<p>Today I found out that I am 1 of 36 students chosen to spend my first semester in London. Has anyone else received similar news?</p>
<p>Was that just random or did you specifically apply for tha? Congrats either way!</p>
<p>Lucky you!</p>
<p>haha thank you...it was a surprise because I hadn't heard anything about this option until today - so random, but still pretty exciting!</p>
<p>i'm pretty sure it's random, but it's a great opportunity! congrats!</p>
<p>Going to london is a great opportunity, my friend did the same thing through Hamilton and he had a blast. As for the comment in another thread about the london program being a "glorified wait list", I asked a skidmore prof that I've known for years....and his response was "No comment". So, I'm not sure what to make of it. Anyway, Congrats on getting into skidmore!!</p>
<p>Oh god, I feel bad. I didn't mean to be offensive by saying that. It was just a surprise to get that news!</p>
<p>My son also received news that he was accepted into Skidmore London program, or be waitlisted. As exciting as London can be, he's disappointed. As a first year student he really wants to be on campus. He has also been accepted to Bard along with other schools he's really not interested in. I'm not quite sure that Bard is the best fit for him but he really likes it. I really don't understand how they use the London program as an overflow waiting for kids to drop out before spring. I can only imagine how difficult this decision is for all, but I am glad I am able to read about the different experiences here.</p>
<p>OK all of you who got chosen for London. I know it sounds scary, I know you are unsure, I know right now you wanted to start on campus. However, if I could ever give advice in my life it would be this. DO IT! GO! My son was in the same boat as you last year and didn't know what to do. He chose London although he was hesitant. Long story short, he had the best time of his life. He is a country kid and really didn't want to go. He went and loved it. He now has a group of friends that do everything together back on campus. In fact, we had a bunch of them to our house for a Ludicruis concert. Go, you will not regret it. You will be busy and see all that London has to offer. Please don't hesitate to ask questions. Don't pass this up! It is a once in a lifetime chance!</p>
<p>did the letter about the London program come with the acceptance letter?</p>
<p>My son received his "exciting offer" to take first semester abroad in London and I have to say, this is ridiculous.</p>
<p>For the record, he has been accepted to many great schools and his stats put him in the incoming class easily. Skidmore was more of a safety but we visited and liked it and were definitely considering it if the fin aid was good.</p>
<p>Instead, he was offered this program or the waitlist. It's really not cool. If they wanted to defer admission, then just offer a guaranteed transfer, but this seems a little like "take it or leave it".</p>
<p>He studied in Paris last summer (a self funded trip) and I believe they were on the lookout for freshmen who were experienced travelers and were mature enough to handle this situation earlier than junior year.</p>
<p>I understand the schools need to be creative and have contingency plans to handle a drop in enrollment due to economic issues, but this seems like a lousy idea. (the "no comment" remark says it all)</p>
<p>I'm unclear why this is a surprise for anyone. My understanding is that all applicants were offered the opportunity to be considered for the London program or not, early in the application process. My D opted out (maybe a bad decision, since she was just waitlisted). I think it's pretty clear that no matter what Skidmore calls the program, and no matter how nice it is, it was devised as a way to make sure every slot would be filled second semester. In previous years, when no one was given the option to be taken out of consideration for London, it was truly a take it or leave it situation. I think they handle it better now.</p>
<p>From having a three day orientation at Skidmore, a luncheon where the President of Skidmore spoke, a reception at the President's house, a bus to the airport in NY City, transportation to CHELSEA!!!!!! (where you live), to almost daily trips in England, to having Skidmore Profs be your teacher/advisor, to making lifelong friends, to having incredibly hard classes, to returning home a confident mature young person. I am sorry, this is not the waitlist or anything close to it. These are hand selected students who are able to make it through this rigorous yet rewarding educational chance of a lifetime. I think it is an "exciting offer"! And, Skidmore is not a safety for anyone. Go, you will not regret it. Ask any of the students who went this year! They will tell you.</p>
<p>Our issue with the London semester is that it costs more than a semester at Skidmore, but FA isn't adjusted accordingly. Also, it is a very short semester.</p>
<p>arabrab - I don't think that is true. Our FA was adjusted for the expence of the London semester. Also, the students leave earlier in August and don't really have a break (I think three days) while there.</p>
<p>It sounds great to me - to be in a new environment with a small group of kids sounds to explore under the "watchful eye" of a college program sounds amazing! As CollegDadX3 says imagine how close these kids become - instant social group that lasts while the kids transition back to campus but also lasts a lifetime. My daughter got into Skidmore but waitlisted at Northwestern and she would have loved an option to go to London instead of waiting to hear in May. I think it's a great, creative way to handle the situtation and shows the school is progressive and always thinking. JMHO</p>
<p>Thank you, CollegeDadX3, for sharing your son's experience. My D is a HS junior and is looking at Skidmore ( we're visiting in May). She tells me she would <em>prefer</em> the London start rather than a more traditional first semester...it makes the school that much more appealing to her! I was skeptical, but hearing your point of view, as a parent, has gotten me on board should the cards fall out this way.</p>
<p>Well I can add more to it. I visited last week for a conference in Saratoga and was amazed at how close the "London Group" really are. I went to the dining hall and there we ate with at least 10 guys from London. They were all best friends. The next night, I took out to dinner my son, his roommate (his roommate in London also) and two girls who lived across the hall from them in London. It was incredible how close the four of them are. The kids were so mature, nice, happy, smart, and very very close to each other. I looked across the table and one of the girls had her head on my son's shoulder. It was really cute. He told me later that all the kids just get really close while they are over there. He also told me it took about two days to adjust to Skidmore when they got back and he loves his classes at Skidmore. I couldn't be more happy with his choice of college!</p>