<p>Hey, I've posted similair questions a couple of times, so i promise this will be the last! (yeah right). I've pretty much decided that I'll be going to Skidmore. However, every time i find myself confident on my decision, some stranger makes me second guess myself! My profile is:</p>
<p>SAT: 1440 (790 v, 650m)
GPA: 91.9 weighted (90ish unweighted) with a mix of APs, Honors, and Regulars at a competitive Long Island High School
Strong EC's in music</p>
<p>The drawback with my application is that I didn't take SAT II's, which prohibits me from applying to Vassar. </p>
<p>I was under the impression that Skidmore was like a Vassar-lite. However, someone told me that Skidmore is compared to the University of Vermont, saying its for kids that just want to smoke pot all day. </p>
<p>Can someone tell me which description sounds more accurate? What are the comparisons and differences between Skidmore and Vassar? IS SKIDMORE A GOOD SCHOOL?!</p>
<p>In my opinion, Skidmore is a fine school. Are there students at Skidmore who simply want to smoke pot all day? I am sure that there are. Are there students at Vassar who want to smoke pot all day? Again, I am sure that they exist. In both cases, however, I believe that you will find that this represents a small minority of the students. While both schools are known for their politically left-leaning students, the reputation is that there is more political diversity at Skidmore. </p>
<p>Accurate or not, in my mind the difference between Vassar and Skidmore is that it may be easier to slide by at Skidmore than it is at Vassar. However, if you want to be intellectually and academically challenged throughout your collegiate career, you can receive that type of education at Skidmore.</p>
<p>My daughter is also considering Skidmore. Would like to know more about the social atmosphere there-- what activities are popular? is there tolerance for more eccentric types? do people tend to from cliques along stereotypical lines?</p>
<p>My thoughts on Skidmore is that it is a great school with a very artsy-liberal student body. Reports have been that their financial aid is somewhat stingy, important to keep in mind if you need lots of financial aid because it is very expensive. The campus does not look at all like Vassar --- it has more of a "summer camp" in the woods feel. Some people like it, some don't. Like all schools, only a visit is going to convince you whether it's right for you or not. If a visit isn't possible, collegiatechoice.com offers a video of the actual admissions tour that is pretty good for seeing what it is like.</p>
<p>One other caveat about Skidmore: it is somewhat more selective for female applicants. The admissions office seems to have a tendency to give males a bit of slack because they are trying to balance out the male-female ratio. Bear this in mind when looking at their "median" statistics for SATs and GPA. If you're female, consider it a match only if you are solidly above the medians.
I'd say the original poster could safely consider it a match but not a safety.</p>
<p>donpon11, I am a skidmore alumni and am willing to answer any questions you may have. Vassar and Skidmore were my two top choices as well, after I have winnowed down Bates, Hamilton, and Conn. College. </p>
<p>Skidmore is a wonderful institution. The strength of the school, above and beyond the academics, which is both challenging and interesting, is the diversity of the student body. </p>
<p>I went to a somewhat fascist boarding school, to which Skidmore was a breath of fresh air: there is no one, oppressive culture that dominates the social scene. Yes, there are "granolas", but there are also intellectuals, conservatives (a few, anyway), jocks, preps, WASPS, JEWS, gays, loners, social butterflies, rich, not-rich and creative types.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks alot for the replies! the more i research the more im confident that skidmore is the right place. Its unfortunate that they have such a small endowment as to not have the best aid packages, but hopefully it'll be worth it in the end!</p>
<p>Actually, Skidmore's endowment is right in line with its "peer" schools and more than many within the group:</p>
<p>(2003) </p>
<p>Bates College $158.6 million
Colgate College $423.4 million
Connecticut College $133.7 million
Dickinson College $148.5 million
Franklin & Marshall College $255.9 million
Gettysburg College $177.8 million
Hamilton College $405.9 million
Kenyon College $125.5 million
Oberlin College $537.8 million
Sarah Lawrence College $ 42.2 million
Skidmore College $156.0 million
St. Lawrence University $170.4 million
Trinity College $340.8 million
Union College $239.6 million
Vassar College $546.9 million
Wheaton College $131.9 million </p>
<p>As it points out, dont let the endowment size fool you: Skidmore has raised the bulk of its endowment in the past few years. No small feat! And, they are preparing to launch their second substantive campaign this year: $150-200 million.</p>