Decision Time

<p>Hey son is in at London also. Wow - 3 of the 36 right here. I am so proud and happy for my son. I called Skidmore today with questions and I came away really excited for my son as every concern I had was quickly answered. Congrats you two! I was told they wanted a diverse group to represent Skidmore in London. I wore my Skidmore hoody to work (I am a teacher) because I was so proud and so excited! Congrats to all who got in.</p>

<p>They admit a number based on how much room is on campus for fall, then the next few are offered the FYE experience (in lieu of waitlist or rejection) to fill spots for the likely few that leave before the second semester, then the following group are waitlisted up to some limit chosen by Skidmore, finally they reject the remainder of the applicants. Pretty standard Spring Admit process similar to other institutions' versions.</p>

<p>Sorry Rider but you are wrong. I asked that question today and was told a definitive no. They wanted a diverse group to go to London. I don't know where you heard that, but your information was wrong.</p>

<p>acme: Yes, I do play bassoon. It may have been the hook that I needed to get in (and honors forum! I'm very excited). Do you play bassoon?
I also applied to SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Geneseo, BC, Conn College, Bowdoin, Vassar, GWU, and W&M. Accepted to Bing, Geneseo, BC, and Conn College, rejected at Bowdoin and Vassar, waitlisted at GWU, and waiting to hear from W&M. I was hoping for a few more acceptances (especially Bowdoin), but Skidmore was a very close #2 so I am happy to say the least. :)
Good luck!</p>

<p>Interesting.</p>

<p>Here is the URL to the web site FAQs that state that the people selected for the FYE are admitted for January and if they decline going to London, they have to wait until then as they are not admitted for Fall. </p>

<p>Skidmore</a> in London - The Freshman Experience - FAQ</p>

<p>You can see why I would come to the conclusion I had. Here is a USAToday article that also made the same assumption:</p>

<p>USATODAY.com</a> - Is a dream college worth waiting for?</p>

<p>A couple things: first, you can't skip the London semester this year and go in the spring. Either you go, or you are not in Skidmore. Second, if you read the whole article, you will see that they want mature kids going into this program. The first year experience is about exploring and writing and reading and then taking an active role in the education. In the London program, you take (I think, 25 side trips based on your courses). I was told today, "We send 36 students who we feel would represent Skidmore well, would be a diverse group and would make it through this rigorous program." (paraphrased) I was told a resounding "no" to the question, "are these the bottom 36 kids." That is my take anyways.</p>

<p>My daughter is best friends with London admit #4. She would like to hear from anyone who has experienced the London semester. She would like to know what the London experience is like. Do you travel outside of London on the weekends? Is it more expensive than a semester in Saratoga Springs?How is the adjustment when you return to Skidmore in January? Any info appreciated. Thanks</p>

<p>Wow...4 of the 36 on here.</p>

<p>Info would be helpful. Really not sure what to make of this.</p>

<p>Those who are also in for London; are you planning on going to one of the admit days? Some of us on facebook are trying to get as many of the london students going on the same day (3 different dates) if possible so we can all meet.</p>

<p>applicantmum77- I believe there are tons of sidetrips that you do, depending on what classes you take, and I'm sure quite a few of them take you outside of London. I don't know about cost, I need to look that up myself, but I don't think the base cost would be. For "extras" like spending money, it will be, simply because the dollar is so weak to the pound right now. I've heard the adjustment back to Saratoga goes fine, as long as you join some clubs and make yourself part of the community, but it ends up being easier because you come in knowing 35 other people that you've shared and awesome experience with, you aren't coming in cold.</p>

<p>ye sheng mei :
I'm in China, waiting. Darn. You got yours already? I'm in Shanghai. I hope the rejections aren't trailing the admissions.</p>

<p>Ahaaaa. Never mind. Got my email...</p>

<p>...Accepted! Yessss, very nice.</p>

<p>Message from London group member: We are going to the open house on April 14. Would love son to meet other students going to London that day to ease his fears (very small town country kid). Hope all 36 go this day!</p>

<p>Okay Jollymon! I will pass it on to the others I've spoken to. originally we were planning on maybe the 21st, but I can do pretty much anything, so hopefully we can get a group going!</p>

<p>Hello...my daughter makes the 5th on CC to get accepted to London. I spoke to the admissions department and they pretty much stated the same things Jollymon said. Skidmore was very appealing to my daughter, but we were a little surprised ...excited...shocked...confused...happy...and curious when the London acceptance came. That being said, I could see why they picked my D. she just came back from South America, and is very mature and focused in her studies and art. My concern and question is what the Science Department like? The trip over to London is focused on English and Music, which are general education requirements, but she wouldn't be able to take a science course initially. For an economics major and most other areas of study this experience would be great! However, I am not sure London would be the place my daughter would choose to study abroad. Would she like it...absolutely...it's just difficult when you (the student) did not make the decision to go. Please know we all still think it is pretty darn exciting! We will try to make the 14th, if we can, too.</p>

<p>Joyride,
You expressed our feelings about the London FYE so perfectly.</p>

<p>Yeah, I got it and opened the thing and read where it said "LONDON" and was like... whoa. Skidmore was my first choice, and I adore traveling, but it was not what I expected, and I maybe would rather going in as a freshman as normal.</p>

<p>Then I thought about it this way- What other time in my life am I likely to get to go to London for 100 days with a cool group of people (I've talked to some people and they all seem really cool, and come on now, we're Thoroughbreds! Of COURSE we're cool.), probably make some life long friends, and have a total blast? London is amazing, I have dual citizenship, my dad is English, my mother grew up there, and my half brother lives there. I haven't been in a few years, but I know for a fact it is one of the coolest cities in the world. I'm sure it is all about what you make of it, but I think that since we were chosen for this, every single one of us can make something amazing out of it. As a potential Asian Studies Major I do intend to study abroad again at a later date, but if this opportunity drops itself in my lap, why not take it? London will be so much easier because English is the language. It is a great chance to do something different in a lower stress environment. (Trust me, I spent last fall in China on my own. England will be a cake walk.)</p>

<p>I decided a while ago that my major goal in life was not to have regrets. As a shy person, I have so many regrets about my decisions to not do something because I was shy or afraid during middle school and high school. I will not repeat that in college. </p>

<p>A few of us have already been talking about making a trip to France or Ireland or somewhere else for the break we have. (I doubt people will bother to fly home.) I think that is the Thanksgiving Break everyone here will get, right after midterms. It is easy to get there, you just take the Chunnel. (The underground train tunnel under the channel= Chunnel.) I think that would be a pretty amazing experience too.</p>

<p>I think we have at least a few people heading there on the 14th now, so hopefully we can all meet when plans are definite!</p>

<p>I recieved a London invitation as well! I thought everyone the oppertunity though, I wasn't aware that it was limited to 36! I really liked the acceptance package too---there was even a little note from the dean of admissions which I thought was a really nice touch...Skidmore was my second choice (well, sharing with Bryn Mawr!) So i'm excited. Is anyone here going to the Diversity event?</p>

<p>I guess I make the 6th...I plan on going the 14th as well.</p>

<p>Okay, word on the street is when you go to the accepted students day, you get your tshirts and packets when you get there and register, and then you go to the gym and listen to some people speak/ask questions. Then we move to another room, where there will be other administrator-types hanging out, such as students who went to London for the FYE program, so we can throw some more questions at them there. Hope to see you all on the 14th!</p>

<p>Ok - so I hope as many of the London 36 can go on the 14th. There are so many questions that I and my son have about the semester in London. </p>

<p>I will tell you that Skidmore changed my son. I call it the BSI and ASI (Before Skidmore Interview and the After Skidmore Interview). Up until last summer, my son was rather quiet and very unsure of himself. He had very little self confidence. He was very nervous to be interviewed at Skidmore and fidgeted (sp?) the whole time before he was called. At the conclusion of the interview, I noticed a skip in his walk (which is tough being a 6'5" big young man) as he came down the stairs and across the room. The interviewer had wonderful things to say about my son. To this day, I have never seen a bigger smile on my son's face. I really think that interview changed him. His senior year has been incredible as he was elected class president, captain of a state ranked basketball team, leader of his golf team and earned very good grades. I thank Skidmore for already changing my son for the better!</p>