and diagnosis of a specific condition. The evaluation should be completed by a specialist in the area of the corresponding condition (e.g., educational psychologist, certified school psychologist, psychiatrist).
• Specific recommendations from the professional conducting the evaluation, which list reasonable accommodations and modifications that would benefit the student on a college campus.

Students with a documented disability should complete the application for accommodations and return it with the required documentation to the coordinator of student access services in the Office of Student Academic Services. Using the information from the application and the diagnostic materials provided, the coordinator will evaluate requests and work in cooperation with students to determine reasonable accommodations. After their arrival at Skidmore, students are encouraged to meet with the coordinator to review approved accommodations and discuss implementation strategies and other SAS services.

Student Academic Services also provides an excellent range of academic support services for the general student population that may also be of help to students with disabilities. For example, SAS provides peer tutoring for most courses offered by the College, assistance with time management, and individualized academic support.

All students are required to fulfill world language, expository writing, mathematics, laboratory science, and other requirements of the Skidmore curriculum. Since the curriculum represents Skidmore’s definition of a sound liberal arts education, requirements are never waived. However, under a few exceptional and individualized circumstances, the College may consider substituting a course or courses for a curriculum requirement. Students should meet with the coordinator to discuss specific steps as necessary.

For more information, contact the coordinator for Student Access Services in Student Academic Services: 518-580-8150.

GAP YEAR POLICY Requests for deferred enrollment, commonly known as a “gap year,” should be directed to [email protected] by June 1. Students must first complete the formal enrollment process, and then present a plan for what they will do during the gap year. Students may take courses at another institution but may not apply or enroll as a degree candidate elsewhere during the gap year. Students will be asked to submit another non-refundable $500 deposit the January following their approved deferral in order to confirm their place in the class.

Applicants for financial aid must reapply for aid during the upcoming cycle by filing the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the appropriate deadlines.

TRANSFERRING TO SKIDMORE Each year, Skidmore admits students who wish to transfer from other accredited colleges or universities. Such students should have maintained a strong record of achievement in liberal arts courses taken at colleges previously attended.

A candidate for admission with advanced standing should submit the Transfer Common Application, accompanied by a fee of $65, to the Office of Admissions by November 1 for admission in January or by April 1 for admission in September. In cases of economic hardship the application fee may be waived.

An official transcript (or transcripts) of all college-level work done through the most recently completed semester must be submitted. A midterm report of college work currently in progress is required. Applicants should also submit a final high school transcript and two recommendations from college professors who have taught the applicant in academic courses.

Transfer candidates will be notified of the Admissions Committee’s decision as soon after the pertinent deadline as possible. The committee expects that final records will be consistent with the record available at the time an offer of admission is made.

A limited number of financial aid packages are available to transfer students applying to Skidmore. Students are required to file the PROFILE form of the College Scholarship Service (CSS) no later than April 1 for fall admission and no later than November 1 for spring admission.

Students can make an account with the website Transferology for a preliminary evaluation of transfer credit. A tentative evaluation of transfer credit will be available upon request at the time of an acceptance; the definitive evaluation is done by the Office of the Registrar and is not available until after the student has enrolled at Skidmore. Only courses in which a student has received a grade of C or better are transferable. (See Transfer of Credit.)

At least 60 credit hours of the 120 credit hours required for graduation from Skidmore must be earned through enrollment in Skidmore College courses.

ARTICULATION AGREEMENT Skidmore maintains an articulation agreement with 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. Students may contact the Office of Admissions for questions regarding application procedures and the Registrar’s Office for questions regarding course articulations.

ADMISSION OF SKIDMORE EMPLOYEES Skidmore employees who are eligible for the tuition benefit (contact Human Resources to determine eligibility) may apply for admission as a part-time student by submitting to Skidmore a completed Transfer Common Application, accompanied by a fee of $65, by November 1 for admission in January or by April 1 for admission in September. Employees should discuss scheduling and time commitments with their supervisor prior to applying.

Employees are required to have earned at least 45 credits prior to applying for matriculation. These credits can be earned at Skidmore as a non-matriculated student, from another accredited institution, or a combination of the two. An official transcript (or transcripts) of all college-level work done through the most recently completed semester must be submitted. A midterm report of college work currently in progress is required. Applicants should also submit a high school transcript and two recommendations from college instructors who have taught the applicant in

academic courses. Candidates will be notified of the Admissions Committee’s decision as soon as possible after the transfer application is complete. The committee expects that final records will be consistent with the record available at the time an offer of admission is made.

Evaluation of transfer credit is done by the Office of the Registrar and only courses in which a student has received a grade of C or better are transferable. (See Transfer of Credit.)

Matriculated employees must complete degree requirements within eight years of matriculation and are encouraged to take at least one to two classes each semester.

FINANCIAL AID The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the PROFILE form of the College Scholarship Service should be submitted no later than that deadline listed for that application round. Skidmore’s FAFSA code is 002814; the PROFILE code is 2815.

Candidates applying for financial aid must complete their financial aid application in order to be admitted. Notification of financial aid eligibility is released to students at the same time as the offer of admission.

First-year students who elect to enroll at Skidmore without financial assistance from the College may apply for consideration for aid beginning the first semester of their junior year. Transfer students who enroll without grant assistance from the College are eligible to apply for grant assistance after two semesters of matriculated enrollment at Skidmore or when they become juniors, whichever comes later.

Key Dates for Candidates to Remember

Non-matriculated students, visiting students.

Students from other institutions may spend a year or a semester at Skidmore College as visiting students while concurrently maintaining enrollment at their own colleges. For information, contact the Registrar at Skidmore College.

Special Students

Special students are not matriculated at Skidmore but may take a partial or full load of courses each semester, up to a maximum of 10 courses. Special students register on a space-available basis through the Office of the Registrar and pay a fee for each semester hour of credit. An application form may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. A $25 application fee is charged per academic semester.

Continuation Standards for Non-Matriculated Students

All students enrolling on a non-matriculated basis are expected to complete their academic work in a satisfactory manner according to the chart below. Failure to meet these standards will result in a review by the Committee on Academic Standing and possible withdrawal from the institution.

Students who fall below these standards may apply for a one-time nonrenewable waiver in order to continue enrollment. Petitions will be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing, and the decision of the committee will be based on academic evidence indicating the student’s potential for success.

Employees taking courses but not interested in obtaining a degree may petition the Committee on Academic Standing for a waiver of the 10-course limit.

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2023-2024 Catalog

A PDF of the entire 2023-2024 catalog.

Skidmore College Admissions

Skidmore College has an acceptance rate of 26%. Half the applicants admitted to Skidmore College who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 1300 and 1460 or an ACT score of 30 and 33. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges. The application deadline at Skidmore College is Jan. 15.

Admissions officials at Skidmore College consider a student's GPA an important academic factor. An applicant's high school class rank, when available, is considered important and letters of recommendation are considered important for admissions officials at Skidmore College. To see additional academic factors along with other school data, learn more about College Compass .

Skidmore College Admissions Stats

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Skidmore College Admissions Requirements

Admission interview

Recommended

Required Standardized Tests

Either SAT or ACT required for some

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Skidmore College Applications

Application Deadline

Early Decision Deadline

Common Application Accepted

Deadline for housing deposit

Entering Class Stats

Selectivity

Acceptance rate

Early Decision Acceptance Rate

SATs on 1600 scale

Transfer Students

Accepting applications

Fall, Spring

Minimum credits to apply

Minimum required college GPA

Guaranteed admission agreement URL

International Students

Separate Application Form Required

Conditional admission offered

Early decision or early action options available

Early decision only

TOEFL (paper)

Required of some

TOEFL (internet-based)

Michigan Test

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TOEFL accepted instead of SAT or ACT

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Skidmore College

Founded more than a century ago and located in Saratoga Springs, New York, on a beautiful 890-acre campus, Skidmore is a highly regarded liberal arts college known for its creative approaches to just about everything. The college's core belief: creative thought matters.

Academic programs.

• Art & Design
• Communication
• Engineering
• Finance/Accounting
• Government/Political Science
• Health Science
• Liberal Arts
• Performing Arts
• Social Science
• Visual Arts

Student experience

• Co-op/Internship Opportunities
• Intramural/Club Sports
• LGBTQIA Services
• On-Campus Housing
• Study Abroad
• Undergraduate Research

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

Students apply for first year admission by completing the Common Application or the Coalition Application online and submitting it to Skidmore, with a $65 non-refundable application fee. Applicants must also submit the following documents to complete the application: Secondary School Report, Midyear Report and two academic teacher letters of recommendation.

Students apply for transfer admission by completing the Common Application (with Skidmore Supplement) or the Coalition Application online and submitting it to Skidmore, with a $65 non-refundable application fee. Applicants must also submit the following documents: Personal statement, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, final high school transcript, two college instructor letters, College Official Report and midterm grade report for courses in progress. Applicants are considered transfers once they matriculate and earn credit at another college or university.

Skidmore College encourages visits from prospective students and families. Although an interview is not required, a personal interview allows the Admissions Committee to learn more about the candidate and enables the candidate to learn more about Skidmore. In addition to group information sessions and general campus tours, additional specialized tours for the sciences and for the arts are available. Times for interviews, group sessions and all tours are listed on the Skidmore website.

Admissions office

815 North Broadway Saratoga Springs , NY 12866 , United States of America

[email protected]

Phone number

(800) 867-6007

For first-year students

Admissions website.

www.skidmore.edu/admissions/

Financial aid website

www.skidmore.edu/financialaid/

For transfer students

www.skidmore.edu/financialaid/deadlines/transfer-deadlines.php

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Skidmore Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Skidmore's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Skidmore and build a strong application.

School location: Saratoga Springs, NY

This school is also known as: Skidmore College

Admissions Rate: 25.5%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Skidmore is 25.5% . For every 100 applicants, 26 are admitted.

This means the school is very selective . If you meet Skidmore's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Skidmore GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.87

The average GPA at Skidmore is 3.87 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we've estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.)

With a GPA of 3.87, Skidmore requires you to be near the top of your class , and well above average. Your transcript should show mostly A's. Ideally, you will also have taken several AP or IB classes to show that you can handle academics at a college level.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.87, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Skidmore hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Skidmore will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Skidmore SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1373

The average SAT score composite at Skidmore is a 1373 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Skidmore Moderately Competitive for SAT test scores.

Skidmore SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1320, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1440. In other words, a 1320 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1440 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Skidmore has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, Skidmore will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Skidmore forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1440, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Skidmore ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Skidmore likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 31

The average ACT score at Skidmore is 31. This score makes Skidmore Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 30, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 33.

Even though Skidmore likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 30 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 31 and above that a 30 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 33 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Skidmore, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 33.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Skidmore considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission . If you're able to score a 1440 SAT or a 33 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in.

For a school as selective as Skidmore, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1440 SAT or a 33 ACT, you unfortunately have a low chance of getting in. There are just too many other applicants with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Skidmore here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 2
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $65
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests Optional
• Scores Due in Office February 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language
• Social Studies

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes January 15 April 1
• Yes November 15, January 15 December 15, February 15

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 815 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
• Phone: (518) 580-5000 x5000
• Fax: (518) 580-5584
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Skidmore, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Skidmore.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Skidmore. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Skidmore, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Skidmore, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Skidmore is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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73 Best Colleges Without Supplemental Essays – 2024

May 27, 2024

When college application season arrives, it’s easy for students to become overwhelmed about the essays. There’s the personal statement , which many students have a general idea about, and then there are the supplemental essays. Supplemental essays can cover a range of college-specific prompts that help the colleges better understand why you’d be a great fit . Due to how personal and varied the supplemental essays can be, students often end up spending weeks, if not months, writing them.

However, across the country, there are colleges that do not require supplemental essays at all. For some students, applying to colleges without supplemental essays can make the overall application process much smoother. Benefits include experiencing less stress in their application preparation and diversifying prospective colleges while focusing more on their priority schools. Sometimes, though, these schools do ask for program-specific essays or optional essays, depending on the applicant.

Best Colleges without Supplemental Essays

1) albion college.

At Albion College, the application essay is not required, but it is recommended. Students are encouraged to provide any more details that they believe the admissions team should consider.

2) Allegheny College

As noted on their website, Allegheny College has not required the supplemental essay since their 2013-2014 application cycle. Students will find more essay questions in the Member Questions section of the Common Application.

3) Augusta University

Augusta University joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays as they do not require a personal essay at all. They do still require SAT or ACT scores and GPA.

4) Bates College

Since 1984, Bates College has not required SAT Subject Tests or ACT scores in their applications. There is an optional arts supplement for students who are applying to study art, creative writing, dance, film, music, and theater.

5) Case Western Reserve University

At Case Western Reserve University, the Common Application personal essay is required. However, if you’re applying to the Pre-Professional Scholars Program, then you’ll have to write supplemental essays.

Best Colleges Without Supplemental Essays (Continued)

6) clemson university.

Clemson University does not require students to complete a personal essay with the Common or Coalition Application. There is also a test-optional policy that may appeal to some students.

7) Coe College

At Coe College, the personal essay is optional for students who meet the college’s minimum academic standards. Coe College joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays that also have a test-optional policy.

8) Colby College

Colby College accepts the Common Application, Coalition Application, and QuestBridge Application, and they do not have any additional writing supplements. Test scores are optional for applicants at Colby College, and there is no application fee.

9) Colgate University

Colgate University is one of the colleges without supplemental essays required, but there is the option to write them. As stated on their website, “These prompts are not meant to feel like essays; they are simply an added perspective.

10) College of the Holy Cross

College of the Holy Cross does not require supplemental essays, but the following are optional: personal interview, SAT or ACT scores, and supplementary materials.

11) Denison University

Denison University joins this list of colleges without supplemental essays. Their website states that they wish to provide “equal access” to a Denison education, and they are also test-optional.

12) DePaul University

For first-year student applicants at DePaul University, personal essays are not required but optional. They have also been a test-optional university since 2012.

13) Dillard University

Dillard University is the oldest HBCU in Louisiana and is one of the colleges with no supplemental essay requirements. However, if students do not meet the minimum GPA and standardized test score requirements, then they must submit two letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

14) Drew University

At Drew University, a personal statement is required, along with a counselor evaluation, teacher evaluation, and high school transcript.

15) Drexel University

Drexel University joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays. They do require all students to complete the 250 to 650 essay on the Common or Coalition Application. However, the short answer question is optional.

16) Fairleigh Dickinson University

At Fairleigh Dickinson University, all essays, résumés, and recommendations are optional.

17) Florida Gulf Coast University

The only essay required by Florida Gulf Coast University is a two-page personal essay that discusses academic performance, special talents, and what the student can contribute to the campus.

18) Florida State University

Although Florida State University is one of the colleges without supplemental essays, students should invest time into the Common Application personal statement.

19) Fordham University

At Fordham University, the Common Application essay is required, but there are also optional writing sections. If students choose not to write in these sections, they will not be penalized.

20) Franklin and Marshall College

Franklin and Marshall College joins this list of colleges without supplemental essays. They do require the personal essay in the Common Application, as well as standardized test scores, recommendations and other materials.

21) Furman University

At Furman University, first-year applicants do not need to submit a personal essay, and they are also test-optional.

22) Gannon University

Gannon University does not require students to submit a personal statement. It is optional but recommended for students to submit a statement. However, it is required for LECOM 4+4 Medical Program applicants.

23) Gettysburg College

Although Gettysburg College joins the list of colleges without supplemental essays, it does require a personal statement on the Common Application.

24) Grinnell College

Grinnell College does not require supplemental essays and it also does not have an application fee. Standardized test scores are also optional.

25) Hamilton College

Although Hamilton College joins this list of colleges without supplemental essays, the optional essays are still encouraged.

26) Hampshire College

Hampshire College only requires supplemental essays from international students applying as first-year or transfer students.

27) Hanover College

Hanover College states on their website that the essay or personal statement is optional, alongside test scores, letters of recommendation and résumé.

28) Hollins University

At Hollins University, for first-year students no personal statement is required and standardized test scores are optional.

29) Howard University

Howard University requires students to complete the Common Application essay and there is one optional supplemental essay.

30) Indiana University – Bloomington

Students applying to Indiana University – Bloomington must write the one essay in the Common Application or through Apply IU.

31) Kent State University

At Kent State University, first-year students are not required to submit a personal essay or a letter of recommendation. Test scores are also optional.

32) Kenyon College

Kenyon College joins this list as it is one of the colleges without supplemental essays. For first-year and transfer students, test scores are optional and flexible.

33) Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University does require the Common Application personal statement, but as of its most recent admissions cycle, no supplemental essay is required.

34) Mercer University

At Mercer University, applicants who wish to be test-optional must complete the supplemental essays. They must also have a 3.5 GPA and letter of recommendation.

35) Miami University

Miami University, not to be confused with the University of Miami, requires the Common App personal statement but not the supplemental essays.

36) Michigan State University

Michigan State University requires students to write only one essay on the MSU application, Common Application or Coalition Application.

37) Middlebury College

Middlebury College is one of the best colleges without supplemental essays. They do still require the personal statement on the Common Application.

38) Muhlenberg College

Muhlenberg College requires students to submit the personal essay but no other supplemental essays.

39) New College of Florida

New College of Florida is one of the many colleges with no supplemental essays. However, they do still require a personal statement.

40) New Jersey Institute of Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology only requires a personal statement included in the Common Application. There is no supplemental essay requirement.

41) New York Institute of Technology

Students applying to the New York Institute of Technology are required to write a 300 to 350 word essay as their only essay. They may require test-optional applicants to submit a graded essay.

42) Northeastern University

Northeastern is one of the best colleges without a supplemental essay requirement. They do require a personal statement, alongside other materials.

43) Nova Southeastern University

At Nova Southeastern University, the essay is entirely optional, and students can self-report their test scores.

44) Oberlin College

Oberlin requires a personal statement, but does not require any supplemental essays.

45) Ohio State University

Ohio State University only requires a personal statement. However, they also offer a COVID-19 impact statement on the Common Application for interested students.

46) Ripon College

At Ripon College, the personal statement itself is optional for applicants, along with other materials.

47) Rhodes College

Rhodes College does not require a supplemental essay, but they have the option for students to record an optional “ Elevator Pitch .”

48) Rowan University

Rowan University requires a personal statement in the Common Application, but joins this list as a college without supplemental essays.

49) St. Lawrence University

St. Lawrence University has no supplemental essay requirement, but it still requires the personal statement essay. They are also test-optional, depending on the applicant.

50) St. Mary’s University (San Antonio)

For students applying to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, the personal statement is only required if they choose not to submit test scores.

51) Seton Hall University

At Seton Hall University, the personal statement is required, but there are no other supplemental essays.

52) Siena College

Siena College has made the personal statement (open topic) optional for students applying.

53) Skidmore College

While Skidmore College does not require supplemental essays, students do often send in supplemental materials to further support their application.

54) Stony Brook University

At Stony Brook University, only a personal statement is required. However, students applying to the Honors, WISE, University Scholars, Scholars for Medicine, and Scholars for Dental Medicine must write supplemental essays.

55) Sewanee: The University of the South

Sewanee does not require supplemental essays and SAT/ACT scores are also optional.

56) Susquehanna University

Susquehanna University only requires supplemental essay materials for students applying to the creative writing, graphic design, studio art, and music programs.

57) Temple University

Temple University offers an optional essay as part of the Common Application for students to tell more about themselves beyond grades or test scores.

58) Union College

Union College does offer an optional supplemental essay question as part of their application.

59) University of Alabama

At the University of Alabama, essay submissions and letters of recommendation are not required but they are optional.

60) University of Albany

University of Albany joins the list as one of the colleges without supplemental essays. However, it does require a personal essay of at least 250 words on the Common Application of SUNY Application.

61) University of Arkansas

At the University of Arkansas, first-year students are not required to submit a personal essay. They accept self-reported test scores and letters of recommendation are also not required.

62) University of Arizona

Although the University of Arizona does not require an application essay, they strongly encourage students to submit the 500-word personal statement.

63) University of Cincinnati

Students applying to the University of Cincinnati are required to write the Cincinnati personal statement and the Common Application personal statement. However, there are no other required essays.

64) University of Colorado-Denver

University of Colorado-Denver requires the personal statement on the Common Application, but not other supplemental essays.

65) University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut joins this list as one of the best colleges without supplemental essays. The university does require a personal essay on the Common Application or the Coalition Application.

66) University of Dayton

The University of Dayton does not require any supplemental essays, although it does require a personal statement. The university is also test-optional.

67) University of Denver

The University of Denver only requires the personal statement on the Common Application.

68) University of Houston

Students who apply to the University of Houston without a test score must submit a short admissions essay and extracurricular activities.

69) University of Iowa

The University of Iowa does require a personal statement as part of their application, but there is no supplemental essay requirement.

70) University of Kansas

The University of Kansas is a college without supplemental essay requirements for first-year students. However, students applying to the Honors Program or the Engineering SELF Program must submit their responses.

71) University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky requires students to write one personal statement from seven of their given writing prompts.

72) University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

For first-year students applying to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, the personal essay is not required, although it is encouraged.

73) University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not require a personal statement for first-year students. However, those applying to the Honors Program must write a 300-600 word essay.

Whether for the personal statement or any supplemental essay, writing college application essays can prove to be a challenging task. But if students plan ahead about how they want to approach the essays, it helps tremendously. Those who are about to apply to a college without supplemental essays can focus any extra time on other schools that do require them. It’s also great for students who wish to be considered primarily for their grades, test scores, personal statement and other reasons.

Best Colleges Without Supplemental Essays – Additional Resources 

• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples 
• How to Write a Body Paragraph for a College Essay
• UC Essay Examples
• Good Safety Schools
• College Search/Knowledge

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Notes from Skidmore visit

My son and I visited Skidmore this week. I though I would share what we learned. GENERAL INFO • All freshmen live in triples • Lots of upperclassmen live in apartment-style configurations • 90% of students live on campus all four years • Admissions rep said that “clubs are the crux of social life” – this was reinforced on the tour • No Greek organizations • Very active Outing Club • 15-20 minute walk to town • 3,500 on campus events per year

CURRICULUM • Beyond your major, you are required to take courses in eight areas, although some courses can cover two of the areas o Writing heavy course o Quantitative reasoning o Art o Natural science o Humanities o Social science o Foreign language o Justice and power • Freshmen take a first-year seminar taught by the person who is their pre-major academic advisor • Freshmen are also assigned an upperclassman peer advisor • Freshmen have the option of doing their first semester in London – up to 36 slots available for that – they take part in the same first-year seminar with a Skidmore professor/advisor

APPLYING • Admissions rep mentioned four areas that are most important to them 1) course rigor, 2) grades, 3) demonstrated interest and 4) recommendation letters • Roughly 45% of the class is filled through Early Decision • Regular decision acceptance rate was 37%; dodged the question of what the ED acceptance rate was • Skidmore does not require a supplemental essay in the Common App

FINANCIAL AID • Meets full need, mostly in grants, but students should expect to have a $2,500 loan per year • They offer some merit scholarships, but only for for science, math and music majors • Admission is not need blind, but while they said they consider need throughout the application review process, it sounded like it really comes into play when they are looking at the bottom of the acceptances. Said that more money was available up front.

Thank you for the very thorough recap. Good info in those info sessions!

Unfortunately “All freshmen live in triples” is a dealbreaker for us.

Hi! Some quick corrections-- regular decision admission rate is around 20%, and the early decision rate is above 50. Many first years are assigned to live in triples (not forced triples, rooms that were built to accommodate three), but most wind up in doubles by the end of the year. Male students are typically initially assigned to doubles, it’s rare to have male students ever living in triples.

The two merit scholarships, both offered for $15,000/year to multiple students don’t require students to have any particular major, but expect students to participate in the academic area for which the scholarship is awarded (music or STEM).

How do they determine “interest”? Number of campus visits? Contact with admissions reps, faculty, financial aid, other?

@nehiker - Some of the information you cite is incorrect. My son is a freshman. He lives in a double (which is large). The college’s own website lists this past year’s admissions stats - 47% admitted through the Early Decision process. Overall admission rate is around 30%. Last year saw the largest applicant pool at more than 11,000 applicants. And just to throw it out there to those reading this thread, my son LOVES Skidmore so far.

Interest can be demonstrated in the following ways: Visiting the campus for an “open house”, interviewing, and applying early decision. Some schools monitor whether a student opens the emails they send (digital tracking). Since one will never know which schools do this, it is imperative to open all emails from colleges. We visited Skidmore in the summer of 2017 for an “open house”, then returned to interview in August 2018 (and did an “arts tour”) that day, applied ED Round 1, and opened every email. Since Skidmore did not visit my son’s school, attending that session was not an option, but if they had visited he would have attended that as well.

I’ve read other threads that talk about the different “types” of students at Skidmore. Some have noted that the school is rather clique-y and that the artsy and sporty students don’t mix, that students do not move freely between the various groups. Can anyone speak to that?

Assigned a double room as a freshman. Many friends did as well!

I will also add my two cents that not all freshmen have triples. Not even close. @nehiker should amend their post.

My daughter is currently a Skidmore junior, and had a beautiful, large double as a freshman, before moving to a single as a sophomore, and is now in the on campus apartments as a junior. The real fact is that living arrangements are one of Skidmore’s many strengths. I mean… what other college can offer a sophomore a single? Even the freshmen who are assigned triples during their fall semester, often are moved to doubles during spring semester, if they so choose. Exact percentage of freshmen who may start out in triples will obviously vary, depending on incoming class size, but during my daughters freshmen year, it was less than 50%.

@tbb123 , Regarding inter-mingling of different types of students, my daughter plays a sport, but is also involved in what might be considered ‘artsy’ activities. She says that one of the best things about Skidmore is how well ALL students get along, and support eachother. It’s a very open minded, “do your own thing” type of school community, with little, if any judgemental attitude between groups.

Finally, @astonmartin18 gives great advise as to the many ways that a prospective student can show interest, and he/she is correct as to how important that is. I will add to those excellent sugestions, that while visiting campus consider setting up an interview with a Professor within the students expected area of study. My daughter did this, and not only are we sure that it helped her application stand out with the admissions team, it also helped her decide that Skidmore was definitely the right school for her. As a result, she happily applied ED, with it’s substantially higher acceptance rates.

A month into my daughters third year at Skidmore, my daughter, and my wife and I could not be happier about our daughters choice.

My D is currently a Jr, but she was in a double as a freshman and had a single last year. I’d give admissions a call before crossing them off the list over a possible non-issue.

All Freshmen do NOT live in Triples. I just visited a friend who is a Freshman and he lives in a double in a Freshman Tower Dorm. two roomates on each side of close dores, connected in the middle via a shared bath for the 4 of them.

If you review Skidmore College’s Common Data Set 2018-2019 (a 35 page document with tons of data) which can be found on their website, last year Skidmore had a Regular Decision Admit Rate of 27%. The Early Decision Admit Rate was 63%

May I chime in about the triple? For what it’s worth, remain open about the option. One of my greatest concerns about my son’s freshman dorm experience at a different school was that he would end up in a triple. It came true - a built up triple which is a room meant for two. It was tight but his two random roommates were great guys! The three got along well and although my son is not living with them this year, he is still friends with them. He also learned to be more flexible living in a triple.

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Skidmore College Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Skidmore College college application essays were written by students accepted at Skidmore College. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Skidmore College

Skidmore: a bastion of student enthusiasm daniel gregory dolgicer, skidmore college.

Skidmore seems alive with student enthusiasm for social work and extracurricular pursuits. I would love to contribute my own ideas and energy to this community, as I have done in my school and neighborhood all my life.

As a strong-willed six-year...

Fairness and Justice Anonymous

Fairness is a quality that I try hard to embody, and I admire those who demonstrate the impartiality necessary to be just. But people often mistake impartiality as the defining characteristic of someone who is fair. Empathy is more essential...

Sticks and Stones Anonymous

When my younger brother, James, was five years old, Jack Nierman bit him while they were playing in our favorite playground. I was sitting atop the monkey bars when I saw it happen. I swung down and pushed Jack away, then dragged my screaming...

Crack & Grow Up Grace Anzalone

I firmly believe that antidrug campaigns whose values instill the “just say no” attitude in elementary school children should be extended to encompass the wretched habit of knuckle cracking. I have done it since I was a young tot, I am told, which...

Discovery on Pine Ridge Emily Whitney

I have been traveling since I was two weeks old. Denver is where I was born, but almost immediately after my adoption, my parents brought me to my home of 17 years, Rhode Island. I have had the fortune and privilege of having parents who love to...

Finding Purpose as a Nanny Anonymous

As I watch the edges on the shiny four-by-six memories that I pinned to my wall warp and curl, I cannot help but feel my heart ache. I spent an entire school year and summer investing my time, energy, and love into my job as a nanny for six...

Charms Alison Georgescu

When I turned sixteen, my grandparents took me out to the lavish Sixteen restaurant in Chicago. “Sixteen for sixteen,” they said. Over microscopic spoonfuls of diced cucumbers, which the restaurant dubbed "a salad," my Grandma handed me a velvety...

Coming Out Anonymous

When I was seven I had my first crush. I remember the numerous sleepovers where I would be asked to divulge such a secret, with the stereotypical “so who do you like Dana?” I’d have no problem responding “I like Jessy,” which was always met with...

Saxophone Colossus Anonymous

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Strategy | Admissions

Two, Three Essays? More Can Mean Less

By Eric Hoover

• April 12, 2013

DURING a staff retreat last winter, Boston College’s admissions officers decided something had to change. Although the college was receiving more applications each year, increasingly larger shares of admitted students were choosing to go elsewhere. Between 2004 and 2011, the college’s yield — the proportion of accepted students who enroll — had declined from 32 percent to 23 percent. Some applicants, says John L. Mahoney, director of undergraduate admissions, “probably weren’t very serious about us all along.”

His solution: Ask students to do more. Boston College added a 400-word essay to its application requirements . “Tell us about a time you had all of the facts but missed the meaning,” one prompt says. Another invokes St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the college’s Jesuit order, and invites students to reflect on their plans to “serve others.”

Results were dramatic. This year, applications decreased by 26 percent. Though the yield is not yet known, Mr. Mahoney suspects that the new requirement deterred frivolous applicants as well as weaker ones (grades and test scores increased slightly).

Boston College’s strategy cuts against the grain of recruitment trends. In the hunt for more applicants, many colleges have trimmed their requirements, making applications easier to complete — quickly. And in an age of texting and instant messaging, some admissions deans think asking teenagers to come up with a slew of colorful responses is passé.

After all, the Common Application has changed the equation. Most selective colleges use the standardized online admissions form, which allows students to apply to any of 488 participating colleges. To complete the form, applicants must write a short essay. In an overhaul for the new admissions cycle, students will get more room to write (up to 650 words) and prompts that nudge them more toward personal reflection. Only about a quarter of the Common Application’s member colleges require additional writing.

For years, Skidmore College included one or more short-answer questions on its supplement to the Common Application. Last year’s applicants had to respond to three prompts. One was: “Please share an example of an instance when you feel creative thought really did matter.” The answers were supposed to give Skidmore insights into applicants, says Mary Lou Bates, dean of admissions and financial aid. Yet some students and college counselors complained that the questions were too onerous. “We heard that our questions were the hardest,” she says. “And someone called them ‘the worst.’ ”

Ms. Bates has now concluded that the additional writing was not adding much to the evaluations, and the Common App essay is sufficient. “The answers felt very generic,” she says. So Skidmore removed the extra writing for students applying for the fall. After a few years of application declines, Skidmore saw a big jump this winter. The college received 8,200 applications, up from 5,700 last year. And more students (81 percent versus 75 percent) completed the application once they started it, a rise Ms. Bates attributes directly to the streamlined supplement.

The results may have as much to do with the ease of technology as with laziness. At the 11th hour, with anxious students looking for a few more colleges to apply to, those that don’t require additional writing look more appealing than those that do. “With the Common Application,” says Matthew J. DeGreeff, director of college counseling at the Middlesex School, in Concord, Mass., “you can drop 10 apps with a keystroke on Dec. 31.”

Though some students relish the opportunity to write about themselves, many view the requirement as a chore. So says Jay D. Bass, director of college counseling services at Thomas S. Wootton High School , in Rockville, Md. “Most juniors and seniors are not great writers,” he says. “Trying to figure out what colleges want to hear is stressful.”

Mr. Bass has wondered about the downside to supplemental essays. Additional requirements, he suggests, may deter low-income, first-generation applicants from applying to a particular college.

“For kids who do not have access to resources, or a parent who can sit down and help them with this,” he says, “does it impact their ability to meet what they think the college is looking for?”

Gregory W. Roberts has thought about that concern, but he says additional writing gives students more chances to make an impression. Mr. Roberts is dean of admissions at the University of Virginia, which requires two essays of about 250 words on its supplement in addition to the Common Application essay. “Asking for two short answers seems appropriate and reasonable,” he says. “Writing in a different format can give you a sense of different types of skills.” Admissions officers are looking not only at what students write, he says, but how they express themselves.

Applicants to U.Va.’s College of Arts and Sciences must describe a work of art, music, science, mathematics or literature that “surprised, unsettled or challenged” them; applicants to the schools of architecture, engineering and nursing are asked to explain their interest in those programs. All applicants must also choose one of four other prompts, including, “Discuss something you secretly like but pretend not to, or vice versa.”

Mr. Roberts recalls an essay written by an applicant from a poor family, who described her father coming home from the coal mines, his face covered in soot. In her essay, the student described why she had not participated in extracurricular activities — she had worked part-time jobs to help support her parents.

A memorable essay, Mr. Roberts says, “tells me someone knows how to write, and knows who he or she is,” and can help an applicant with middle-of-the-road test scores stand out.

Plenty of submissions fall short, however. “It’s shocking, the lack of effort we see in some essays,” he says. Yes, from time to time his staff comes across an essay that seems to have been repurposed (they know what’s being asked out there, and even a response to the quirkiest prompt can get broad after the first paragraph). He says he doesn’t really mind.

Of the four new topics presented by Boston College, the one about service to others has proved the most popular among applicants. Some responses have moved officials; the ones in which applicants recite their achievements and list their professional ambitions, not so much. “I don’t think everyone’s fully grasping the questions,” Mr. Mahoney says.

The requirement has some drawbacks. Previously, admissions officers read five applications an hour, but now they’re lucky to get through four, Mr. Mahoney says. Yet he believes the additional writing sample has helped his staff make better decisions.

“We’re trying to hear the student’s voice,” he says. And they know what they’ve heard came from applicants who were willing to type an extra 400 words.

Eric Hoover is a reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education, covering college admissions.

Colleges Without Supplemental Essays: 2020

• Post author By Top Tier Admissions
• Post date October 21, 2020
• No Comments on Colleges Without Supplemental Essays: 2020

Back in 1975 when the Common App was first launched, it was truly a common application. Students filled out a form, wrote a short piece on a favorite extracurricular activity, and then their 650-word essay.

Over time, colleges started asking for supplemental essays as a way to get to know more about their applicants, make distinctions amongst a high-achieving applicant pool, and to better assess who was seriously interested in the school. Today,  most colleges have two to four supplemental questions  (long essays, short responses, lists) in addition to what’s being asked on the Common Application. So, applying to colleges is far from streamlined. We are almost back to where we were before the Common Application – different essays for different schools. But……

MOST but not ALL.

There are still nearly 400 schools that accept the Common Application who don’t have additional supplements. That’s many good schools that don’t require supplemental essays and rely solely on the Common Application. So why don’t they ask any supplemental questions? Most likely, the decision falls into one of the following:

• A desire to increase accessibility and attract more applicants. An application with lots of additional essays will deter students who lack the time to work on them. Essentially – get more kids to apply!
• A much-more straightforward admissions process that is based primarily on scores, class rank, and GPA. Data drives these schools vs getting to know the candidates.

Whatever your reason for seeking a school that doesn’t require additional supplemental essays, we’ve got you covered.

SAMPLE LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOLS WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS

• Albion College
• Allegheny College
• Beloit College
• Coe College  (personal essay optional for students who meet Coe’s minimum academic standards )
• Colby College
• Connecticut College 
• DePauw University 
• Drew University  (applicants who select certain Specialty/Dual Degree programs will be required to complete an additional writing question)
• Farleigh Dickinson
• Furman University
• Gettysburg College 
• Goucher College
• Grinnell College
• Hanover College
• Hollins University
• Hope College
• Juniata College
• Kenyon College
• Middlebury College
• Muhlenberg College
• Ripon College  (optional personal statement)
• Sewanee—University of the South
• Siena College  (option to submit a graded paper in place of an essay on Siena application)
• Skidmore College
• Spelman College  (additional essay for Honors program)
• St. John’s University  (essay for Pharmacy program or if not submitting testing scores)
• St. Lawrence University
• Susquehanna University
• Wesleyan University  (international students will be required to complete a writing prompt, depending on answers to some questions)

SAMPLE UNIVERSITIES WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS

• Case Western Reserve University  (Pre-Professional Scholars program requires additional writing questions)
• Clemson University
• DePaul University
• Drexel University  (essay for Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and custom-designed majors)
• Fordham University  (For 2020-2021, there will be a COVID-19 question)
• Miami University—Oxford
• New Jersey Institute of Technology  (Albert Dorman Honors College has an essay requirement)
• Northeastern University
• Ohio State University   (Honors, Scholars, Morrill Scholarship Program and some majors have additional essay requirements)
• Seton Hall University
• Stevens Institute of Technology  (Accelerated Medicine program has an additional writing question)
• Stony Brook University   (Honors College, University Scholars, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), Scholars for Medicine and Scholars for Dental Medicine have additional essay requirements)
• SUNY Binghamton University  (depending on answers to some questions, a writing question may be required)
• SUNY Buffalo  (depending on answers to some questions, a writing question may be required)
• University of Alabama
• University of Arkansas
• University of Colorado -Denver
• University of Connecticut
• University of Dayton 
• University of Delaware  (supplemental essay required for Honors Program)
• University of Denver
• University of Iowa  (supplemental essays for certain programs of study)
• University of Minnesota  (depending on answers to some questions, a writing question may be required)
• University of Nebraska—Lincoln  (personal statement required to be considered for leadership and diversity scholarships)
• University of New Hampshire 
• University of the Pacific
• University of Pittsburgh  (In lieu of an essay or personal statement, interested applicants are asked to answer short answer questions. Specific questions required for Pitt Honors admission.)
• University of St. Thomas  (essays recommended, but not required)
• University of Vermont  (optional essay questions available as part of application process)

ESSAY GUIDANCE

Whether your list of schools requires supplemental essays or not, or if you’re still working on your Common Application essay – we’re here to help  you share your voice, your vision and your true scholarly selves to college admissions officers and can help you craft compelling essays.

“T was accepted early decision to Boston College! Thank you so, so much for all of the help and guidance that you provided us over the past 6 months. I can’t imagine there are many (if any!) people out there who are better than you at what you do! Thank you for your patience, prompt replies, and for keeping T on track! We are very grateful to have found you and worked with you!” – D.M., Essay Guidance Program parent

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10 Amazing Colleges Without Supplemental Essays

Conventional wisdom claims that college hopefuls should apply to 12-15 schools to best increase their chances of getting into an institution that is a good fit for them. 

But it can be difficult for a lot of students to imagine pulling that off without such a process requiring months of laborious application crafting. 

Why? So many schools require their applicants to write pages upon pages of supplemental application materials. 

On top of this, many students won’t know what college they want to go to until they hear back from several schools regarding different scholarships and opportunities available to them. 

With some estimates showing that up to 55% of high school students feel unprepared for college, and up to 50% of college freshmen are undecided about their major, uncertainty is widespread during the college application process. 

It is only natural, then, that such a big decision would be made easier if students were able to compare and contrast many options after casting a wide net.

In trying to cast that wide net, some might think that the best schools must have the longest applications. But that isn’t always the case. 

This article breaks down 10 amazing schools that don’t require that students spend extra hours crafting an unnecessarily large number of supplemental essays. The following schools may require personal statements, but nothing beyond that. 

In laying out this list, this article shows that it’s a misconception that good schools must have time-consuming applications. 

As students begin to create their wide nets, any one of these schools would be fantastic additions that require little extra time spent on application-crafting.

University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)

The University of Minnesota is the flagship institution of the Minnesota university system. Ranked 24th in academic and research excellence in the 2021 Shanghai Ranking, this campus, nestled within the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, has produced 26 Nobel Prize-winning alumni, 3 Pulitzer Prizes , 25 Rhodes scholars , and about 130 Fulbright recipients. 

The University of Minnesota has an especially impressive Ecology department, ranked second globally, alongside the world’s 10th best Management department, and the 11th best Biotechnology department. 

The University of Minnesota is also home to institutes specifically designed for the study of Law and the Environment, Cognitive Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, Environmental study, Population studies, and more , assuring that students interested in these fields of study have a home on campus.

University of Denver (Denver, CO)

The University of Denver is a private research university in Denver, Colorado with incredibly strong Creative Writing, Astronomy, and Study Abroad departments. 

Denver is home to one of the nation’s oldest Creative Writing programs, founded by renowned novelist John Edward Williams in 1966. 

Their English department is also home to one of the most respected college literary magazines in the country, The Denver Quarterly. 

For students hoping to study abroad, Denver has one of the most robust study abroad programs in the world, with some classes having up to 71% of their students being offered the chance to study abroad. 

Finally, students interested in studying the heavens will have an unparalleled experience at Denver, as they have the 11th highest telescope in the world in terms of altitude at the Meyer-Womble Observatory . 

Furman University (Greenville, SC)

Furman University is the oldest university in South Carolina, and is frequently ranked as one of the top universities in the Southern United States. 

Students hoping to work towards a more sustainable future will find a home at Furman University. Furman University, lead by the Shi Institute for Sustainability, has won several awards for its sustainability initiatives, including Furman being ranked by the AASHE’s Sustainable Campus Index as being the 10th most sustainable campus for all baccalaureate institutions. Furman also received the AASHE’s National Campus Sustainability Achievement Award in 2016.

For those looking to experience the serenity and beauty that a college campus can often provide to best enhance the overall student experience, Furman is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world, with USA Today ranking Furman as 4th in the nation in 2016.

Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA)

Juniata College offers its students a truly one of a kind experience by having its student not declare a major, but instead, a “ Program of Emphasis ,” through which students have the opportunity to create their own, self-designed major. 

Students may choose from a set of pre-planned Programs of Emphasis or create their own. 

In this way, Juniata gives students unique opportunities for academic exploration due to its more flexible curriculum requirements. 

Nearly forty-five percent of Juniata students design their own program of emphasis.

Furthermore, Juniata has truly unique college-wide events which give the school a charming feeling of community. 

The Madrigal Dinner , for example, features up to 700 students tenting outside Ellis Hall for up to a week for the chance at being the first in line for a massive, campus-wide feast. 

Juniata has several unique celebrations of this sort, and a wonderful community atmosphere.

Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, NY)

Skidmore College is considered one of the nation’s “ New Ivies .” Ranked as the 38th best liberal arts college in the United States, Skidmore College earns its reputation as one of the most prestigious in the nation. 

Skidmore has one of the most robust Student Media infrastructures in the country. With the Salmagundi, a literary journal that has published the likes of Christopher Hitchens and Seamus Heaney, The Skidmore News, The Skidmo’ Daily, SkidTV, and more, those hoping to get hands-on experience with media production will have all the tools available to them to succeed at Skidmore. 

With a focus on promoting creative thought, Skidmore provides its students state of the art artistic facilities via multi-million dollar theaters, music halls, and art galleries, so that those interested in honing their creative abilities can experience some of the absolute highest quality artistic institutions in the country.

Northeastern University (Boston, MA)

Northeastern University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, which is second to none in enhancing their students’ education via internships, academics-related jobs, and career services.

Regularly ranked #1 in the country for Best Co-Ops/Internships by U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review, and ranked as having the best career services department in the nation by the Princeton review, those hoping to kick-start their career with on-the-ground employment/experience will be in wonderful hands at Northeastern.

Northeastern has one of the world’s largest and oldest co-op programs. In a co-op, students alternate between a semester of study and a semester of relevant work/internship experience, which is typically paid. 

While working, students do not pay tuition, and thus many students at Northeastern stay five years so that they can graduate with several years of work and academic experience under their belt.

Connecticut College (New London, CT)

Connecticut College has maintained a truly distinctive tradition for over eighty years. All students, faculty, and staff at Connecticut College operate under an Honor Code , a promise all college members make to uphold a standard of mutual respect, excellence, and communal values. 

The Honor Code is taken so seriously that the college has an Honor Council , which litigates violations. 

As such, it is no wonder, with a strict code of mutual respect that fosters community and cooperation among college members, that Connecticut College is ranked 25th among all liberal arts colleges for its contribution to the public good, as measured through the degree of social mobility a school provides, the service it does for the nation, and the good an institution’s research does.

With award-winning library systems, rigorous academics, and a slew of notable alumni, this college promises its students the chance to achieve both academically and as upstanding citizens. 

Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ)

Seton Hall is a private, Catholic research university in South Orange, New Jersey. As one of the nation’s largest religious universities, Seton Hall is ranked as the #29 Catholic university in the nation by Niche. 

Seton Hall produces the Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations , one of the largest diplomatic journals in the country, which promises students the chance to experience the forefront of international relations and diplomatic thought while studying at Seton. 

Related to this, undergraduate students produce the Diplomatic Envoy, a weekly newspaper regarding foreign relations, further demonstrating the kinds of projects students interested in international relations can engage in while at Seton. 

Furthermore, as an NCAA Division I, Big East Conference member, Seton Hall promises its students the full range of wonderful college athletics experiences to its students. 

Colby College (Waterville, ME)

Colby College is another “ Little Ivy ” school, and is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 17th best liberal arts college in the nation, and the 5th Best Value school. Colby received an A+ from Niche in terms of academics and value, and an A for diversity.

Colby College is a model for sustainable institutions globally, as Colby is the largest college to have net zero carbon emissions, and is ranked as the most sustainable college in the country by Second Nature . 

Colby is ideal for students wanting to pursue research or major projects, as Colby follows a 4-1-4 course schedule, where students take 4 classes in the Fall and Spring, and then take a single, intensive, “Jan-plan” class in the winter.

In this way, Colby allows students to dedicate themselves to one project, area of research, or specialization in the winter—a truly unique educational opportunity.

Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH)

Case Western Reserve University, a private research university in Cleveland, Ohio, is truly one of the nation’s best.

Ranked as the #42 best university in the country by U.S. News and World Report, this university has it all, from the 18th best Theatre program in the world according to The Hollywood Reporter , to the world-renowned Electrochemistry and Electroengineering departments which recently received a grant of $10.75 million dollars from the U.S. Department of energy.

With over a hundred “centers” dedicated to the investigation of subjects ranging from Growth Studies to Nonprofit Organizing, any student in just about any discipline will find a center on campus specially designed for their area of study.

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